by Craig Gaydas
“Why are we going to this planet?” I chose to change the topic since the conversation was leading me toward a pit of despair.
“I don't know.” She shrugged. “All I know is the Scarlet Moon chose to set up camp down there for the time being.” She turned to the door. Without looking at me she added, “He never tells me anything. I'm just a slave.” Her hands balled into fists. “They never let me off this goddamn ship. For all I know the planets we visit could be empty or they could have cities paved in gold.”
“I'm sorry.” It was a weak response but all I could think of to say.
She turned to me with a look of surprise. “Listen to me. Here you are with your hand recently cut off and I'm bitching that I don't get enough fresh air.” She wiped at the side of her face and it was only then that I realized she had been crying. “Let me replace your bandage and cauterize the wound so it won't reopen when they come get you.” When she noticed my unease had returned she offered me a smile. “Don't worry, I will be here with you this time.”
Her statement didn't offer much comfort. She had no chance against Shai if she interfered with another violent outburst toward me. I didn't tell her that, I was just glad she would be by my side. For the first time in a long time the feeling of loneliness had subsided.
She reached into a drawer underneath the monitor and retrieved a small canister that resembled a can of cooking spray. “Okay, I am going to remove the bandages and spray this on the wound. You will feel a sting at first but it shouldn't last for long. It will be followed by a cold numbness.”
I looked at the can apprehensively but nodded. I must have had anxiety written all over my face because she leaned over and kissed my forehead. Her lips were soft and unexpected. A flush crept along my neck, eventually filling my cheeks. “What was that for?”
She leaned back and smiled. “To let you know it will be alright.” She unwrapped the bandages around my wrist carefully. Despite the extreme care she took in removing them I still winced every time she brushed against a nerve. She removed the cap of the can and sprayed the bloody stump. I looked away and clenched my teeth. The sting felt more like someone slowly ripping the skin away from my wrist. Just when I thought the agony would overwhelm me, it stopped. The merciful numbness took over. It was as if the lower half of my arm fell asleep.
“Are you alright?” She asked, and shoved aside a sweaty strand of hair that had fallen across my eyes. When I nodded she proceeded to place a new bandage over the wound. “Okay, finished.”
I looked down and noticed some swelling along the wrist but the wound looked much cleaner than the bloody roast beef it looked like before. The bandage she placed over it was black and similar to a wool cap rather than a conventional bandage. It was like I had the world's biggest sock puppet for a hand.
“What kind of bandage is that?” I asked.
She shrugged. “It's an Umbral medical device according to Shai. It keeps the wound area clear and dry as well as filter any bacteria from the air. It's usually used for limb loss or in cases of severe trauma.” She shook her head and frowned. “Listen to me I sound like a spokesman for the company that makes them. Anyway, I spoke with one of the engineers on board to try to get you some sort of prosthetic replacement for your hand.” She smiled and placed her hand on my head. “I told you I'm gonna take care of you.”
“I appreciate it.” I didn't return her smile. I tried to focus on the task of escaping the clutches of the Scarlet Moon before they or Corvus decided to cut off other parts of my anatomy. I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the gurney. Before I could hop off I was stopped by another kiss. This one was on my lips. Surprised, I didn't know what to do so I just sat frozen on the bed and accepted it. It was long, warm and pleasant. Eventually her lips parted and I accepted a much deeper kiss. No longer frozen, her kiss awoke desires I never knew I had. Being my first kiss I didn't know what to expect. I just passed the “cooties” stage and entered the exploratory stage. Before I could enjoy it any further she stepped back.
“What's wrong?” I huffed, working to catch the breath she sucked from me.
She looked past me, toward the door. I turned to see Shai standing in the doorway.
“Well lookie here,” he sneered. An evil smile played at the corner of his lips. “This just tugs at the heart, doesn't it?”
Her hand fell to my knee and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “What do you want?” she asked.
His smile faded. “You know what I want. I hate to part you from your new boyfriend, but we have people to meet.” Two guards appeared behind him with weapons drawn. They were Drith-Nar like Shai, except more lean as opposed to muscular. They had the same ebony skin as Shai but had blue hair instead of white. They were so similar in appearance I assumed they were twins.
“I'm going with him.” She grabbed my shoulder.
He folded his arms across his chest. “This isn't a vacation,” he growled. “We aren't going on a tour. This party is by invite only.”
“I don't care,” she barked and placed her hands on her hips with defiance. “He is injured and will need someone to tend to those injuries.”
Shai and Deena stood and stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Finally he picked up a communicator and barked into it. “Varl, patch me through to the surface.”
“Direct link engaged,” Varl replied.
“This is Captain Shai of the Scarlet Moon vessel Victory. I have a medical situation on board. Do you have medical personnel on the planet?”
After a brief pause, a mechanical voice responded, “We have medical droids who are well versed in the anatomy of over three million species.”
Shai smiled again before terminating the connection. “See sweetie, your boyfriend will be safe with us.”
“No, I have—” she started but Shai cut her off.
“You will stay here!” he barked. “Besides, I have a project and I need your help.”
