Hal followed Lotee to the mech programming center adjacent to the engineering and design shop. He let out a low whistle when he saw the number of traps available. "Sweet! There must be over a thousand of these things."

"Yes, they are essential when traveling in this sector. Energy traps are standard issue and already installed in each of the pods," Lotee said. "These traps can be deployed separately wherever they are needed. The colonel has instructed me to assist you in any way I can."

"We just need to design remote-control units to teleport these babies from a safe distance. I appreciate your help, Lotee."

"It's no trouble. Now that I'm solid again, I enjoy making things and often assist in the shop when not busy with other duties." Lotee picked up a complex security latching mechanism. "The 3-D printers will make any object you can dream up."

"Well, that should speed things along. The real trick will be getting the traps to teleport remotely to a distant set of coordinates, "Hal said.

"That will take a lot of power, but I understand the admiral will provide whatever you need."

"The problem I see is getting enough power without exceeding the optimum weight." Hal said.

"We have a stockpile of tiny black holes.," Lotee said. "They can produce a lot of power over time. A burst of power might prove more difficult."

"You have black holes just lying around in storage?" Hal was incredulous.

"Yes, they are used in our magiton bodies," Lotee said.

"Okay, then. If we stored up the energy they produce in some sort of battery system, it could discharge a sufficient burst of power," Hal said. "Do we happen to have batteries laying around too?"

"No, but with all the waste from the reactor you could make more ionic batteries," Lotee said. "Have a look. I see one over there."

"Show me how it's done, and I'll have these traps ready in no time," Hal said picking up the battery. It was no bigger than the palm of his hand, enclosed in a slim casing, and very light in weight. "These are great. Once these are installed, I'll configure my pod to control them remotely."

Lotee transferred a data file to Hal with details on manufacturing the batteries. They went to work on the first prototype

The admiral will be pleased," Lotee said. "Assuming it works."

"The energy traps deploy automatically. All we have to do is send in pods with pilots to find the skulkers, then remotely teleport the traps into position. The pilots are never in danger and come back to base. Once the traps are full, we regroup and teleport them to the demon. I can remotely trigger the traps to release the skulkers," Hal said. "I'll make it work, Lotee."

Lieutenant Cratus entered the lab and hurried toward them. From the look on his face, Hal could see there was bad news.

"You're back sooner than we expected." Hal said. "I would appreciate your help with this remote teleportation system, Lieutenant."

"We have a bit a problem on our hands first," Cratus said. "Lotee, we need your help with Etaine."

"Etaine? Whatever's wrong?" Lotee asked.

"Let me guess, she backslid after coming into contact with the BakoNaat," Hal said.

"Yes,” Cratus said. “Etaine is convinced she's one of them and says they've adopted her as their Queen. She transformed into her serpentine form. The only way I could convince her to change back to a human was to do it for you, Lotee"

"Where is she? I must go to her at once," Lotee said. He straightened his uniform and dusted off his jacket.

"Locked up in a leisure center, # 2B-7.3-G,” Cratus said and gave him the keycode before Lotee rushed from the lab.

"I tried to warn Colonel Munaci about sending Etaine, but he wouldn't listen," Hal said.

"Don't take it personally. He doesn't listen to anyone but Admiral Bethon and not always then. The aranga are a conceited bunch of apes if you want my opinion," Cratus said.

"Is it true what he said about his species conquering the entire galaxy?"

"Yes, but nothing brag worthy. The aranga are of very old ancestry and the few species who opposed them had just recently evolved from primitive status, no more advanced than you and your friends," Cratus explained. "The BakoNaat were just learning the pirating trade then and weren’t nearly as formidable as they are now with their adepts and seers. The BakoNaat have actually managed to keep control of their sector of the Galaxy."

"Adepts and seers?" Hal asked,” Like spellcasters?”

Cratus laughed. "No. Their magic is based on science. They have found ways to accelerate their learning and its rumored they can transmute any material for their needs. No one but the BakoNaat have ever seen their home planet. They produce a variety of unusual trade items and works of art that are unequaled in the galaxy."

"I can see Etaine would be attracted to that," Hal said. "And now she imagines she is their Queen?"

"Apparently, so do they, unless it's all a big show for our benefit. She plans to represent them in council as the Ghost Queen of the BakoNaat."

* * *

Lotee teleported to leisure center labeled # 2B-7.3-G, unlocked the door and went inside. Etaine was back in her translucent serpent form and lounging in on pile of jeweled pillows, listening to some rhythmic music of BakoNaat origin she had found in the entertainment archive.

“Etaine?”

“Lotee, my dearest Lotee...“ she spoke to him telepathically.

“What’s happened to you?”

“I found my true purpose in life.”

“What about us?”

“That hasn’t changed. I still love you, Lotee.”

“Then return to your human form immediately. I won’t kiss a snake, Etaine.”

“You won’t ever kiss me again?”

“No. Not ever as a snake.”

“But I’m a BakoNaat now. I’m their Queen.”

“That’s truly wonderful, Etaine, and I’m happy for you. It doesn’t appear there’s any room left for me in your new life.”

“You disapprove of me?”

“I’m sad that’s all. I can’t love you like this.”

Etaine flashed from green to purple and back to green.

“Goodbye Etaine. I did love you so," Lotee said and turned to go. "Thank you for all the good times we had together.”

“Lotee wait! I don’t want to live without you.”

“Then be human again Etaine. I see no reason you can’t be a BakoNaat Queen that chooses to appear in human form. Look at Colonel Munaci, he’s an aranga. Admiral Bethon’s a voldarken and far too scary to walk around as he truly is. You’ll upset everyone going around as a snake. It simply isn’t done.”

“I don’t care about them, but I’ll be human for you.”

Etaine transformed back into a human. In the process she enhanced her features with lavish makeup, dark eye shadow and bright lip color. Intricate and colorful tribal markings adorned her ivory skin. She wore a slinky green gown that was slit high on one thigh.

“That’s a little revealing. You’re a lot different.”

“I’m sorry if you don’t like me anymore, Lotee. But this is who I am now. Please try to accept me. I still love you,” she said and sniffled. “Don’t you find me attractive at all?”

“I wish you hadn’t done this, but I’ll try to adjust," Lotee said. "You are very beautiful, Etaine.”

“You have to understand, Lotee. The BakoNaat are very wise. I’ve told them all about the devourer and they can help us.”

“Have they offered to help?”

“They have. Their adepts think they can transmute his elemental nature from a dust cloud to something more manageable.”

“Have you discussed this with anyone else?”

“No. Lieutenant Cratus locked me in here all alone before I could talk to anyone."

“If I let you out, please try to cooperate a little more and stay in human form.”

“I want my own quarters and all my pretty things. I’ll need extra space for my officers and staff," Etaine insisted. She grew her hair out a bit longer, dark curls cascading about her shoulders in an alluring manner. "No matter how busy I am being queen, I will always have time for you, Lotee darling."

“If you and the BakoNaat can assist in fighting the demon, I’m sure I can get you whatever you want.," Lotee said. "I’ll speak to Lieutenant Cratus right away. Please don't change back into a snake."