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The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 5: The Final Fight)

3 Realms 5-16

An hour after the briefing, Delselii decided to visit Markulak’s cell. He didn’t know why, just that he felt that he needed to see him…it. He entered the brig and looked at Markulak. The robot’s lights were off. Delselii turned to the Orc woman guarding the brig. “What’s wrong with him?” he asked.

“Nothing, he’s just recharging,” replied the guard.

“Wake it up. I want to talk to it.”

“That’s not advisable. He’s gotta get out of recharge himself.”

“I have questions for it and-!” Markulak then started whispering. “…What in the Realms?”

“Arsha!” mumbled Markulak. His lights then flickered on as he switched on, shaking all the while. He then looked at his surroundings and calmed down.

“What’s wrong?” asked the guard.

“I think I was…dreaming,” replied Markulak.

“Looked like a nightmare.” Delselii arched an eyebrow.

“I was in the Over-realm,” recalled Markulak. “Realmfleet Headquarters, to be precise. I was supposed to report for my debriefing, but I couldn’t find the right office. Then I started calling Arsha’s name but…she didn’t answer. And then, suddenly, I was being chased by my fellow robots…or were they…Golems? …Silly, isn’t it?”

“You don’t look so tough,” Delselii muttered.

“Doctor!” hissed the guard.

“My type of robot is not the strongest, no,” remarked Markulak.

“Aren’t you going to say that we’ll be bowing to the Empire soon?” asked Delselii.

“You don’t really want to, do you?” quizzed Markulak.

“No, but that’s what you’re programmed to say, isn’t it?”

“…I mean, it IS part of my initial programming.”

“‘The Realms will be made better with us in charge,’ I believe is the mantra.”

“Yes, and Dr. Borg believes such will be possible.”

“She’s wrong. People like her are always wrong.”

“There’s no one like her.”

“There’s always someone like her. When my people were created under Intrag’s rule, we were disposable labor. Our talents were always stifled. It took a long time for Homunculi to get to where they are now.”

“You’re comparing her to Intrag?”

“Yes, because her words mirror his and she’s managed to recruit most Homunculi to fight against the Realms. Now my people are fractured, and we can’t reach a consensus on how to secure our future. What few of us remain loyal to the Realms now have an uphill battle to clear our good name.”

“Then you have a similar nightmare to mine.” Delselii blinked in surprise.

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“You feel like you’re the only one of your kind who sees sense,” guessed Markulak. Delselii said nothing. That comment hit a little too close to home.


Bashoon finished her current duties and returned to Delselii’s quarters. She rang the door chime. “Come in,” called Delselii from inside. Bashoon went inside and looked to see the Homunculus Mad Scientist looking at plans. She got a better look and arched her eyebrows.

“The robots?” she asked.

“Got them from Mr. Markulak,” replied Delselii.

“…MISTER Markulak, I see,” chuckled the Goblin woman.

“I went to see him. I don’t know why, just curiosity maybe. He woke up from a nightmare. He was in Realmfleet HQ and couldn’t find the right office for his debriefing. After that, he was chased by an unknown enemy. He guessed they were either his old partners or the Golems under the Empire’s command. Sounded way too similar to my nightmare lately and I know I didn’t tell him about it, so he couldn’t draw from that. You know, he called his nightmare silly, maybe mine is too.”

“Not at all. It’s not easy turning your back on your own people. Believe me, I know.” Delselii looked at her in disbelief. “Oh yes, I understand what you and Markulak are going through. My family turned its back on Goblin-kind when it was corrupt.”

“This is the first I’m hearing of it,” said Delselii in surprise.

“It’s not something I like to talk about usually. But, given the similarities between the three of us, it’s something you need to hear.” Bashoon pulled up a chair and began her story. “It was when I was a Realmfleet Cadet. After I served a small training cruise aboard the Starfinder, my family was stripped of its fortunes by Chancellor Torsko for daring to say that what happened with the Diamond Consortium was wrong and we were practically banished from Dwelga. We were hopping from ship to ship, and I was considering resigning before I became an Ensign. That’s when Arsha took me and my family aboard. After I helped her solve the Vorkath Monastic Hospital case, she gave me a position aboard the Endeavor as an Ensign and my parents were given an opportunity to open Barmek’s Bar and Grill. We still had no other Goblins to help us.”

“It sounds like the Barmeks were clanless once,” muttered Delselii in confusion.

“We were until Penshek Tolshoon became Chancellor. Because we helped him find the Scale-Sword of Yunshul and were among the first to discover Oyed’s presence in the Realms, we had our original fortunes restored and the Chancellor made our family part of his clan. Still, there are other Goblins that sided with Dr. Borg and would prefer to spit on the sacrifices my family made to get to where we are now. That’s why I say you and Markulak are more alike than you realize. I guess I just see myself in Markulak, going through life despite being abandoned by your people. Maybe he can inspire other robots to switch sides.”

“…Here’s hoping.” Delselii smiled a genuine smile as he said that.


Over in Frigandor, Dr. Borg was cleaning up after an experiment. “Just shy of one lousy half watt!” she grumbled. “All I need is a more efficient cloaking system! Is that REALLY so much to ask?! Are we that behind technologically?!” The door chime then rang. “Come in.” A Sprite couple then came in.

“Cy-girl!” called the woman.

“My little scientist and Oyed slayer!” cheered the man. Dr. Borg’s face lit up as she turned to face them.

“Mom! Dad!” She then hugged her parents. “What are you doing here? I thought you were stuck in the Over-realm!”

“Actually, we were in the Grilthan Forest, taking a little leave time,” explained Mr. Borg.

“Have to admit, Oyed really messed up our travel plans,” remarked Mrs. Borg. “But we took solace in your successfully draining him like that!”

“How did you find this place anyways?” asked Dr. Borg.

“Purely by accident, believe it or not,” said Mr. Borg. “We decided to finally visit Frigandor and explored the outskirts. We stumbled into an icy cave and your forces caught us.”

“But your darling spouses checked us over and gave us clearance,” continued Mrs. Borg.

“Well, it’s great to see you again!” cheered Dr. Borg. “This war’s kept me away from you guys for too long!”

“Well, so did Rellmeer’s unlawful execution of you,” muttered Mr. Borg. “But you showed her, didn’t you?”

“Nothing keeps Cytanek Yavenag Borg down, does it?!” chuckled Mrs. Borg as she pinched her daughter’s cheek lovingly.

“Mom!” protested Dr. Borg.

“Now, about that horrid Arsha!” growled Mrs. Borg.

“My sources told me she’s back in the Mid-realm right now,” replied Dr. Borg, “possibly to retake her home of Largandra. It’s a bit of a toss-up right now as one of my robots went rogue.”

“Well, if you need help, you may avail upon us,” promised Mr. Borg.

“We’re here for you now!” agreed Mrs. Borg.

“Thanks, Mom and Dad!” said Dr. Borg. “It’s been too long since we were together!” The Borgs then embraced each other like the family they were.

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