They had done as Twonger suggested, and as the new force of guards appeared in the room, Cal followed his alien companion’s lead and let them take him into custody. Interestingly that didn’t seem to involve any sort of restraint, just some of the guards surrounding them all and barking orders.


    “On the elevator now!” one of them demanded. They all complied since that was apparently the goal. What the hell would Twonger do once they reached the people in charge? Assuming this even did get them there. Cal was doubtful on that part. Why would the big guys of this place be willing to personally meet them? Then again, considering how this whole place seemed to function, he wasn’t sure he understood any of it. He very much hoped Twonger knew what he was doing.


    “So, is Lilibi still in charge, or you guys find some new piece of shit to run your operation?” Twonger asked as the elevator doors closed behind us.


    “She is still in charge, and I’m going to really enjoy executing you when she asks,” answered the same guard who had barked the earlier order.


    “Aw, why so grumpy, Bekl? You still made about that time with your sister and platinum?” Twonger asked, taunting the man.


    “No, I just don’t like you,” the guard replied.


    “Who does?” I added, doubting my humor would go over well at the moment, but I thought I knew what Twonger was up to and decided to join.


    “I’m sure your Bekl’s sister did for a bit, at least,” Twonger replied with a laugh. He received a punch to the gut in return, having finally pushed the man far enough to hit him.


    “Bekl, do not hurt him til after Lilibi has had a say,” another voice ordered.


    “Fine, we’re here anyway,” he replied as the elevator came to a halt and the doors slid open.


    There was a large board room style conference table in the center of the room from the elevators, and a single person sitting at the head of the table. They were bright green with long tendrils stretching of all parts of their form. Cal would be hard-pressed to consider the alien in any standard shape of people he had seen so far. It was more like an elongated hairball.


    “Ah, there’s the big lady in charge. How have you been Lilibi?” Twonger asked as he pushed through the guards and grabbed a chair. No one made to stop him.


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    “Security, you can leave. The rest of you sit now!” She said. The voice seemed to hum through the air as the hair-like appendages all vibrated, and Cal found himself compelled to listen. Next to him the others had also started walking forward and grabbing their own seats. He took the one directly next to Twonger.


    “Hey idiots, in the future, try not to focus on what she says. It ain’t that strong of an effect, but it’s best to learn to ignore,” Twonger said after everyone had sat down. Cal’s brain snapped back to the reality of how he had just obeyed and understood what the man was talking about. It would be extremely dangerous if he just let that happen like that. What if she ordered them to turn on each other?


    Dammit Twonger, Cal was now worried just what the alien had gotten into here. Was this really the best way to get the collar off Sean and the codes for the rest of the ogres? Because it certainly seemed like there had to be safer ways. Cal looked around, noticing the guards had also obeyed. They were now totally alone in the room with the woman.


    “Twonger isn’t wrong. It would behoove you to learn to ignore my commands as best you can. It isn’t nearly as easy as he makes it seem, though. Twonger, why are you here, and where is your brother? I like him better,” Lilibi explained before staring at Twonger as she asked the pointed question.


    “Dead, we ain’t discussing that, though. I think it’s pretty obvious why I’m here. I’ve been yelling it out in every room of the damned building, and it wasn’t my pal here might be a shining example of what I want,” Twonger answered. Tilting his head toward Sean to indicate who he was referring to.


    “And why exactly do you think I should help you remove the collar? Do you know how much money that brings us in every cycle?” Lilibi responded, her voice taking on a strange tone. Cal almost felt like he could touch the vibrations it seemed to produce. He tried to focus on them this time to see if he could figure out how best to not be effected. He guessed that the words themselves were more physical commands than just noises, but he’d need to wait for a request to really try to disobey.


    “I suppose because it’s the right thing to do isn’t a good enough reason eh?” Twonger replied, his sarcastic smile now plastered across his face.


    “No, it certainly isn’t, and the idea that you would care about the common good is a pretty big change. Now tell me again, why should I do it?” she asked.


    “Because somehow your people are already involved in selling this tech to the planet these guys are from, and they can make you a much better deal for resources long-term if you just give up the encryption codes on the collars. Think about it: they already have one of the enslaved here. They are winning the fight against the ones you supplied the tech too. As it stands, that revenue stream is just going to die. This way presents a possibility of finding some other profit,” Twonger explained, speaking rapidly.


    Cal realized what the man was doing entirely now. Anything they offered could just be removed in the next loop, but once they had the codes, Andrew could always use those. “Yep, any day now, we will have the Agency beat. So, just what kind of trade would interest you the most?” Cal asked, joining Twonger’s offer.