Earth's Last Angel (33 page)

‘I would be honored Croc, I'll bring this bunch of larrikins here now, if they'll join me?' spreading his arms out to his fellows.

With nods and smiles all around the team is quickly assembled for the project.

A week later the Croc sets off for Thera, having spent a little time with his younger brother Val, and of course a quick trip out to the mining camp to visit Taneasia. A fully equipped prospecting vessel from the fleet is commandeered for the survey team. This will make the ideal platform to do the survey, with the ability to drill samples to determine the size and quality of any mineral or ice deposits on the rock.

During the almost 10 year survey for a suitable location to build the city of Sky Jewel a lot has happened. Skirmishes over religious beliefs on Thera are intensifying to the point that the Croc decrees that any form of worship is totally forbidden anywhere in the United Kingdom of Sobektar. This action attracts the backing of the One World Order and individuals who flock to join the United Kingdom of Sobektar who agree with the Croc. There is, however, a small backlash from this announcement, with some of his more devout people opting to quit the United Kingdom of Sobektar and return to their home regions on Thera to pursue their religious faith. The Croc personally pays each individual a handsome payout for their work and devotion to the Kingdom, and he offers them the opportunity to return if they ever change their mind in the future. All of them part on good terms with the Croc.

The timing of this announcement is Ideal, as extra hands are needed for the massive expansion work going on out on the asteroid belt.

The fire now roars alive again as Dave throws some more sticks on the campfire.

‘Sorry Grandfather, I needed to get up for a stretch and digest what you've told us so far.'

‘Me too, Granddad, my bum's gone numb!' giggles Maxxy, as he untangles himself from his sleeping bag.

‘I reckon the boys are doing well staying awake this long, Dad.' my Son Alex comments.

‘They seem to be getting the sense of it all, haven't had too many questions in a while,' I grin to Alex.

‘Calm before the storm.' he knowingly mutters.

‘Granddad, you know the Croc?' comes Maxxy's voice from behind the trailer, as he walks back in to the fire light. ‘Is Taneasia the Crocs girlfriend?'

‘Well, let's just wait for Dave, and I'll continue the story.'

Dave's shape throw's ghostly shadows as he crosses into the firelight ‘Yeah, that sounds like a good question, Maxxy. So does he hook up with Taneasia Grandfather?' he asks rubbing his tired eyes.

Alex catches my attention, tapping his timepiece he gives me a wink.

Nodding to Alex, I answer the boys. ‘It's getting late, I'll answer this question first thing in the morning, and we'll spread your other questions out over our month stay here.'

‘Ok Granddad.' grins Maxxy yawning as he settles back into his sleeping bag falling asleep almost instantly.

As I began to recall the whirlwind romance between the croc and Taneasia, a smile breaks out on my face as I retire for the night myself.

Up at sparrow's fart, are boys were busy resurrecting the warm embers of the fire with some fresh firewood. Soon a small blaze crackles in the crisp desert morning. Smoke swirls lazily rose from the new fire, the smell of cooked food wafts around the camp, getting some interest from Alex, who until this time was still snuggled up in his sleeping bag snoring his face off.

‘Morning, all.' I call out as I walk back into the camp. I'd been on my early morning walk checking out some good places to start prospecting for the gold we will need for the Croc's prophecy.

‘Morning Granddad,' Maxxy replies ‘Dave's got some breakfast cooking, it should be ready soon.'

After we had ate our breakfast, I tell the lads about the couple of good spots I had found to prospect.

As the sun rose high in the afternoon we return to camp with some small nuggets. The boys are excited as we weigh our haul. Sixteen troy ounces in total, pretty good for our first day.

We enjoy a late lunch in the shade of our annex.

Sipping his cold drink, Maxxy pipes up: ‘Granddad you haven't told us about the Croc and Taneasia yet, so what happened?' he asks.

A smile breaks out on my face as I recall the announcement.

After six months of courting, the Croc visits the Sobek on a special mission. He has a spectacular diamond crafted to fit an exquisite ring, a gift for a very beautiful young lady.

