Firesong: A Prelude
The Emperor's throne room is packed tight with a throng of bodies. The crowd's hushed conversation betrays it's anxious emotions as the assorted councilors, courtiers, and ambassadors, each fight for the attention they assume they deserve. A table covered in expensive finger foods is lonely and untouched in the corner of the expansive room. Generals and bodyguards assemble around the Emperor on his throne. Wearing the gem-studded crown and gilded dragon themed armor of his station the Dragon-Emperor hangs his head in obvious despair. His assembled generals, each garbed in their own custom legionary armor, crowd around him. As they bicker amongst themselves about proper defence measures the floor shudders. The gathered crowd quickly grows silent and all eyes turn to the giant iron doors that lead into the throne room. Various bodyguards and soldiers clutch their weaponry tight and approach the barred doors. The floor shakes twice more then ceases it's movement. All is silent for a brief moment. Spears, swords, knocked arrows, and long-handled axes all tremble nervously as they are readied in the area of the entrance.
As though centuries of reinforced, iron-studded, giant wooden doors were nothing but folded paper replicas the entrance exploded outward in a deadly cloud of metal and wooden shards. The crowd was immediately and violently cut down. Before any of the assembled forces could comprehend the brutality of the attack the true assault begins. Two tall, lithe, cloaked shapes quickly stride through the smoke and chaos of the attack. Sharp talons protrude from the dirty black robes of the figures. The torchlight flashes red against the steely bone extremities as they slash through the stunned crowd. The assembled fall quickly as the deadly attackers move through the mob. The remaining soldiers and hired bodyguards rally and fight desperately against the skeletal assassins. As the battle line is drawn in the throne room a new figure strides through the broken remains of the once mighty entrance. He is clad similarly to the skeletal assassin's yet walks with an air of arrogance that sets him apart. He wields a crooked metal staff that clicks with an unnatural echo as he steadies himself amongst the bodies of the bloody and recently deceased. Black rotten robes slide aside as he moves into the open area around the broken doors. A human's skeletal frame clad in rotting flesh is briefly revealed. Calmly studying the battle around him the slams the butt of his unusual staff against the slick stone floor. A flash of light emanates from the collision bright enough to nearly blind each of the individuals in the greenroom. As the remaining dignitaries and military shield thier eyes a deep, grating, and metallic voice rings out from the new assailant.
"Lay down your arms immediately if you value your worthless life. Do so and you shall live. Refuse and you shall immediately die. You will receive no further warning." the figure explains plainly.
Many of the remaining living fighters begin to lay their weapons upon the ground. A few of the generals and fighters move to further defend their Emperor and are swiftly cut down by the metallic talons of the skeletal assassin's.
The figure with the staff walks easily through the lessened crowd. Obviously searching for something or someone deep inhaling noises emanate from within his robes. As if a bloodhound tracking it's target through scent he quickly finds his prey. Hiding behind the overturned table of food is the frightened Imperial Chef. His portly body quivers in fear as the tip of the enemy leader's staff is placed gently against his neck and underneath his double chin.
"Aha..." the skeletal figure sighs. "Here is the man I am looking for. How unnecessary all that fighting seems to be now."
The Emperor and his retinue stare cautiously as the figure and his skeletal soldiers surround the petrified cook. The cook's body begins to shake violently as the enemy's staff is pressed into his chest. Within a matter of seconds the Imperial Chef's body is reduced to a thin skeletal frame as if all the liquids have been removed from him. As the deceased Imperial servant's body slowly falls to the ground the enemy shivers in ecstasy. A sickly pale red light recedes from the tip of the staff into his body. He slowly turns toward the Emperor and his remaining court.
The Emperor raises his aging body in defiance to the newcomer. He holds the mighty Imperial hammer ready by his side.
"Who are you to dare enter the Imperial Palace this way? You seem to have what you came for. Leave my presence now or face the full wrath of the Imperial Dragon!" He proclaims. Surrounded by his remaining armored generals and soldiers the Emperor strikes an imposing figure against the backdrop and majesty of the throne yet this new enemy is unfazed.
"The Imperial Dragon? You claim to be a dragon?" the enemy snarls showing emotion for the first time. "The only dragon here stands before you. Now kneel before your rightful Emperor or be purged." He commands as he lowers his staff towards the defiant Emperor. High pitched screams ring out as white-hot flame erupts from the end of the staff and engulfs the room.
Minutes later a partially skeletal figures sits atop a melting golden throne. Tapping the butt of his staff against the still cooling stone floor he addresses his skeletal warriors.
"Let this pathetic Empire know... the true Dragon has ascended the throne. Empty the dungeons and bring the prisoners to me. I need an army. It is time Morfalath finished what he began long ago."
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Friday, May 6, 2016
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The First and Last Man - pt 1
The First and Last Man (part 1 of 2)
Eli’zan sighed in extreme frustration. He had worked furiously on this project for more than 216 of this planet’s rotations. There was yet to be any real progress made and he was genuinely afraid that Section Leader 11 Khra’Then would punish him for the lack of results. Eli’zan slotted his fingers into the data-nodes of his neuro-processor and began to formulate yet another report on his shortcomings. After he transmitted his report he retired to his personal hibernation chamber. It would be several partial planetary rotations before he reached his permitted sleep cycle period. When he encountered difficult problems Eli’zan felt it was necessary to step away from the processors and the Leaders and gather his thoughts alone. He slowly lowered himself into one of his recreational seating platforms to think. He accessed the holographic display built in the platform and ordered a replica of the current planet. As the hologram assembled itself in front of him he began to think on his current task. He was ordered to discover, catalog, and physically recreate a specimen of this planet’s highest evolutionary being. After successful recreation he was to bring his specimen and present it before the High Leadership Council of Threat Determination. There the Council would study each specimen and decide if this planet would be considered for a complete planetary reconstruction. It was considered an incredible honor for your Section’s planet to be selected and to date Eli’zan had yet to receive his first nomination. The hologram emitted a sharp buzz signaling it’s readiness and he activated a theorized planetary time line reenactment. The hologram began with the planet’s landmass in one giant super-formation. As time progressed the landmass broke apart into smaller pieces which slowly drifted across the planet. The hologram included red icons to simulate the data his coworkers had compiled on their individual species. As the continents drifted the icons warped and moved to simulate the evolution and migration of those species. Eli’zan’s species icon was not included in the data given. Until his data was perfect and complete it would not be considered and he had to reconstruct a living specimen of his species.
