by Timothy Cox
The dust cloud swirled in front of the glass, kissing the window and swirling away. Almost as if they were…
‘Yes, you will soon notice that these, insects, do behave quite different to the ones on earth. They have a mind of their own, think of them like dogs.’
‘Why dogs?’ A girl asked.
‘Because just like dogs, these insects seem to greet you when you arrive home – all happy to see you.’
Faces shot back in front, observing the insects in a new way, noticing that the Doctor was right. The insects tried to keep up but the ship flew away.
‘What’s the atmosphere like?’
The doctor chuckled. ‘You’ll all be very glad to know, that it’s very similar to earth. No need for a suit. But when we do land, you will receive an injection. It’s just to help you adjust. And a word of warning, try and take it easy when you climb off the ship. I know I said the atmosphere is the same but it doesn’t mean it’s exactly the same.’
(8)
Doctor Silinder was right. Jack could feel the humid air before even climbing off. When he stepped out, he had to cover his face with his hands. Light hit his eyes; from a sunless sky. When he felt ready to lower his hands, he did. There was a bright glint before his vision went normal.
‘This’s crazy.’ He said. The mountain they passed could be seen far away – the waterfalls’ glistening. His first few steps were on orange soil. He marveled at the sight of insects (small as a grain of sand) running away. Everyone walked towards the village with their heads cocked, bumping into each other.
The village, which looked like a normal tribal abode – just more high-tech, was apparently one of many scattered around the land. It was not only going to be their new home, but their new working place and research quarters.
While two lines formed for the injection, village personnel walked around giving flyers. Jack took one.
-Welcome To Your New Home-
You are officially a member of the Resistance Program. It is our honor to have you onboard. As it is our duty, and privilege, to help you settle in to your new environment, please find a few guidelines below to get you started:
...each person will be allocated to different areas, depending on skill, strength type…
…depending where you are, you will most likely be sharing your home with new members, please follow these…
…the life form on this planet are insects that you will find fascinating, they are not a threat, i.e., they are all harmless and can even be playful, why don’t you go see for yourself…
…please refrain from entering prohibited areas, e.g., the red zone. Please ask a member of staff for more information…
It was Jack’s turn for the injection. The lady smiled at him, her toothy white said: welcome-to-a-brand-new-planet, nowgivemeyourarm. She raised his sleeve and asked him to squeeze hand. While Jack squeezed, he watched her get out the biggest needle he has ever seen. That’s when he heard commotion behind him.
‘Before you slaughter me with that needle, I want to know if it’s compulsory? Glasses guy asked. The woman threw riddles at him; saying that it’s necessary but at the same time not. ‘Well to be perfectly honest with you madam, I don’t really understand you. So I think I’ll leave it.’ He passed the queue, shaking his head.
‘–ouch.’ Jack said, as he felt something cold go into his arm.
‘That’s all done,’ she said. ‘Can I give you a flyer? It has useful infor–’
‘No thank you, I have one.’
‘Ok.’ She looked at the person behind. ‘Next!’
(9)
‘Hey wait up.’ Jack said.
He looked around still shaking his head.
‘How are you? What do you think of this place?’
‘What do I think of this place?’ He looked away. ‘I see a forest with trees and rocks but just on drugs. And a brand new world that’s basically Amazon’s dad. What a blimming surprise – I never would have thought.’ He stormed off and stopped. ‘Oh did I mention this–’ he scooped up soil. ‘Circus ground is what this is. Think I want to know why it’s so orangey, very strange.’
Jack laughed. ‘I think it has to do with…defecation.’
He looked at his hand. Retched. And threw the soil. ‘W-why do you only–’ he fell to his knees and retched more; nothing came out. Jack burst out laughing. ‘Why didn’t you tell me it’s shit?’
‘Because look around you,’ he walked over and helped him up. ‘First clue, this place is teeming with insects, second clue, they mentioned it on the flyer.’
