Steven Comeau
Writer. Film Geek. Movie Poster Artist. Biased Batman Fan. Eater of Puffy Cheetos.
Steven Comeau
Writer. Film Geek. Movie Poster Artist. Biased Batman Fan. Eater of Puffy Cheetos.
Writer. Film Geek. Movie Poster Artist. Biased Batman Fan. Eater of Puffy Cheetos.
Writer. Film Geek. Movie Poster Artist. Biased Batman Fan. Eater of Puffy Cheetos.
The messenger extended his trembling hand to Prince Vikor. "He's left this behind, Sir."
Prince Vikor still still processing the news of his father's death, watched the messenger's hand closely. Nestled neatly in his naked palm lay a glass ball no bigger than an apple. Blue lightning raged from within the ball, sand particles stormed amidst its walls like a tornado. Vikor reached out and grabbed the ball. At his touch the lightning stopped and the sand came to a rest.
Vikor studied the strange spherical ball of sand. Before it was as if it housed another world, a desert plagued with storms, but for some reason in Vikor's hands the storm moved on. Now there was nothing but the dormant dune at the bottom.
"What is it?" Vikor asked the messenger.
"My Lord, it is unknown." the messenger continued. "Except, forgive me sir, artifacts like this are from another realm." The messenger was reluctant to answer the Prince's question.
"Another realm? But what do you mean?" Vikor asked.
"Sir. Do you recall the visitors from Hokenstatt last snow?" The messenger asked, to which Vikor nodded. The messenger continued "This may sound strange sir, but they were not from our world. They were from another world entirely, very different from our own. Another realm."
Vikor stumbled back into his seat, knees feeling weak, head hazy. "I don't understand." The glass ball of sand in his hand had been with his father during his sudden death. Was this perhaps the cause? Was it cursed? Vikor's mind searched for answers.
The messenger stepped closer. "My Lord. Your father was negotiating a peace deal with the visitors from Hokenstatt. A deal that was kept up until tonight. These visitors will be returning. They want what they came for last snow."
Anger replaced confusion on Vikor's face. "And what is that?"
"They want to move all of their people here, to live in your kingdom. They are fleeing their realm, where they say an evil has infested their lands, tainting all it touches with death and suffering. Your father, the King declined this request of refuge, afraid of the evil that may follow them."
Vikor stood from his seat and placed the ball on the table in front of him. Untethered from his touch the sand storm returned, turmoil and tumult tossed within. He did not know what the people of Hokenstatt were running from, but he did know one thing. He trusted his father. He would not go quietly into the night. Grief would have to wait, wallowed down wishing for more time. This was a time for WAR. But against what enemy?
Sam was always curious. He couldn't help it. It was in his nature. If Jon, the shopkeeper did not intend for Sam to look around the shop, he would not have hired him to be his assistant. And if Jon did not wish for Sam to open the dragon chest, then he would have done more than tell him one time to not touch it. Jon should have hidden the chest. It was only natural that Sam should find his way in the stock room, all the way to the end, and behind Jon's desk, where the chest sat on the floor.
Before Jon left for the bank, he told Sam "Don't fool around too much, and stay away from my desk."
That was a whole two minutes ago. Sam had already perused the front of the shop many times before. Sam was a very peculiar 10 year old boy, with dark skin, and curly hair. He was thin, but tall for his age. He always told other's "I'm fourteen, I'm just small for my age." He was convinced he had them all fooled. Sam wore a patched up plain tunic, and brown sandals. His mother always made sure he was clean and presentable before he left the hut, and Sam knew he partially owed his new job to her diligence.
Barely able to contain his curiosity, and for fear of dying of boredom, Sam made his way to the stock room. More strange items line carts and shelves. Lion's breath candles, assorted potions, candy, fairy dust, goblin fangs, and left over snowmen tears from Christmas. Nothing that Sam hadn't already played around with a few times over. Except..
The dragon chest. Sam made his way to the other end of the room until he stood before Jon's desk. Scattered coins, ledgers, and books spread across the desk's surface so much they appeared to be floating. Sam crept behind the desk and then he saw it. The Dragon Chest.
He'd heard rumors about the chest. Tales of a petrified dragon egg inside, or of a dragon scales made of gold. All the rumors and stories pointed to something of value inside, of rarity particular as it relates to dragons. This would be rare indeed as dragons hadn't been seen in hundreds of years. Little is known of how Jon acquired the chest, but the whole town was talking about it. But the whole town didn't happen to be recently hired to work in the shop where the chest of such talk was kept. Sam did.