Eli’zan dismissed the hologram and lifted himself off of the platform. He was weary yet he must attempt another creation again. His allotted time on the project was quickly running out. As he was nearing the portal into the laboratory the opposite wall shimmered and a shrill tone filled the air. He activated the visual wall-communicator and was instantly filled with fear was the image of Section Leader 11 Khra’Then filled the screen.
“Evolutionary Threat Producer Eli’zan, you have not submitted a finalized report on Species 7.” said the Section Leader angrily. “Your lack of response is irregular and should you fail in your duty to the Council you may face punishment. This punishment will range from galactic exile to reconstitution in the genetic storage pools. You have less than 3 full local planetary cycles to submit your report. Do you understand your deadline correctly?”
Eli’zan worked furiously to keep his emotions under control. He attempted to assert a submissive demeanor. “I understand the deadline, Section Leader. It is not my intent to fail at my duty to the Council.” He frowned and spoke with a worried tone. “The data is not being interpreted correctly. There is something the Section is not comprehending about this planet. There is an irregularity. There is...”
“Negative!”. The Section Leader exclaimed as Eli’zan was cut off sharply. “If this Section fails in it’s duty and presentation then it will be because Evolutionary Threat Producer Eli’zan was defective and was no longer able to perform his duties at an acceptable level.” The image of the Section Leader flickered as if to echo his displeasure. “Less than 3 local cycles.” The wall went black and faded back into the dull gray it originally was.
Eli’zan sighed in frustration again. He knew there was something critical in the current data set that he was not understanding. He slowly walked into the laboratory. Approaching the specimen creation pod he began to erase the existing data matrix. He knew he would have to start again from the very beginning. Once the existing data was erased he began to upload new data into the pod. It was not until he was compiling the required information on species evolutionary development that he had a breakthrough. Frantically he activated a new planetary hologram and loaded his team’s data. This time he included his own incomplete data from his research on Species 7. As the varied species’ icons changed and moved about the planet he focused on Species 7 and how it related to the others. At first Species 7 lived in harmony with the other prime planetary beings. At some point that began to change, however. Eli’zan watched the hologram in glee as the other icons moved away from Species 7. It was as if the other species were afraid of 7 and were fleeing it. As time progressed Species 7 multiplied exponentially and quickly took over the whole surface of the planet. It seemed as if 7 was the only creatures on this planet. As rapidly as 7 evolved and rose in power it fell just as rapidly. In the matter of one hundred local planetary cycles Species 7 disappeared from this planet and the other species continued their slow and steady evolutionary processes.
This was an event that no other Section Team had encountered before. A species, late in the evolutionary cycle of a life-bearing planet, rose to dominance at unbelievable speed and then self-destructed just as quickly. Eli’zan ran several tests on this new data. He had to be absolutely sure of his theory before he attempted another physical reconstruction from the genetic material given to his team. Every test he ran produced the exact same positive results. He simulated the Species 7 planetary evolution track several more times only to repeat identical conclusions. Bolstered by his positive tests Eli’zan apprehensively added the final data sequences into the specimen creation pod. The missing piece of data that himself, and his team, had missed on Species 7 was that it was unique in one aspect compared to the other species on this planet, and in most of the universe. Intelligence. Quickly he composed a brief message to his team relaying his new data and his intent. This had never been attempted before. Eli’zan activated the icon to begin the physical construction of his new specimen and watched in equal parts interest and dread as a member of Planetary Object 3175-9 Species 7 was created from ancient genetic material.
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Eli’zan sighed in extreme frustration. He had worked furiously on this project for more than 216 of this planet’s rotations. There was yet to be any real progress made and he was genuinely afraid that Section Leader 11 Khra’Then would punish him for the lack of results. Eli’zan slotted his fingers into the data-nodes of his neuro-processor and began to formulate yet another report on his shortcomings. After he transmitted his report he retired to his personal hibernation chamber. It would be several partial planetary rotations before he reached his permitted sleep cycle period. When he encountered difficult problems Eli’zan felt it was necessary to step away from the processors and the Leaders and gather his thoughts alone. He slowly lowered himself into one of his recreational seating platforms to think. He accessed the holographic display built in the platform and ordered a replica of the current planet. As the hologram assembled itself in front of him he began to think on his current task. He was ordered to discover, catalog, and physically recreate a specimen of this planet’s highest evolutionary being. After successful recreation he was to bring his specimen and present it before the High Leadership Council of Threat Determination. There the Council would study each specimen and decide if this planet would be considered for a complete planetary reconstruction. It was considered an incredible honor for your Section’s planet to be selected and to date Eli’zan had yet to receive his first nomination. The hologram emitted a sharp buzz signaling it’s readiness and he activated a theorized planetary time line reenactment. The hologram began with the planet’s landmass in one giant super-formation. As time progressed the landmass broke apart into smaller pieces which slowly drifted across the planet. The hologram included red icons to simulate the data his coworkers had compiled on their individual species. As the continents drifted the icons warped and moved to simulate the evolution and migration of those species. Eli’zan’s species icon was not included in the data given. Until his data was perfect and complete it would not be considered and he had to reconstruct a living specimen of his species.
Eli’zan dismissed the hologram and lifted himself off of the platform. He was weary yet he must attempt another creation again. His allotted time on the project was quickly running out. As he was nearing the portal into the laboratory the opposite wall shimmered and a shrill tone filled the air. He activated the visual wall-communicator and was instantly filled with fear was the image of Section Leader 11 Khra’Then filled the screen.
“Evolutionary Threat Producer Eli’zan, you have not submitted a finalized report on Species 7.” said the Section Leader angrily. “Your lack of response is irregular and should you fail in your duty to the Council you may face punishment. This punishment will range from galactic exile to reconstitution in the genetic storage pools. You have less than 3 full local planetary cycles to submit your report. Do you understand your deadline correctly?”
Eli’zan worked furiously to keep his emotions under control. He attempted to assert a submissive demeanor. “I understand the deadline, Section Leader. It is not my intent to fail at my duty to the Council.” He frowned and spoke with a worried tone. “The data is not being interpreted correctly. There is something the Section is not comprehending about this planet. There is an irregularity. There is...”