‘All makes sense. Who reads flyers?’
‘I don’t know, oh wait I know. Maybe when you arrive on a new planet.’ Jack thought a sarcastic comment will lighten him up, but he looked even more puzzled. ‘Doesn’t matter. Anyway, you know what’s crazy?’
‘Enlighten.’
‘I don’t even know your name.’
‘Why do you want to know my name?’ He asked, his expression worried.
Jack chuckled, but it faded away when he saw how serious he looked. ‘Uh, I don’t know, maybe you want to be…I don’t know.’
‘Oh God. Please don’t tell me you were going to say friends.’
‘No that’s not–’
‘Let’s go over there.’ He pointed at trees in the distance that had something taped on them.
Jack felt his arm go numb, he looked at where the injection went in and saw a purple mark. A bead of sweat ran down his cheek, reminding him that it was going to take time getting use to his new environment. There was no sun like on earth; or maybe it was hiding behind the misty green/brown cloud.
‘So what’s wrong with friends?’
‘Friendship requires trust, and trust is something that went out the window when the dinosaurs went out the window. Humans are selfish, deep down they just desire their own need. Even if they pretend to be your bestest of bestest friend; if you dig down deep enough you are apt to find selfish needs.’ He glanced behind and saw that they’ve walked quite far away. ‘And you know what happens then?’
Jack waited.
‘Backstabbing behavior. Now you see it–’ he slammed his fist ‘–and now you don’t. Knife in back – bleeding.’
Jack felt like saying he had issues, but shook his head. ‘I see.’
‘But. If you do need to know, my name is Raccoon.’
Jack nodded. ‘So, what do you think this is?’
‘I’ve no idea.’ He said touching the red tape. ‘Let’s go.’ He ducked through.
‘Hey what what’re you doing?’
‘What does it look like I’m doing?’
‘Maybe it’s closed off – you know red tape?’
‘Who cares?’ He looked at the forest. ‘We just arrived on a new planet, who’s going to bite us for exploring?’
Jack glanced behind and saw people still climbing off the ship. When he looked back he saw Raccoon already thick in the forest. ‘Hey wait up!’
(10)
Jack remembers being on a trip once, it was to a forest in South America. He remembers being in it: the sound of creatures crying, trees snapping, shrubbery moving, the way the sunlight pierced the forest canopy and a feeling of always being watched by something; a place brimming with aliveness.
This forest was the complete opposite. That gut nudge of being watched – knowing that energy was around the corner – was obsolete. The only feeling now was of serene exploration; uncharted steps; a habitat untainted by humans (or creatures much bigger than a pebble).
‘Hey come have a look at this.’ Raccoon said.
You could hear them but not see them. Hundreds of bugs crawled up a tree; appearing and disappearing, going from green to brown. Bouncing in and out from camouflage were easy for them.
‘Why do you think they do that?’ Jack asked.
‘No idea, maybe it’s to do with us.’
‘What you mean?’
‘Let’s test.’ He grabbed Jack’s arm and pulled him until they were at a
safe distance. ‘As I thought. Look.’
‘But it doesn’t make any sense,’ Jack said. ‘Aren’t they supposed to hide when there’s a threat?’
‘Who’s the threat?’
‘Us?’
Raccoon picked up a rock that was incredibly light, and studied it. ‘Maybe on earth, yes. But this isn’t earth, I don’t think they are wired up the same way.’
Jack nodded. ‘Yeah it kinda makes sense. But it still leaves the question open.’
He held the rock with one hand like a posh waiter holding a plate. ‘And what’s that?’
‘Why they come in and out from camouflage.’
‘Easy, I figured that out fifteen seconds ago.’ He put the rock down like it was a baby. ‘Remember what Silinder said? About how those Dust flies act all happy chappy, like they were saying hello?’ He pointed at the tree. ‘Bingo zingo!’
