"625 could you hand me that laser saw." A deep male voice asked the small yellow creature who manned the tool box, reaching in 625 pulled out a silver knife shaped device and plugged it's very long red cord into an outlet in the wall.
"Here you go G.'' he said as he handed the saw to Gantu who smiled in thanks and flipped his safety goggles back into place and started to slice away excess metal from the patch he had installed in the wall.
Brilliant sparks of orange and gold flew from the wall as the laser saw connected with the metal, a red glowing line of molten steel followed the blade as the shorcan trimmed up the patch and smoothed it down. Flipping the switch on the handle Gantu turned off the saw and pulled off the goggles to admire his handy work, giving the panel a few good taps to ensure that it was firmly in place.
"There that should hold it…phew…" the gray alien breathed out as he finished and wiped his brow with his forearm, his white tank top was soaked in sweat from his many hours of repairing the ship and it's wiring. He had just finished fixing the hyper drive, engines and that big hole in the ship's water and fuel tanks, 625 was tired as well for he had been by his larger partners side the whole time. Fetching things, holding metal plates together while Gantu welded them in place, preparing wire bundles to be installed and other tasks. Ever since the past events that nearly claimed the ex-captains life and 625's journey to bring him back from the brink the pair's relationship has taken a complete turn around, violent conflict had all but vanished, wise cracks and insults faded into memory with the exception of playful teasing. An unlikely and yet powerful bond of friendship and trust had formed between them as shorcan male and a tiny genetic experiment had found a soul mate in each other; who had been searching all their lives for a special friend and now had found it and love in just the right place.
"Think I'll hit the shower.'' Gantu spoke as he closed up the tool box and placed it on a shelf soon followed by his welding goggles.
"Woof good idea G-man, I'm starting to smell like last week's salami.'' agreed the sandwich maker as he scratched his sides to loosen up his sweat spiked fur. "Mind if I join ya?"
"Not at all." the giant replied as he walked off towards the bathroom to get the shower water on and ready.
It was a minor paradox that was solved as the pair tried once to figure out how 625 could stay clean, at first Gantu suggested that he bathe in the kitchen sink but they both thought better of it as not only was it incredibly gross but that is where they washed their dishes. The koala like being couldn't possible use Gantu's own tub as it was too large and awfully deep not to mention 625 feared running the gauntlet of drowning should he get stuck with no way to reach the faucets to turn the water off, the shower posed the same problem but without the threat. The taps stood far beyond his tiny reach and the tiled walls were too slick to climb up to reach them, 625 had tried it once but the walls were as slippery as ice when wet or dry so he gave it up as his bottom became quiet bruised in his attempts. Clearly the ship's engineers did not have little mutant experiments in mind when the designed and build the thing, walking into the bathroom 625 waited for Gantu to come in. The lavatory was quite roomy clearly built for larger alien races with all the things bathrooms normally had, Gantu usually took hot bathes to relax after a stressful day but not often as it used up too much of the hot water. Showers on the other hand used a lot less so he mainly took those with 625 sitting on his shoulder as Gantu was the only one of the pair tall enough to work the taps, the shorcan didn't mind sharing the shower with his smaller shipmate since it was the only way he could safely wash and besides they were both males after all with nothing on one the other had not seen on them self.
While his larger companion went to get the shower ready, 625 went into the bedroom to get his towel which was really one of Gantu's face cloths and was as close to a towel as 625 could possibly get. It was a pale blue face cloth folded under his personal bunk in Gantu's bedroom and he quickly ducked under the bed and snatched it up as the great gray shorcan poked his head in and told him the shower was ready, with his towel slung over his shoulder 625 trotted up to his partner and climbed up onto his as the captain returned to the lavatory, stepped into the misty shower stall and closed the sliding glass door. The hot spray cascading down Gantu massive frame condensed on the cooler tile walls filling the small room in a thin fog as he raised the bar of soap in his hand up to 625 who rubbed a good load of it onto his paws and began to scrub himself down, for a long while the pair washed without saying a word before a questioning though entered the mind of the yellow creature who's fur was now pale and puffy with soap foam.
"So what are we going to do now G?" 625 asked as he ambled a top the shorca's head to rinse his coat out under the showerhead. "I mean you have you're whole life ahead of you now.''
Gantu did not answer right away as he scrubbed under his arms with his soft green sponge, thoughts of his future seemed to elude him now. He had no job now and his money was running out not that he was worried, his skills could get him work hopefully somewhere out there. Gantu had a new road set before him and would continue to pave it's self out with every step he took and for the first time in all his life was happy he would not be walking that path alone, not anymore.