“Negative!”. The Section Leader exclaimed as Eli’zan was cut off sharply. “If this Section fails in it’s duty and presentation then it will be because Evolutionary Threat Producer Eli’zan was defective and was no longer able to perform his duties at an acceptable level.” The image of the Section Leader flickered as if to echo his displeasure. “Less than 3 local cycles.” The wall went black and faded back into the dull gray it originally was.
Eli’zan sighed in frustration again. He knew there was something critical in the current data set that he was not understanding. He slowly walked into the laboratory. Approaching the specimen creation pod he began to erase the existing data matrix. He knew he would have to start again from the very beginning. Once the existing data was erased he began to upload new data into the pod. It was not until he was compiling the required information on species evolutionary development that he had a breakthrough. Frantically he activated a new planetary hologram and loaded his team’s data. This time he included his own incomplete data from his research on Species 7. As the varied species’ icons changed and moved about the planet he focused on Species 7 and how it related to the others. At first Species 7 lived in harmony with the other prime planetary beings. At some point that began to change, however. Eli’zan watched the hologram in glee as the other icons moved away from Species 7. It was as if the other species were afraid of 7 and were fleeing it. As time progressed Species 7 multiplied exponentially and quickly took over the whole surface of the planet. It seemed as if 7 was the only creatures on this planet. As rapidly as 7 evolved and rose in power it fell just as rapidly. In the matter of one hundred local planetary cycles Species 7 disappeared from this planet and the other species continued their slow and steady evolutionary processes.
This was an event that no other Section Team had encountered before. A species, late in the evolutionary cycle of a life-bearing planet, rose to dominance at unbelievable speed and then self-destructed just as quickly. Eli’zan ran several tests on this new data. He had to be absolutely sure of his theory before he attempted another physical reconstruction from the genetic material given to his team. Every test he ran produced the exact same positive results. He simulated the Species 7 planetary evolution track several more times only to repeat identical conclusions. Bolstered by his positive tests Eli’zan apprehensively added the final data sequences into the specimen creation pod. The missing piece of data that himself, and his team, had missed on Species 7 was that it was unique in one aspect compared to the other species on this planet, and in most of the universe. Intelligence. Quickly he composed a brief message to his team relaying his new data and his intent. This had never been attempted before. Eli’zan activated the icon to begin the physical construction of his new specimen and watched in equal parts interest and dread as a member of Planetary Object 3175-9 Species 7 was created from ancient genetic material.
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
The Pale Ale and Horse Bar (full story)
The Pale Ale and Horse Bar
The four friends stumbled into the pub. It was a small dingy place, tucked away in a back alley, between 4th and Montgomery. They had not noticed this bar before but if it had not been for Matt running into the alley to try to find a place to use the bathroom they may never have stepped in. The sturdy carved wooden door slammed loudly behind them making them jump slightly. There was an antique wooden sign above the door that had a logo of a skeletal horse and rider. Underneath the logo was the words “The Pale Ale and Horse Bar”. A thick haze of smoke swirled around their heads as they stepped forward into the building letting their eyes adjust to the darkness within. The bar seemed to be carved out of one giant piece of wood. Spaced out evenly was large columns that had intricate carvings of gargoyles, angels, demons, and mythological creatures. Each column was completely unique from the others. Along the walls were culverts with booths and large tables in them. They looked like they could easily fit ten people at each table. The actual bar was in the middle of the large room and was laid open completely in a circular fashion so that it faced outward to every part of the pub.
The friends carefully snaked their way through the scattered tables and chairs set out in the open space among the columns. There were few patrons sitting at the tables and booths in the bar and none of them looked up as the friends grabbed stools at sat at the bar. Matt laughed nervously to break the silence as they waited for the bartender. The friends had known each almost all their lives. They had met in elementary school and were instant buddies since then. Their lives had each taken different paths but they always remained in touch and luckily lived close enough that they could get together for nights like this. Matt was a lawyer for a large corporation headquartered in a neighboring city. Erick was a local high school English teacher. Johnathon worked security overnights at a warehouse and did landscaping during the day. Barry was a musician and played various instruments for five different bands in town. Erick and Johnathon were married with kids while Matt was planning an adoption with his partner and Barry was divorced without any kids that he was aware of. The guys were talking among themselves quietly when the bartender came from around the oval column in the middle of the bar.
The bartender was a tall and abnormally skinny man. He had long stringy dark hair that hung loosely down to his shoulders. His pale skin was stretched out tightly against his bones giving him a dark skeletal demeanor. He had a tight black t-shirt on behind a stained light brown apron. In typical bartender fashion, he was wiping off a mug with a white towel as he nodded to the friends and walked slowly over to them.
“Hello. Welcome to the Pale Ale and Horse Bar.” he said in a deep gravelly monotone voice. “What can I get you?”
Matt, Erick, and Johnathon were taken aback by the appearance of the bartender but Barry broke the silence with an easy smile.
“Hey man!” He said cheerfully. “We, um, are doing a tour of the bars here in town and just happened across this place. We dig it. Do you have any specials tonight?”
“Yes.” said the bartender blandly. “We have a special. It’s on the house ale. The Pale Rider. That is all.”
“Wow, ok.” spoke up Matt. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses further up his nose with his left hand. “That sounds good to me. Guys? A round on me?”
The other three looked to each other and laughed. They each nodded to the bartender.
“If it’s on you then you can order whatever you like, Matt!” said Johnathon as he laughed. He scratched his bald head lightly as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket.
“Right, keep on buying big shot.” said Erick as he smirked from behind his neatly trimmed red beard.
The bartender filled four large glass mugs from the tap behind him and set them down forcefully in front of the men, two in each hand, some foam spilling over the sides. Matt pulled his wallet out and began to thumb out a plastic card from it when the bartender reached over the bar and grabbed his hand suddenly. Matt grunted in fear and yanked his arm back instinctively. The bartender’s grip was firm and strong and Matt could not break away.
“Your money is not good here.” said the bartender with no emotion on his face. “I only accept stories. Your stories.” He let go of Matt’s hand and slowly withdrew his arm back across the bar.
“Woah, man. What?” exclaimed Barry. “Stories? What the hell are you talking about?”
“This is not cool.” said Matt with a worried expression. “We need to get the hell out of here.”
All four men began to get up off of their stools. The bartender quickly raised his arms up to shoulder length and slammed his fists down on the wooden bar. The glass mugs shook and ale spilled over the tops.
