Kulthurack agreed to her plan too readily for Lucy`s taste.

　　She watched the overseer as he nodded along to her words, not speaking even as Lecorondia and Julep talked quietly nearby. Next to her, Jerry stood, tapping a finger against his gun as he listened in.

　　"And that`s why I think it`s best if we go tomorrow. He`ll have time to rest and be more active. If it`s dark, he may decide it`s a trap and not turn up, sir."

　　She tried to sound sure of herself as she spoke, but in truth, she simply didn`t want to camp out overnight in the wilderness. Without knowing Erodicilee`s exact temperament, she didn`t want him sneaking up in the dark.

　　"Agreed," Kulthurack said, and she fought not to show her relief. "I shall prepare all of my guard. We will go in force and capture the beast."

　　"All of them?" Lucy asked, glancing towards Lecorondia.

　　The ambassador and her bodyguard both stood nearby, close enough to listen in but without being too close to Kulthurack or the mechanical soldier he`d taken to keeping with him at all times. Lecorondia shook her head.

　　"He won`t come. If he senses too many threats, he`ll retreat. They`re mechanical, not flesh. My darling boy may not feel he can fight them." Her words were firm, sure, as she sent a glare Kulthurack`s way.

　　"I will not be walking into this situation without a guard," he snapped back.

　　Lucy held up her hands, stepping forward. "Sir, I think she`s right. We aren`t saying go unarmed, but perhaps only a single guard?"

　　"The Lass is right," Jerry said. "A smaller group is more maneuverable. If we need to run, we`re better off being maneuverable than an army. Now, I don`t know the capability of your guards, but if he kills one more, it probably won`t help, correct?"

　　Kulthurack blinked his eyes. "I still believe I would feel safer."

　　"And if it frightens him away?" Lucy asked, feeling the conversation slip through her fingers. "Do you really want him out there longer? If you`re worried about your safety, you can remain here, and we`ll bring him back for inspection."

　　A part of her hoped he`d take her up on the offer. The chance to do this without having to worry if he would order them killed alongside the ambassador and her pet would take a weight off her shoulders. Plus, it meant there was less chance for her plans to be discovered.

　　Kulthurack didn`t frown, but his disapproval edged his tone. "No. I will not remain hidden here."

　　She watched as the ambassador waved to his guard, who holstered its weapon and crossed its arms in obvious disapproval. It didn`t move forward, but somehow it still loomed over her. Lucy cleared her throat.

　　"Then, perhaps a single guard instead?" Lucy asked.

　　"If I take my full—"

　　"For pity`s sake, Overseer," Lecorondia interrupted. "What are you so afraid of? Both the humans are armed, and we have Julep, my personal bodyguard. I don`t plan on taking in a weapon."

　　The challenge in her voice was obvious, and Kulthurack stiffened. "I am not afraid. Caution is not fear."

　　Lecorondia smirked, and Lucy stepped back, happy to let the ambassador handle this. "Oh, isn`t it? What will the Galactic Government say if your caution loses us our chance to capture him? Again, might I add?"

　　Kulthurack flinched, and the Blitzworm stepped forward. Julep followed suit, and Lucy briefly wondered if this situation might resolve itself here. Beside her, Jerry tensed, his hand on his weapon, as he eyed the overseer.

　　"I took you," Kulthurack said. "Because you have committed a myriad of crimes. Not just here, but over the years you`ve spent in the public eye. Someone needs to hold you accountable."

　　"And that will be you, will it?" Lecorondia asked, her tail flicking.

　　A flash of a camera caught Lucy`s attention, and she turned before the others managed to. She caught sight of a pudgy man holding a camera, his expression terrified as he sprinted away. With a sigh, she gestured to the street.

　　"This is why I wanted to do this inside."

　　"Better we have witnesses, Lucy," Lecorondia said. "Stop this one from doing anything shady and perhaps remind him to control his temper."

　　Kulthurack didn`t grind his teeth; instead, all three of his eyes closed, and he rubbed at his face.

　　"If I agree to bring a single bodyguard, will this meeting be done?"

　　"Yes," Lucy agreed.

　　"Fantastic." With a sigh, he waved at his guard. "Come. We have a human to catch. The last thing we need is that photo spreading."

