The Second Book of the Alienbutt Saga. The Rise of Mr Fluffy. Part 70.

Snoodgrass stopped as all turned to stare at Hydroponic as he sat back again in his chair, looking smug.
“And what is this secret magic word, then?” Wickede asked, curious now.
“If I told you it wouldn't be secret, would it?” Pulling out a cigar he was about to light it when he saw the look on Nifty's face. “I'll just step outside and have this then, if that's OK. Give you lot a chance to talk about me.”
Nifty gave a smile and a nod. “I think that would be best, Hydroponic. No point in stinking out this nice room, is there?” She turned to Blackarachnia and smiled. “With a little training he’s not such a bad person, and his plan is really very good.”
“I think you should explain what is going on, Nifty, before Snoodgrass explodes from not knowing everything that is happening.” Wickede said. “You know what he’s like where secrets that he doesn’t know are involved.”

Snoodgrass returned to his quarters. The meeting had dragged on as the planning for what was in all likelihood the final battle of the Ick Empire was discussed. They knew they were outnumbered and they would have to commit their entire forces in a desperate final gamble. Hydroponic’s plan was also madness, so was the Ick's, but at least Hydroponic’s would only get himself killed.
Unbuttoning his tunic he took it off and threw it onto the small bed, and then sat in the only seat in the small room. The worst part of the whole plan Wickede had saved until last. He had dropped a final bombshell and left Snoodgrass numb. Snoodgrass was to stay behind when the fleet set out and oversee the dispersal of all non-combatants to places of safety, in case the battle went badly. For a while Snoodgrass sat staring into space, lost in memories, running over all his plans, trying to find a mistake that would have made a difference. Suddenly he looked up with a start, seeing Blackarachnia standing at the door.
“It's hard to be left behind when you feel you're responsible for ensuring things go to plan,” said the bounty hunter from the doorway. “If it's any consolation, with you to look after your people many more will survive, and me and Nifty will cover Wickede's back to the very end.”
“You don't hold out hope then, Blackarachnia?”
“Never did, but I'll stand to the end.”
“He's like a son to me. I brought him up since he had a snotty nose and thought a bottle should just hold milk,” Snoodgrass said, his voice close to breaking.
“Well I've got some bottles that don't have milk in, so let’s go find this son of yours and my wife and have a drink. We could even invite that fool Hydro.”
“Just wish we could invite Alienbutt too,” added Snoodgrass sadly.
“Me too, I would give everything I have to have him by our sides for this. He would have a way to make the plan seem less stupid,” Blackarachnia said sadly.
“The Book says he will be there, do you not trust it?” Snoodgrass asked, standing up.
“The book seems to be going a bit wrong at the moment. When was the last time you had a prediction before an event happened, instead of reading about it afterwards?” Blackarachnia asked walking back through the door.
“Just before Alienbutt left to rescue Wickede,” Snoodgrass said to himself.

To be continued.
All images are mine.