The Evaran Origin

by Adair Hart

  Evaran bent over and met her dull gaze. “I am afraid I have to apologize again. I need to remove your lower body armor to access the wound. I have a gel that will neutralize the paralyzing toxin. The nanobots I inject will help disseminate the gel across your body with the help of your own nanobots.”

  Emily’s mind raced as she watched Evaran head off to get the gel. She was not wearing underwear since her suit had a formfitting replacement for it. The problem was that it was part of the suit.

  He returned and began to work on her armor.

  She could feel the lower part of her suit slip down her legs. The next sensation was a cloth material that landed on her buttocks. It seemed Evaran had anticipated this already. When he began to rub the gel into her wound, she wanted to jump off the table. Although she was paralyzed, she could still feel the burning sensation the gel caused.

  After a prick in her leg, he bent over near her head and said, “You should be able to move in about an hour. I am going to shield the slab so no one can see inside. When you can move, you can remove the shielding by tapping on the button at the top of the slab. I need to get the ship over to docking bay 6.” He placed a hand on her head, smiled, and then exited the room.

  The dispersion pattern that the nanobots took was easy to visualize. It felt like they were pummeling her muscles, but the initial pain had subsided, and a numbness had settled in. Evaran had said the paralyzing effect normally lasted six hours, so she was happy with an hour.

  Her mind turned to the fight with the predator. She suspected that if Evaran had been at full strength, he would have knocked the predator all over the place. The memory of him tossing around heavily armored humanoid Purifiers in another adventure crossed her mind. He had moved them like they were nothing. Maybe that was why he was now more hesitant to engage in physical encounters.

  Her eyelids began to sag. Maybe she would just take a cue from Dr. Snowden and nap. There was nothing she could do at the moment anyways. With that thought, she pushed for her eyes to close and, with some effort, was able to do so.

  When Dr. Snowden got back to the engine room’s main entrance area, he noticed that the red beams that had been keeping the engine from firing were now gone.

  The metal rings swirled around the black orb, with occasional blue arcs of light streaking between it and the rings.

  From what Kri’tokhaar had said, the black orb was some type of antimatter. How it was not decimating everything around them was a mystery to him. Maybe the metal pillars created a magnetic shield of some type around the antimatter. He suspected that what he saw was just the tip of a much larger engine. His attention turned toward Dan, who had stopped.

  Dan pointed at the krall lying next to Levaran. “Is that … the krall thing you talked about earlier?”

  Dr. Snowden smiled. “It sure is.” Looking across the room, he saw that V and Dr. Bryson had returned. Kri’tokhaar and Edev had come back as well and were headed toward Levaran.

  The krall rose up and growled.

  Levaran balled up her fist and placed it on her chest. She then pointed in sequence at everyone. “Extend your arm, palm up.”

  Dan nudged Dr. Snowden. “Umm … what’s this all about?”

  “It’s the way the krall communicates. When she nuzzles your hand, you’ll be her friend.”

  “Oh. And it’s female? Huh,” said Dan. He jumped a bit when the krall used her large head to nuzzle his hand.

  After a minute, the krall had nuzzled everyone’s hand except for Kri’tokhaar’s. She stood and snarled, causing Kri’tokhaar to step back.

  “I don’t think she likes me,” said Kri’tokhaar. He emitted a low guzzling sound. “I don’t blame her.”

  Levaran stooped in front of the krall and made another attempt at getting the krall to acknowledge Kri’tokhaar. The krall dipped her head toward Kri’tokhaar, then headed over to Dr. Snowden.

  “I’m sorry,” said Levaran. “She’s acknowledged you, and won’t attack, but she doesn’t consider you a friend.”

  Kri’tokhaar clacked his claws. “I understand.”

  Dr. Snowden extended his right arm toward Sarah with his palm down.

  The krall moved to Sarah’s side.

  Sarah’s eyes widened.

  Dr. Snowden chuckled. “Don’t worry. I just told her that she should focus on protecting you. She likes head rubs and scratches behind the ears.”

  Sarah met the krall’s gaze. She reached down and patted the krall and then scratched her behind her ears. The krall slowly blinked.

