NationStates Jolt Archive

Amalia laughed and engaged the ships cloaking device. "Time to go, I see no patrols right now," she said.

“Good.” said Eric. He looked out in the darkness of space and smiled.

Slowly the ship began to move away. As they went around the moon, the planet itself came into view as did a couple of Kukai Foundation ships.

“Lovely planet and some ships guarding it.” said Eric. “Why are they guarding it?”

"They're protecting the scientists and trying to keep wannabe stalkers away," Amalia explained.

"Oh...I see, now." said Eric.

"Stay as quiet as possible, don't move," Amalia told him.

Slowly the ship headed towards the planet, Amalia was concentrating hard.

Eric did what she said and stayed as quiet as he could. And don’t not move a millimeter.

Amalia continued to concentrate as the ship slowly neared the planet. Once it was lowering into the planets atmosphere, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Shit I'm knacked," she said. "That took all my concentration to make it seem like there was no ship there."

“I told you if you need help, just ask.” said Eric. “Now, we get those stalker suits?”

"Yep," Amalia replied as her ship disappeared into the clouds. "I could handle it just fine."

“Are we getting guns with the suits?” asked Eric. “Because for what I have heard, there are mutated animals and other things on this planet.”

"Of course," Amalia replied. "Need all we can get and don't want to stand out too much."

“So…only use the Force, if we need to.” asked Eric.

"Or if you're a hundred and ten percent sure no one will see you use it," Amalia explained. "Otherwise people will pass it off as an anomalie."

“Oh…okay.” said Eric. “I will keep my dragon scales hidden, too.”

Amalia nodded. "The stalker suit should do that," she replied.

“Good.” said Eric. Now, he wait for the ship to land and them get their stuff.

The ship broke through the clouds and they could see a yellowish dome below. Amalia tapped into the control panel and the ship began to move near it. She then sat back and let the ship land by itself.

“What is that dome thing?” asked Eric.

"That'll be the research lab," Amalia explained. "The dome keeps out all the nasty stuff."

“Oh…that is nice.” said Eric.

Amalia chuckled at Eric's responce. The ship soon passed through the dome and a large area below was covered bu grass. Not too far away was a large building. The ship landed softly on the ground inbetween two other ships.

"Here we are," she smirked.

“Now, who has our stuff?” he asked.

Amalia said nothing as she left the ship.

Eric followed behind her. Keeping his eyes open for anything.

Outside, Amalia looked around at the other ships before spotting the one she was looking for. "Come out Alucard," she demanded.

For a moment nothing, just the eiree silence of the lab grounds. Then a figure appeared in one of the ships windows and watched them.

“That our contact?” asked Eric. He looked at the figure.

Amalia nodded. The ships door lowered and the lone figure came out. "So you must be Alamia," he said.

Eric walked towards the man. “Yes, we are who you want.” said Eric.

Cold dark eyes looked at them. "Good," he said, his voice equally as cold.

Two boxes appeared on the ground in front of them from out of thin air.

"Your goods, take them and leave."

Alucard then returned inside his ship.

Eric picked up one of the boxes and heads back to Amalia’s ship.

"Cold isn't he?" Amalia smirked placing the other box down onto the pilots seat.

“I saw.” said Eric as he opened the box…

Inside both boxes were old style AK-47's and green camoflague protective suits with optional mask's. Amalia was quick to put her suit on.

Eric put his suit on. Then put the mask on. “I feel I weird.” he said. “Never be a fan of armor.” He took the AK-47 and placed it over his rights holder. He put the extra clips in pack and said “Ready?”

Amalia smirked at him. "No such thing as being ready for Hmiel DN," she replied.

“Well, want to head out now.” he said.

"Well..." Amalia began to say as she headed out. "The sooner we head out, the sooner we can leave this miserable planet."

“I see.” said Eric as he got of the ship. “We will need to find us a vehicle to get around faster.”

Amalia tapped into some kind of computer on her left arm that Eric didn't have. "Well we will probably have to walk a while first," she warned.

“Okay then.” said Eric. He continued walking. His right hand on the butt of the AK, ready to put in in his hands at anytime.

Amalia chuckled at him, "You're quite safe within the dome," she told him. "It,s getting past the guards that'll need some force."

“Oh…I see.” said Eric. His right hand went to his side.

Amalia carried on walking. When they arrived at the check point, the guards raised their staff weapons. Amalia looked at them and waved her arm, instead the guards lowered their weapons and waved them through. She placed her mask on as they left the dome and switched on the geiger counter.

