Dragon Fantastico – Fantastic Dragon Alebrije by Manuel Jimenez

With the Caddy not quite stopped, Jean flung her door open and began to run towards Marty.

Marty recognized the bright red of the Zissou cap and it was like pushing a red button for his heart to start thumping. He jumped off of the porch of the hacienda and began running towards Jean. At the very moment they embraced, the clouds parted and the bright white Mexican sun shone on them like a spotlight. Time stopped and then it felt like they had never left each other’s sides.

Marty said, “I can’t wait for you to meet my family!”

The two agents walked up behind them and one said, “You have ten minutes.”

Marty looked at him with a blank look, “Ten minutes? What do you mean?”

“We’ll be waiting for you. Jean can explain.” said the agent.

They walked into the house entwined with each other. The first thing Jean noticed was the smell of fresh-baked cake and fresh coffee. She breathed in deeply. Then she noticed the exquisite artwork that was on the walls or sitting on tables. She looked at one beautiful carving and thought, is that a Manuel Jimenez original??

As Marty led Jean into the kitchen she couldn’t help but feel like somehow she was coming home. Marty stopped her reverie in the hall and asked, “What’s this about we have ten minutes??”

Jean explained and Marty understood, but would Uncle Ricky and Aunt Rosa, and especially Fonz. He’d gotten a taste of adventure at the Gomes house and now he was sidelined.

In the kitchen, they explained why they had to go. Aunt Rosa said, “At least have a piece of cake and some coffee before you do.” Everyone dug into the cake and “mmmmmm so good” -ed it, while Aunt Rosa sat at the table, face in hands, and turned to look at each one filling their face. This moment, to her, was a piece of heaven. Her shy nephew found himself a beautiful life mate to share his passions with as a young man and here they were, reunited. She looked at her handsome son and dreamed of how beautiful her grandchildren would be one day.

Time was up, and Fonz said, “Call us as soon as you can. I have a few ideas I want to roll past you two when you get back.”

Marty and Jean were surprised at how short the ride was between the house and the base of operations. It was a medium-sized office building with a large “For Lease” banner on the side. It was located two blocks from the bug warehouse and four blocks from the Gomes home, which they drove by on the way to the building. Marty nudged Jean in the ribs as they passed it. Quick as lightning, Jean felt the presence of something pushing to get into her mind. She saw stars in front of her eyes and nausea, like she was coming down with the flu. Marty noticed it right away and took her hand in his. As if conduits, he picked up on the sensation and the beast’s red eyes in a monstrous face flashed in his head. As the Caddy receded from the location the feeling passed.

She’d just finished feeding on the human when she felt the mind of someone who knew where the mask was. Then the mind of the human who had seen her at the large gathering awhile back. These two were connected with each other. She reached into the mind of her captive to see what he knew of either of them. His resistance gone it was easy to see the connection and also was reminded of the human on the ladder and also who was prowling around the place not long ago. This human who kept popping up was now connected to what she was seeking. Tonight, under cover of darkness, she would seek them out and learn what she needed to know.

Marty and Jean were impressed by the base of operations. There were large screens showing what the live cams were seeing that were surrounding the bug warehouse and the Gomes home. There was a large table with probably twenty people sitting around it, including Lt. Machete, a few others in military uniforms, and many that had the look of scientists. Most surprising to see at the table was Professor Sadek! She waved them over to two empty seats near her. “Sorry I couldn’t tell you. With all of the spying going on, we couldn’t take a chance at telling you,” she said. The Prof stood up and called the meeting to order. Operating the Powerpoint Presentation from her laptop, she turned to the large screen behind her and said, “the main areas we want to discuss are:

1. our discovery of an alien artifact that is power source that also serves as a navigating device for interstellar travel
   

2. the murders that have taken place in Egypt and here by suspected mercenaries funded by Belos-Tusk Unlimited and the theft by them of precious remains and other extraterrestrial artifacts

3. the almost certain reality that at least one of the extraterrestrials is alive and in this area

We’ve got the mask and Boney (the ET remains discovered after the earthquake) in a safe location. We need to continue investigating and collecting enough evidence to arrest and charge individuals up to and including Belos and Tusk themselves for their attempted crimes against humanity, if our sources are to be believed. We’ve got to keep monitoring both of the locations under surveillance for signs of the living ET. We’ve got some organic astrophysiobiologists (APB’s) sitting at the table to try and help us figure out what kind of containing vessel needs to be built once we catch the bug. These very same APB’s will be pinning the bug to the examining table and studying it once its caught. First, let’s go around the table and each introduce ourselves and share what has brought us here today…”

Six hours later the Caddy caravan drove them back to the hacienda in the dark. Again, as they passed the Gomes home, they felt the presence pushing into their minds. They stayed quiet until the agents dropped them at the hacienda. Uncle Ricky and Aunt Rosa had already turned in. As they walked in and past the security agents they said nothing. Fonz, who had been studying at the dining room table, jumped up and said, “So??? Are we going bug hunting or what?!”

Marty said, “Follow us.”

The three went downstairs into the den, which was the most private place in the home. Marty said to Jean, “I’m not sure how you feel about what their intentions are, but I didn’t get into this field of study to hunt and dissect live ETs. From everything we know about them, they haven’t killed anyone. They may prey on us for our blood but that is in their nature. I also think they would leave if they had a way to do it.”

Jean said, “Marty I totally agree with you. I got into archaeology to learn more about ETs but never expected we’d come across a live one – or the technology to fly to other worlds! I believed Osiris when he said that humans using the mask would lead to the end of humankind. I don’t want to be any part of that.”

“Are you two kidding me? How can you be for a monster that drinks human blood, and against using technology that can power our ships to outer space?” said Fonz. His mind was swimming with dissonance. He felt he was in a surreal nightmare.

Marty said, “It’s just theories and nothing is substantiated. We are getting ahead of ourselves. I say we should take a look at what we can do now. Fonz, you said you had some ideas rolling around? Let’s hear them…”

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