  “The slow blink means she likes it,” said Dr. Snowden. He wondered if the krall could understand Evaran and Levaran without hand signals. The memory of Evaran kneeling and saying goodbye to the krall in his universe made him think so. Evaran had said that communication with animals was often a rough translation. Hand signals would be clear about their intent.

  “Look at you,” said Dr. Bryson. “The alien whisperer.”

  Dr. Snowden snorted. “She … is my friend, regardless of universe.”

  Levaran nodded. “She was under attack by a large pack of Grynge when she fled into the room. I drove them back, and she will now travel with us. We need to go. Edev has point with me. V has the rear, and Dr. Snowden and the krall will take each side. Let’s move.”

  Dr. Snowden took his position as they exited the engine room.

  They walked without incident for the next thirty minutes.

  Although he saw some creatures, they scattered at the sight of the group. Looking around, he could see how they might appear threatening. Levaran exuded confidence in her walk, and V and the krall showed physical strength. Edev flying around served as a distraction, and if it came down to it, he could defend as well. He imagined for a moment how much easier his and Emily’s abduction would have been with the suits and PSDs.

  Levaran raised her hand and paused when they were halfway down a massive corridor.

  Dr. Snowden focused and could hear heartbeats. There were about ten of them ahead. “I hear them.”

  Levaran nodded. “Edev is scanning. It appears we have found Dolgus Kree’s crew.” She faced Kri’tokhaar. “Is there a way around this hallway?”

  Kri’tokhaar shook his buggy head. “There is, but it’s the long way around. Going forward is the quickest path.”

  “Very well,” said Levaran. She extended a hand at the krall, then focused on Dr. Snowden. “You and the krall wait here with the others. V, Edev, and I are going to talk with Dolgus.”

  Dan snorted. “Why can’t we just go past them? We could take them.”

  “I don’t want to endanger you needlessly,” said Levaran, eying Dan. “All it takes is one stray shot and you’re dead.”

  Dr. Snowden sighed. “She’s right. I’ve … seen it before.”

  Dan nodded as he cast a sidelong glance at Dr. Snowden.

  Levaran held her palm up to the krall and then flipped it around.

  The krall stepped forward and shook her head, causing a curved shield to appear in front of her.

  Dr. Bryson’s eyes widened. “Whoa. What type of shield is that?”

  Dr. Snowden smiled. “It’s meant for ranged combat.”

  “Looks like it could also be used to bulldoze,” said Dr. Bryson, running his hands along the front of the shield.

  The krall eyed Dr. Bryson, causing him to scamper back.

  Levaran tossed out an orb. It shot up a projection from Edev’s perspective. “This will show you what’s going on. Wait here.” She nodded at V and then headed toward Dolgus Kree’s group.

  Dan chuckled. “Man, I’m glad she’s here.”

  “Me too,” said Sarah.

  Dr. Snowden could see that Dan and Sarah were beginning to look to Levaran as a leader. He wondered if they all could have traveled as one group instead of splitting off and if the split was more for Dan and the others to bond with Levaran.

  Dr. Bryson walked around the projection. “3-D holographic projection. Man …” He shook his head at Dr. Sno
wden. “I can’t even imagine what you know. Your conversations with my duplicate must make me seem foolish.”

  “Not really,” said Dr. Snowden. “Come to think of it, I haven’t talked to our version since a bit after our abduction. I sorta mixed up memories and … it caused an issue between us.” He rubbed his chin. “I’ll make a point of fixing that after all this, though.”

  Dr. Bryson nodded and pointed at the projection. “Look, there’s those guys.”

  Dr. Snowden studied Dolgus’s group. They were dressed similarly to how he remembered Jerzan’s crew. Light armor, a variety of weapons, and a general appearance that indicated hygiene was not too important. The two things that stood out to him were that one of them was robotic in appearance and the rest were Bilaxians. Dolgus was easy to spot. He stood in front of the assembled group. Some had been checking out the side rooms but had gathered behind Dolgus.

  “That’s a mean-looking group,” said Dan.

  Dr. Snowden nodded. “And if they caught us, it wouldn’t be good.”