“Anything I need to turn on with this suit?” asked Eric. He placed his right hand on the butt of the AK again.

"Nope," Amalia replied, "Not unless you need to turn the oxygen on."

“Nope, that was turned on as we exited the dome.” said Eric. “Where now?”

"Ok you can waste your oxygen if you want," Amalia replied. "You're not getting any of mine."

“Oh…I want to have some of yours later.” said Eric. “Look at my oxygen meter, it is full and off.”

Amalia said nothing as she looked around at the surroundings. For a few minutes she quietly got bearing on where they were.

"That way," she suddenly said, pointing down an old rarely used road.

Eric watched the weird way Amalia was doing things. She almost like a hound dog tracking it's prey.

Eric started down the road, keeping an eye out for anything.

The road looked just like any other rarely used road, the geiger counter showed that the radiation was low and the computer showed the air was breathable. "The only thing that puzzles me is how did the amulet end up on Hmiel," she admitted.

“I have no idea.” said Eric. “Maybe somebody left it here.”

"I would expect so," Amalia said. "But considering the other amulet was left in the tomb of some long dead civilisation why wasn't this one?"

“All amulets are not the same.” said Eric. “Maybe it was found in a tomb and the person who found it came here before Hmiel became the most piece of shit planet in the universe.”

Amalia shook her head. "These two were a pair and that civilisation had no sign of space travel," she said. "Didn't you see that the clothes resembled that of the ancient Greeks from Earth?"

“I’m not saying the civilization had anything to do with the amulet being on Hmiel.” said Eric. “I’m saying somebody found it on other planet and came here to hide it or something.”

“Yes, they did look were from Ancient Greece.” He added.

"But why is the next question," Amalia then said.

“Because they lost in a poker game.” joked Eric. “I have no idea, we will find it and take it off the planet. That is all I know”

Amalia nodded as they came across a long abandoned house. The geiger counter went up slightly.

"It'll be much high in the house," she said.

“High? High radiation in that house.” said Eric. “What do you think is in there?”

"Very likely fuck all," Amalia told him. "Buildings tend to have higher radiation then outside."

“Okay, you want to move on or enter the house?” asked Eric.

"Move on, we have an objective to fill," Amalia told him.

She checked over her AK-47 and continued to walk on.

“Roger that, hot lady.” said Eric as he spun the AK around. It was in his hands now. He continued down the road.

Something moved in the nearby bushes. Looking straight ahead, Amalia held up her AK-47 and fired a round into the bush. A howling soon faded away.

“Nice shot.” said Eric. He scanned both side of the road with the AK. His finger on the trigger.

"Tis what I do best," she smirked at him. Looking ahead she spotted a car at the side of the road. Next to it a large abandoned farm. "Looks like we got a ride."

“Sweet.” said Eric as he moved forwards. He keep an eye out for mutated animal or human. “I’m driving.”

"If theres fuel in the tank," Amalia pointed out. "If not, it's not going anywhere."

As they got near the car, he said “See if they is gas, I keep a look out.” Eric moved in but his back to the farmhouse, he scanned the area in front of him.

"Gas?" Amalia asked giving him a questioning look. "That was a quick fad when they were looking for an alternative fuel to petrol."

She opened the door and leaned inside, the geiger counter showing there was a safe level of radiation inside, in fact it was as safe as any normal car. Her eyes looked over to the dashboard.

"Tank looks half empty."

“See the keys or do I have to hot wired it.” asked Eric. He continued to keep a look out.

Amalia placed her hand under the steering wheel, a right hand drive car, and sparks were seen. The engine roared into life.

“Good girl.” said Eric. “Move to the other seat and watch those woods.” He waited to hop in the driver seat and take off.

Amalia rolled her eyes and shifted over to the passenger seat.

Eric hopped in and slammed the door. Then put the car in drive and floored it. “You know where was are going. Right?” he asked.

“Just tell me where to go and I will head that way.”

The road went straight on ahead.

"Just keep driving along this road," Amalia told him.

“Okay.” said Eric. He got the car up to 60 MPH and it would not go any higher. “This car sucks.” he said.

"What do you expect," Amalia said, the rough ride over the uneven and mostly broken road wasn't very comfortable and the car jumped everywhere. "It could have been sat there for months or even years."

“Correct.” said Eric as he dodge most of the huge bumps in the road.

"Good thing the car still has good suspension," Amalia joked as she checked the computer set into her suit.

