Planet-H: The End of the Beginning

by J. T. Winterlord

  He looked very intensely in the eyes. I felt a kind of soft, warm hand that was gently poking into my memories and suddenly some images lit up like in a movie.

  I saw myself at six, in one of the few times that I went to the sea. I had waded into shallow water and I now wanted to get out but there was a kind of step in the sand, and every time I placed a foot forward the undertow make me slide back under the water.

  I found myself in the same spot, unable to get out. I felt a growing state of anxiety and the fear of not knowing how to swim did the rest. In a split second I came to a firm decision - I’ll use the power of the next wave and make a run for it!

  So I did and I found myself on the beach once more.

  The water was low, it came to below the knees, but that little victory had made my fears evaporate.

  Bones looked at me.

  "You've convinced me," I said with a slight amazement at what he had managed to dredge up in my mind.

  He smiled at me and nodded.

  "Well, so for a time I do have a patient - it’s you Kate."

  I said goodbye, patting on the back.

  "Well done Bones, say hello to Captain Kirk."

  I walked off towards the exit and I spent the night at the estate.

  The next day, after reviewing some notes with the help of Sgrunff and taking a look at the map of the universes, I asked Sven how he was thinking to go about eradicating the circuit that was installed to amplify fear.

  Sven told me that, oddly, I should try to be afraid - I had to scare myself thinking of things that I had been scared or that could scare me. And everything had to be done in a closed room, in the dark.

  "But how do I scare myself?" I asked.

  He replied that it was not a difficult thing, I should just concentrate attention on thoughts that had to do with spirits, ghosts, death, or bad accidents.

  The altered circuits would do the rest, applied to the upper diffusers.

  "We will try first to eliminate the signal amplifier in the lower diffuser and in the meantime I will try to locate the exact thoughts that overload the circuit in the upper diffuser. I'll give you a radio so you can communicate with me while I am near yourTasker.”

  The idea didn’t appeal much to me but it had to be done so I asked Sgrunff…

  “Listen ...”

  He didn’t even give a chance for a reply. He said,

  “Come with me Kate, we have set out the gym just for this purpose.”.

  I followed him into the gym. There was a large comfortable armchair in the middle of the room. I would have preferred to be near the wall or in a corner but he said this would just put the operation back.

  "Don’t be worried Kate, you're in a video game, that’s all."

  He smiled serenely and I felt his sincerity, but I also felt the first symptoms already looming.

  A slight jittering had already started in the joints of my legs, but I obeyed and sat down in the chair. Sgrunff walked toward the exit and turned off the lights.

  "Here we go!"

  Damn you, you four-limbed walrus! I smiled, thinking about how Sgrunff would have been offended by that thought, but at the same time be laughing under his moustache!

  Nothing happened. I was immersed in total darkness, sitting comfortably, deprived of all visual and auditory sensation. I tried in vain to look around to see if something or someone was behind me. I caught every little noise around me. The creak from the chair on which I sat seemed overly amplified. All my senses were put on full alert.

  It was ridiculous. I was thinking of nothing but I already felt a strange inclination to be scared.

  I tried not to think about anything, I could hear some hissing and I turned around. I had the impression that a slight gust of coolness caressed my neck.

  The hairs on my arms were standing up. Should have got them waxed, I thought, instantly kicking out that idiotic thought. My eyes began to dart left and right but I could see nothing.

  I tried to close my eyes to hide, but it just increased the tension.

  I felt a presence in the room. I began to feel short of breath, something was moving. I heard a muffled indefinite sound. Yes, there really was someone or something.

  Now in my arteries I could feel throbbing terror. There was a sharper sound,

  "Mrrr,"

  I felt a cold sweat take took possession of my skin. The silence and the darkness sharpened the feeling of alertness and every sense was amplified in order to make some sense of what was with me in that room.

  I didn’t know where to look and I didn’t dare move. I was literally paralyzed. Something jumped on my legs and I screamed in terror.

  A huge "Clack" snapped my whole body and waves of energy flowed out through my spine.

  I felt something moving on my thighs accompanied by a "miaooo….”

  Damn! A cat! But what the hell was a cat doing here?

  "Kate, calm down, calm ... breathe ... breathe out ...!"

  I resumed breathing, the fear was passing, the muscles relaxed and I stroked the bastard cat.

  The radio crackled. Sven asked,

  "What happened Kate, the amplifier circuit in the lower diffuser almost exploded, how did you do it?"

  "We have the blasted cat to thank for that!”

  I gave him a scratch on the head that he seemed to like a lot.

  Sgrunff entered and waited for my eyes to adjust before turning on the light.

  He looked at the animal and said,

  "It must be a gift from Valdes, I've never seen it before.”

  On cue, Valdes walked in.

  “So this is where you’ve been hiding, you bad cat!”

  He picked it up and it promptly disappeared into his pocket.

  I got close to him.

  “You bastard!”

