by C. S. Harte
Meomi ran after the creature, determined to keep it within her sights. “It has to land somewhere. We’ll get Inoke back then!”
Thorne and Rayfin sprinted after Meomi, running along the edge of the cliffside. Their bodies were dark silhouettes against the setting sun.
Rayfin turned on his speed neuromod and rushed past Meomi, closing the gap between him and the creature. “It’s slowing down.”
Meomi zoomed in with her visor camera. Inoke hung limply from the monster’s talons, no longer struggling within its grasp. “Don’t be dead… Don’t be dead…”
From behind the group, the sound of an engine roared.
“Look! A missile!” Rayfin pointed at a streaking projectile heading for Inoke and the flying creature.
“Who fired that?” Meomi skidded to a stop and spun around looking for the source of the rocket.
“Wait… It’s not a missile,” Thorne said.
“You’re right! It’s a person! With thrusters attached to his back!” Rayfin shouted.
A mysterious stranger with a combat suit capable of flight sped toward Inoke.
“Whisper?” Thorne looked at Meomi.
“I don’t know… How would she even get to this universe?” Meomi shook her head.
The stranger fired a white, arcing beam of energy at the dragon creature.
The monster froze in place, paralyzed. Inoke’s body slipped off its claws. Both the creature and Inoke accelerated toward the canyon below.
“No…” Meomi exhaled. “Rayfin, can you use your speed neuromod catch up to Inoke?”
“I… No, I can’t… It’s too far…”
The stranger changed his flight angle, steering himself toward the rapidly descending Inoke.
“Please catch him. Please catch him,” Meomi repeated with her hands together across her chest.
The helpful stranger swooped Inoke into his arms just before Inoke impacted with the ground.
Everyone released an exalted roar.
Meomi jumped into Thorne’s embrace.
They stared at each other for an awkward moment before he released his hold on her.
The stranger landed next to Rayfin with Inoke cradled in his arms. He gently lowered the unconscious Entrent to the ground and backed away. His white and gray exo suit gleamed in the setting sun, reflecting heat which gave off a warm glow, appearing almost angelic. Around his shoulder hung a tattered maroon cloak.
“Thank you, I’m Rayfin,” he said as he knelt next to Inoke and took off his helmet.
“Bast,” he said in a meek tone as if his voice sounded foreign to him. The lens over his eyes flashed a brilliant turquoise blue as he spoke.
Meomi and Thorne ran to Inoke and dropped to his side.
“How is he? Is he OK?” Meomi shoved the words out of her mouth.
“It looks bad,” Rayfin said as he took off Inoke’s helmet.
The creature’s talon punctured a hole straight through Inoke’s shoulder, suit and all. Blood pooled beneath him.
“He’s not breathing!” Thorne elbowed everyone away. “Give me room!" He began CPR on Inoke.
“I don’t understand…” Meomi’s time with Inoke had not been long, but there was a forgotten connection between them that had since resurfaced — they were both survivors of Gosi Prime. She chewed on the corner of her lips as she watched Thorne exhale into Inoke’s lungs. Sadness crashed against her chest. She could feel herself weakening with each wave. “You said Obscura suits were lined with med-gel? Why isn’t he healing?”
Thorne ignored her questions while desperately trying to resuscitate Inoke.
Rayfin covered his face with his hands as his body trembled.
The colors in Inoke’s eyes faded, leaving behind only shades of death.
Meomi took off her helmet. Tears streamed down her scarlet cheeks.
Rayfin pressed a palm on Thorne’s shoulder. “You can’t… You can’t keep going.”
Thorne slapped Rayfin’s hand away. “You don’t understand. We need him! I need him… We would have never gotten this far without him…” After three more compressions, Thorne fell on his back. His chest heaved as he looked into the alien sky.
“Is that it?” Meomi cried. “No! That can’t be it! We’ve overcome so much!” Chills spread throughout her body. Like someone poured cold water over her heart. Meomi thought back to the moment Inoke was snatched by the creature. If only she were more aware, more alert. If only she reached him a little faster, a little sooner. If only she jumped a little farther, a little harder. No matter the universe, she filled them with her shortcomings.