“NO.” boomed the bartender. “You can not leave. You must stay and drink.”
The friends nervously glanced at each other and as one turned to run back to the door they entered from. Knocking over a few chairs and pushing some tables aside they rushed to where the door had been. Incredulously they stared at a barren wall. There was no door. They stared at each other wordlessly.
“Follow me.” breathed Barry and they ran through the bar following the wall counter-clockwise. They ran all the way back to the barren wall without seeing an exit of any kind.
“You see. It is as I said.” said the bartender. Even though he was still standing at the bar the friends could hear him speaking as if he was standing next to them. “Come. Drink. You still have to pay for your first round.” Though they could not see him the first hint of emotion crept across the bartender’s face. A thin smile.
Warily the friends walked back to the bar. They sat down across from their drinks and did not speak.
“Good.” murmured the bartender. “Who shall go first?” he asked.
They remained silent for a few minutes. The bartender folded his thin arms across his chest and waited expectantly.
Barry spoke up first. “I’ll do it. I’ll tell a story. Alright... so it was back in ‘93 and there was this chick...” Barry trailed off as the barkeep held his hand up.
“No. You pay with your story of today. That is the only one that holds merit here.” He folded his arms back across his chest and leaned back on the stool again.
“Oh. Kay.” Barry muttered. “Today... so... I was with you guys today. And. Um.” Barry’s face contorted as he thought about the day’s events. He shook his head as if he was trying to clear it.
Worriedly, Matt spoke up. “Yeah, we were all together today. All day long... right guys?” They all stared at each other as confusion took over each one of them.
“No. That’s not right.” Barry said in a somber tone. “We were supposed to be together tonight. That was plan but it didn’t happen, did it? I know it know. I know my story.”
“I was on my way to a gig. I was planning on meeting up with you guys after it. Time’s have been rough lately and money has been scarce so I’m taking anything I can get. It’s been really hard, ya know? So, I’ve, uh, been numbing the pain a little. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Maybe I had a drink or two before I left for the gig? It’s not a big deal. We’ve all done it.” Barry wiped his face with his hands. “I took the bike. I knew we’d be downtown and parking is horrible.” He smiled weakly. “I was running just a little late so I was going a bit fast. I mean, nothing crazy. It’s nothing I couldn’t handle. That bike is a dream and can definitely handle anything I can throw it’s way.” Barry’s brow knit in worry. It was if he was remembering the events right as he was speaking about them. “I don’t know what happened. There’s that construction, ya know? Right at Ward St off the freeway? I was trying to take a short cut to the bar I was going to play at. There was this stalled car that was sitting there. No lights or anything. No way I could have avoided it.” He sighed deeply. “That’s all I got. That’s it.”
The bartender nodded sagely. “Well done.” He said quietly. “Who is next? Speak.”
Johnathon cleared his throat noisily. “This is crazy. I’ll do it just to leave this messed up place.” He defiantly stared at the bartender.
“Let’s see, today. I had to wake up really early today. I remember that. I pulled a double shift last night and then had to come into the work site to supervise today. One of my security coworkers just had a new baby and I promised him I’d cover for him at night. And then my construction company gave me the day off just to call me in too. I was pissed off but I knew I’d be with you guys later so I figured I’d just power through it.” He paused for a second to recall his memories. “It’s funny how quickly stuff happens. My day shift was almost done. We were winding down. Most of the machines were powered down and almost everyone was off the site. There was just the one new guy still wandering about the site so I walked down to get him and tell him to go home.” He smiled thinly. “New guys are always trying to impress everyone by pretending to work harder. It never fools me. He was down in the pit. I don’t know what the hell he was doing but it was time to go. I was never more ready to have drinks with my friends. He was bent over looking at something in the dirt when the machine slid. I can still see it in slow motion sliding over the lip of the pit and tumbling down towards us.” He looked around to his friends with tears in his eyes. “I might have been able to save him. It just happened so fast though. I froze. Before I could react it was on top of both us.” Johnathon held his head low and sobbed quietly.
Matt began to reach out to console Johnathon but the bartender lifted his arms again. “No. He is beyond your help.” The bartender stared at Matt with cold eyes. “It is your turn now.”
Matt looked around at his friends. Erick was the only one meeting his gaze. Matt could see how scared Erick was. “Ok. Fine. My turn.”
“I canceled. That’s right, I had completely forgot about it. My firm needed me overseas at the last minute so I had to cancel my plans with you guys. I was heartbroken. It seems like forever since we were last able to meet. It was an early AM flight and I got to the airport early. You just never know with screening how long it will take. Usually it’s a breeze and I’m in and out but there’s just those times where you’re in line over an hour. I really hate flying. I really do. It’s a horrible way to travel, I think, but what can you do? I brought a couple of books to read to keep me occupied. I had my laptop for work but I had finished my briefing days before. Anything that needed to be amended I could do after we landed and I spoke with my colleagues there.” Matt wiped sweat away from his forehead with his arm and looked at it shockingly. “The flight was going so well. There was hardly any turbulence. It is hard to believe but I think I may have been enjoying it, oddly enough. At first it started quietly. It was just flight attendants walking up and down the cabin. I think I saw one of the pilots walk to the back of the plane as well. When they announced the engine problem over the intercom it escalated so quickly! The plane shook violently. I saw one woman, who was not buckled into her seat, lift several feet into the air at one point. I freaked out. The only thing I could do was just grip the seat and pray that everything would end well.” Matt looked away towards the back wall. “It ended so suddenly. The plane was going down and then there was nothing.”
The bartender stood up and looked down upon the friends. “Very well. Your drinks have been paid for.” He began to turn around.
“Wait!” yelled Erick. “What about me? What about my story? My day isn’t over yet and my drink isn’t paid for.” Panic was plainly written across his face.
“No, you cannot pay yet. Your story is not yet over. It is time to go.” The bartender turned as the center column of the bar slowly faded away leaving a plain wooden door in it’s stead. Erick’s friends stood up in unison and walked around the bar. They stood in a line in front of the door.
“I don’t understand. What is happening? What is going on? Matt! Barry! Johnathon! Come back guys, it’s time to leave!” Erick pleaded frantically.
“It is time for your friends to leave, Erick.” said the bartender in a monotone voice. “I will not see you again for a long time yet.”