Sam was never much for taking his time, and while he could appreciate the beauty of the chest, in all of its shimmering splendor, he couldn't wait to open it. He knelt down in front of it and popped the latch. A draft escaped the chest door, like a seal of air being breached. Smells of burning firewood and ocean water seemed to fill the room. Sam opened the door slowly, and fell to the floor. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
The chest door was like a window in the sky. Inside the chest was no singular dragon egg or pile of dragon scales. It was another terrain entirely. There Sam sat, peering down into this sfar off land. A beach, a bonfire with no guests, and the ocean's tide lie below. This chest was a door to some other place, but Sam did not know where.
But, why is it called the dragon chest? Sam thought to himself. Not soon enough though, as fire suddenly erupted up through the chest door. Sam fell out of the way as a burst off flames flew through the chest and into the shop. The flames subsided and were replaced by an angry roar from a creature Sam did not recongize. But Sam was always curious. Deciding it was safe, Sam crept back over to the chest and peered in.
That's when he saw the family of dragons. Some sitting by the bonfire. Some flying over the beach. And one staring right up at him, perhaps ready to light the shop on fire.
I am running a little late today. No one mentioned the ceremony being moved up a whole 3 hours. As always it was my problem and one I would have to solve for myself.
Joan, the daughter of Brock the town leader, is getting married today. It has been nothing but all the bustle and rustle since the proposal. This ceremony would link our town with the neighboring village, to ensure future generations can share, trade, and build together. Blah, blah, blah. Anyways back to this morning. I'm running late. I have been tasked by Brock to capture some thistles for his daughter to decorate the hall in which the ceremony would take place. I was told they could be found flying around about a mile north of the edge of town. Brock said "They're angelic creatures, them thistles. Beautiful, captivating. You'll find them flying around the old oak tree next to the river where the road ends. Bring back at least ten, that should be enough to light up the room. Oh and Lilly, do not be late. Or there will be consequences."
So that's how my day started. I left town about fifteen minutes ago, so I should be approaching the old oak tree any minute now. Ah, there it is. It's massive, standing there alone by the river bed taller than any buildings I have ever seen. The bark more grey than Brock's beard, but better on the eyes. No sign of any flying creatures. He said down by the river, maybe they are closer to the water. I head down behind the tree, the soil soft and unforgiving. My feet slip and I fall flat on my bottom. You know, I couldn't think of a more fantastic start to this mundane Monday than to be covered in this yucky, mucky mud, I must be so lucky.
A quick dip in the river should to the trick. It's freezing, but at least the mud will wash away. A high pitch flickering sound of wings fluttering creeps into my ear. It seems to be coming from the inlet across the river. The river runs pretty slow this time of year so crossing it should be no trouble. Perhaps some thistles live here after all. Having never seen one before, I don't know much about what to expect. As I crept closer to the other side of the river, I noticed glowing lights amidst the tall grass. Sounds of squeaky laughter and fast buzzing began to surround me. I knelt down on the ground and crawled towards the source to inspect. And then I saw them, the thistles. They really were beautiful. Small as my hand, with pearlescent hair that seemed to glow and shine light around them. They used pieces of grass for clothing. They looked like the most fair of creatures I had ever laid eyes on. Peaceful, child like. Flying around, dancing with each other. It almost feels wrong to capture them, but I do plan on catching and releasing so perhaps they'll understand.
I reach down slowly to grab the burlap bag from my belt, ten should fit fine without squishing them. Okay, now let's see what happens. There's one kind of off on her own over here, just sitting on this blade of grass. Here goes nothing. My hand slowly sneaks in behind her. Oh no! She sees me! She flys up from the grass and yells "Hey, you're not supposed to be here! No giants allowed!"
"But I'm not a giant, I'm a human." I said. More of the thistles heard me and they gathered around their friend.
"You look like a giant to me! Now leave!" the thistle commanded.
"Wait..wait." I back up a little bit. "I need your help." "We don't help giants silly, only thistles." another thistle joined in. "Right, I understand. Can you make an exception for me this once?" I ask politely.