"I guess I will return to my home planet Predora in the Creplot System and start over from there.'' the deep voiced alien said as he washed the suds from his body , turned off the shower and stepped out to get his towel. "Also I have questions…questions that need answering.''
"What kinds of questions?" asked 625 as he climbed down from his perch and began to dry off afterward took a small brush and began to groom out his coat.
Gantu threw his now wet towel in the hamper and walked over to a drawer in the right side of his bed and pulled out a white shirt, fresh pair of boxers and kaki shorts. He had a distant gaze in his eyes of places far away, of times and memories long since forgotten but not in his heart. Gantu knew that he would have to find himself before he found his answers as he slipped his boxers and shorts on and pulled the shirt over his head.
"I'm not sure.'' the shark like alien answered not looking at his smaller companion. "I'm leaving this planet and I don't know if I will ever return.''
"Of course you are G,'' said 625 as he hopped up onto the captain's bed "and I'm going with you. I almost lost you once I'm not losing you again.''
Gantu didn't want him to see him swallow hard at those devoted words as he lowered his head a bit, that defiantly settled things. Feeling a small tear begin to develop in his eye the shorcan quickly wiped it away before turning to him.
"I know and I'm glad you will be.''
"Well I warned you about eating the surf board wax, I told you it would clog you.'' said a small Hawaiian earth child in an "I told you so" kind of way. Her alien companion who posed as her dog grumbled a reply as he still held a hand to his abdomen, 626 had eaten a large amount of the wax that it was making him ill and blocking the duct that lead from his stomach into his intestines so he had to have his stomach pumped out to clean him up. An experience that he would not soon forget nor ever would want to remember again. Lilo went into Kiki's Coffee Hut to get him something to drink to help him feel better from his horrid ordeal as Stitch took a seat in a near by chair in the shade of the table umbrella, placing his head on his hands the blue creature closed his eyes and just relaxed for the moment and took deep breaths to gather his thoughts when a small distant noise caught his ear. A sound of heavy footsteps coming his way mixing with the chatter of a deep voice speaking to a more middle toned one as they grew in volume as the owners drew ever closer, Lilo came out of the building after getting them some cool ice teas when Stitch waved her over to see what he had found.
"Maka maka Gantu!" he said quickly as he pointed a claw down the main sidewalk and the young girl too saw the former captain with a yellow experiment by his side carrying some heavy looking bags in their arms.
"And he's with Sandwich Boy, come on Stitch let's go say hello.'' Smiled Lilo as she hopped down from her chair and ran a crossed the street towards them with 626 in tow.
That is when it happened as with most children her age when they get excited, Lilo forgot to look out for cars speeding down the road on their way to multiple destinations. The driver of the yellow cab spotted her and blasted his horn at full power as his feet slammed on the breaks with all of his might, a scream of fear and surprise filled the air that mixed with Stitch's voice crying out his friend's name in terror with the crunching of metal and screeching tires. Crumpled up on the ground with her hands over her face Lilo waited for the vehicle to crush her to death as it ran over her, but there was nothing only complete silence. Shakily she sat up after pulling her hands from her face and looked up in total shock and amazement at the sight of Gantu towering just before her, sitting in his great shadow she saw that the cab had run right into the side of his massive foot placed between herself and the car. The driver got out quickly and ran over to see if Lilo who was having the stuffing hugged out of her by Stitch was alright, which thankfully she was and she got up. The taxi driver had slowed down just enough that only the hood and front end where crushed in as the giant shorcan moved his foot casually out of the way causing the front bumper to tumble off, it didn't really hurt him at all. Like all his race Gantu's legs were build with thick heavy bones to support their half ton to 2000 pound weight, running into his short shin and foot bones as like slamming into a slab of reinforced concrete.
"You alright?" Gantu asked Lilo as the cab owner went to call a tow truck while Stitch when to help an equally stunned 625 gather up their bags of food and other supplies.
"Yeah,'' she replied rubbing the dust out of her hair "but aren't you hurt? I mean a car just ran into your foot.''
"Nope, didn't hurt me at all." Gantu grinned as he took his bags from Stitch and stood back up to his full height. "My legs are built to take that kind of pressure, just try to be more vigilant next time okay?"
Lilo nodded and smiled grateful for what he had just done but her curiosity about what all the stuff his was carrying was for and a new question entered her mind.