Starfish 3 is abuzz with rumors about the Croc's interest in Taneasia. Is the Croc really coming out to Starfish 3? Or will Taneasia go to the Sobek? Is Taneasia really interested in the Croc? He is a fair bit older than her. If they do marry will they have kids? How many? The questions are endless, and they get the rumor mill cranking. Soon it takes on a life of its own!

On Starfish 3, Tarillia is so excited for her best friend.

‘I want to buy your wedding frock,' she announces to Taneasia, grabbing her hands dancing around on the spot.

‘Hey, just back it up a second there, sis…He hasn't done anything yet, and he certainly hasn't popped any questions yet, we're just…really good mates.'

‘Yeah right! The whole place is buzzing with rumors about you and the Croc,' ‘The only one that's not pleased is Stan, I reckon he had the hots for you, girl!' giggles Tarillia.

‘Mmm…poor Stanley, I heard he got a transfer to Starfish 48.'

‘Yep, he flew out yesterday.'

‘I gotta run and get changed for work or my boss will kick my tail!' Taneasia laughs breaking free from her friend, and smiling back at her as she runs up the hallway to her accommodation.

‘OK see you at the PSI meeting.'

When they arrive together the conversation hubbub dies, people move aside to let them through. Waiting up front with a huge smile on his face is the Croc. They both give him the customary bow of respect.

‘I have canceled the shift for today,' announces the Croc. ‘I am here to invite you all for a small private dinner this evening, Taneasia come over by my side please.'

With a little trepidation and a lot of excitement, she takes her place by his side.

‘Taneasia, with our friends here as witnesses I'd like to ask you a very important question.'

Dropping to one knee, with his frills erect and quivering, he takes a small box from his pocket opening it to reveal the exquisite ring, he then takes her hand and asks:

‘Will you be my Queen?' His face locks with hers.

After the initial shock, her frills erect and flushed with pink, she grabs him around the neck, planting her first kiss on his lips.

‘Of course I will!

While still on his knee, he takes the ring from the box and slides it onto her finger, it's a perfect fit. He gives a smiling nod to Tarillia.

Taneasia picks up on the exchange, giving her friend a playful scowl, remembering now a couple of months ago they had a jewelry day just comparing and admiring each other's jewelry pieces, trying on rings, bangles, necklaces and such. Taneasia remembers now that Tarillia had to put Taneasia's ring on her pinky, giving them both a good laugh at Tarillia's stubby little fingers.

‘The little rat! She was in cahoots with the Croc to find out her ring size. Come to think of it, it was Tarillia's idea to have a jewelry day!' she thinks.

Through the uproar that followed. congratulations and handshakes with backslapping follow as the new happy couple leave to go to the communications center.

‘Righto you lot!' booms Tarillia's voice to her crew. ‘The Croc has given you the shift off, I suggest we get the restaurant ready for the party tonight, who wants to help me?'

‘We all do!' they all chime in.

At the communications center, the young lady at the front counter bows low as the Croc enters with his new fiancée.

‘Rise little one, can I have a Kingdom wide broadcast arranged, please?'

‘Of course, my liege. I will get it set up for you immediately. Please follow me to our communications studio.'

‘Beautiful ring, Taneasia, who's the lucky guy?' she asks over her shoulder, knowing full well it is the Croc

Taneasia just smiles and squeezes the Crocs hand.

They enter the small studio and move over to the back drop.

‘My liege, we can change the background on the backdrop to suit whatever you desire,' instructs the young lady, Becky.

‘I think a background of the royal pyramid courtyard should do the job, thank you Becky,' replies the Croc.

The background scene changes to the large open courtyard with the magnificent royal golden pyramid soaring skywards. The Croc gets Taneasia to check his appearance is ready for the broad cast. He laughs at himself as he realizes in all the excitement he had forgotten that Taneasia is still in her work overalls and boots!

‘My apologies my dear. I got swept away in all the excitement,' tugging at her overalls.

‘My goodness me too!' she giggles grabbing Becky to go back to her accommodation and change into something a little more appropriate.

The girls giggle all the way back to Taneasia's room. ‘What the heck am I going to wear Becky?' as she starts searching through her wardrobe.