　　Jerry stepped forward with his hand in his pocket rather than on his gun. "I`ll come with you if you like. It might do them some good to see a human face."

　　"As you will," Kulthurack said as he turned and left.

　　Lucy watched him go, waiting until he vanished before she turned to Lecorondia. The ambassador`s smug expression was on full display as she turned her attention to Lucy.

　　"I think that went well." Her words were light. None of the panic that Lucy would have expected from the confrontation present.

　　That told her something important. Either she was lying about thinking that Kulthurack would kill her, or she had a plan. Lucy would bet her entire paycheck on the second one.

　　"I thought you were worried he might try to kill you?" Lucy asked as she ignored the phone vibrating in her pocket.

　　Lecorondia nodded. "I am. But he won`t do it here, not when there`s any chance someone will catch him. No, he`ll want deniability. Either way, I think I`ll head back to my room. Busy day tomorrow."Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

　　"Of course, ambassador," Lucy said, smiling as she waved her off. "I`ll see you tomorrow."

　　As she watched Julep escort Lecorondia away, she pulled her phone out of her pocket. It contained a multitude of texts, all from the same person.

　　Arnold: "I can do this. What kind of equipment do you want?"

　　Arnold: "I`ll bring the stuff I used on the day. It can take video and record."

　　Arnold: "Is it true they`ll leave after this?"

　　Arnold: "Can you appear on my show again? I did huge numbers!"

　　She rolled her eyes and sent back a quick reply.

　　Lucy: "Thanks. The single camera will do. I`ll send you a message before we leave tomorrow so you can get into position. Do you know how to hide from him?"

　　Arnold: "Can do. See you then."

　　That done, she turned and walked into the police station. Perhaps she`d catch a quick nap before meeting up with Peter to find out where Eric and Kyle were. She missed the reassurance the pair brought with them.

　　***

　　Night fell before Kyle answered his phone.

　　"Lucy?" Kyle asked, and through the connection, she heard a crackling fire and the screeching of an owl.

　　"Kyle, hi. I got your number from Peter. Do you have a minute?" She leaned back in her chair, Jeff having made an excuse to dodge work earlier in the day.

　　In the distance, Eric`s voice sounded out before Kyle responded.

　　"Yeah, it`s Lucy. Sorry, he wanted to know who was on the line. Yes, I have time. We`re just finished setting up camp. What`s going on?"

　　"First, do you have one of those cloth scraps from Peter?"

　　"Yes?" She could almost hear the confusion in his voice. "We`ve baited one of the cages we brought. Solid thing. Why?"

　　"Get rid of it. Bury it, toss it, whatever. You don`t want to bring him to you." She tried to sound as serious as she could.

　　In the background, she heard Eric ask something else, and Kyle repeated what she`d said. Lucy tapped at the desk as she listened to them argue before the sound of footsteps faded.

　　"What`s going on, Lucy? I thought you wanted him caught." Kyle didn`t sound pleased, as a hint of worry entered his tone.

　　"It`s a trap, I think." Lucy found herself on her feet, and she paced the length of the police station`s reception area. "Lecorondia. She`s punishing the hunters for trying to kill him the day he came to town."

　　"Shit."

　　"Yup," Lucy agreed.

　　"Alright," Kyle sounded like he was walking too, the crackling of the fire getting quieter. "You want us to burn it? We have a fire."

　　Lucy almost said yes, but then paused. An idea came to her, but one that was dangerous. However, if it worked, she`d guarantee Erodicilee would turn up where he needed to.

　　"I did, but I had a thought. Do you have a car? Maybe some contact with the other hunters?"

　　Kyle stopped walking, and she heard a metal flap being opened. "I do."

　　"Great. Can you text me those? Maybe tell them I plan on calling. Also, I`m going to send you a photo and tell me if you recognize it."

　　"Lucy, what are you talking about?" Kyle asked, but she`d pulled the phone away from her ear.

　　With a few flicks, she brought up the first photo she had of Erodicilee, where he was attacking Arnold, and sent it over.

　　"Are you still there?" She asked when she didn`t hear from him immediately.