Erick stood up and reached out towards his friends when the bar went dark. There was the sound of a door slamming shut and light began to illuminate the air above him. He was back in the alley leading to the bar. He scanned the alleyway around him. There were no doors or entrances around. It was as if the bar never existed at all. He numbly stared down at his right hand in shock. He was holding a cold bottle of beer. On it was a label of a skeletal horse and rider that said “The Pale Rider” and underneath that in smaller print was “The Pale Ale and Horse Bar.”
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
The four friends stumbled into the pub. It was a small dingy place, tucked away in a back alley, between 4th and Montgomery. They had not noticed this bar before but if it had not been for Matt running into the alley to try to find a place to use the bathroom they may never have stepped in. The sturdy carved wooden door slammed loudly behind them making them jump slightly. There was an antique wooden sign above the door that had a logo of a skeletal horse and rider. Underneath the logo was the words “The Pale Ale and Horse Bar”. A thick haze of smoke swirled around their heads as they stepped forward into the building letting their eyes adjust to the darkness within. The bar seemed to be carved out of one giant piece of wood. Spaced out evenly was large columns that had intricate carvings of gargoyles, angels, demons, and mythological creatures. Each column was completely unique from the others. Along the walls were culverts with booths and large tables in them. They looked like they could easily fit ten people at each table. The actual bar was in the middle of the large room and was laid open completely in a circular fashion so that it faced outward to every part of the pub.
The friends carefully snaked their way through the scattered tables and chairs set out in the open space among the columns. There were few patrons sitting at the tables and booths in the bar and none of them looked up as the friends grabbed stools at sat at the bar. Matt laughed nervously to break the silence as they waited for the bartender. The friends had known each almost all their lives. They had met in elementary school and were instant buddies since then. Their lives had each taken different paths but they always remained in touch and luckily lived close enough that they could get together for nights like this. Matt was a lawyer for a large corporation headquartered in a neighboring city. Erick was a local high school English teacher. Johnathon worked security overnights at a warehouse and did landscaping during the day. Barry was a musician and played various instruments for five different bands in town. Erick and Johnathon were married with kids while Matt was planning an adoption with his partner and Barry was divorced without any kids that he was aware of. The guys were talking among themselves quietly when the bartender came from around the oval column in the middle of the bar.
The bartender was a tall and abnormally skinny man. He had long stringy dark hair that hung loosely down to his shoulders. His pale skin was stretched out tightly against his bones giving him a dark skeletal demeanor. He had a tight black t-shirt on behind a stained light brown apron. In typical bartender fashion, he was wiping off a mug with a white towel as he nodded to the friends and walked slowly over to them.
“Hello. Welcome to the Pale Ale and Horse Bar.” he said in a deep gravelly monotone voice. “What can I get you?”
Matt, Erick, and Johnathon were taken aback by the appearance of the bartender but Barry broke the silence with an easy smile.
“Hey man!” He said cheerfully. “We, um, are doing a tour of the bars here in town and just happened across this place. We dig it. Do you have any specials tonight?”
“Yes.” said the bartender blandly. “We have a special. It’s on the house ale. The Pale Rider. That is all.”
“Wow, ok.” spoke up Matt. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses further up his nose with his left hand. “That sounds good to me. Guys? A round on me?”
The other three looked to each other and laughed. They each nodded to the bartender.
“If it’s on you then you can order whatever you like, Matt!” said Johnathon as he laughed. He scratched his bald head lightly as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket.
“Right, keep on buying big shot.” said Erick as he smirked from behind his neatly trimmed red beard.
The bartender filled four large glass mugs from the tap behind him and set them down forcefully in front of the men, two in each hand, some foam spilling over the sides. Matt pulled his wallet out and began to thumb out a plastic card from it when the bartender reached over the bar and grabbed his hand suddenly. Matt grunted in fear and yanked his arm back instinctively. The bartender’s grip was firm and strong and Matt could not break away.
“Your money is not good here.” said the bartender with no emotion on his face. “I only accept stories. Your stories.” He let go of Matt’s hand and slowly withdrew his arm back across the bar.
“Woah, man. What?” exclaimed Barry. “Stories? What the hell are you talking about?”
“This is not cool.” said Matt with a worried expression. “We need to get the hell out of here.”
All four men began to get up off of their stools. The bartender quickly raised his arms up to shoulder length and slammed his fists down on the wooden bar. The glass mugs shook and ale spilled over the tops.
“NO.” boomed the bartender. “You can not leave. You must stay and drink.”
The friends nervously glanced at each other and as one turned to run back to the door they entered from. Knocking over a few chairs and pushing some tables aside they rushed to where the door had been. Incredulously they stared at a barren wall. There was no door. They stared at each other wordlessly.
“Follow me.” breathed Barry and they ran through the bar following the wall counter-clockwise. They ran all the way back to the barren wall without seeing an exit of any kind.
“You see. It is as I said.” said the bartender. Even though he was still standing at the bar the friends could hear him speaking as if he was standing next to them. “Come. Drink. You still have to pay for your first round.” Though they could not see him the first hint of emotion crept across the bartender’s face. A thin smile.
Warily the friends walked back to the bar. They sat down across from their drinks and did not speak.
“Good.” murmured the bartender. “Who shall go first?” he asked.
They remained silent for a few minutes. The bartender folded his thin arms across his chest and waited expectantly.
Barry spoke up first. “I’ll do it. I’ll tell a story. Alright... so it was back in ‘93 and there was this chick...” Barry trailed off as the barkeep held his hand up.
“No. You pay with your story of today. That is the only one that holds merit here.” He folded his arms back across his chest and leaned back on the stool again.
“Oh. Kay.” Barry muttered. “Today... so... I was with you guys today. And. Um.” Barry’s face contorted as he thought about the day’s events. He shook his head as if he was trying to clear it.
Worriedly, Matt spoke up. “Yeah, we were all together today. All day long... right guys?” They all stared at each other as confusion took over each one of them.
“No. That’s not right.” Barry said in a somber tone. “We were supposed to be together tonight. That was plan but it didn’t happen, did it? I know it know. I know my story.”