  In reply he planted a kiss on my cheek. My mouth drew near to his ear and I murmured,

  “I don’t know how yet but you’ll pay for this!”

  Without moving away he replied,

  “I’m sure I’ll enjoy it!”

  I took his hand and held him close, pleased he was there.

  At that moment Sven came in.

  "Kate, the amplifier has melted and according to my calculations you should now simply feel yourself in a state of general alert rather than the crazy fear of before."

  He thought for a moment, then added,

  "Now we have to just take a break. The circuits are overheated and later we will take care of the part inside the upper diffuser. I was able to locate it, so it should not be difficult to get rid of it. After that we will move on to the demon circuits concerning‘Shame’and‘Sex’- Valdes will surely give you a hand with that.”

  He went off to the infirmary, laughing at his own joke.

  I took Valdes by the arm and walked with him.I asked,

  "So will you give me a hand?"

  He replied, amused,

  "Of course, I have other animals in my menagerie, some of them you have never even dreamed about."

  "Idiot ..." I smiled like a high school girl and squeezed him.

  We passed by the door of the infirmary and Valdes shouted to Sven.

  "We are going to deal with the sexual question. I think I'll like this part."

  Sven blurted out,

  "It would be desirable to cool the circuits and in any case you should look at the‘Shame’element first!”

  "Yellow Socks!" Valdes shot back .

  Sven laughed: "You have already thought about it or was it Matt"?

  "Matt is the best in that field, I let him do it.”

  Without another word we went to my apartment. I went and jumped in the shower–the cold sweats had left their mark.

  Out of the shower Valdes said,

  "Our mental bodies are not designed for sex. On the other hand, sex is a prerogative of Planet H."

  I was disappointed by the statement.

  "So what do we do?" I asked, pouting a little. I wanted to be with him!

  I had not
imagined unbridled sex, but my excitement was growing however and I felt helpless.

  He smiled gently and he brought me to the bed.

  "I'll try something better Turn out the light. It must all be very light and gentle otherwise we will have to endure the wrath of Sven."

  ”Better than sex?”A rhetorical question that didn’t require any answer.

  He laughed at that and gave me a hug. We slipped under the sheets with the lights off. I could not imagine what would happen but hugged him hard.

  He sat against the raising section of the big bed and I I positioned myself on top of him, immersed in the total darkness.

  I felt that with his embrace enveloping me it was not only a tactile sensation but soon became a mental hug.

  I hugged him tightly to me now and circled his waist with my legs.

  He gently caressed me, and the more he did this the more I felt it inside of me.

  It occupied every space of my body, every cell exuded sex. I had never felt such an intensity of excitement.

  I began to feel light flashes of energy that started from my pubis and branched out to the whole body.

  When they reached the base of the skull I groaned with strongly, enjoying an intense pleasure and lightness at the same time.

  It reminded me of the flashes of energy felt during my first night at the estate, at the touch of Matt.

  These, however, were more gentle, full of a deep love.

  The waves grew, like little lightning bolts through my body. I could almost see the light. It was sex to the maximum degree.

  I didn’t want to stop and Valdes seemed of the same opinion. I kissed him on the neck and cheeks as I caressed him.

  I groaned under his caresses, I was imbued with him.

  The brief electrical discharge that I normally felt during an orgasm was amplified to become almost painful. A pleasure I had never experienced before.

  I had the feeling that we had melted one into the other, I felt his caresses all over my body.

  The thing went on for some time, in fact, I lost track of time completely. It seemed to be suspended.

  I concentrated on the tremors that shook me, making small yelps with the waves of energy washing over me. They slowly washed up to my head, provoking an endless orgasm.

  At the end I was exhausted and satisfied.

  I enjoyed just the thought of what had happened. I turned on a little light and looked, enchanted at Valdes’eyes.

  "Gorgeous eyes." An intense gaze that strikes fear in unknown people and strength in those who are loved.

  He watched me, tranquil, serene. His eyes were really brighter than usual and I was mesmerized.

  The experience gave a strong jolt to my memory and I felt some certainties growing inside me, but I put them aside.

  For the moment I did not want to think about anything. I wanted to lose myself in his eyes and see nothing else.

  Valdes broke the silence.

  "Let’s hope that someone does not have anything to say about cartoons, or I’ll make them pay!"

  I laughed and said,

  "No worries, I'll put in a good word!"

  He laughed and stood up without trying to cover himself. I gave him a pinch on the ass.

  Mmm ... a nice ass! I thought.

  I grabbed a pillow and we began a playful fight until we fell exhausted onto the bed.

  When it was over we dressed and made our way to the Infirmary.

  Sven was busy in the Tasker room and came to meet us.

  "I told you that the circuits were still a little too hot. The section looking after sex is out of order but a couple of unidentified connections have also burned out.”

  He looked at me and asked, "Is everything okay Kate"?