“I can’t do this without him,” Thorne said to himself but loud enough for everyone to hear.
For the first time, Meomi witnessed true emotions on Thorne’s face. He was human after all. She wished her first such sighting didn’t have to come at the expense of Inoke’s life.
“I’m sorry. I tried.” Bast backed away from the group. “I was too late.”
“Wait!” Rayfin ran after Bast. “It’s not your fault. We appreciated you trying.” He steered him back to the team. “These are my squadmates and friends, Captain Hana and Captain Thorne. And that… was… Inoke," Rayfin pointed at everyone as he introduced them. “Guys, this is Bast.”
Meomi wiped away her tears. “Thank you, Bast. What you did back there was incredible.” She held out her hand.
Bast hesitated as if unaccustomed to the gesture, but eventually grasped Meomi’s hand. “It was nothing. I’m sorry I couldn’t get to him sooner.”
She nodded. “I know the feeling.”
“I’ve never seen a suit like yours.” Thorne finally stood and walked to Bast. His demeanor changed. The mask of sorrow disappeared, replaced with one that shielded his emotions. “Are you with the Alliance of Faith?”
Bast shook his head. “I do not know what that is.”
Eerie wailings carried through the evening air.
“We should find cover,” Bast said with an urgent tone. “The night brings out more dangers.”
“More dangerous than the dragonsaur that carried Inoke away?” Rayfin asked.
“Come. There is a cave system close to here.” Bast pointed east to a nearby hill.
Meomi touched Rayfin’s shoulder and whispered, “Carry Inoke’s body. I don’t want Thorne to do it.”
“No, I will carry him!” Thorne shouted. He lifted Inoke and held him close to his chest. “Lead the way, Bast.”
“The cave is 4.261 kilometers away.” Bast took point with Thorne and Meomi trailing. “We absolutely need to be there before nightfall.”
“Is it odd that Bast doesn’t know who the Alliance of Faith is?” Meomi asked over suit comm.
“I wonder how long he’s been here?” Thorne said.
“If your theory about this being a pocket universe is correct, I’m wondering how he got here,” Rayfin said.
“I’ve spent most of my life as a spy,” Thorne said. “In my experience, I find the best way to find the truth about someone is to ask them questions.”
“There’s something wrong with Captain Thorne,” Rayfin said. “I found a trace of humor in that statement.”
Thorne had trouble keeping pace with the rest of the team. He was still healing, but he refused to give up Inoke’s broken body.
They were only halfway to the caves when the sun dipped into the horizon. Darkness drowned the light on the planet with no moons to stem the tide.
Bast strongly advised against turning on their external suit lights. “The most dangerous creatures here are attracted to even the smallest flicker.”
Everyone held onto each other’s shoulders as they walked. They made it to the cave without incident, even as the night stirred with alien clicking, clawing, and scraping sounds.
The cave tunnels were dark and cramped, most points were barely wider than a person’s shoulders, but according to Bast, it was safe. They settled on an open space half a kilometer into the ground.
Each person retreated
to their own corner of the cavern.
Thorne laid Inoke close to him. He whispered something to his fallen friend just out of the reach of Meomi’s perception.
Everyone had their helmet off except for Bast.
“It will get cold in here,” Bast said. “But there are no creatures that will hunt you.”
“So, Bast… Interesting name, by the way. Is it short for something?” Rayfin asked.
He nodded. “Bastard.”
“Oh… OK…” Rayfin looked away, visibly uncomfortable. “Sorry, I asked.”
“My father gave me that name. A long time ago.”
“Is your father on this planet too?” Meomi asked.
“My father was a brilliant scientist. One of his research projects concerned the inflation theory of the universe.”
Thorne glanced at Meomi who nodded back at him.