‘Would you like a coffee, my liege?' asks Becky's assistant Robert.

‘That would be great son, I guess the girls will be awhile.'

Robert bows and leaves to brew some coffee.

Now the Croc has some time to calm his nerves down. ‘She said…Yes!' pure joy surges through his soul.

At the restaurant it's a hive of activity. Every eating, drinking and cooking utensil is being scrubbed for the second time and polished to a mirror finish. Tarillia smiles at her crew, working in little groups to make sure everything is perfect for the evening. She slips away to retrieve the wheeled case she brought out with her four swings back. Taneasia had asked why she had such a big bag, she told her that it was just some extra stuff she needed and Taneasia had just smiled and changed the subject, not wanting to pry.

Returning with the wheeled bag stuffed full of party decorations, Tarillia organizes a small team to put them up.

After what seemed like an eternity, Taneasia enters the small studio with Becky close at her heels. Taneasia has chosen a light orange frock, highlighting her excited erect frills, as they pulse in vivid red.

‘You look magnificent!' comments the delighted Croc.

She just bows her head coyly, smiling at her fiancé.

‘For your announcement, I'll get you both to stand over here,' motions Becky walking over to the spot she wants them to stand.

‘We'll get a good camera angle, and we have our sound gear set to get a clear sound take.'

‘Would you like us to broadcast live? Or would you prefer to edit the shot first, then broadcast?'

‘That won't be necessary, thanks Becky, we'll just go live,' confirms the Croc.

‘OK, I'll activate the Kingdom wide broadcast and make sure everyone is connected, then I'll give you the thumbs up and you can start. May I have the security code to authorize the Kingdom wide broadcast please, my liege?'

‘Yes of course, my dear. The code is zbd 3860271,' replies the Croc as he readies himself for the announcement, yanking on his neck collar. Every screen in the entire kingdom lights up with the broadcast.

The announcement of the Croc and Taneasia's engagement goes off without a hitch. The reception is all round unanimous applause and congratulations. The Croc will release the wedding date closer to the time of the event. Now all that was left to do is celebrate! And that they do!

‘Grandfather what happened with Endorok, that's his name right? And the survey team?' asks Dave.

‘Endorok is correct Dave, now there's a scallywag!' I muse as I now shift my thoughts to the survey team under Endorok's leadership.

A newly modified prospecting vessel has just been recommissioned and is immediately commandeered by Endorok. The first thing Endorok organizes is a name and artwork for the vessel, he dubs it ‘the Crocs Eyeball', and he has the name painted on both sides of the fore of the flight deck, with a massive Croc's eye painted to scale directly above the name on each side. It gives the craft an almost live appearance! Endorok sends the Croc a snapshot of the finished craft. The Croc almost has a heart attack from laughing! He loves it, and gives Endorok the go ahead to start the mission. Two days later, loaded with supplies, they are on their way.

The Sobek shrinks away behind them as they forge ahead on their voyage of discovery. Initially they head out towards their first target, Ceres.

‘Everyone up on the flight deck please,' comes the ship wide announcement.

Five minutes later, the entire team are all packed onto the flight deck, with Endorok coming in last.

‘Ok lads and ladies, listen up. We have a pivotal mission on our hands, it's up to us to find our new home, the Croc is depending on us. Our first priority is find a suitable rock to build the city. Second, find and identify minerals and elements we can use. And maybe find some new ones while we're at it.'

After the pep talk concludes Endorok smiles: ‘I have a wee gift for you all!' With that he drops the biggest, loudest, smelliest fart in all of Mazuban history! and spins around through the airlock door, locking it behind him. He smiles through the glass port hole at his trapped, gagging victims, pointing and laughing like a mad man.

Dave just smiles as he watches his little brother explode into fits of laughter.

‘You are unreal, Granddad!' Maxxy wheezes between bouts of laughter.

It takes Maxxy ages to get his composure back, when he does, he asks: ‘Do the crew get him back?'

‘What would you reckon? I reply.

‘I don't know, they would have to get him back somehow…wouldn't they?' Maxxy replies, wanting justice for the crew, but secretly wanting Endorok to get away with it.