  “Yeah … I’m getting that sense.”

  Dr. Snowden focused on the projection as Dolgus sneered at Levaran.

  “Damn,” said Dolgus, his eyes ravaging Levaran. “Looks like maybe there is something of value on this ship. You lost, sweet thing?”

  “One, I’m not your sweet thing, Dolgus Kree. Two, you’re in my way. Head back to your ship, and forget about this encounter,” said Levaran.

  Dolgus’s crew laughed.

  Dolgus smiled. “So you know me … and got quite a mouth. Something I’m sure we can find a good use for.” He inspected V and Edev and then turned his head toward the robotic humanoid in the group. “Hey, Saza, looks like we found you some spare parts.”

  Saza emitted a digital chuckle. “Looks weak to me, but I’ll take it.”

  “Analysis. My parts are not available for retrieval,” said V.

  “Just try!” said Edev.

  Dolgus’s group smirked and sneered.

  “Well, this’ll be quick,” said Dolgus. He nodded at his group, and they all raised their weapons. With gritted teeth, he said, “Get down on your knees and put your hands above your head.”

  Levaran clenched her jaw for a moment. “I’ll do no such thing. This ship is headed toward the sun. This is my last offer. Leave while you can.”

  “Listen here, bitch,” said Dolgus. “I give the orders around here. Not you or your robot friends. You just encountered the wrong clan in the wrong place.”

  “I see,” said Levaran. She extended her left arm and activated her shield. As Dolgus’s crew began to fire, she knelt and aimed at the group with her right arm. They went tumbling back from her repulsion wave beam.

  Edev followed up with a second repulsion blast.

  Levaran tapped at her utility handle and fired a grappling beam at the nearest group member. When he was pulled forward, she clotheslined him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

  Saza was the first to get up, and he charged toward Levaran. V tackled him, and they grappled off to the side.

  Levaran hurtled into the group as they attempted to get up. One group member was crushed against the wall. She grabbed another and slung him like a bowling ball through the others.

  Edev angled her four arms and shot a stun beam out, hitting four more.

  One of them shot at Levaran but fell when his beam reflected at him.

  Dolgus lowered his weapon and pulled out a large knife. With a shake, it began to glow. “Surround her! And take out that damn orb!”

  Dolgus and one of the remaining two members who could function flanked Levaran. The other member tried to fire at Edev but could not get a bead on her.

  One reached in to grab Levaran and was batted away. She stepped back and kicked Dolgus in the chest, sending him flying across the hallway.

  Edev spun with extended arms as she flew into the last member, knocking him down.

  Levaran went over to where Saza and V were locked in a grappling match. She grabbed Saza and untangled him from V. Once V was clear, she fired a stun beam point-blank. Saza crumpled to the ground. She pointed at the group. “V, Edev, collect their weapons.”

  “Acknowledged,” said V.

  “On it,” said Edev.

  After a few minutes, all of the crew’s weapons were assembled on the side.

  Dolgus and the remaining members of his group who could stand gathered opposite them.

  “What the hell are you?” asked Dolgus, rubbing his chest and spitting blood.

  “Someone in a hurry, and you were in my way. My offer still stands. You can gather your wounded and leave this ship or die with it. I’ll give you back your weapons after my friends have passed. If you wish to challenge me further, I won’t be as lenient in a second altercation. Do you understand?”

  Dolgus nodded vigorously.

  Levaran faced down the hallway. “Dr. Snowden, bring the others.”

  Dr. Snowden nodded at the projection he had been watching. He tapped the krall and then waved forward. “You heard boss lady. Let’s go.”

  Dan hustled up next to Dr. Snowden. “That was incredible. She can fight.”

  Dr. Bryson shook his head. “She literally wrecked them. I’m glad she’s on our side. V is tough too, and Edev is a little spitfire.”

  “Is that something we could learn?” asked Sarah.

  Dr. Snowden half smiled. “The Levaran stuff sure, not so much the V and Edev part. Levaran’s ship, well, when it’s ready, has a room that can project hard holograms. We call it the holo room. It has some great training programs. Emily uses it a lot.”