“I was on my way to a gig. I was planning on meeting up with you guys after it. Time’s have been rough lately and money has been scarce so I’m taking anything I can get. It’s been really hard, ya know? So, I’ve, uh, been numbing the pain a little. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Maybe I had a drink or two before I left for the gig? It’s not a big deal. We’ve all done it.” Barry wiped his face with his hands. “I took the bike. I knew we’d be downtown and parking is horrible.” He smiled weakly. “I was running just a little late so I was going a bit fast. I mean, nothing crazy. It’s nothing I couldn’t handle. That bike is a dream and can definitely handle anything I can throw it’s way.” Barry’s brow knit in worry. It was if he was remembering the events right as he was speaking about them. “I don’t know what happened. There’s that construction, ya know? Right at Ward St off the freeway? I was trying to take a short cut to the bar I was going to play at. There was this stalled car that was sitting there. No lights or anything. No way I could have avoided it.” He sighed deeply. “That’s all I got. That’s it.”
The bartender nodded sagely. “Well done.” He said quietly. “Who is next? Speak.”
Johnathon cleared his throat noisily. “This is crazy. I’ll do it just to leave this messed up place.” He defiantly stared at the bartender.
“Let’s see, today. I had to wake up really early today. I remember that. I pulled a double shift last night and then had to come into the work site to supervise today. One of my security coworkers just had a new baby and I promised him I’d cover for him at night. And then my construction company gave me the day off just to call me in too. I was pissed off but I knew I’d be with you guys later so I figured I’d just power through it.” He paused for a second to recall his memories. “It’s funny how quickly stuff happens. My day shift was almost done. We were winding down. Most of the machines were powered down and almost everyone was off the site. There was just the one new guy still wandering about the site so I walked down to get him and tell him to go home.” He smiled thinly. “New guys are always trying to impress everyone by pretending to work harder. It never fools me. He was down in the pit. I don’t know what the hell he was doing but it was time to go. I was never more ready to have drinks with my friends. He was bent over looking at something in the dirt when the machine slid. I can still see it in slow motion sliding over the lip of the pit and tumbling down towards us.” He looked around to his friends with tears in his eyes. “I might have been able to save him. It just happened so fast though. I froze. Before I could react it was on top of both us.” Johnathon held his head low and sobbed quietly.
Matt began to reach out to console Johnathon but the bartender lifted his arms again. “No. He is beyond your help.” The bartender stared at Matt with cold eyes. “It is your turn now.”
Matt looked around at his friends. Erick was the only one meeting his gaze. Matt could see how scared Erick was. “Ok. Fine. My turn.”
“I canceled. That’s right, I had completely forgot about it. My firm needed me overseas at the last minute so I had to cancel my plans with you guys. I was heartbroken. It seems like forever since we were last able to meet. It was an early AM flight and I got to the airport early. You just never know with screening how long it will take. Usually it’s a breeze and I’m in and out but there’s just those times where you’re in line over an hour. I really hate flying. I really do. It’s a horrible way to travel, I think, but what can you do? I brought a couple of books to read to keep me occupied. I had my laptop for work but I had finished my briefing days before. Anything that needed to be amended I could do after we landed and I spoke with my colleagues there.” Matt wiped sweat away from his forehead with his arm and looked at it shockingly. “The flight was going so well. There was hardly any turbulence. It is hard to believe but I think I may have been enjoying it, oddly enough. At first it started quietly. It was just flight attendants walking up and down the cabin. I think I saw one of the pilots walk to the back of the plane as well. When they announced the engine problem over the intercom it escalated so quickly! The plane shook violently. I saw one woman, who was not buckled into her seat, lift several feet into the air at one point. I freaked out. The only thing I could do was just grip the seat and pray that everything would end well.” Matt looked away towards the back wall. “It ended so suddenly. The plane was going down and then there was nothing.”
The bartender stood up and looked down upon the friends. “Very well. Your drinks have been paid for.” He began to turn around.
“Wait!” yelled Erick. “What about me? What about my story? My day isn’t over yet and my drink isn’t paid for.” Panic was plainly written across his face.
“No, you cannot pay yet. Your story is not yet over. It is time to go.” The bartender turned as the center column of the bar slowly faded away leaving a plain wooden door in it’s stead. Erick’s friends stood up in unison and walked around the bar. They stood in a line in front of the door.
“I don’t understand. What is happening? What is going on? Matt! Barry! Johnathon! Come back guys, it’s time to leave!” Erick pleaded frantically.
“It is time for your friends to leave, Erick.” said the bartender in a monotone voice. “I will not see you again for a long time yet.”
Erick stood up and reached out towards his friends when the bar went dark. There was the sound of a door slamming shut and light began to illuminate the air above him. He was back in the alley leading to the bar. He scanned the alleyway around him. There were no doors or entrances around. It was as if the bar never existed at all. He numbly stared down at his right hand in shock. He was holding a cold bottle of beer. On it was a label of a skeletal horse and rider that said “The Pale Rider” and underneath that in smaller print was “The Pale Ale and Horse Bar.”
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
The Pale Ale and Horse Bar - pt 1
The Pale Ale and Horse Bar
The four friends stumbled into the pub. It was a small dingy place, tucked away in a back alley, between 4th and Montgomery. They had not noticed this bar before but if it had not been for Matt running into the alley to try to find a place to use the bathroom they may never have stepped in. The sturdy carved wooden door slammed loudly behind them making them jump slightly. A thick haze of smoke swirled around their heads as they stepped forward letting their eyes adjust to the darkness within. The bar seemed to be carved out of one giant piece of wood. Spaced out evenly was large columns that had intricate carvings of gargoyles, angels, demons, and mythological creatures. Each column was completely unique from the others. Along the walls were culverts with booths and large tables in them. They looked like they could easily fit ten people at each table. The actual bar was in the middle of the large room and was laid open completely in a circular fashion so that it faced outward to every part of the pub.
The friends carefully snaked their way through the scattered tables and chairs set out in the open space among the columns. There were few patrons sitting at the tables and booths in the bar and none of them looked up as the friends grabbed stools at sat at the bar. Matt laughed nervously to break the silence as they waited for the bartender. The friends had known each almost all their lives. They had met in elementary school and were instant buddies since then. Their lives had each taken different paths but they always remained in touch and luckily lived close enough that they could get together for nights like this. Matt was a lawyer for a large corporation headquartered in a neighboring city. Erick was a local high school English teacher. Johnathon worked security overnights at a warehouse and did landscaping during the day. Barry was a musician and played various instruments for five different bands in town. Erick and Johnathon were married with kids while Matt was planning an adoption with his partner and Barry was divorced without any kids that he was aware of. The guys were talking among themselves quietly when the bartender came from around the oval column in the middle of the bar.
