The Acolytes of Crane (Theodore Crane, #1)(99)

‘Yes,’ I said, fascinated that such a young-looking guy could already be entrusted with a senior scientist role.

‘At least, that is the rumor,’ the Rangier prattled on in a breakneck pitch, ‘I have been telling people about how awesome you are. Wow, is that a XR-23 on your back?’

‘Yeah, isn’t it wicked, you should see what this thing does,’ I said, excited to see someone was interested in me. For the past few weeks, I had just so wrapped up in our cause. Now, it was finally time for me to give in to my natural desire to be radical and have fun.

‘What is your name?’ I asked.

‘I am Nilo, isn’t this place a drag?’ he said, broken up with laughter. I laughed along with him.

‘Yeah, dude, you seem pretty cool. Would you mind coming over to our dorms to meet my friends?’ I asked.

‘Not at all, I actually would really enjoy that. I am a fan. The word on the street is that you humans are trouble, but I don’t believe that for a second. I would actually benefit from being part of your team. It is something for you to consider, maybe?’

‘We will see what everyone else says, dude,’ I said. I did not want to make any promises.

The lone guard started to pace himself, walking behind us.

Nilo spun around and sure told him off. ‘Back off!’

The guard appeared flustered. I got the sense that he knew Nilo pretty well.

Nilo said, ‘I said, ‘Back off!’ This is my man now. I’ll guard him for the king. How would you like me to tell Our Majesty that you were messing with me, huh? Huh?’

An expression of concern crossed the guard’s face, then he quickly darted away, looking back behind him every few seconds. I was impressed with Nilo’s status. He must be real tight with Trazuline. Yet, at the same time, he didn’t seem to care for authority. He seemed like the perfect guy for us.

I walked my new homie to the rest of my crew, so they could meet him. Mariah wanted badly to recruit a Rangier mercenary to be a part of our crew. Maybe he was the person for the job.

As we walked, I noticed that even though Nilo was a Rangier, he really didn’t carry himself as one. He had a hoodie, but he didn’t use it. It was almost as if he didn’t have anything to hide.

‘So what is a medical botanist, or whatever?’ I asked Nilo.

‘I have a unique job. I collect biological samples and test them for healing attributes. It is really complicated. I am not sure if you will understand,’ he said.

‘Dude, lay it on me, I have seen a lot of crazy stuff lately.’

We arrived near the crew’s quarters. I was so thrilled there were no guards around! Obviously, Nilo must be quite a dynamic, commanding person in order for him to successfully be able to ward off the security.

I said, ‘Alright, here we are. Hey guys, I have someone I want you to meet. This is Nilo, resident medical botanist of this pad,’ I said with hope that they would welcome him warmly.

‘Hi, Nilo,’ they all chimed in, curiously glancing at him, then back to me.

I leaned in, looked around, and whispered, ‘He’s someone who can help us escape. He’s a Rangier.’

The reception just got frosty.

With leery eyes and a scrunched-up mouth, Liam hesitated, then said, ‘Dan, you’re supposed to ask us first!’ The other murmured in agreement.

I said, ‘Okay Dad, but look, there are no guards around. This guy knows how to handle them. Just relax. Come on guys. This guy is our age, and he’s really interesting. I think he should join us.’

‘Join us? Are you nuts? He isn’t even human,’ Lincoln said. His face turned bright red.

‘Really, does that even matter right now, because Mariah said she wanted a Rangier. . .’ I said.

I didn’t continue because Lincoln talked over me, gazing at me with his evil eye. He yelled, ‘You are always taking risks, Dan, you’ve said way too much!’ Lincoln paced back and forth, looking as if he were going to explode in a fit of anger.

‘Honey, breathe,’ Mariah rested her hand on his neck. Sighing, she said, ‘Lincoln, what’s done is done. Now that he knows, we might as well finish this. We might just get lucky.’ She reached out to shake hands with him. ‘By the way, nice to meet you, Nilo.’ Relieved, he returned the favor.

I figured since he was my responsibility, then it was my duty to ask Nilo, ‘Do you want to be part of our crew?’

‘Are you kidding me, I would love it!’ Nilo shouted out softly, obviously delighted. ‘I am your biggest fan! If anyone is going to take out the Dacturons and protect Sephera it is going to be you guys, and girl. Where are we headed?’

Lincoln strode over to Nilo, furious once again. He pointed an accusing finger straight at the Rangier. ‘How the heck did you know about our mission?’

Nilo didn’t appear fazed. ‘C’mon. You guys are the worst-kept secret on the planet. Everyone knows that Ted dissed off Zane and ran away. Everyone gossips about Zane, anyway, and we all know that he’s fighting with his brother for control of Sephera. Sephera is the jewel in Zane’s crown that he’ll fight for at all costs.’

Everyone else stood still in silence. So it was true after all. Everyone knew of our mission. The question was how we were going to accomplish it. We had to move ahead quickly.

Mariah stepped forward. ‘Last we heard, Theodore was in Tritillia.’