　　"Sure, why did you send me that picture?" He sounded confused and slightly irritated.

　　Lucy continued pacing. "I`m taking Lecorondia and Kulthurack there tomorrow. Where this all began. I can send you the coordinates as well, if I can find them. Would you be able to take the cloth there?"

　　"I.. maybe? Didn`t you say having this is dangerous?"

　　"Yes, so if you don`t want to do it, then you don`t have to. But it will help. We need to lure him there, and with as few people dying as possible."

　　"Sure, I can do that. You wanted the other numbers, yeah? I only have a few. Most of the real muscle heads wouldn`t deal with me," Kyle admitted, and she heard him calling for Eric.

　　"That would be great."

　　"Can do," Kyle said. "I`ll have Eric send them. You don`t mind if I give him your number, do you?"

　　She didn`t miss the mischievous tone in his voice, and she couldn`t help but smile even as she rolled her eyes.

　　"Sure. Thanks Kyle."

　　He laughed, and she heard Eric complaining behind him, but not close enough to make out the words. "No problem, Lucy. Talk with you soon."

　　"You better. Stay safe."

　　With that, the line went dead, and she breathed out a sigh of relief. The next hour was more calls, repeating the same explanations and getting agreements. In her imagination, she could almost see all that cloth being planets in the area. A stench like that from a cartoon pie wafting up to lure Erodicilee.

　　With that thought in mind, she allowed herself to sleep, praying that her phone stayed silent.

　　***

　　"Back to where it all began. Isn`t it lovely?" Lecorondia asked her, smiling widely as Lucy slid out of the passenger seat of the van.

　　Lucy wasn`t sure, but she agreed as she scanned the surroundings, seeing little but scrub brush and dirt. Without the coordinates and the large rock, she would not even be sure this was the same place. While Kulthurack said something snarky, Lucy moved, kneeling and pretending to tie her shoe as she saw a collection of cloth scraps on the ground.

　　The sight made her smile, and she`d checked her phone.

　　"Dropped as requested." Was the general theme behind the series of messages.

　　"You ready, lass?" Jeff asked as she stood up.

　　Lucy nodded, even as she scrolled to the bottom of her phone. A message from Arnold told her he was on his way. Good. They needed to get the setup early.

　　"I`m fine. You?"

　　"I`ll be glad to see the back of this; I`ll tell you what." Jeff laughed even as she scanned the surroundings. "Do you think he`ll—"

　　A distant shout cut him off, and everyone froze. Lucy reached down, grabbing her gun, but Jerry beat her to it. With it raised, he turned toward the scream, and she followed suit.

　　There was a collection of rocks, but she couldn`t see anything, and the scream had sounded distant. She cursed.

　　"I`ll find him. Wait here."

　　"No. We stay together." That came from Kulthurack, and she turned to see him slowly shaking his head.

　　"He might be out there!" Lucy said this before the sound of gunfire cut her off.

　　Jerry cursed, his head turning this way and that as he searched for the shooter. She searched with him, but there was still nothing. It made her wonder exactly how far away this battle was.

　　She felt more than she saw Julep move up beside her, and Lecorondia followed suit not long after.

　　"I`m not sure that`s wise," Lecorondia said. "Better to let him work this out on his own."

　　"People are dying," Lucy argued.

　　Jerry shrugged as he glanced at the overseer. "Not ours, lass."

　　"That`s not the point. We should help! Can`t you send the Blitzworm, sir? See if it`s him and not something stupid."

　　"I will not be without a guard," Kulthurack said.

　　Lecorondia rolled her eyes. "Send the worm. If it`s him, I can rescue it, or we can all go together. He won`t be able to defeat it, anyway. It`s not like he can eat it."

　　Kulthurack didn`t look pleased, and Lucy wondered how much he must truly despise the idea. Then he waved a hand.

　　"Go. Do not engage. Report back to me. Run."

　　Lucy watched as the mechanical soldier moved, kicking up clouds of dust behind it as it headed into the distance.

　　As it went, she felt her gut churn, and she had a sickly feeling it might not be coming back. With as much subtly as she could, she moved closer to Jerry. Whatever happened now, having a friend by her side felt like the best plan in the world.