Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds

  By: T. M. Ashley

  Flower 17: Odd Jobs

  In the far reaches of the universe, a colossal woman occupied a throne fashioned from intertwining vines and blossoms. Her cascading, blonde hair sprawled over the arms of the throne, extending and clinging to the walls and ceiling like a delicate spider's web. A modest crown adorned her head, featuring a single purple jewel embedded in its sole spire. Despite her opulent surroundings, the giant woman seemed uninterested, with closed eyes and her cheek resting on her palm. A multi-armed jester with an elongated torso attempted to amuse her, but with a nonchalant wave of her well-manicured hand, the jester found himself seized by guards donned in regal purple armor.

  “Your highness,” a man with two lines of burden marks running down his face appeared, “There is word from Helios.”

  Her long lashes parted and her deep purple gaze found her herald standing before her, “Word of my Molly?” Her voice was low but filled the room with a chill.

  “Yes your highness,” the man said.

  The woman straightened in her throne, inhaling deeply, which caused her ample bosom to rise. The sheer material of her dress allowed her nipples to make a subtle appearance, prompting her to brush them with her hands as she smoothed out the fabric. Leaning down, she traced the marks on the herald's face with her index and middle fingers. The markings illuminated, and the man's head transformed into a screen. Using her thumb and index, she widened the window and then sat back, inquiring, "Have you located my Molly?"

  "I always deliver," Helios hissed, revealing a man with crimson bandages wrapped around his face on the screen. He sported a wide-brimmed cowboy hat with one side rolled up. As he spoke, only the bandages around his mouth moved, revealing a sharp-toothed grin. "Is my payment in order?"

  “Speak to me not of money, tell me where my Molly is.”

  “I’m perched on Thessaldonia’s moon and all the information you provided me has led me here.”

  “Thessaldonia?” the queen growled. She sat up and roared, “What the fuck is my asset doing on that backward ass planet? I want her back. Retrieve her at all cost.”

  “Yeah right,” Helios growled, “Thessaldonia is hostile towards men, if I were to set foot down there I’d be set upon and enchanted. Unless your going to pay me to kill a monarch, I’m not going.”

  "Obishun!" the woman barked. At her feet, an old man snored blissfully with his head propped up on his hand. She kicked him when he didn't respond.

  In the blink of an eye, the man was up with his sword drawn. However, he was still snoring, with his head tilted back and a snot bubble hovering over his nose.

  Helios laughed, “Your killer can’t reach me.”

  “Your insolence will be your demise,” the woman snapped, “Your contract is for a bag and tag. I expect you to deliver.”

  “I will,” Helios stated, “When the target isn’t on hostile ground.”

  “Urgh,” she shouted in frustration, “You’re useless.”

  “I’m great at what I do,” Helios said, “I found your girl.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Is she present for sure?” the woman growled.

  “This is her last known location. How should I proceed?”

  “Wait for the evacuation,” the woman growled, “The destruction of Thessaldonia is emanate.”

  Helios chuckled, “Is that right?”

  “No backward ass planet is going ot possess what belongs to me. They aren’t affiliated with the Universal Tribunal Union therefore opposed to it’s supremacy. Stand by.”

  The woman pinched the screen and her heralds head returned to normal. He bowed before the throne and asked, “What are your orders?”

  “Leave me,” the woman said.

  “Yes your highness,” the herald turned to leave and suddenly his head was removed from his shoulders.

  Obishun sheathed his sword slowly as the man’s head tumbled to his feet. Blood gushed from the headless torso like a geyser and collapsed to its knees. Obishun was still fast asleep and returned to the foot of the woman’s throne and went back to sleep.

  “So useless,” the woman hissed and clicked her tongue. Several attendants came to retrieve the remnants of her herald. “I need a new herald.”

  A tall man wearing a purple suit bowed his head and asked in a shaky voice, “He was the last of his kind, your highness.”

  “Seriously? No more transponder heads?” The woman asked.

  “Madame Monroe, your orders are absolute but you ordered the elimination of the transponder heads when they shared anti-U.T.U footage to the masses.”

  “That rings a bell. Very well, bring me a traditional transponder,” Madame Monroe said with a wave of her hand.

  “Very well your highness,” the man said and bowed deeply before he turned to leave.

  “Esco,” she said.

  The man stopped and turned to his giant queen, “Yes, your highness, how may I serve?”

  “Did you get rid of that pesky Orbit Police officer?”

  “Your orders are absolute, your highness. Lieutenant Lisa Rawl was escorted off planet.”

  “Very good,” Madame Monroe said. “Off with you then.”

  Esco bowed deeply once more and exited the throne room. As he closed the giant doors behind him, his hands trembled. A woman rushed to his side and whispered in his ear. His eyes widened, and he nearly started to run through the palace. He came to a sliding stop near the entrance and found Lieutenant Lisa Rawl waiting for him.

  The lavender-skinned woman, with tentacles instead of hair protruding from her scalp, smiled when she saw him. "Mr. Esco, I was on my way when another question occurred to me."

  He raised his hand and seized her elbow and led her to the servants chambers of the fortress. He spoke through clenched teeth, “You were asked to leave the planet post haste and to stop inquiring about the former staff.”

  “Just one question,” Lisa said as she allowed the man to guide her, “Was there ever anyone who mistreated the voskia? Or anyone who was known to be violent with voskia?”

  “Your questions are vague and no cause for return,” Esco stated, “All voskia are viewed and treated the same on Leivviel as they are on every other planet in Tucy.”

  “The enslavement of the voskia has been prohibited by the Universal Tribunal Union and I’m only asking because several reports have been made in regards to one of the former servants of Madame Monroe. If you could just share a name, a description. Anything would be helpful.”

  Esco clenched his jaw and glared at the woman, “I have no comment for you. Nor does Madame Monroe. Should she learn of your presence I’m sure she would call for your suspension if not expulsion from the Orbit Police.”

  Lisa started to argue when a small ball shot from her watch and an ethereal voice spoke.

  “Lieutenant Lisa Rawl you have been requested to join a special task force for a mission provided by the Zazpi Judges, report to Pravda.”

  “As you wish Commander I’ll return post-haste,” Lisa said as she bowed her head. A red bean engulfed her and she vanished.

  Esco sighed as soon as the woman vanished and leaned against the wall. Remembering he was on a mission, he went to acquire a traditional transponder. Straightening out his suit, he barked at the other servants who seemed idle. Having found what he was looking for, he returned to the throne room, only pausing momentarily outside the double doors.

  Whew! That was quite the chapter. ??

  Madame Monroe is not someone to be trifled with, and Helios seems to know better than to risk his neck on Thessaldonia. But the real question is—what will she do next? And what does this mean for Molly and the crew now that they’re off-world?

  This chapter introduced a whole new layer to the universe of Mine Imagination, and I can’t wait to see what you all think! Drop your theories, reactions, and predictions in the comments. ????

  If you’re enjoying the story, don’t forget to rate, follow, and leave a review—your support means the world! ????

  Until next time, stay safe among the stars!

  —T. M. Ashley