“Yeah.” said Eric as he continued to dodge the huge bumps in the road.

"Right, I've set the computer up to find lifesigns within a twenty metre radius," Amalia then said. "The local monsters might be a little touch and go though."

“Okay, you do that then.” said Eric. “I try to keep us from being killed in a car crash as I dodge the huge bumps in the road.”

"If we crash we'd have to be doing over a hundred to die in this car," Amalia then said, she turned and smirked at him. "Unless of course it is very rusty and falls apart on impact."

“Aren’t you a funny one.” said Eric. The car continued to ride down the road, Eric was thinking the car would have already fallen apart.

"Well you never know," Amalia replied. "The bumps could shake the car to pieces."

The computer beep and looking down, she say that it was showing a dot ahead of them.

“Maybe.” said Eric. After hearing the beeping, his eyes scanned in front of the car. Far in front of the car…

"Shame it doesn't say what the dot it," Amalia muttered. "It could just be a horse since there are numerous wild herds around here."

“Well, how big is the dot?” asked Eric as he looked at the road in front of him.

"The same size as any other dot would be if it were a fifty foot woman," Amalia explained.

“Oh…” said Eric. ”How far is it?”

Amalia looked up. "It's around the side of this building," she said, pointing to the large farmhouse.

“Well, I will head down this road and you watch that building.” said Eric. “Anything comes from the back, shot to kill.”

"Just keep driving by," Amalia nodded.

“That is what I’m doing.” said Eric. He continued driving down the road.

As they raced past, Amalia looked around the side of the building. All she saw was a stalker urinating into a bush.

"No threat," she said.

Eric looked over as they passed then looked back at the road. “Dumbass, he is wide open for an attack. Think he has a buddy watching his back?” he asked.

"Probably," she said. "But when you have to go, you have to go."

“You are correct on that.” said Eric.

In the distance they could see a city begin to emerge. It looked rather ghostly as it sat pretty emptily upon the landscape.

"That's our destination," Amalia said.

“Welcome to Ghost Town.” joked Eric. “I always wanted to go here.”

"You'll soon change your mind," Amalia smirked as more dots appeared.

“I was joking.” said Eric. The car headed towards the edge of the city.

"I'll keep an eye out on these dots," Amalia then said.

“Okay, just tell me when to turn.” said Eric. He slowed the car down to 45 MPH as he entered the city.

The enterence to the city was blocked by a checkpoint. During the evacuation these were setup to stop people from reentering the city. Of course since then they were often used by stalkers to attack others.

"Stop the car, we have company," Amalia said.

Eric pulled the handbrake and the car stopped. He took his AK from his lap and ready for it to fire before cracking the door.

“How many do you see?” he asked.

"Half a dozen," Amalia said. "I'll do the talking."

“Okay…” said Eric as he got out of the driver side. He pointed his AK at the ground and waited for Amalia to say something.

The stalkers guarding the enterence raised their guns at the pair. "Identify yourselves," one of them ordered.

"Amalia and Eric," Amalia raised her hands up in the air to show that she was not threatening them.

"Amalia? Heh thought you seemed familiar, it's been a while," came the reply.

“Are you that famous?” asked Eric. He spot all six of the stalkers, ready to take them down at anytime.

The six stalkers kept themselves ready for anything.

"More notorious on this planet actually," Amalia smirked. "So you going to let us through?"

"Sure," the lead stalker shrugged.

“Well, move to the side then.” said Eric. “And we will be on our way.”

Amalia elbowed him in the ribs. "You do not order them about," she warned before getting back in the car.

Eric hopped into the car and said “I will order whomever I want to do.” He put the car in drive and drove through the checkpoint.

"Not when they do buisness with Lady Nocturne," Amalia replied.

“Whatever.” said Eric as he drove the car down the road. “Who were those people?”

"Stalkers, they collect artifacts for collectors," Amalia told him.

"Oh..." said Eric as the car headed down the road. "What were they doing back there? Waiting to kill somebody?"

"Keep an eye on who or what came into the city," Amalia replied. "Though it is quite easy to sneak in."

“Oh…all most like guard dogs.” said Eric. “Now, where do I head?”

Amalia glanced down at the computer and tapped into it. "For now follow this road," she replied.

“Okay.” said Eric as he drove down the street. “Are there any of those mutated things in the city?” he asked as he looked at both sides of the street.

"Sometimes there are and sometimes there are nastier things inside the city," Amalia replied.

“What type of nastier things?” asked Eric. “Something bigger then this car?”