It took about ten minutes to convince them to join me at the ceremony. They didn't even have to go in the bag. On the contrary, they made great roadside companions. They are full of jokes and laughter to lift any spirits.
During the ceremony I told them to fly up and just do their thing above Joan and her would be husband. Brock was very pleased with me. "I must say Lilly, I'm very pleased with you. How own earth did you get them to be so amicable?" he asked me.
"They are very reasonable creatures. I drive a good bargain."
The ceremony was as sappy as you could hope for, and the reception was underway. The chef carried out the cake and set it on the table. The thistles came over to me and asked if they could have some. I didn't see the harm in giving them a slice to share. I went and grabbed them a slice and walked back to my table and they were gone. A loud scream erupted from Joan. I turned and the cake was flying everywhere! Into the faces of the guests, on Joan's dress, on the decorations. The thistles were laughing hysterically, high on sugar or something. Joan appeared to be very angry, she picked up a torch forth wall and began to swing its fire towards the thisltes. She struck one and they all stopped laughing. It was silent in the room for a moment. Then the thistles formed a line like an arrow, and launchers for Joan's face. It was horrific. A minute later they flew off towards the edge of town. I walked over to Joan. She sat their crying. Her face now had tiny bite marks scattered throughout like bug bites. Her face was turning purple. Her hair began to glow and turn from blonde to pearlescent. Just like the thistles.
"What have they done to you, my dear daughter?" Brock exclaimed. "You, Lilly, what kind of thistles did you bring to my daughters wedding? Lookout what they have done!" He screamed at me.
"You didn't tell me about their fangs."
"I have never been more excited to visit a post office." Elli said as she stepped off the bus.
Gregory, the shopkeeper, was waiting for her at a bench that sat next to the bus stop. "I suppose you're in for quite a treat, being your first time back since it all happened and all." He stood up and embraced her with a warm hug.
"It's good to see you Gregory." Elli accepted the hug, as it lifted her spirits, readying her for the journey ahead.
They walked down the road, taking turns here and there, winding the corners until they found themselves amidst the wide cobblestone streets that marked the the only part of town left that belonged to a much simpler time. Ellie wore a blue denim jacket, and a backpack full of clothes and some supplies for the journey. She was tall for a 12 year old, with short black hair covered by a baseball cap. She followed Gregory, a short man with glasses and thinning blonde hair combed to the side. He wore a blue windbreaker, and an old pair of sneakers that had seen better times. Gregory kept glancing at Elli as they sauntered, wondering just how much to let on about it all.
"Go ahead Gregory, spit it out. It's not like you to keep quiet." Elli was well aware of the silence, and of its cause.
"Hmm, oh right. Um. Well, how much of it all do you remember kid?" Gregory asked apprehensively.
"I get bits and pieces. I don't remember the details. It's just my intuition that I can trust now, you know." Elli answered.
"For what it's worth ya' can trust me. I've always stuck by ya', I was there for your father as w- Um, I mean ya' know I just want ya' to know is all, you can trust me." Gregory tucked his hands in his pockets and looked away, worried he had already pushed too far.
"I know Gregory. When I say trust my intuition, I don't just mean my thoughts, but also my feelings. Like with you, you brought up my father. I don't remember him. I don't remember any of the events that lead to his disappearance, and I don't remember your involvement at all. That may be hard for you to understand." Elli noticed a sadness come over Gregory's face. "I will say this, I feel a great sense of trust with you. Like a safe place. Even though I don't remember anything since the curse, I still know I can trust you. I don't know how to explain it, I guess it's like how you don't remember exactly where and who may have taught you how to read or speak works, but you trust in your ability to do it. I don't remember what we've been though Gregory, but I do know there's no one else I would trust to be my side for what's to come."
Gregory stood up straighter, face brighter after hearing these words. "It's just up the next block kiddo."
At the end of the block stood an old post office, once used as the main hub for all incoming and outgoing mail, now it just housed a few P.O. Boxes by the locals. Elli and Gregory walked up to the door, where Gregory grabbed the door handle and paused.
"You sure your ready for this kiddo? No one will blame ya" if-" "Gregory open the door." Elli cut him off. "Please, this is what I have to do."
Gregory understood, and knew this was her final answer. He opened up the door and Elli passed through. The lobby area was dated with tacky furniture that had patterns that didn't belong in such a mundane type of business. The counters and lamps were in need of a good dusting, Elli noticed this by the small particles flying off of the ceiling fan above her, which wobbled roughly, daring the ceiling to hold on a little longer.