Jack gazed at the tree. How something like that was possible, didn’t make any sense. Insects on Earth ran away, it didn’t say hello. He analyzed the color of the bark, how smooth it appeared; like glittery brown liquid. He wondered how many insects were busy crawling–
The tree flickered green/brown. Jack frowned and looked at Raccoon who was busy doing his own thing: fingering ground. In Jack’s peripheral he noticed something odd, the tree stopped changing color. When he looked back and focused his attention–
The tree flickered green/brown.
‘What the…’
‘What’s that?’ Raccoon asked.
‘Nothing.’
‘Oh okay. I thought I heard you say something.’
There was no sound in the forest: no rustling leaves, no snapping twigs, no falling rocks. It was pure stillness in a place where there was much.
Jack plucked a leaf. He was amazed at how rubbery it felt; even squeezing it only made it bend. He looked up at the leaves and saw darkish green sky beyond. He wondered if the sun ever came out – if this planet even had a sun. There were many questions that still needed answering: what time does it get dark? Does it even get dark? Is there a season cycle? Does it rain?
‘Hey Raccoon.’
He looked behind a little annoyed.
‘I think we better head back.’
‘Wouldn’t you rather explore?’
‘Of course. But…I just think, you know, we just got here and–’ Icy air wrapped itself around Jack’s leg. He looked down thinking that somebody was touching him. He felt his body temperature go from humid hot – to winter cold. His legs shivered.
‘Hey you okay?’ Raccoon asked.
Jack saw reality dip in black. He shook his head. The chilly feeling disappeared. ‘Yeah I’m good.’
‘Still want to–’ Raccoon cocked his head. ‘You hear that?’
‘Hear…’ The sound of something dragging on the floor neared. And then they appeared from out of nowhere, just like the bugs on the tree; camouflage on – camouflage off.
There were six red dots on Jack, and eight on Raccoon.
‘Identification.’ He said.
Jack couldn’t muster any words. He was too startled at the sight of so many guns. They came from nowhere. Didn’t even see them coming, not a leave crunch, not a twig snap.
‘I think it’s hostile.’ One of them said.
Raccoon looked at Jack confused.
‘Wait I think these are new. Scan them.’
Silence.
‘Heart rate hundred and ten. Safe.’
The tension broke. Guns lowered. Most of them walked away and disappeared into camouflage. Two stayed. They looked disappointed.
‘Why are you two out here?’
‘I’m sorry sir,’ Jack said. ‘We just arrived.’
‘Shouldn’t you two be at camp?’
‘Yes I think so, I just…I’m sorry we didn’t–’
‘There is red tape for a reason. Read the flyer. Red zones are forbidden. Now I suggest you and your friend here get back. Or wait.’ He touched his head. ‘HQ, we have two puppies stranded.’ He nodded a few times. ‘I’m sending them back now.’ He looked at his partner. ‘Escort them.’
(11)
They exchanged a few glances both feeling the same thing: the walk of shame, it was like being escorted to the principal’s office. While Jack thought of what to say (to whoever they were going to talk to) Raccoon kept looking the escort up and down, much more occupied over his gear.
‘We’re not in trouble are we?’ Jack asked. When the man didn’t respond he anticipated the worst, but what punishment was there for wandering off to explore a new planet? Surely they could understand that they were new, curious. Raccoon on the other hand was not affected by all of this, he walked with a large grin, eye-fucking the man’s equipment.
They walked past a few people that looked at them, curious to why two were being escorted away from the main group. Jack could already see them passing whispers; using it as a tool to forge more solid relationships. But he didn’t care, he knew he didn’t do anything wrong, he just went for a little–
‘You two wait here.’ He said, and went inside the house.
There was an awkward silence until Raccoon broke it. ‘Hey I’ve been wondering right.’
Just imagine he says he wants to go back, Jack thought, and laughed inside.
‘I think we should go back there.’