"Jedi-like zombies," Amalia smirked.

“Oh my!” said Eric. “I gave I have my lightsaber on me then.”

"Oh they're fun to fight," Amalia again smirked.

“Well, so like fun to me.” said Eric. The car neared a turned over flat-bed huge truck, Eric drove around it.

"Stop here!" Amalia suddenly yelled.

Eric hit the brakes on that old rusted PSC (Piece of S*** Car). Then Eric looked over at her, “What? Are we where we need to be?” he asked. As he ask that, the back bumper fell off and hit the ground.

Amalia grimaced and got out of the car. She picked up a metal rod from the roadside and and threw it in front of the car. It was instantly crushed by an invisible force.

"Shit, that was close," she breathed a sigh of relief. "Almost drove into an anomalie."

“Wow.” said Eric. “See a way around?”

"Yea, drive on the pavement on the other side of the road," Amalia suggested.

“Okay.” said Eric as he put the car in reverse and backed up a little. Then he position the car on the other side before he forgot Amalia was not in the car. “I’m ready to move.”

Amalia nodded and walked ahead of the anomalie. "I'll tell you if you need to stop," she told him.

Eric eased the car forwards. He was ready to stop or move if he need to.

Amalia stood watch as the car carefully drove past the anomalie. Fortunatly the anomalie stayed in one spot and soon Eric had driven past it. She gave him the thumbs up.

“Now, get in so we can get going.” said Eric. He stopped the car next to her.

Amalia got in and looked towards Eric. "Keep going down this road," she told him. "I'll warn of any dangers ahead."

“Okay.” said Eric as he hit the gas.

A large castle appeared between the rows of buildings ahead of them. "That's our destination," Amalia announced.

“Who own that castle?” asked Eric out loud. The car ran over a pothole in the road, both side mirrors fell off the car. “This car is a PSC.”

"What do you expect, it's been left to rust for fuck knows how long," Amalia replied. "As for the castle, no one owns it although those stalkers back there often use it as a base."

“I ask it wrong. Who was the last owner?” asked Eric. “Maybe he was the one who owned the Amulet, we are after right now.”

"It belonged to the Draconian royal family," Amalia told him.

“Oh…I see.” said Eric as he turned the car into the castle’s driveway. “Anything weird up there?”

"Pretty much normal for Hmiel DN," Amalia smirked.

“Okay.” said Eric as the car neared the castle gates.

The gates had long since fallen off the hinges. Amalia looked up at the castle, "Of course some say it's haunted," she then replied.

“Good for us then.” joked Eric. He stopped the car in front of the front steps and undid the wire under the steering wheel. The car die and Eric got out. He spun his AK to his right shoulder and shut the door.

Amalia got out and quietly walked up to the castle doors.

Eric followed her up to the door. Then waited before saying “Going to knock?”

Amalia shook her head. Instead she pushed against it and walked inside. ost of the furniture in the main hallway had been looted long ago, all that remained were a few broken tables.

Eric walked in after her. "Lovely." he said as he looked around the room.

"T'was grand in its time," Amalia smirked. "Now it looks sad."

Somewhere a floorboard squeaked.

"So, where do we look first?" asked Eric as he looked towards the floorboard squeaking noise.

"The throne room I guess," Amalia replied.

Eric looked around and asks “Where is that?”

"Fuck knows," Amalia admitted. "Never been in here before."

“Well, this is fun.” said Eric. “We don’t know where anything is at in this castle.”

"Maybe we can ask a ghost," Amalia then joked.

“You ask one then.” joke Eric back.

"Well... gotta find one," Amalia smirked.

“Okay, have fun with that.” said Eric. He started walking towards the nearest door. “I’m heading this way.”

"Wait a sec," Amalia then said, figuring something out. "Those stair, I think they may lead to the throne room."

“Okay.” said Eric. He started heading towards the stairs.

Bursting through the doors at the top of the stairs, Amalia found her instincts to be correct. The throne room however had also long since been looted and now appeared to be the base for Lady Nocturne's stalkers. Even the throne itself was no longer there.

"Looks like everyones out," she smirked.

Eric looked around the throne room, “Not just everybody. Everything, too.” said Eric.

Amalia shook her head. "Well I hope the amulet is here," she said.

“I hope.” said Eric. He moved over of the right side of the room. “I will start on this side.” he said as he started searching everything.

Amalia began rumaging through the stuff, but soon became quite clear that the search was fruitless. Since there was not much other then the stalkers stuff left in the throne room, it took only half an hour.