"What's with all the groceries? You look like you're going on a really long trip or something.''
Gantu lightly bit his lower lip, he knew that subject would come up sooner or later. In truth he had been meaning to say goodbye to Stitch, Lilo and their family after how they had come to his aid, but he felt it would be best if his just slipped away in the night since it might make Lilo upset at his leaving since she was so big on Ohana and everyone coming together as a family. Her life's path went down a different road than his own and he felt staying with them would interfere with it, his place was beyond Earth not with them as much as he wished it was.
"I am,'' he said after that moment of quiet thought "I'm leaving Earth and will be returning to my home world to start over.''
Lilo blinked in disbelief. "Leaving? But why? You can be a part of our Ohana Gantu, I always knew you had good somewhere in you and I want you with us.''
The shorcan male smiled, deeply touched by her offer but drew in a heavy breath before speaking further.
"Thanks…but my place is not here, I will always remember what you did for me but now it's time for me to move on with my life. There was a reason I was given a second chance in this universe and now I'm going to seek it out, if I'm ever going to know who I truly am I must go…even if.." he averted his gaze from her for but a moment as her big brown eyes were starting to get to him, the soft innocent gaze of a child always did. "…even if it means I will never see any of you again.''
"Will you ever come back?" she asked again as Stitch stood beside her and 625 by Gantu's.
"I don't know,'' he answered in his deep strong voice not wanted her to get her hopes up over events that may never happen. " I hope so.'' Gantu finished with a smile. "I still have things to get done before I go so I'll come by tonight around sunset to say goodbye to you all.''
Lilo smiled up at the huge alien and waved as both parties when their separate ways off to finish the days tasks.
"Bye Gantu," called Lilo as he returned the wave farewell. "We'll see you then!!"
Back at the ship a gray shorcan and his experiment partner un packed the groceries and places them in the fridge, on shelves and in cupboards for the long trip. Gantu checked the fuel tanks and computer navigation systems before hand to make sure all was in working order and ran a few diagnostics checks on the hyper drive and main engines, when all had been given the okay the former captain settled down on his bed before laying back to relax a bit as his mind was swimming with all that had just happened.
"You alright G?" asked a concerned voice as 625 came out of the galley holding a huge sub with everything on it like he always enjoyed.
"Yes, I've just been thinking I haven't made contact with Hamstervil for over two weeks…" he stopped in mid sentence as a chuckle escaped his mouth. "..which reminds me, you remember how I told him that Jumba had secretly installed a mutating virus in all the experiments including the ones we gave him?"
625 grinned and swallowed the mouthful of sandwich he was chewing on and snickered with him.
"Yeah and he got all freaked out cause you said it would turn them into ravenous horny flesh eating mutants and that only you had the cure that you stole from Jumba's data files? Ho ho that was brilliant.'' the sandwich maker finished throwing his hands in the air for emphasis.
"Yeah we really pulled the trog fur over the little gerbil's eyes that time, he was so scared he gave me them all to me probably hoping that I'd get attacked and not him. I said I'd cure them and send them back, heh heh heh that was too easy.'' the gray giant smiled as 625 finished his sandwich and hopped onto his friend's flat belly.
Gantu looked up, noticed him sitting there and gently reached over and lightly rubbed the back of his head with a thick two toned finger before laying his arm back down.
"625, there is something I've been meaning to give you…a very special something.''
The sandwich maker tilted his head at him before finishing the rest of his sub, the new found softness in the shoran's eyes told 625 what ever it was that Gantu had to give him, it would be very special and returning his smile the yellow creature nodded for Gantu to continue.
"A name…I want to name you 625 giving you a little more dignity than a serial number, a gift from me for all you've done. What do you say?"
625 blinked slowly, all his life the only thing that held his identity true was those three numbers planted on him. Making him feel that he was no more important than the next creation on the list to be made, just a number on the list seeming to have no feelings or even a mind of his own. The lazy coward, sandwich maker nothing more than his programming, a simple name would give him something to build a new self on. It was truly a gift because it was from a friend's heart.
"Sure G, what did you have in mind." the plump creature asked as Gantu sat up onto his elbows clearly telling him that he already had the perfect name in mind and gave a toothy smile.
" Robbie…I'm going to call you Robbie, it means "Gentle Guardian" from my home world. What do you think?" the gray alien asked.
"I like that name.'' 625 beamed as Gantu lay his head back down on the pillows of his huge bed with a soft yawn. "It's much better than 625 anyway.'' he finished with a slight chuckle.
