The Space Traveler (The Space Traveler Saga Book 1)

by Devon Shubin

  “What do you mean? You’re telling me dlom grew large enough to kill a fifty-foot-tall guy?”

  “Yes Inspector. The dlom was contained in a holding room and grew until there was no empty space. Then it expanded and the windows and doors came unhinged.”

  Hanging onto every translated word from Qwalla the Space Traveler eagerly replied, “and?”

  “Next we tried to fight the dlom creature with magma.”

  He looked at Qwalla as if there was more. “Yeah, and?”

  “Next we tried to use crystallites.”

  Again, a long pause. The Space Traveler sung, “And?”

  “Next we used soil.”

  “Qwalla, come on this is getting old. Get to the end please what happened? How did the facilitator die?”

  “He was swallowed by the dlom.”

  The Space Travelers eyes became large now, for a Duradusk that is. He began to imagine how large of a dlom organism it must have been to eat a fifty-foot tall being. Then he started to wonder how they contained it and if they destroyed it.

  “What happened to the dlom?”

  “We do not know any longer.”

  “Qwalla, why was USHA not informed about this outbreak?”

  “They were Inspector. We informed them five years ago, per our data.”

  If his eyes could widen any larger they would have. “Five years ago, and you don’t know where it’s at? This is bad news indeed. There must have been sightings, um, killings, what? You must have some intel Qwalla.”

  “Yes, it has moved on and attacked a village nearby. Then after another attempt to eradicate the dlom it went underground.”

  “Has any strange events taken place here on Fequ since that time?”

  Qwalla thought about the question for a few minutes. He finally answered him, “That I cannot know for certain. I believe you will want to speak with the Administrator.”

  “Oh, you better believe your long arms I will. Take me to the containment room it escaped from.”

  “Yes Inspector. This way.”

  Qwalla began walking to the entrance of the sanitation plant and the Space Traveler followed him in his flying pod. He continued wondering why the USHA board members had not disclosed that there was a breach five years ago, perhaps there was an ongoing investigation and he was not in the loop. That would be out of protocol and more of a cover-up than anything. He was not going to have any of it he said to himself.

  As they went by the house-size cases that held sanitizers and safety equipment, he noticed that there were no workers anywhere in sight. This made him suspicious now. But he knew that the Fequians were the most honest of all the seven habitable planets. “Qwalla,” he called out to the giant, “I have another question for you. Where are all of the workers?”

  Qwalla did not hesitate in responding, “no work today for the inspection, Inspector.”

  “I don’t recall that being part of the protocol Qwalla. There are always workers during inspection. I may want to ask some questions regarding safety and handling. Please have them here for the remainder of the week, ok?”

  “Yes Inspector. I will make for certain they are here.”

  He felt that something was wrong here. It was one of his many fine-tuned senses and his gut was one of his strongest. The Fequians knew that all too well also. Perhaps that was why they decided to not mislead their Inspector, but rather not disclose all the information either.

  Qwalla and his assistant ushered the Space Traveler to a section where large glass panels contained a room where the back walls were solid concrete. It resembled glass cages where one would hold animals and not part of a waste plant facility. “Open!” Qwallaguda stated and two guards grabbed hold of the handles and slide open the glass doors. They approached the large room and stopped at the entrance. The Space Traveler was now feeling something was very wrong. “Is this where the incident happened with the dlom?”

  “Yes Inspector. You are free to inspect the containment room.” Qwalla said as he held his hand out toward the opening.

  He looked up at the giant Fequian with suspicious eyes. In his gut, he felt that something just wasn't right. Too bad he didn’t listen to his gut. Instead he sped the pod through the entryway, passed the two guards and inside empty room. He looked around the large empty space. It was at least 80 feet tall, one hundred feet wide and eighty feet deep. The room was clean and the digital display on his screen had no readings of dlom. He turned his pod around and asked, “What about the….” He could see that Qwallaguda, his assistant and the two guards were now standing behind the closed double doors. “…damage,” he concluded.

  Qwallaguda walked up to the glass now, his hands were folded behind his back. “Inspector, we have a problem. I have been completely honest with you. However, we have been under attack from the inside to the outside. Our planet is at war and the war has been won by our enemy. It was a long battle. Being that we are a non-violent people, we did not anticipate the attack to come from a biological means. This has penetrated our thinking ability and we are no longer in control of Fequ.”

  “Ok. So, who’s in control?”

  “That is a good question Inspector. It does not have a name. You call the organic material dlom. We obey when it calls.”

  He scratched his noodle hair head and sighed, “I just can’t believe that Qwalla. Is that why the united counsel hasn’t done anything about the breach?”

  “These questions will all be answered by the Administrator. He is on his way here now. Meanwhile, you will wait here in your cell.”

  “You know Qwalla, one if the effects of dlom illness is confusion. You know you are confused about all of this right?”

  Qwalla responded, “There is no confusion with regards to our obedience.” He turned his enormous body and began walking away. His assistant followed him as the Space Traveler yelled out, “It brain washes you Qwalla! You must see that, can’t you?”

  Watching them leave was not as bad as realizing that he was trapped. A prisoner in the cell he was here to inspect.