"Fuck it," Amalia swore.

Eric was pissed off more then Amalia. He threw something at the wall. “Where the fuck is it?” he yelled.

Amalia pulled out a communicator and uttered the words, "Kill him."

“What?” said Eric. He spun around to face her. “Kill who?”

"Not you," Amalia assured Eric. "The little fucker that said it was here."

“Oh…you had me thinking.” said Eric. “So, now what?”

"Fuck knows," Amalia admitted. "Dead fucking end."

“That sucks.” was all Eric said. He started throwing more stuff at the wall.

"You don't want to do that," Amalia said. "The stalkers will get pissed off and someone will most probably die and if that happens, Lady Nocturne will get angry and the rest die."

“Well, I’m pissed.” said Eric. He stopped throwing stuff at the wall but he started hitting it. “We come to these damn planet to get something, the son of bitch thing is not where that fucker said it was at”

"Well shit happens," Amalia replied.

"So...what the hell are we going to do?" asked Eric.

"Fuck knows," Amalia said.

She went and sat down where the throne had once been, she knew that if she failed to get this amulet then there was no point going back to Lady Nocturnes ship.

Eric continued punching the wall. He was thinking about what to do. Then it hit him. “We get off this planet and out of the system. Maybe five or six light years away.” he said out loud.

“Then I call in the clone’s ship. After arriving, you pilot the ship in one of the hangers.” he paused. “I take out the clone and his loyal idiots. The Sith that are loyal to me will start placing bombs all over the ship.”

“After the clone has been killed, we escape on my ship that was gift from the real Count JWolf.” said Eric. “The clone’s ship blows up as we head to the Anubis Galaxy. Lady Nocturne can‘t not attack there because of high tech thing around each star systems.”

“If an unknown ship with a Dominion signal fly into one of the system, the ships will be knock out of hyperspace and every system but life support will be turned off.” he added. “An AI runs the project."

“How does that sound?” asked Eric.

"I am not betraying Lady Nocturne," Amalia replied.

“Well, she going to kill you.” said Eric. “If you don’t come back with the amulet. I‘m know going by empty handed and be killed.”

"I will not betray her, I will find this amulet," Amalia told him.

“Yeah, you will find the amulet.” joked Eric. “Look at the size of this damn castle. If it is not here, you’re fucked.”

“Because it somewhere on this damn planet.” he added. “And this armor is getting on my nerves.”

Amalia looked over at him. "I will find it if I have to kill thousands," she said. "I will torture and kill children in front of their parents to get what info I need. Either you're with me or not."

Eric stopped hitting the wall and turned toward her. “Kill thousands? You will torture and kill children in front of their parents to get what info you need?” he said.

“You’re to young for that type of work.” said Eric with a small laugh at the end. “But I was to see this. See what you can do on your own.”

Amalia smirked at him. "You're never too young," she replied. "I was six when I slammed that iron down on my little sisters head."

Eric laughed. “You have a hot body. But you're one sick bitch.” he said. “Now, are you going to get started?”

"Of course," Amalia replied. "I just need to speak with those stalkers, they'll know the comings and going from this castle."

“Lets move then.” said Eric. He was already heading down stair to the front door.

Amalia headed out and stood beside the car as if she was expecting Eric to demand to drive again. Overhead, the sky darkened.

Eric did not go to the driver seat, he jumped onto the hood. Then he moved up to the roof and putted his lightsaber out. He cut a hole in the back, right over the back seat. Then pulling his saber back up, he hopped into the hole he made.

“You drive.” Eric said. “I’m the gunner.”

"What the fuck for?" Amalia questioned him and jumped into the driver seat. "I'm going to have alot of fun trying to make you as uncomfortable as possible."

“Because I want to be the gunner.” said Eric. “Plus…this hole would be a good escape hatch, if you crash the car.”

“I am already uncomfortable in this damn suit.”

"Well that suit is better then growing a second head out of your arse," Amalia replied, trying not to chuckle at the fact he was uncomfortable with the suit.

The wheels spun as she hit the accelerator and drove away.

“That sounds like something Kurt would like.” said Eric. “Plus, I already told to I’m not a big fan of armor.” He held on as the car took off down the road.

Amalia turned the car out of the castle grounds and headed for the checkpoint. "Let me guess, you're thinking about anal sex," she remarked.

“No, Kurt growing another head on his ass. So, he will not need somebody to kiss it.” said Eric.