"May I help you?" A raspy voice came from behind the counter. An old woman with short, spiky gray hair sat in her chair, reading glasses rest at the edge of her nose, as her small eyes peered over their frames toward the two would-be customers.
"Ah yes, How do you do?" Gregory stepped to the counter. "I'm fine." The woman answered Gregory although her eyes were studying Elli. "Right, well great. Um, so we have a deposit to make in our safety deposit box, ya see. And we don't have the key."
This got the woman's attention. "Oh, I see. Well I haven't seen you here before. What's the name and the number?" She looked expectantly towards Gregory.
"The box is under the name of Turner, and the number-" Gregory started rummaging through his pockets and pulled out a crumpled up piece of paper "The number is 13004- uh, one sec" Gregory squinted harder struggling to read the number.
"The number is 1300489." Elli stepped forward, now at the counter. "Very well. I'll need to see ID to match the names" The woman walked to a filing cabinet and began to look through the folders, searching for the file.
The woman finally found the file she was searching for. She paused and turned around towards the two. She pushed up her reading glasses and looked Ellie in the eye. "Turner. As in Elliot Turner?"
"That's right. My father." Elli responded. She set her ID on the counter. The woman approached with purpose and picked up the ID.
Gregory pat Elli on the back, reassuring her he was still there.
"I don't believe it." The woman said, looking back and forth between Elli and her ID card.
"Listen, I know it's a school ID, but that's all I have I'm only 12." Elli tried to explain.
The woman set the ID on the counter and slid it back towards Elli. "I don't need to see an ID to see that you're the spitting image of your father. I knew you looked familiar the second you walked through the door, Elli Turner."
"Right, so we are good then? Can you lead us to the deposit box?" Elli asked.
The woman smiled brightly and the room felt more alive than it had in years. " Right this way." Elli looked to Gregory who seemed both proud and relieved to see Elli take the lead.
The three of them walked through the back rooms, past the lockers and deposit boxes, and into the the sorting room. Most of its' vast interior space now sat empty, with torn paper and envelopes scattered throughout the stone floor. Elli began to wonder where they were being taken. Gregory noticed this and gave her that reassuring pat on the back and nod of the head.
"Just up ahead Ms. Turner." The woman smiled brightly as she glanced back at Elli.
They came to two navy blue double doors. The woman started looking for the right key to open them. Above the door a sign hung that read: Distant Destinations. The doors opened and the three of them stepped through. In this room stood ceilings that seemed to never end, and deposit boxes lined the walls like bookshelves in an ancient library. The woman made a beeline to the left side and started mumbling the numbers of the boxes to herself as she walked the wall.
In the center of the room stood an interesting site, like nothing Elli had ever seen. A lone red door with a white frame stood in its' center. There were no walls, or rooms attach to this door. It simply stood alone there. Elli looked to the woman and to Gregory who both seemed completely unbothered by this. Elli supposed this was normal, and just another thing she would have to stop being surprised by. Elli walked to the door and looked behind it, confirming it lead to nowhere.
"Aha!" The woman’s sudden acclaim startled Elli. "Over here, Ms. Turner!"
Elli walked over to the woman at the far end of the room, where a deposit box was waiting for her at a nearby table. "Here you are young lady." The woman smiled brightly, expectantly.
"Um, do you mind opening it? I haven't got a key." Elli said.
"Oh, right! Okay." The woman reached into her pocket, and pulled out a small cylinder shaped piece of bronze metal. "This one's free Ms. Turner, but if you lose this one replacements cost $50. Okay?" The woman waited for Elli's acknowledgment.
"$50. Got it." Elli said, making it up as she went along. The woman smiled again and set the bronze cylinder piece on the table, and cleared her throat.
"Carverio!" The woman spun her finger in a swishing motion and the cylinder piece began to carve itself down to a smaller shape. Elli gasped with excitement, this was the coolest thing she had ever seen. Bronze shaving floated from the piece and seemed to evaporate in thin air. And in seconds a small bronze key now sat where the cylinder had been. Elli went to pick up the key.
"Careful Elli, it's still a little warm." The woman warned, and then blew some air on it to cool it down. "That should do it." Elli picked it up and sure enough it was still warm from the carving process. The woman stepped back from the table. "Just lock the box when you're done. Don't worry about putting it away. I'll just be waiting by the door when you're ready." Now next to the box stood just Elli and Gregory.