  Travel 2: Escape from Fequ

  It's beyond easy to see from the chapter title that the Space Traveler is going to escape not just his cell, but also the planet. Fine, you got me there. But what you don’t know yet is how and when. Perhaps it’s not until the end of the book and another fifty thousand words or so and he will just make sarcastic jokes about how tall the Fequians are. Think about all the material he would have.

  The real problem is that since Duradusks don’t eat worms, which are the only food source on Fequ, he most likely will die of starvation. But there are some solutions to his problem. The one solution he has is that he can get a little help from his friends. 41-A and can bring him food. Or, what would be even more beneficial is that both his droids can help him escape. And so, the wheels of a master plan were circling in his mind.

  It was not long however until the Administrator showed up behind the glass wall. He waved his wiggly arms and the two guards stepped away. He opened one door, sliding it to his left and walked inside the cell. “Greetings Inspector. You have something to share with me.”

  “Where is the dlom...Administrator?” He smiled.

  “It is safe from all enemies of the mission. You see Inspector. Our mission is a mission of freedom. Did you know that we have a weapon that can move planets? Just one push and an enemy planet will leave its orbit and float off from or toward Goff. You realize that all it takes is a degree toward a star and the people will burn. Similar, a push away from our star and the people will freeze. You do know that is a scientific fact?”

  “Yeah, everyone gets that Administrator. So, what are your plans with me, now that I am your prisoner?”

  The Administrator turned to the side and began pacing the cell slowly, this left an opening and the Space Traveler thrusted the pod, accelerating for the doorway. His body jerked forward as the Administrator had the back half of the pod in his hand. “I do not permit you to leave Inspector. We have not concluded
our discussion.”

  The guards closed the door. He released the accelerator control and the burners hovered the pod now. The Administrator released the pod. Facing him the Space Traveler asked, “Your people are not a violent people, so you can’t kill me. What are your plans?”

  “All good questions. It will decide your outcome, all in due time. What I want you to know Inspector, is that we are an honest and peaceful people. However, we are threatened by the cosmos. Our sun is drawing our planet to it. Soon, if this matter is not corrected, we will burn to death. Everything on our planet will boil over until all is consumed by fire. Oxygen will be consumed. Light will be consumed. Our atmosphere is already being consumed and the radiation from Goff and Vodax is poisoning our people. There is no time left Inspector.”

  The Space Traveler wiped his sweaty noodle hair and responded, “I am just an Inspector, what do you want from me?”

  The Administrator began pacing the cell. “There is no time for you to send a planetary evacuation, although we could use one. There is no time to build enough starships to save all our people. We have only older models that are equipped to send a few to our space-station. But, you see Inspector, the problem we have is that we are forty feet taller than most beings. How could even a few of us fit in on such small planets? What would we eat? Where would we waste? No, Inspector, we have only one chance to save our planet and the people living on it.”

  The Space Traveler’s arms were folded, he was patiently waiting. “Well, I am all ears Administrator.”

  He pointed his two-foot index finger at him, “You know what it wants you to do, don't you?”

  “I think you have a few screws loose in your stomach Admin. I have no idea who it is or what he wants.”

  “You are not an honest little being, are you?” He turned his back to the Space Traveler. “It knows you. It calls to me and I deliver its demands. It is calling out to me now, that it needs your service. It calls to the Inspector with the space shuttle. It has commissioned you by my authority to push the star Vodax out of orbit.”

  That news smacked our Space Traveler in his face. “What?” He cried with a deep frown.

  The Administrator turned back around to face him. “You are the only one who can travel into space. You can use the weapon on our space-station. The Fequians cannot. We no longer have the equipment for space travel and we cannot prepare in a short period. And time is running out!” The Administrator explained.

  “The United Systems would support you, if you gave them notice!” He blurted out.

  “Maybe they would Inspector, but we do not trust dishonest beings who use their agendas to prevent our people to travel or profit from dlom.”

  “Oh, I see what this is really about. Your giant fool! This is about dlom which has warped your monstrous brain. Can’t you see what that evil microorganism does to its victims? When its breathed in, it changes your thinking pattern for its vile plans. If it absorbs into your flesh, it becomes a cancer even for a large chump, like you. Now release me Admin and I will see if I can help your people!”

  “I will release you Inspector only on one condition. You must use the weapon and move Vodax out of Goff’s orbit. If you do not help us, our solar system, our planet and all the Fequians will die!”

  “I’m confused, with your big brains you would think that your scientists could have figured out that Vodax is not the problem, it’s Goff. Goff is sucking everything in its path.”

  “Goff is the reason we live and the reason we are going to die. However, Inspector, when it no longer consumes Vodax its gravitational pull will cease and it will no longer draw us closer.”

  “And your guys down in the nerd lab believe that theory holds water?”

  “It not only holds water, but it is due to our ancestors why this is happening.”

  “What do you mean Admin? What are you not telling me?”

  “Let me explain. Over nine hundred years ago, our ancestors set out to create a barrier that would protect our planet from incoming comets. We had been hit numerous times causing catastrophic events that wiped-out animals, vegetation, trees, and then our people. Disease had spread. Death was everywhere. They did what they felt they must do, before we were consumed. They used two space men to fire our weapon at Hyskpada. After many years, the planet reached Goff’s orbit and it was consumed.”