"The amount you tend to bring him up it's almost like you fancy him," Amalia teased.

She had to slow for a large pothole that would have sent the car in the air and shattered its suspension.

“I like strange thing. And he is strange as hell.” said Eric.

"It's the tail and the fur," Amalia smirked. "Both really turned me on, bet he's big too."

The car continued to bounce as she drove then the road towards the anomalie. There she carefully drove around it.

“It don’t turn me on.” said Eric. “He looks like demon not an elf.”

"Would you say it if I looked the same as he did?" Amalia wondered.

“Now, that would turn me on.” said Eric. He starting picturing her with blue fur and a tail in his mind.

Amalia just smirked as the car raced over a bump.

As the car hit the bump, Eric bounced up in the back seat. His head went through the opening he made early. Then he landed back where he was just at. “Good thing I made that hole.” he said.

Amalia just laughed as the sky darkened further. "Better just hope it doesn't rain," she replied.

"I hope it doesn’t rain, too.” said Eric. “Never really like acid rain that much.”

"Radioactive rain more like," she smirked. "Makes your hair fall out."

“Well, it the same damn thing if you think about it.” said Eric. Then he lays the passenger seat all the way back and climbs into the front seat.

"Acid will burn you, radiation makes you sick," she replied.

Looking forward, the group of stalkers had seemingly vanished.

Eric didn’t answer but looked at the checkpoint where those damn stalker were at. “Where are they at?” he asked out loud.

Amalia stopped the car car and looked around. "That's what I want to know," she said. "Makes you wonder."

“Maybe they got eat by something.” said Eric.

Amalia got out of the car and looked around. "No sign of a struggle," she said.

Eric got out the car and said “That does not mean they didn’t run away from the area.”

"No, get out of the open there's a blow out coming," came a familiar voice from nearby.

Eric looked back at the voice and dives towards the voice. “What is coming?” he asked as he rolled to his knees and looked back at the car.

"Shit," Amalia said looking at the darkening sky. "I should have noticed the signs."

The stalker was stood in the doorway of a nearby building and motioned for them to come in. Amalia quickly made her way over.

“What the **** is going on?” asked Eric as he move to the stalker’s position.

"A blow out caused by the radiation," Amalia explained.

The stalker led them down into the basement where the other stalkers were sat around a fire, drinking and talking.

“Still don’t know what a blow is on this planet.” said Eric. He looked around the basement.

"Think of a radioactive hurricane," one of the other stalkers said. "Then you're almost there."

“Oh…sound like a rush.” joked Eric. Before he took his mask off, he scan the room to see if any of the stalkers had theirs off.

It was of course safe for them to take their masks off. The other stalkers had theirs off and Amalia had actually taken hers off in the car when she'd noticed it was safe to do so.

Eric took his mask off and took in a deep breath of air. He sat down and relaxed for a little bit. The AK sitting next to him.

"Ale?" one of the stalkers asked.

“Nope, it is better to keep my head clear.” said Eric.

"Suit yourself," the stalker shrugged.

Amalia walked over and grabbed a bottle for herself. "It's not his fault, hes not Draconian," she remarked. "We all know non-Draconians can't handle their alcohol."

Using the Force, he centered on Amalia. Watch what you say. Plus, I come from a place on Earth called Texas.

I can out drink any of these idiots under the table.

Amalia chuckled as she twisted the top off. Heard of it, bunch in inbreds come from there, she replied and gulped down the ale.

Eric smiled. Worry, hon. That is Arkansas. Plus…ale is for woman. Whiskey is for real men.

Amalia rolled her eyes.

"What are you two talking about," a female stalker questioned, looking at both Amalia and Eric.

“Why we are on this planet.” said Eric. “And why we didn’t find the thing we are after at the castle.”

The female stalker took a swig of what looked like whiskey and wiped her mouth. "Problem with leaving things at the castle is that things tend to go missing," she replied. "You would have seen how bare it is."

“Well…it is on Amalia to try and track it down.” said Eric.

Amalia took a swig of ale as she listened to the pair talk.

"Well Amalia here could find a needle in a haystack," the female stalker said.

“Well…we will see, if she can.” said Eric.

"I'm not that good Ino," Amalia replied, taking another swig.

"Amalia, you're too modest," she replied.

Eric just smiled. Girlfight! he said in his mind.

Amalia hit Eric over the back of his head. "Don't you even think about it," she warned.

“Damn it.” was all Eric said. “How long do we have to stay down here?”