Chapter 60: Welcome to the Club

The Wau had psychically struck down the last soldier, and Cass had a dreadful migraine. She dragged his lifeless body along with the others, tore open his suit, and placed them all in a CRA cell. Almost staggering, the Wau brought Ada back to the lab, carrying her in his arms. Basil was still wearing his suit but no longer his helmet, and he was trembling in a corner.

- “Listen, Wau,” he squeaked, “I’m not your enemy. Actually, I wanted to be a Wau when I was little.”

- “The Wau Order protects humanity. Would you agree to bear the weight of that mission?”

- “Well ... I don’t know ... I’m human. Just don’t kill me, that’s all!”

- “He threw me over the railing, Wau,” said Ada.

- “Is that true?” asked the Wau innocently.

- “She’s an enemy of the Aleph!” shouted Basil.

- “Is it true, Ada, are you an enemy of the Aleph?”

- “Not really. I think he’s a clown.”

The Wau, despite his splitting headache, fought not to laugh.

- “Could you plot a route for me, scientist?”

- “Kill that idiot,” said Ada, “and I’ll do it for you.”

- “You could do it?” the Wau asked in surprise.

- “Even you could do it, you big oaf. You just need to know how to input 3D coordinates into the interface.”

The Wau leaned over the table. Regarding his request - a route to galaxy 422421 - it was even simpler: it had been calculated a hundred years ago, and only needed updating, which would take twenty minutes. Once the order was given, he walked over to Basil and touched his forehead with his metal hand to put him to sleep.