The bartender was a tall and abnormally skinny man. He had long stringy dark hair that hung loosely down to his shoulders. His pale skin was stretched out tightly against his bones giving him a dark skeletal demeanor. He had a tight black t-shirt on behind a stained light brown apron. In typical bartender fashion, he was wiping off a mug with a white towel as he nodded to the friends and walked slowly over to them.
“Hello. Welcome to the Pale Ale and Horse Bar.” he said in a deep gravelly monotone voice. “What can I get you?”
Matt, Erick, and Johnathon were taken aback by the appearance of the bartender but Barry broke the silence with an easy smile.
“Hey man!” He said cheerfully. “We, um, are just doing a tour of the bars here in town and just happened across this place. We dig it. Do you have any specials tonight?”
“Yes.” said the bartender blandly. “We have a special. It’s on the house ale. The Pale Rider. That is all.”
“Wow, ok.” spoke up Matt. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses further up his nose with his left hand. “That sounds good to me. Guys? A round on me?”
The other three looked to each other and laughed. They each nodded to the bartender.
“If it’s on you then you can order whatever you like, Matt!” said Johnathon as he laughed. He scratched his bald head lightly as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket.
“Right, keep on buying big shot.” said Erick as he smirked from behind his neatly trimmed red beard.
The bartender filled four large glass mugs from the tap behind him and set them down forcefully in front of the men, two in each hand, some foam spilling over the sides. Matt pulled his wallet out and began to thumb out a plastic card from it when the bartender reached over the bar and grabbed his hand suddenly. Matt grunted in fear and yanked his arm back instinctively. The bartender’s grip was firm and strong and Matt could not break away.
“Your money is not good here.” said the bartender with no emotion on his face. “I only accept stories. Your stories.” He let go of Matt’s hand and slowly withdrew his arm back across the bar.
“Woah, man. What?” exclaimed Barry. “Stories? What the hell are you talking about?”
“This is not cool.” said Matt with a worried expression. “We need to get the hell out of here.”
All four men began to get up off of their stools. The bartender quickly raised his arms up to shoulder length and slammed his fists down on the wooden bar. The glass mugs shook and ale spilled over the tops.
“NO.” boomed the bartender. “You can not leave. You must stay and drink.”
The friends nervously glanced at each other and as one turned to run back to the door they entered from. Knocking over a few chairs and pushing some tables aside they rushed to where the door had been. Incredulously they stared at a barren wall. There was no door. They stared at each other wordlessly.
“Follow me.” breathed Barry and they ran through the bar following the wall counter-clockwise. They ran all the way back to the barren wall without seeing an exit of any kind.
“You see. It is as I said.” said the bartender. Even though he was still standing at the bar the friends could hear him speaking as if he was standing next to them. “Come. Drink. You still have to pay for your first round.” Though they could not see him the first hint of emotion crept across the bartender’s face. A thin smile.
The four friends stumbled into the pub. It was a small dingy place, tucked away in a back alley, between 4th and Montgomery. They had not noticed this bar before but if it had not been for Matt running into the alley to try to find a place to use the bathroom they may never have stepped in. The sturdy carved wooden door slammed loudly behind them making them jump slightly. A thick haze of smoke swirled around their heads as they stepped forward letting their eyes adjust to the darkness within. The bar seemed to be carved out of one giant piece of wood. Spaced out evenly was large columns that had intricate carvings of gargoyles, angels, demons, and mythological creatures. Each column was completely unique from the others. Along the walls were culverts with booths and large tables in them. They looked like they could easily fit ten people at each table. The actual bar was in the middle of the large room and was laid open completely in a circular fashion so that it faced outward to every part of the pub.
The friends carefully snaked their way through the scattered tables and chairs set out in the open space among the columns. There were few patrons sitting at the tables and booths in the bar and none of them looked up as the friends grabbed stools at sat at the bar. Matt laughed nervously to break the silence as they waited for the bartender. The friends had known each almost all their lives. They had met in elementary school and were instant buddies since then. Their lives had each taken different paths but they always remained in touch and luckily lived close enough that they could get together for nights like this. Matt was a lawyer for a large corporation headquartered in a neighboring city. Erick was a local high school English teacher. Johnathon worked security overnights at a warehouse and did landscaping during the day. Barry was a musician and played various instruments for five different bands in town. Erick and Johnathon were married with kids while Matt was planning an adoption with his partner and Barry was divorced without any kids that he was aware of. The guys were talking among themselves quietly when the bartender came from around the oval column in the middle of the bar.
The bartender was a tall and abnormally skinny man. He had long stringy dark hair that hung loosely down to his shoulders. His pale skin was stretched out tightly against his bones giving him a dark skeletal demeanor. He had a tight black t-shirt on behind a stained light brown apron. In typical bartender fashion, he was wiping off a mug with a white towel as he nodded to the friends and walked slowly over to them.
“Hello. Welcome to the Pale Ale and Horse Bar.” he said in a deep gravelly monotone voice. “What can I get you?”
Matt, Erick, and Johnathon were taken aback by the appearance of the bartender but Barry broke the silence with an easy smile.
“Hey man!” He said cheerfully. “We, um, are just doing a tour of the bars here in town and just happened across this place. We dig it. Do you have any specials tonight?”
“Yes.” said the bartender blandly. “We have a special. It’s on the house ale. The Pale Rider. That is all.”
“Wow, ok.” spoke up Matt. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses further up his nose with his left hand. “That sounds good to me. Guys? A round on me?”
The other three looked to each other and laughed. They each nodded to the bartender.
“If it’s on you then you can order whatever you like, Matt!” said Johnathon as he laughed. He scratched his bald head lightly as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket.
“Right, keep on buying big shot.” said Erick as he smirked from behind his neatly trimmed red beard.
The bartender filled four large glass mugs from the tap behind him and set them down forcefully in front of the men, two in each hand, some foam spilling over the sides. Matt pulled his wallet out and began to thumb out a plastic card from it when the bartender reached over the bar and grabbed his hand suddenly. Matt grunted in fear and yanked his arm back instinctively. The bartender’s grip was firm and strong and Matt could not break away.