Deena and I exchanged nervous glances. I really wanted her by my side when I walked into the hornet's nest of enemies I was sure waited for me on the planet.
“Let's go!” Shai ordered. The guards moved toward me.
One grabbed my arm but before he could haul me off Deena leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “One for good luck.”
The guard pulled me to the door and I followed him reluctantly. Before we left the room, however, I turned back to Deena who smiled in return. As we went toward the door I passed Shai. He was smiling as well. He looked at Deena and the smile never wavered, but hers did. The door closed behind us, leaving the two of them alone together. A sinking feeling formed in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't shake the bad feeling no matter how hard I tried.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I would never see her again.
Gorganna
The guards led me to the open doorway. I stepped onto the boarding ramp and observed a night sky filled with three crescent moons and a million stars. Mixed among the stars was a constellation that resembled a DNA helix. It was the most beautiful sky I had ever seen.
“Nathan Chambers, you have been directed to accompany us to the temple.”
At first I thought two monks had approached, but upon closer inspection I noticed that they were robots. Cyborgs, to be exact. Their smooth, black bodies were dotted with tiny blue lights. Their eyes were glowing red orbs that were identical to the red orbs which served as their belt buckles. Originally it appeared like they were wearing long dresses but when they got closer I noticed the “outfit” was actually designed from metal as well. They were unarmed with the exception of their silver hands. Their fingertips ended with small barrels—gun barrels.
A road led from the ramp. Approximately thirty yards away, in the middle of said road, was parked a taxi that seemed to have been pulled out of 1950s New York. The only difference was that it had no tires. It floated two feet above the ground. Standing next to the taxi was another robot holding the rear door open. My two escorts led me to the waiting vehicle and steppe
d aside when I reached the waiting robot.
“Greetings, Nathan Chambers of Earth,” the robot buzzed. “This conveyance will take you straight to the Temple. Once there you will be escorted to your awaiting party.”
I slid into the vehicle and rubbed my eyes in disbelief. “Well, I am ready to go in my 1950s New York conveyance.” I laughed in spite of the absurdity of it all. The robot closed the door left. I looked at the front seat and noticed that there was no driver. With the exception of a large metal plate embedded in the driver seat, the cab was empty.
“Um, who the hell is driving this thing?” I turned to the window but the robot was gone.
“Manny, driver number four-oh-four, at your service,” a voice boomed from the front of the cab.
Where there was once an empty plate there was now a holographic projection of a driver. “Manny” was a human hologram with shoulder-length white hair and wild eyes. His appearance reminded me of Doc from Back to The Future. His attire consisted of a yellow cap with a black brim, a yellow tuxedo and black bowtie. He started the car and looked at me through the rear view mirror.
“We are now departing for the Temple.”
The ride to the Temple was smooth which I supposed should be expected from a car that floated above ground. He guided the car through the wooded area with relative ease. As for me, it was so dark I couldn't see anything except what the headlights illuminated ahead.
“So what brings you to Gorganna today sir,” Manny asked pleasantly.
I had been so wrapped up with the concept of a floating car that thoughts of escape never crossed my mind. After the question, however, I found myself wondering what my chances were. Instead of bursting out of the car like a kidnap victim, I decided to let fate play its hand. “Well, Manny, I was kidnapped and forcefully brought to Gorganna.”
He kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “That is indeed unfortunate,” he said stoically. “Perhaps Janero can assist you with your predicament.”
“Janero?” I repeated.
“Yes sir. Janero lives at the Temple. He is the creator and author of our history.”
With a frown I stared out the window. Trees reflected by the vehicle's lights whizzed by. Once or twice I thought I saw something pop their head out of the brush but it could have been a trick of the lights or simply exhaustion messing with my mind. “So Janero is God?” I asked.
“God?” Manny asked with confusion. “I don't think so. Janero is Janero. I don't know anyone named God, sir.”
“Never mind.” I continued to stare out the window.
Manny slowed the vehicle as we came to an obstacle in the road. “This was supposed to be a short cut. I apologize for this inconvenience.”
When I looked out the front window I had to blink to make sure my eyes were working correctly. A boat lay across the roadway. It was one of the last things I would have expected in the middle of a forest. It had a flat design like a pontoon boat but it was cracked in half over a fallen tree so it formed an inverted V. The rear half of the boat was the part that was blocking our path.
“Hold tight, sir,” Manny stated. “I believe I can navigate over the obstacle. I have conducted a six foot vertical push before with this vehicle but I don't like doing it.” He offered me a friendly smile.
I felt like I was inside an elevator as the car ascended. Eventually we cleared the boat's height and Manny steered the vehicle over the obstruction and onto the clear road ahead. Manny smiled in the rear view mirror once we were over it.
“See, that was a piece of pie.”
“Um, I think you mean 'piece of cake',” I corrected.
Manny scrunched his face in confusion. “Cake?” He scratched his head. “No that can't be right, I'm sure it's pie.”
I rolled my eyes and looked out the window. The trees gave way to a clearing and I swore I saw charred remains of an aircraft but couldn't be certain in the surrounding gloom.