  “You like that word consume don’t you Admin?” The Space Traveler mocked.

  “You are hearing the translated word for complete annihilation. I am using it in context that befits future destruction. Future destruction was inevitable. But we now have the solution and you are the one to use the weapon to stop the consumption.”

  “And so, you’re telling me that the asteroid field I navigate through every time I come here is fragments of this planet, Hysk fa poo. So, did that set off a chain reaction in your solar system that caused Vodax to be consumed...your word Admin...by its big sis Goff, and that gravity is sucking everything to it. Is that just, about right?”

  “Very good Inspector. We knew you were the right being for this mission.” He turned his side to the Space Traveler and shook his flappy arms in the air. “We are very grateful Inspector. However, since we are an honest people, I must warn you from the start that you will be consumed.”

  “Consumed, oh that’s just about right. It’s your favorite word and it means my impending death. Just great. So,” he claps his hands, “when do we begin Admin, I’m dying to help you people.”

  The Administrator turned to face him again, “you will begin now! There is no time left Inspector. Your ship will dock on our station above the moon Claspi and you will use our weapon to take Vodax out of the consumption zone.”

  “Fine, I can make that happen. However, I must warn you Admin. That if this doesn’t work, don’t go crying to me, with your one big eye. Tears falling down your crotch and all. That is what happens when you cry right?”

  “It is time Inspector.” The Administrator moves to the side and the double glass doors open. The Inspector does not hesitate as he pushes the handles on his pod and speeds out of the cell, passed the two guards and around the corner to the outside of the plant. He hits the intercom on his console, “41-A, start the ship, my inspection is over.”

  The voice crackled over the intercom, “Yes sir, the ship is in neutral position.”

  The Space Traveler raced his pod as fast as the small craft could move. He was now worried that the giant would change his mind, grab his pod again and haul him into the cell until he starved to death. He was not going to eat worms he thought to himself. No way and no how. As he flew the pod into the belly of his ship the rear door closed and he jumped out of the pod as it came to a sliding stop. Up the tunnel hallway and around the bend to the control room he plopped into his Captain's chair and hit a button on the console. 41-A was wheeling behind him and held on to the back of his chair.

  “We are all set for take-off Captain.”

  “Good 41. Let’s get outta’ here!”

  Pushing the console forward, his ship takes off with a burst of speed. The Administrator appears at the entrance of the plant and watches the tiny ship, to his eyes, burst off and out into the afternoon sky until it was out of sight.

  “Save our people Inspector,” he said, as his guards approached him from behind.

  When the blue sky faded to darkness, millions of stars began to appear across the stratosphere of space. The black background looked like it was coated with fireflies in the distance. The Space Traveler wiped his noodle hair and gasped, “We made it. 41, please go and power yourself up at your charging station along with your sister. We have a long trip back to Hibot’s.”

  “As you command Captain,” 41-A said as she turned around and wheeled out of the control room and down the hall to her power station dock.

  Now, our Space Traveler was overly thrilled about his escape from Fequ just as the chapter title explained, so you can stop your guessing as to how and when he did leave the planet. But as he loo
ked out through his windshield he could see the devastation of Goff, and what the star was doing to the Fequians solar system. He felt pity for them. Not the kind of pity one feels for an ant that he just squashed or a flower that needs water in the hot sun, but pity for an entire people. A very large people who had doomed themselves by their ancestors so many hundreds of years ago. The new generation was not at fault at all. But their pride for dlom was their ultimate undoing.

  “If they only followed protocol with dlom remediation, they would not be in this predicament.” He said to himself as he pushed a button and his cup appeared out of the console. It was full of pink goop. He liked his pink goop.

  His starship blasted off passing a few other inner planets and he watched as the asteroid field came closer to him. He would soon either set his computer to navigate or he would need to manually control it. Exhausted by this point, he hit a few keys on his screen and set the computer to configure the path around the field. Then he kicked his feet up on the top of the console board and finished his pink drink. Now, you are probably wondering if his pink drink is an alcoholic beverage. Well, you would be right. You see, on Hibot’s, the planet of many species including the Duradusks, they like their booze. It takes a massive amount to get a Duradusk tipsy but when that happens watch out. They tend to get belligerent.

  Regardless, our Space Traveler was at a crossroads. The Fequian Space station was a couple million miles away to his left and his next stop back to his home planet of Hibot’s was fifty-eight hundred million miles or so. As he looked out at the red giant star Goff, violently and mercilessly sucking the life out of her baby sister, he again felt sorry for the Fequians. Not only were their minds warped by the dlom that had infected their planet, but they would soon be out of their misery. He could help them he thought. But you see, our Space Traveler is not a hero, at least that is not his job title. His employment is directly commissioned by the United Planetary Systems to inspect the seven habitable planets for dlom. It is not to be a savior of any sorts. However, he is a life form who had a heart, and the Fequians had hearts too, even though they were the size of a Rhino. All beings deserve to live he thought.