  I bent my arm and started to move it jerkily backwards and forwards, bending my head to the side and distorting my mouth hugely.

  "Doo…n’t wo…..rry Sv….een!”

  Sgrunff interjected.

  "This time we are screwed!" And he laughed along with Sven. He was in fact masking a cause for grave concern.

  Valdes gave me a kiss on the head and winked at Sgrunff saying,

  "We've created a monster."

  We said goodbye between the laughs. I was at peace with the world.

  It had been a busy day and I suspected that it was not yet finished.

  I went in the classroom because I was constantly drawn to the map of the three universes. As I looked at it thought of Valdes and Alice came into my mind with what she had said months before - "maybe he likes you."

  Charming rogue! I thought. She already knew everything, of course! She was the communications officer!

  I remembered that she had the same grade as Sgrunff.

  Even Denise, Mario, Vidmer and Jack were part of the crew, sixth grade Lieutenants.

  I thought back to the grades and I still could not get them to fit, plus I noticed that between us there was a certain informality, almost as if the grades had only a marginal role.

  I gave up and I stopped to look at the map in front of me, trying to memorize some sections of it.

  THE JEDI

  I couldn’t stay focused. I was vaguely happy so I gave up on the screen and I went on a tour inside the Nemesis.

  I felt almost too good, crackling with excitement. I was making some odd noises and I don’t know how but I found myself mimicking a warrior equipped with a laser sword.

  I was really stoked, always a big fan of everything that had to do with science fiction.

  I was one of the young Jedi in Star Wars with, Lord Vader in front of me, ready to unsheathe my laser sword. Then a real laser sword suddenly appeared in my hands. I let out a scream and dropped it. It didn’t have time to touch the floor before it disappeared.

  I didn’t feel completely scared but the thing did surprise me to the point of taking me aback. I released my grip as if I had a rattlesnake in my hands.

  "Did I really see that or just imagine it?"

  I walked towards the infirmary, paused a moment then went in the direction of the classroom.

  Before opening the door I tried to imagine myself again with a laser sword in hand ... nothing, my hands remained empty.

  It was probably just a strange hallucination due to the euphoric state I was in. I wasn’t sure but it seemed a reasonable explanation.

  I decided that I would not allow a small incident to spoil the day.

  So I changed direction and went back to my tour around Nemesis.

  I relaxed once again and recommenced with my fantasies.

  I was excited once more.

  "Behold, the young Jedi who faces his arch enemy, go for it!"

  The laser sword materialized again in my hands. Trembling, I again dropped it but I also tried to take it again. As before it vanished before reaching the ground.

  I gaped in amazement and again went back towards the Infirmary.

  After about ten metres I tried to reflect on what had happened.

  Right then .... it 's impossible that I have a laser sword. If I had one I'd remember, I'm not crazy .... or maybe yes? What the hell's going on Kate? and ... it’s the second time you have had the thought and a sword just appears in your hands ... let's try again!"

  I thought of the sword again and like magic it materialized.

  I had the sword again, I heard the noise when it cut through the air, I could see its glow and it was actually in my hands.

  Sven came out of the infirmary. I promptly switched it off and hid the sword behind my back. He laughed and I smiled too - I felt like a little girl secreting the chocolate I had been nibbling .... could he see my tell-tale brown whiskers?

  Sven called Sgrunff who was already in arrival. He had all his hands behind his back and he came close with a pensive and curious air.

  "Kate’s playing around with a laser sword," said Sven laughing in the direction of Sgrunff who was getting closer and displaying an unexpectedly serious air now. When he got close to me he did something unexpected, jum
ping to one side and pulling out four laser swords!

  He said,

  "Come on, little Jedi!"

  I displayed mine and Sven gave an absurd chortle that brought in myself and Sgrunff also.

  Sgrunff switched off his four swords and I did the same with mine.

  Sven was amused. He looked at me and asked,

  "How did you create it using your Planet character?"

  Even Sgrunff was curious to know the answer.

  I told him I didn’t know - I just thought it and the thing had appeared in my hands.

  Sven said with a laugh,

  "I doubt that you can insert it into the game, but it would be fun! Think about how much you'd enjoy being the only one to have it!”

  Sgrunff led me up more than half of the infirmary to where the pirate extension finished. The sword disappeared.

  He asked me to pass back and forth over the line of demarcation in the transit area, asking me to notice what was different every time.

  I did it several times and slowly I managed to pick up a strange perception.

  "The feeling is very slight, but I think I can say that you feel like you are in the Tasker

  "Strange," Sven said "probably due to the fact of those circuits burning out during your performance."

  He was referring of course to my sublime experience with Valdes that afternoon.

  We went to the classroom, Sven resumed his work and Sgrunff asked me,

  "Why a laser sword?"

  I told him that there was no particular reason, I was just imagining myself in the role of one of the protagonists of Star Wars and all of a sudden that very object had materialized in my hands.