"Alright, what do we say we open up the box kiddo?" Gregory asked.
Elli smiled and inserted the key, and turned it waiting for the box to pop open, wondering what surprises lay ahead. The box unlocked, and opened itself just a smidge, allowing Elli to reveal its contents at her own pace.
"Well go on, it won't hurt you." Gregory chuckled.
Elli opened up the box and inside sat a golden bracelet with a blue sapphire attached to it. "Jewelry?" Elli seemed surprised. "Thats not what I was expecting, not gonna lie."
Gregory chuckled "Well what did you expect? Some fancy machine or somethin’? A Cell Phone?"
Elli retorted. "Ha Ha. Very funny, so what's next?"
"Well that bracelet is your wayseeker. You have to put it on to get to where we're going." Gregory explained, still getting used to Elli not understanding this process.
"And where's that?" Elli asked. Gregory motioned to the center of the room. The older woman waited next to the red door. "Right, the door. Got it" Elli wondered if it would be easier to just stop asking questions. "Alrighty." Elli put the bracelet on her hand and closed the now empty deposit box and locked it.
Gregory had already started walking to the red door. Elli, fidgeting with her bracelet, followed behind. Once at the door the woman looked nosily at the bracelet. "Now thats a beautiful wayseeker, Ms. Turner." Elli covered the bracelet with her other hand.
"I hate jewelry." Elli said firmly. "Do you have wayseeker Gregory?" "Of course Kiddo." Gregory pointed to his belt buckle, it was silver with green gemstones. "Well thats not fair. Why do I get the bracelet? And don't say because I'm a girl." The old woman let out a nervous laugh. "Um, a different time maybe. We should head off, Elli." Gregory shifted his focus to the red door.
The woman approached the door and removed a necklace she had hidden beneath her turtleneck. It bore a red key.
"Remember, office hours are 8-5 Monday through Friday and 9-4 on Saturday, should you plan to return on a Sunday, no one will be able to let you back in. If you lose your wayseeker, I'm afraid you won't be doing anymore traveling between realms so keep that in minds please. Look out for the Mysic Force, they are stopping travelers more often this time of year, so just be ready." The woman inserted the key and gave it a turn, before turning back to Elli. "Good luck my dear, you have so much wonder ahead of you. Your father would be so proud." Elli dismissed that last part with a nod.
The door opened and ahead was a brightly lit workshop with floating tools and packages moving boxes as if ghosts were in charge of them.
"Floating hammers. Let me guess, Thor's workshop?" Elli joked nervously her jaw dropped at the sight. "Very funny, but Santa's workshop would be a closer guess. Let's go kiddo. Thank you, miss." Gregory said.
Elli took a final look around the room "So long semi-normal world." Her and Gregory stepped through the lone red door to another realm. A realm where anything was possible.
The red door closed behind them. The woman from before rounded a corner and appeared before them. Except this time she was wearing different clothes. "Hello travelers, how may I help you?"
If you're reading this, don't go looking for me. I'm already gone. Like not dead, God I should have started with that! Sorry. Ok let's try this again.
If you're reading this, I'm somewhere you can't find. Not without a very special map. What makes this map special you ask? Hold on, I'll get to it. But before you go further I need you to think hard about this. Consider all of the risks. Right, the risks. Okay so, if you end up finding this map, and using it, you'll be in grave danger! Dark forces will hunt you down and try to capture you. But the map can keep you safe and help you escape to times where they'll never find you. That's right, I said times not places.
You still interested? I knew you were a little adventurous! Okay so the map. Any guesses on what its called? A Time Map. What? Yes, I'm being serious. It's just what's it called. No one knows where it came from, but what I can tell you is that using it is extremely dangerous. It can transport you to different times in history, so long as you travel to each destination and cross time portals. Pretty rad right?
