Ulysses and the Fugitive 16
deals with the rest of the critters, we'll figure something out."
The Australian shook his head and let out a mean chuckle. "Ever the optimist, aren't we, Lee? I guess it does you
credit, under normal circumstances."
Silence permeated Giles's car once more.
"Right, well, cheers you two. Bonzai! Good luck, and all that. If you find yourself outside of government custody
for awhile, give us a call."
"Thanks, buddy. Thanks for hosting us for so long and for all your help. And thanks for the ride too." Ulysses said,
reaching over to shake hands with his friend. He opened the car and went to the trunk to get his bags.
"Here, I'll get out while you're getting your stuff," said Giles, unbuckling his seat belt. He turned to Nera and said,
"You're going to look after him, yeah?" Nera nodded, looking somewhat forlorn. "Good." He nodded to her and
then got out of the car.
Ulysses pulled his suitcase out of the trunk and set it down. That and his backpack were all that he had with him.
Nera's containers of playa dust were stacked on top of his suitcase. He looked at Giles who had come to stand next
to him. Ulysses shut the car's trunk. "Well, this is it. Thanks again, Giles." He hugged his friend, then put on his
backpack, balanced the containers in one hand, and grabbed his suitcase.
Nera was out of the car. She also gave Giles a hug and told him not to worry. Giles just shook his head at both of
them and wished them safe travels and good luck before getting back into his car. Ulysses handed Nera her
containers as the two of them watched Giles drive away. Then they started walking.
The flight in Nera's ship was as disorienting as ever. At least I don't feel like I need to be sick, thought Ulysses. Once
again, their travel time was impossibly short.
They touched down in a different section of the Nevada desert this time. Unlike all of their prior flights, they were
not alone when they landed. Both Ulysses and Nera materialized outside of her saucer in a flash of light.
Agent O'Flannery waived to them. He stood next to a car flanked by armored humvees and what Ulysses was
pretty sure were abrams tanks. He could see at least two-dozen soldiers pointing automatic rifles at them.
O'Flannery shouted something Ulysses couldn't make out.
"Man, if this is what's it like to be popular, I do not like it," Ulysses said under his breath. Nera gave him a shallow
smile. "Here comes O'Flannery with some friends."
The special agent strode toward them with six of the armed soldiers in tow. The approaching group didn't have
weapons drawn, but the remaining service members by the vehicles kept their guns trained on the pair.
"If there's anything you want to say to me that's not going to be recorded by the government, you've only got a few
seconds."
"I love you, and I am sorry about what will happen next."