Bast continued. “He postulated that all around us, hidden behind unseen veils, were more universes, an infinite amount, each with their own abundance of galaxies, stars, life, resources, and possibly even some with unique physics allowing for great wonders and discoveries.”
“Let me guess, your dad was one of those people that were really dedicated to their work and was smart enough to actually find a means to another universe,” Rayfin said.
“You're half right. My father was a very dedicated man. His work mattered above all else, me included. But the mathematics to prove his theory did not yet exist among our brightest minds. It was not until someone brought him a small black cube.”
Meomi glanced at Thorne again.
Bast’s eyes followed Meomi’s. “Do you know of this artifact? Is that how you arrived here?”
“Yes,” Thorne said. “We don’t know how exactly it works. Do you?”
“Sadly, I do not. As I understand it, the cube is based on a technology from a long extinct alien race. My father was able to activate it, but not control it.”
“I know the feeling all too well.” Meomi sighed.
“The extinct race you mentioned is called the Aorgar. They lived tens of millions of years ago.” Thorne said.
“How do you know this?” Bast asked.
“From the Katok members of our team,” Thorne said.
“Katok? I am sorry, I do not know who they are.”
“You've never heard of Katoks?” Rayfin asked. “Tall, blue, lanky aliens who aren’t afraid tell you how much smarter they are compared to you?”
Bast shook his head.
“How long have you been here, Bast?” Meomi asked.
“I lost count of the number of sunsets. This planet has no seasons to mark the passage of years.”
“That seems like a long time,” Rayfin said.
Bast nodded.
“If you don’t know about the Alliance of Faith or the Katoks, then you must have been here since before the Colony Wars. That’s over 70 years ago…” Meomi’s voice drifted. “Have you been here all by yourself since then?”
“My father came here with me. He passed shortly after our journey here. You are the first humans I’ve seen since.”
“But… But, you must be pretty old.” Rayfin said. “What do you do for food? And how do you keep from going mad from boredom?”
“The planet we are on is named, Caelora. I know this because there are many cities on this planet with great libraries brimming with knowledge.”
“Wait, lots to unpack there,” Rayfin said. “You said many cities. Are there other people here?”
“No, all the cities are abandoned.”
“Do you know why or what happened to them?” Meomi asked.
“That I cannot answer. The cities appeared in pristine condition — built, but never lived in.” Bast lowered his gaze. “It is a mystery I have never been able to solve.”
“What else have you learned from these libraries?” Thorne asked.
“A great many things. I have found a wealth of knowledge in all branches of science. Most of my concentration is spent on finding a way back to my home planet, Zieter. Have you heard of it?”
“No,” Thorne shook his head. “I know every planet in the galaxy.” He rubbed his chin. “I wonder if you originated from a different universe than ours.”
“Given the possibility of infinite universes, I would say it is likely,” Rayfin said.
“So have you found a way off this planet?” Meomi asked.
“I have. At least, I believe so. There is a floating pyramid, 146.7 meters tall, composed of a shiny black metal I have not found anywhere else on this planet. There is an entrance I can discern but cannot access. I have spent most of my life trying to open it, but I believe a key is necessary. There is a cube-shaped hole in the underside of the pyramid where I believe the key will fit. Our cube disappeared when we came here.” Bast sighed. “I have no way to unlock the pyramid.”
Meomi glanced at Thorne. “We might have a way home…”
19
Meomi updated Bast on her experiences with the Aorgar artifact from when she first came into contact with it on Gosi Prime to how it brought her to Caelora.
“I see,” Bast said. “Where is this cube now?”
“That’s another one of the details we don’t have an answer for.” Meomi’s gaze became unfocused. “Only I can see it and only when it decides to appear. I don’t know how to make it appear when I want.”
“It’s likely this planet was settled by the Aorgars at one point.” Thorne looked at Bast. “You’re positive you’ve never seen another intelligent species since you’ve been here?”
“I am,” Bast said. “This planet is now dominated by predators. Perhaps it was different before I arrived. At least, I like to think so based on the remnants of those majestic cities I mentioned earlier. I can show you one such city. We are only a day’s travel to Raena.”