I know it sounds like a lot of work, it kind of is I'm not gonna lie. Like when I figured it out I was like wouldn't it be much cooler if this was like a time machine where I can just hop in and travel to the future? But no! That would be too simple. Instead if I want to travel to the year 2307 for instance I'd have to visit the 3rd sector of Wisconsin near Kenosha, Wisconsin and cross the time portal there. And on top of that, once you cross it's not like you are in some badass Blade Runner cyber city in the year 2307. No, you're in Wisconsin in 2307. Doesn't look much different to be honest. Okay, so the rules here are simple. You watch Back To The Future? What really? Okay, when you finish reading this, go watch that and then come back. That's your first lesson. Alright so the map is actually with me. If you want to join me, I'll give you the map. I'm just hanging out at Randy's Donuts. The year is 2507. It's been remodeled a dozen times. Head to the dumpster out back. And when no one is looking, pour water behind the dumpster, and follow the stream of water to a nearby sewage drain. Remove the grate, oh and bring a poncho.
I'm kidding!! Jeez, just head to Randy's Donuts and I'll meet you in your time on June 16th 2022. You were actually gonna climb in that grate weren't you? This is gonna be so much fun, I can already tell.
February 13th Finally made it to California. Cross country moves are not the vibe. But at least it’s warm here. Excited to go to the beach.
February 17th Showed up early for work today. First day at my new job. People seem nice enough.
February 30th Finally settled in to the new apartment. Who knew going minimal would be so freeing?
March 4th Kelsey from work invited me to meet up for drinks later with some other work friends. Told her I’d try to make it.
March 17th Doctor visit went as expected. No news is good news. Well, it’s not worse than expected at least.
March 20th Company is throwing a party for everyone. Karaoke. I’ll show up to that, it’s not too intimate.
April 15th Had a hard time getting out of bed today. But still making it to work with a smile on my face.
May 7th Kelsey made a comment about how I never go do anything with anyone after work. I just made more excuses. I don’t want to make friends right now.
May 31st I love going to the beach. The tide rolling in and sinking my toes into the wet sand. It’s my favorite activity. And it’s peaceful to do alone.
June 15th Management threw a party for me at work for my birthday and bought a cake and everything. I told them not to do this when I was hired, but what can I do? The cake was good. A lot of people wrote me cards.
June 26th The doctor said it’s progressing faster. I may not see Christmas.
July 10th I was able to switch to work from home. I don’t have to see everyone from work now. Well, more like they won’t have to see me like this.
July 30th I’m taking a leave from work, thankfully it’s no big deal since I’ve been home this month.
August 17th Most days I’m spending in bed now. I’m kind of lonely but it’s better this way. No one to miss me.
October 18th Kelsey stopped by my apartment today to say hi. The look on her face said it all. She had no clue I was sick. No one did except management. I thought it would be easier this way.
November 4th Another day with my feet in the sand. The water is cool and takes me away. It takes me to better days before all this. Better days to look forward to after all this.
November 23rd I’m about to have my last meal. Whatever the hospital has. Better than nothing. It wasn’t a bad year here in Cali, I wish I moved here sooner. Part of me wishes I would have let people in. It was an okay life.
November 23rd I’m full. I’m full of food. I’m full of laughter. I’m full of love. Kelsey and my coworkers stopped by and brought me cake and homemade food. The best potluck, I didn’t even have to bring anything! I wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t know anyone cared that much. I was wrong. Despite my best efforts, love found me. I’m just glad I found love. One last time. It’s gonna be okay.
"We've collected these images of a crashed Z-5 on a planet it's inhabitants refer to as Earth." Colonel Pokro displayed the image across the Captain's HUD.
Captain Riken looked over the image with disbelief and embarrassment. The room was fall of himself and his subordinates, yet you could hear a pen drop. Everyone was standing there awkwardly. The cause of this catastrophe was nothing more than a minor faux pas in the grand scheme of the universe, however it was still completely avoidable.
"Sir?" Colonel Pokro broke the silence. "Should we send a clean up crew?"
Captain Riken rubbed his fingers on his forehead, trying to hold the invading headache at bay. "Stewart, what is the calculated risk assessment for this, Earth did you say?"
Stewart, an analyst with a background in intergalactic communication and threat assessment walks to the head of the room. Colonel Pokro reluctantly moved out of the way and took a seat next to the Captain.
"We have ran many tests for Earth, sir. Not just risk assessments, but also intelligence, quality of life, interspecies relationships, their ability to cohabitate, and their likelihood to advance to intergalactic travel."
Riken straightened up in his chair. "And your findings?"
"Sir. The results appeared to be inconclusive at first, but after running the numbers a few times it was evident that the most intelligent life forms on this planet, called humans, pose virtually zero threat on intergalactic life. They are quite simply too busy warring with each other. Their intelligence level was nearly incalculable due to such rare low scores."