"I'm glad you do 62--er I mean Rob.'' Gantu said lazily as he would have to get used to calling his friend by his new name. "Now I'm going to get some sleep it's been a long day…just a nice short nap.'' With that the giant creature closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep with his smaller companion dozing off as well against his chest.
The sun burned like a golden orb of flame began to set over the blackened glassy sea as sparkling stars danced a crossed the waves, sea gulls flew high above towards nightly roosts as a large dark shape moved slowly through the trees of the forest below. Eyes of the deepest sky blue blinked in the dulling light levels as Gantu headed towards town and the home of the young earth girl and the one formerly known as the "abomination." His ship freed from it's rocky grave with the help of Experiment 513, Stitch and 625 the day before yesterday it was now parked on the far side of the beach facing skyward, packed with supplies and having just enough fuel to make it back to his planet of Predora. Through the parting foliage he started to see the yellow lit windows of the town before him with Robbie sitting on his shoulder the shorcan made his way towards it when he took a sudden step back at the sound of flapping wings off to his right. Turned towards it Gantu saw the yellow winged dinosaur Slugger flutter into view and following close behind was Finder with his large ears being used like a helicopter, the pair of experiments set down before him quickly as Slugger was the first to speak.
"Snort!, snort, snort, snort." he said as he made movements towards the beach with his wings, Finder backing him up with his loud party horn honks.
"What?" Gantu asked not being able to understand their personal language very well "Robbie you have an advanced language programming, what are these two trying to tell me?"
"Uh oh," he replied covering his chin with one hand " Slugger and Finder are saying that they saw some people trying to get into your ship and they're trying to break the door down."
"Oh Bliznak!" Gantu said loudly "Come on!" He broke into a run towards the beach with 625 clinging tight to his fin and Slugger and Finder following close behind the gray alien as he crashed through the trees.
Exploding out onto the shore with a loud roar the ex-captain ran towards his ship as he spotted the top of it over some high rocks, turning the corner he skidded to a halt completely shocked and blown away at what he saw. To from the side of the ship facing him there were white clothe covered tables a lined in a half circle on the sand, lanterns and strings of multicolored twinkling lights were hung up around them on poles. On the main table were stacks of plates, cups and eating utensils all around the biggest cake and pitchers of punch he ever saw, to top it all off was a huge hanging banner with the words "Good Luck Gantu!" written in brightly painted letters.
"What in the Horse Head Nebula is all this?" he asked no one in particular as he stepped towards the banner that fluttered in the gentle breeze.
As soon as he finished his sentence shadows leaped out from the darkness as Lilo, Stitch, his cousins and their entire Ohana shouted a big "SURPRISE!!" at the very awestruck and startled creature. The whole story of his ship being broken into was just a clever plot for the real operation, Lilo and Stitch had gotten everyone together to give Gantu a big send off party with all the trimmings.
"A party...for me?" he asked still taken back as to what had just happened as Slugger flew up to him with a lei in his bill and dropped it around Gantu's neck.
"Sure," smiled Lilo as she too donned a flower wreath and a hyacinth bloom in her hair " we're not celebrating your leaving but your life.''
"Thank you, thank you all.'' the shark like alien said trying hard not to show the gloss of tears starting in his eyes. For the first time in his life Gantu was truly happy as Jumba sliced him a large chunk of the cake and Yarrp bounced up with a glass of punch for him as the guest of honor sat down, Stitch flipping the switch on the boom box and the party really got started with the King of Rock and Roll singing "All Shook Up." Laughter, dancing and songs whisked about on the night winds as friends new and old had a wonderful time, not a worry or care was on anyone's minds as the stars in the heavens above seemed to smile down on them all. As the night drew later everyone came to Gantu and Robbie with going away gifts and best wishes for a safe journey and hopes that the pairs travels would lead them back to Earth again, Jumba who had repaired and modified his money making machine gave Gantu a handsome sum of Predorian creds to help him get started.
"Be wiping grin of face shark boy for is just loan." the doctor playfully warned and Gantu grinned only wider and shook his hand. "Good luck Gantu.''
Pleakely staggered about and struggled to hold up the huge box and set it on the table before him.
"From me, " He smiled happily " hope you like it." and watched as Gantu slowly unwrapped the gift.
In side the box was a sparkling ruby red form hugging gown and a beautiful red haired wig, 625 eyes went wide and his jaw dropped as Gantu looked at it with surprise and confusion.