‘Excuse me?’ Jack touched his forehead. ‘What the hell do you mean you want to go back – do you realize that it’s our first day here and we’re already in trouble?’
He waved the foolish words away. ‘I know I know. But I need to go do some research back there, something didn’t add up.’
‘You’re crazy.’
He smiled and rummaged his pocket. ‘Look what I stole.’
Jack rolled his eyes and looked away. ‘What in Jesus’ name are you doing? Christ oh lord.’ He looked back at the strange object he held, a transparent orange something the shape of an oval rock.
‘You want to know what I think it–’
Footsteps neared. The door opened. The escort nodded for them to walk in.
The scent of mysterious oil lingered, the room immaculate. A man with a winning smile waited behind a desk. The wood of the table unknown, but shiny enough to reflect a face. He swayed his hand with the finesse of a modern prince charming and told them to sit.
‘Can I get you guys anything to drink?’
‘No thank you.’ Jack said.
‘No.’ Raccoon said.
‘Very well,’ he opened a drawer and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. ‘Scotch,’ he waved it up like a trophy, ‘quite the rarity in these parts.’
Jack chuckled. His friend kept a straight face.
‘So I heard you two got into trouble.’ The sound of liquid pouring made his words sound so casual. ‘What do you have to say?’
‘I’m sorry, we–’
‘We were just exploring.’ Raccoon said. ‘By the way I do have a question, why are the rocks so light?’
Jack looked horrified; envisaging the man ripping a gun from under the table and shooting them both – head shot – like those Mafia movies.
His grin grew steady and long. ‘I see we have a scientist among us.’
‘Hardly. A scientist implies a laboratory white coat that cuts mice all day. I, don’t see myself that way.’
The man paused before taking a sip, his eyes rolled up towards the door where the escort stood. They both grinned. ‘So tell me, what do you see yourself as?’
‘Explorer, inventor, investigator, puzzle solver, details-behind-the-details the list goes on.’
He gulped sips down and laughed. ‘Well–’ He looked at the door.
‘Raccoon Xane.’ The escort said.
‘Well Raccoon, let me tell you a few things. First of, I can assure you that we don’t cut mice all day, we do much more exciting things. To answer your question from earlier, the rocks on this planet are much different, if you cut them open you’ll find a lot more air inside.’ He waved his fingers, the escort broug
ht over one of those flyers.
His smile disappeared. ‘I want you two to realize that the information on here is not just for fun. Even though this planet is harmless, we take security very serious, and when we find people wandering off where they’re not supposed to go, we get upset.’
‘Why are certain places blocked off, like the red zones?’
‘All of this would have been explained after you had your injections, did you two have yours?’
‘I didn’t.’ Raccoon said.
The man shook his head. ‘Sirus, what did I tell you about this?’
The escort cocked his head. ‘I had a word with them the other day. Told them that it was compulsory.’
‘Tell them again.’ The man turned his head. ‘Now Mister Raccoon,’ he opened his drawer and got out a needle. ‘Take this.’
Raccoon glanced at the wall.
‘I suggest, you take it.’ The man said.
‘Fine whatever.’ Raccoon said. The escort came over and stuck the needle into his arm.
‘Now I tell you guys what, I like you two. We have already allocated people to their homes but I’m going to keep you two together. How about that?’ He scribbled on paper. ‘Sirus, put them in the exploration unit.’
‘That’s on the other side?’ Sirus said, sliding his fingers along the edges of his gun.
‘I know, so you better get driving.’ He looked at the window. ‘Before it gets dark.’
(12)
They drove past a waterfall where the gushing water looked like falling stars, and entered into a tunnel of black branches. There were numerous times where dust flies came so close that they brushed against Jack’s arm. The air seemed to cool down the deeper they went; but it still had that hot uncomfortable humidity that made clothing stick to skin.
‘So what ya think?’ Raccoon asked, his voice muffled under the car’s roaring engine.