“You know, you never forget your first fare,” Manny said. “You may forget their name, what they looked like or what they were wearing, but you never forget that they were your first.”
“What?” I asked.
Manny laughed. “Sorry I was just passing the time sir.
“Oh,” I responded. I was amazed at how realistic he was and wondered if this Janero character was his creator.
“You know, the guy before you had a hard time figuring out the seatbelt mechanism,” Manny said.
I cocked an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Yeah,” he responded. “But then it clicked.”
Manny stared at me through the rear view window with a deadpan expression. I scratched my head. Did a hologram just make a joke?
Manny remained silent for the remainder of the trip, which lasted about twenty minutes. He brought the vehicle to a stop in front of large white building that resembled a church. Spotlights surrounded the building and highlighted the front of the structure. Large steeples stabbed the night sky. Small angular windows surrounded the building while golden light filtered out to illuminate what wasn't covered by the spotlights.
“We have reached our destination,” Manny announced. “Please make sure to keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle until we come to a complete stop.” He exploded with laughter.
“Where are we?” I pressed my face against the glass and studied the Temple as his laughter died down. It had to have been the biggest church I had ever seen. The spotlights couldn't even cover every corner of the massive structure. After several moments passed and Manny didn't answer I turned toward the front seat. He was gone.
I moved to open the door, but a face stared at me through the window. “Whoa!” I exclaimed and fell back against the seat.
It was another robot, similar to the first. He held his hands up apologetically. “I am sorry sir for startling you.” He opened the door and I tumbled out onto the pavement. “I am Model 35. Please identify yourself.”
“My name is Nathan Chambers,” I replied.
His eyes changed. They went from a dark red to pale green before returning to red again. It happened quickly but I caught it. “Welcome to the Temple, Nathan Chambers. Please follow me.”
A pad was on the wall beside the Temple door. It was one large square which contained four smaller, colored squares—purple, orange, green and blue. The robot stood in front of the pad and hesitated.
After several seconds I asked, “Are you okay?”
The robot turned to me and his eyes changed colors again. “Remain calm, sir. I was just trying to remember the passcode.”
He pushed the smaller squares and they lit up in sequence with their particular color. The first time he did it an alarm sounded.
Braaaaaaaaaa!
I thought I heard the robot growl in frustration but wasn't sure if it was my imagination. He balled his fist in irritation. “Damn it.” He furiously punched the buttons again. This time, instead of an error alarm, a voice boomed from the speaker. “Welcome to the Temple.”
The door swung inward and the bottom of the door scraped against the floor, creating sparks. The door looked wooden but when I ran my hand across it felt more like metal.
We stepped into an immense hall illuminated by flame. Blazing torches adorned the walls and flames filled a large hearth at the center of the room. Instead of pews, several leather-bound chairs had been placed around it. Even though the hearth raged with flame the room was unusually cool. At first glance I thought the room was empty but then I spied the top of someone's head poking from behind one of the chairs.
“You guest has arrived,” the robot stated.
The man in the chair stood and turned. The flames filled the room with ominous shadows that seemed to swirl around him, but even in the gloom I still recognized him.
“Corvus,” I spat.
He gestured to the chair next to him. “Please sit down, Nathan,” he said, matching my anger with pleasantness. “We have a lot to discuss.”
Despite my anger I was torn I really wanted to he
ar what he had to say but I also wanted to throttle him for sending Shai after me. Eventually I slumped into the nearest chair. While shifting in the seat to get comfortable I observed Corvus looking at my handless arm.
“How did that happen?” He curled his lip with a mix of surprise and revulsion.
“Don't you know?” I responded harshly. “Your pal did this. Shai tortured me and blamed me for what the Consortium did to his people.”
“Did he?” He responded with bewilderment. “If that's true than I offer my deepest apologies. I realize it has been a long trip and surely you are exhausted. Our host had a room prepared for your arrival.”
“My last host 'prepared' a room for me too.” I complained.
The flames in the hearth crackled and danced, casting eerie shadows across Corvus' face. “I'm sorry for what happened to you, Nathan. I truly am.” He ran his hand through his snowy hair. “I assure you the room is comfortable and we are confident you shall find it to your liking.”
“What do you want with me?” I briefly wondered what my chances of escape were. I grimly realized that my chances weren't very high
He folded his hands, smiled and leaned back in the seat. “Right to the point. I like that.” He crossed his legs and drew a deep breath before continuing. “I suppose the simple answer would be that I would like the Insurgents to join us.”
I laughed dryly. “Join you?” I sat up and stabbed a finger at him. “You are the reason for this entire conflict in the first place.”
Corvus held up a hand. “Wait a minute. It was the Consortium who started it. Their constant meddling in our affairs is the reason I am here. I am trying to preserve our race!”
“Preserve our race?” I mocked. “Those events are from another time period. Your fight doesn't belong here.”
It was Corvus' turn to laugh. “I am human, am I not?” He pounded his chest for emphasis. “Earth needs defending, I agree. The Consortium had established themselves as the defenders of the universe. But who would have defended Earth against its 'defenders'?”