Riken started to feel some relief, although he was still embarrassed. "Is it necessary Stewart for us to retrieve the ship?"
"Sir, the humans are already planning to figure out how to hide it from each other and ensure their public majority knows nothing of it. As far as the damage they can potentially do with our craft, the threat is canceled out by their specie’s demise. It would take nearly 250 of their years to understand the technology. Our atmospheric scans showed that at their current pace of carbon emissions and monetization of rare natural resources, the humans will meet their own end in the next 100 years at most. So no sir, I do not believe it is worth the trip to Earth."
Captian Riken's room was quiet again, everyone waiting for him to decide the next course of action.
"Thank you, Stewart. Everyone out please." Everyone began to exit the room single file, whispering among themselves. "Everyone, except you Riko."
A younger Ebokran stopped at the door, his eyes refusing to meet his father's. The room eptied until it was just the two of them. Captain and Officer. Father and Son.
"Dad." Riko said. "How much did you have to drink?" Riken asked. "That depends, do you mean before the crash or like so far today?" "This behavior is unacceptable and I will not promote you if it continues." "Like it was so cold when I climbed out of the ship, I definitely learned my lesson."
Riken began to pace the room.
"I'm sorry dad." "I know, I know you are. I'm just disappointed. Your mother is going to want to take away you hover craft for at least a week. Between the two of us, you'll never fly a craft for the Core again."
"Are you serious dad?" "That was an expensive ship. Now it's just gonna go to waste on some low level planet called Earth. You should be ashamed of yourself."
"Like okay, but can I still drive my hover craft?" "Just don't tell your mother."
"Are you sure Souki? You know we're not supposed to go past the river." "There's nothing left for us, our home is gone. We don't have a choice Tristan. Let's go! We have to move faster."
Souki was always the leader, naturally being the oldest sister. Tristen always listened to his big sisters, Souki and Shasi. It had been just the three of them for as long as he could remember, until the last Long Sun when Shasi crossed the river and never came back. She said she had to gp and begged us to go with her. She said that mother was calling her. Tristan knew better than to think they had a mom, and that she was calling for Shasi to cross the Edge River. That was forbidden. Shasi had been unwell. Nightmares plagued her even while she was awake. The other people in our village only thought less of the three children because of this. And in some ways their lives had become easier with Shasi gone. But Tristan tried not to think like that. He missed his sister, but mostly he missed who she was before the Long Sun with nightmares.
"Okay Tristen, I see light ahead. There! Past the trees, there's a valley. Do you see it?" Souki kneeled down on a boulder overlooking the forest ahead. Tristan stood a few steps behind her, he had been looking back towards the village. "What is it? Souki asked.
"I'm tired. I want to go back home." tears began to well up in Tristan's eyes.
Souki walked over to Tristan and set her hands on his shoulders. "Look at me. There is nothing back at the village for us. We can't go back."
"Why?" Tristan was confused and frustrated with Souki. He wondered why she was leading them so far away from home and why they crossed the Edge River.
"Listen." Souki lowered down to meet his eyes. "The people there.. they.. they don't want us to live there anymore. We need to go somewhere they won't find us. They'll never cross the river. But now that we have crossed, we can't stop. We have to find somewhere to rest, something to eat. Do you understand?"
Tristan nodded his head and wiped his tears onto his sleeves.
"Okay, we should keep going. Do you see the light down below past the trees in the valley there?"
Tristan kneeled down on the boulder with Souki, her hand still rested on his back. She knew she had to be strong enough for both if them. "Okay buddy, let's see what's down there."
Souki lead the was through the trees. They had been walking for what felt like hours. Strangely they hadn't seen any animals since before they crossed the Edge River. It was a new feeling for her not to know what to expect. She always had a plan. Right now, they only plan she had was to keep them alive, to keep Tristan alive. She couldn't bare losing her little brother after what happened with Shasi.
There was a small part of Souki that wondered what would have happened if they had all crossed together. Legend said only death awaited those who crossed the Edge River. That no one who crossed had even been able to come back. Legend said that they were never seen again. Souki and Shasi knew this to be true. There mother had crossed when the two girls were around eight years years old. Tristan was just a baby. That was nearly 10 years ago. The villagers said their mother was mad and driven by grief. She had visions of her husband, Souki's father. The villagers said she crossed the river to join him in death.