  “I’d like to check that out,” said Sarah.

  Dr. Snowden nodded.

  “Levaran is impressive. Her commitment to your species is admirable,” said Kri’tokhaar. “I suspect she has a dim view of mine.”

  “Maybe,” said Dr. Snowden. “There are positives to look at, though. Yeah, I hated you guys for a while, but now, I understand that … it’s better to focus on the positives and not dwell on the negatives. Levaran knows you were against the abductions.”

  “But I did nothing to stop it.”

  Dr. Snowden bobbed his head. “That’s due to your culture, though. Correct me if I’m wrong, but from what I studied about your species, you have a hive-minded approach, and obedience is the law of the land.”

  “Yes. Even so, for events that break our cultural norms such as this, that should be enough to take action, yet I did not,” said Kri’tokhaar.

  Dr. Snowden observed Kri’tokhaar as they continued toward Levaran. It was obvious that guilt was tearing him apart. From what he understood of Krotovore, that would be a problem, at least one to deal with afterward.

  When they got to Levaran, she waved them through the hallway entrance.

  Dolgus and his crew jumped a bit when the krall growled at them as she passed.

  Once they all had crossed into another hallway, Levaran placed her UIC on the door console. She faced Dolgus and his group. “You have your weapons again. Do as I say and leave this ship. To do otherwise is suicide.”

  The door closed, and Dr. Snowden watched as Dolgus’s crew scrambled across the hallway to get their weapons. Maybe they had learned a lesson and would heed Levaran’s word. He did not think they would, but at least she had given them a chance. There were differences between Levaran and Evaran, but at their core, their actions were similar. He shook his head as he and the others followed Levaran.

  As they continued on for the next fifteen minutes, Dr. Snowden observed the interaction between the members of the group. Dr. Bryson and V seemed to have hit it off right away. That was not too surprising since in his universe, Dr. Bryson was a fanatic about artificial intelligence. Edev had joined in the conversations when she was in range. Despite all that was going on, he thought Dr. Bryson was going to be okay.

  Dan and Sarah were beginning to relax some. He noted that they were now talking to Kri’tokhaar. Something about the way Kri’tokhaar spoke and moved seeme
d off to him. Maybe it was because he had studied them in his off time while traveling with Evaran. He had learned a great deal about their culture and norms and wanted to visit their empire at some point. It reinforced his observation that Kri’tokhaar probably felt the full weight of what his species had done.

  Nonetheless, he thought it was good for Dan and Sarah to be able to talk with Kri’tokhaar. He observed that Kri’tokhaar was thoughtful and humbled by their desire to talk with him. Maybe at some point, Dan and Sarah could visit Kri’tokhaar after he got home.

  Levaran kept to herself. That was not unusual to Dr. Snowden. He realized her full attention was on the environment around them, and as they progressed, she was the frontline defense. He wondered how Levaran being female would affect future confrontations. The look on Dolgus Kree’s face when he saw her was one of lust. He understood at least that since Levaran was very attractive. That could be the aura she exuded as well. Others had also said he and Emily had a glow about them.

  When they reached a large room that reminded him of a cafeteria, Levaran raised her hand.

  “I am being contacted by Evaran. One moment,” said Levaran.

  As Levaran perused her ARI, Dr. Snowden examined the room. It reminded him of the encounter with Hulldar and Galkett from Jerzan’s crew during their abduction. Hulldar had been killed by a slime creature called a Slivyn that could melt flesh with just a touch. He did a focused sweep but saw no sign of its presence. It was a different part of the ship, but the rooms were like duplicates. His attention was disrupted by Levaran.

  “Evaran and Emily have fought a Time Warden predator. He has forwarded the details to me, V, and Edev. Emily was paralyzed, and they are on their way to the Torvatta,” said Levaran.

  “Paralyzed?” asked Dr. Snowden with raised eyebrows. “Is she okay?”

  “For the moment. Evaran said it did not look fatal, and he is carrying her.”

  He swallowed hard. “How far away are they now?”

  Levaran eyed him. “I know what you’re thinking, but they’re too far away at this point. It would take us some time to get to them and would expose the others to risk.”