“What?” Rayfin's eyes opened wide. “Why didn’t you mention this sooner? Maybe we can find a clue off this planet.”
“We can try,” Bast said. “Perhaps you might find something I missed. However, I do not wish to give you false hope. There are no inhabitants in Raena to answer our questions.”
“Oh,” Rayfin sighed.
“As you described the Aorgars to me,” Bast said, “I do not think such an advanced society as the Aorgars would have settled in Raena or on this planet.”
“Why do you say that?” Meomi asked.
“I have found no energy signatures or any means of electricity to power the city,” Bast said. “There are few signs of a technologically advanced race.”
Thorne rubbed his chin. “We would like to see it for ourselves. Can you take us there?”
“Of course, it is on the way to the pyramid,” Bast said. “We shall leave at dawn.”
“Is it really unsafe to travel at night?” Rayfin asked. “I’m ready to leave now.”
“The night belongs to a voracious, half-reptilian, half-insect creatures called, Calfars,” Bast said. “Due to their sheer size, strength, and numbers, Calfars are the apex predator on this planet.”
Rayfin whistled. “That’s saying something since Inoke was almost carried away by a miniature dragon.”
“You are referring to the vulas,” Bast said. “Their only advantage is their ability to fly and nest on the mountainside, keeping them safe from the Calfars at night.”
“Tell me more about the Calfars,” Thorne said. “I want to know their strengths and weaknesses. Anything you can tell me would be useful.”
“Calfars are a pack species,” Bast said. “I often see them move in groups of twenty or more. Their claws and teeth are infused with iron, making them extraordinarily tough and sharp, allowing them to rip through the thickest of hides. But they are blind, relying only on sound for prey detection, which is why they are only active at night.”
“Where are they during the day?” Meomi asked.
“They burrow themselves in the sand,” Bast answered. “I tried to thin their numbers by attacking them while they slept, but stopped when I lea
rned of their regeneration abilities.”
“You got to be kidding me!” Rayfin threw up his arms.
“I assure you, I am not. Calfars can regrow arms and legs within days of being severed. I had the misfortune of seeing a Calfar up close.”
“Can’t be that bad if you’re still alive,” Rayfin quipped.
“I shot this particular Calfar in the chest at my maximum weapon's setting which left a 22-centimeter hole in his torso.”
“So you killed it?” Rayfin asked.
“On the contrary, I observed the hole in the chest closing before my eyes.”
“We’re gonna need to get off this planet sooner rather than later.” Rayfin shook his head.
“Then how do you kill them?” Meomi asked.
“I’ve only been able to kill Calfars by shooting at or cutting off their heads,” Bast said.
“I knew I should’ve taken some sword fighting classes back at the academy.” Rayfin showed a pained expression.
“How much longer until sunrise, Bast?” Thorne asked.
“Not long.”
“Why don’t we get some sleep while we can? Tomorrow will be a long day,” Thorne said. “I’ll take the first watch of the night.”
“I don’t think I can sleep knowing creatures like Calfars are somewhere on this planet with me.” Rayfin yawned. “But I am tired…” He closed his eyes and promptly drifted to sleep.
Thorne picked up his hand cannon and headed toward the front of the cave. He lowered his suit lights to the dimmest setting.
Meomi joined him after being unable to fall asleep.
They sat in silence on a boulder wide enough for two people and stared out the mouth of the cave.
Thorne broke the silence first. “Can’t sleep?”
“Not tired.” She kicked the sand at her feet. “I can’t stop thinking about Inoke.”
“Same.” Thorne sighed. “It doesn’t make sense to me.”
“There is never any rhyme or reason to death.”
“No,” he said while shaking his head. “Well, yes. You are right on the philosophical level. I’m talking about his wounds.” Thorne pointed to his shoulder. “With the size of his puncture wound, the Obscura suit should have meshed together and closed the wound with med-gel. I’ve survived much more severe injuries thanks to this feature.”