After Shasi crossed last Long Sun, the villagers began to be more hostile around Souki and Tristan. Some would say that their family was cursed, and that they would bring darkness over the village. Souki knew it was time to leave. Because Souki was also starting to dream while she was awake.
They were nearing the flickering lights beyond the trees, when suddenly the floating bugs of light started to surround them and light the way. No, wait there were they not bugs, they were fairies. Tristan smiled, they were friendly and seemed to have a calming effect on the air around them. Almost a trance like effect. And then they swarmed together into a silhouette of a person. This fairy person reached out with their hand and beckoned for Souki and Tristan to join them.
A humming and melodic voice sounded from the swarm of fairies as they began to speak in unison "My children, you've finally made it. We have been waiting for you"
“This is as far west as I’m gonna go, you’re gonna have to get out here kid.”
The cab hovered down to the pavement, and I climbed out. Steam rose out of the grates on the sidewalk as I made my way to Little Eden. The smell of old rations, drugs, and mold invaded my senses. It’s been 3 years since I’ve been home. It’s funny how a smell can take you straight back to a place.
Old cars parked along the street, most used as shelter for the impoverished. Cars that still had tires. Not a lot of hover crafts make their way over to Little Eden, except for The Institution of course. But even they try to leave us alone. To them we’re nothing but trash, and Little Eden? Well it’s the dumpster. Best to leave the trash where it belongs.
Neon lights reflected off of the wet streets as the sun began to disappear. Street vendors line the streets, selling knock offs, ration cards, and drugs. Addicts on edge watch me anxiously as I make my way through the market. I almost forgot I’ve got this huge mini gun attached to my shoulder where my left arm used to be. So much for subtlety.
“Hey! City Boy! You, with the mod! Turn around!”
I stop dead in my tracks. The gawkers wait eagerly. I turn towards my heckler. Great. Some punk with a double barrel shotgun mounted to his right forearm stood about 30 feet from me.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
The punk makes his way towards me, weaving in and out of the crowd. I take a few steps back.
“You mind telling me where you got the piece? That’s a sweet mod you got their kid.”the punk compliments.
“Yes.” I answer.
“Yes what?”
“Yes. I mind telling you.” I turn around and continue my strut.
“You son of a.. who do you think are turning your back on me?” The punk demands. “Hey! I’m talking to you.”
I keep walking, I don’t have the luxury of time for small talk or petty confrontation. I have somewhere to be.
KaBlam!!
The sound of the shotgun echoed through the market, people stole their moments by stealing from the vendors amidst the chaos. Another firing of the shotgun, polycarbonate barriers begin to buckle under the assault. I duck behind an old Jeep Wrangler. These things used to be great for off roading. At least that’s what my grandpa told me.
KaBlam!
“I want that piece! Let’s make a trade kid!” The punk gets closer.
“No. Let’s not.” I shout back over the Wrangler.
More sprays of the shotgun reverberate against the rusty jeep.
“It’s either you give me dat’ piece kid, or I’ma have to take it from your dead body.”
I really hate Mondays. I open up my backpack and take out a drone. It’s out of ammo, but it’s targeting system is still functional.
Zooom! The drone zips around, turret gun mounted and aimed at the punk.
“Ha! You think your little toy is gonna save you?” The punk chortles.
KaBlam! The drone dodges the shotgun blast.
It dodges a few more blasts and then the punk gets smart.
“You’se ain’t even got any bullets in this thing do y—“
BRRRRTTTTTKKK!!!
I unload my mini gun into this chumps back finally getting him to shut up.
I load up the drone, and look around. People have made their way back to the market in a matter of seconds. Just another day in Little Eden. No one gives a damn.
Alright, let’s see if we can make it to uncle Freddie’s by dinner time.
As the sun comes up and the words fall out, I watch their mouths move, they’re sounds I doubt.
The engagers persist as a breeze passes by, I wonder if there are smells in the sky.
Do my thoughts escape my wandering mind? The fields of dreams intertwined.
I often wonder, Do great ideas come to all? If we let them heed their call.
Do I miss what’s meant to be, If all I see’s what’s in front of me?
In time I find myself alone, My thoughts and dreams I keep on loan.
The sun creeps down and sails away. I’ll never know what they had to say.