"Oh..it's a wig and a dress.'' he said remained as polite as he possibly could at the odd but not surprising that it came from Pleakley gift. "Thanks very much, I keep this for a special occasion.''
"Yeah,'' Robbie whisper to him under his breath "as the galaxy's first 20 ft drag queen.''
Gantu suppressed a chuckle as most of the experiments gave him gifts of seashells, fruit, some blue stones from Richter, a kickboxing video from Kixx, bottle caps, lost change and a glass sea star from Finder. The shorcan thank them all for their wonderful presents as Robbie gathered them up and loaded them onto the ship for his pal, the moon was full and the stars were brighter now as everyone cleared the beach for Gantu to take off. He and 625 shook hands and hugged all their new friends a final farewell for neither knew if they would ever return to this planet again, Lilo hugged 625 especially hard knowing he; an experiment had found his one true place all on his own and it was with Gantu. Backing away from him the young girl looked up at the former captain of the Federation one last time as he opened the door that would take them inside the ship.
"Wait Gantu…I want to give you something." Running to her bag placed against a tall palm tree he saw her dig something out of it and run back over to where he stood.
"Here.'' she smiled and placed the special something into his open hand as he knelt down at her level to take it, slowly she closed his giant fingers and told him not to open his hand until he had taken off. Smiling back at her and vowing to keep his word he kept his fist shut and placed one foot on the walkway door and waved goodbye to his new Ohana.
"Goodbye everyone and thanks for everything."
You know a dream is like a river,
Ever changing as it flows
And a dreamer is like a vessel,
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores.
Gantu walked slowly up the ramp as it closed behind him, making his way to the cockpit where he found Robbie waiting for him. Taking his seat at the wheel the giant alien flicked switches and pressed buttons as the engines roared to life, jets of blue flames shot out the back as the crusier lifted into the air with great clouds of dust billowing up around it. Setting her at cruising speed Gantu pushed forward on the steering handles as the vehicle flew foreword gracefully like a black bird over the moonlit waves over the warm Hawaiian sea, his spirit was soaring now as his sandwich making partner sat by his side. His whole life stretched out before him and Gantu felt like there wasn't anything he couldn't do.
I will sail my vessel till the river runs dry,
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky,
I'll never reach my destination If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
Till the river runs dry
Too many times we stand a side
And let the waters slip away
From what we put off till tomorrow,
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shore line
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tides
The island of Kawai faded over the horizon with distance as the Turonian Battle cruiser entered open ocean, the moon glowed before them like a beacon guiding the ship home, looking down at his hand Gantu noticed that he still held it somewhat shut against the steering handle. Drawing his hand back he opened it to see what the little earth girl had given him, as his fingers parted there sitting in the middle of his palm was a tiny green makeshift rag doll with a stitched up mouth and button eyes. A pink bow held back her straw like hair and a string was tied about her neck separating her head from the droopy limbed body, with the doll came a note that he carefully unfolded and read as he set the ship on auto pilot.
"Dear Gantu, please take care of Scrump and I hope she brings you luck. Love Lilo"
I will sail my vessel till the river runs dry,
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky,
I'll never reach my destination if I never tryI will sail my vessel till the river runs dry
There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I take some falls
With the Good Lord as my captain,
I can make it through it all
I will sail my vessel till the river runs dry,
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
I will sail my vessel till the river runs dry
Revving up the Hyper drive as soon as the starship had left Earth's orbit, Gantu placed his hand on the plunger to launch them into light speed and saw a small yellow hand gripping it with him. Robbie, his best friend in all the world who was the reason he was given this second chance looked at his shorcan comrade with sparks of vibrancy and purpose flashing in his dark orbs.
"Ready G?" he asked as he glanced over his shoulder towards to open universe that stretched on forever before them.
"Ready Robbie, Let's do this.'' Gantu said with a nod as they pressed down on the plunger together as partners, as brothers on the road of life, as friends.
The blue fire of the vents blasted out of the ships engines with incredible power, going from zero to the speed of light in less than a few seconds the purple and yellow ship vanished into deep space in a brilliant flash of light and a new frontier.
Till the river runs dry…
The End
AN: And so we leave them and wish the pair well, I thank all who have followed Gantu and 625 start of their major life journey and struggle together. It was a great run for my first fic on but never fear for Gantu and Robbie's story is not over, it's only the beginning! Bluefox
The River © to Garth Brooks.