Ulysses and the Fugitive 16
"It's okay, Nera. I signed up for this," he said. He held her hand as O'Flannery and his armed escort closed in on
them.
"Hello, Nera. Ulysses," said O'Flannery. "I hope you're both ready to go because we're going now."
"Sure, let's go," said Ulysses, surprising himself with how casual he managed to sound.
"I have something I need to discuss with you, Agent O'Flannery, before you take us and I surrender my vehicle."
O'Flannery's face was a mask of barely suppressed irritation. "Fine. What is it?" The soldiers behind him shifted
restlessly.
"Can you guarantee that Ulysses will be returned to his home and otherwise left alone if just I come with you? Of
course I'll still give up my ship."
"Wait, what?" Ulysses sputtered in unguarded disbelief.
O'Flannery looked thoughtful for a handful of seconds before responding. "I can't say we'll never call him again or
request an interview at some later date. But yes, I can make sure he's returned to his home in Denver. That I can
promise. We'll need to debrief him first, of course."
"That is acceptable."
"No! No, it's not! Nera, this is not acceptable!" Ulysses shouted, as he tried to get her to look at him.
Nera ignored him. "If he is harmed, I will cease to cooperate. There is no way for you to hide any harm that comes
to him from me. Am I clear?"
"Crystal," said O'Flannery with a sigh. "That's fair a condition."
"Nera! What are you talking about? What the fuck?" The panic was naked in Ulysses's voice.
Nera locked eyes with him. "I'm sorry, Ulysses. I don't want to be separated from you. I love you so much. I'm so
grateful for the time we've had together." Her sudden immovable grip was on his throat. His pleas for her to stop
were only a gurgling sound in his ears. Nera's tear-streaked face was the last thing Ulysses saw before losing
consciousness.
O'Flannery shook his head at the two of them. A mixture of pity and disbelief played across his face as he gestured
for a couple of the soldiers to carry Ulysses. The agent watched Nera wiping her eyes and working to regain her
composure. She nodded to him.
He turned around. "We're done here. Let's head back." He said to his entourage.
The group moved toward the armored vehicles and the rest of the company. Nera's saucer followed silently behind
them.UJ