“Your money is not good here.” said the bartender with no emotion on his face. “I only accept stories. Your stories.” He let go of Matt’s hand and slowly withdrew his arm back across the bar.
“Woah, man. What?” exclaimed Barry. “Stories? What the hell are you talking about?”
“This is not cool.” said Matt with a worried expression. “We need to get the hell out of here.”
All four men began to get up off of their stools. The bartender quickly raised his arms up to shoulder length and slammed his fists down on the wooden bar. The glass mugs shook and ale spilled over the tops.
“NO.” boomed the bartender. “You can not leave. You must stay and drink.”
The friends nervously glanced at each other and as one turned to run back to the door they entered from. Knocking over a few chairs and pushing some tables aside they rushed to where the door had been. Incredulously they stared at a barren wall. There was no door. They stared at each other wordlessly.
“Follow me.” breathed Barry and they ran through the bar following the wall counter-clockwise. They ran all the way back to the barren wall without seeing an exit of any kind.
“You see. It is as I said.” said the bartender. Even though he was still standing at the bar the friends could hear him speaking as if he was standing next to them. “Come. Drink. You still have to pay for your first round.” Though they could not see him the first hint of emotion crept across the bartender’s face. A thin smile.
Monday, April 13, 2015
The Gun - pt 2
He steps outside to blinding light. One thing the current south-west has going for it is a lack of cloud coverage. The sunlight bakes all it touches and shade is a rare item to find. It takes several moments for his eyes to adjust to the bright light. The first thing he notices is the buildings and streets. The streets are nothing but packed dirt. The buildings of the main street are built up in facade yet are nothing but rotting wood when you examine them closer. This is a dying a town, yet it is not uncommon in this part of the world. A crowd has gathered towards what appears to be the town square. Many of the townspeople are milling about and it seems as if the rest of the shops and buildings lining this main street have closed down for the day. Slowly, he makes his way forward. As he approaches the crowd the people stand aside and stare at him. Some of them peer at him in awe, some in trepidation, and most in uncertainty.
The path through the crowd is easy and he walks cautiously up to a wooden platform built in the middle of the square. On top of the platforms stands the woman that saved him and next to her is a man who bears the air of authority. The man is dressed in a long cut extremely weathered leather trench coat with a black cotton shirt and dark denim pants. The large excessively worn cowboy hat and boots hats lends to the atmosphere he is projecting. The body language of the woman and the arrogant stance of the man alerts John that this meeting may not be in his favor. She points to John as he is walking through the crowd and looks downwards in submission.
“You, there, sir!” barks the man with a deep gravelly voice. The whiskers of his mustache twitch and stand out from the rest of his graying facial hair. “C’mon up here. We need to have words.”
John does not slow his pace. He walks deliberately and cautiously up the ramps to the stage. He stares the man in the eyes the entire walk as he comes to rest in front of the man and what appears to be the whole town.
The man reaches to his side and pulls up a shotgun. He lets it rest, cradled in his arms, as a very serious reminder of the mood he appears to be in. “Matilda here says she found you out in the Wastes. She says you were half-dead, been picked over by bandits, and don’t remember a thing about it all. That true?” He eyes John suspiciously.
“Yes, sir. That is truth of it. I hardly have any memory of the time before waking up today in her house. My name’s John and I appreciate any help herself, you, or your people have given me. I will gladly repay you for your kindness.” he says with deliberate deference in his tone.
This takes the man by surprise. Perhaps he expected a fight of some kind. He clears his throat to by himself time as he contemplates what he was just told. “Yes, good...” He surveys the townspeople that have gathered here in the square. “That’s good, boy. That’s good. You see, I am Sheriff Westing and I’m the law around here. You get that? Whatever, and whoever, you were before don’t matter much out here. This is the town of New Home and that’s exactly what this becomes to all that travel here. Right, boys?” He nods to several burly and rough looking men behind him. They nod back slowly. Westing looks back and locks John’s gaze with his steel-gray eyes. “This is your new home. You’ll be helping Matilda for the moment, seeing as she don’t have a man now.” He steps forward slowly, the wooden boards beneath him creaking, as he leans in close to John. “This here is the only gun in town. Don’t you even think about running. I’ll get ya in the end.” He smiles mirthlessly showing yellowed teeth. “Just ask Matilda ‘bout what happened to her husband. I’ve shot one man named John. I’d hate to shoot another.” The Sheriff steps back and booms out to all “Ok, folks. That’s enough of a show for one day! Get back to work, the lot of ya. Go on!” The Sheriff turns around to speak with his lackeys.
John turns back around and steps toward Matilda. He reaches out a hand to touch her arm and she shies away. He nods silently and she steps forward to walk away from the square. He knows better than to push the issue so he doesn’t say a word until she shows that she is ready. Halfway back down the main street towards her shack she stops. She turns to John. He can see the tracks that line her face from dried tears. Her hands are clenched down by her side.
“I’m sorry, John. I truly am. I knew what would happen if I brought you back here. I couldn’t leave you out there, though! I couldn’t let you die... just like...” She stumbles on the words. Her voice cracking she struggles to continue. “You can’t run, you really can’t. That’s what....” She sighs deeply. “He left to get us help. He couldn’t bear our family living under the so-called protection that the Sheriff gives us. I told him that it’s a life, a safe life, and we should be grateful for what little we do have.” Her body is shaking from the mixed emotions running through her.
“Matilda... it’s alright.” John whispers to her. “It’s you I need to apologize to. I lied.” She looks up at him sharply. “I lied about my memories. There are some I have from before that I do remember and more are coming back as time is passing.” He pauses to lick his lips. He must choose his next words carefully. The woman has been through enough hardship recently. “I was attacked for something I was carrying. I knew I would be overwhelmed by the raiders and so I hid my gear near where you found me. I can’t remember what it is but I feel that what I was doing was extremely important and I am running out of time. I can’t stay here.” Her bottom lip begins to quiver. She looks up to him as her mouth opens to speak and her expression instantly turns to one of fear and apprehension. Her eyes are locked past him.
John immediately pivots to the side and drops into a defensive fighting stance. Two of the Sheriff’s large men strut towards them lazily. They both have makeshift wooden clubs that appear to have seen a lot of use. The thug on the right grins like a predator and says, “Don’t worry, man. This is just a reinforcement of the Sheriff’s chat.” The other thug’s face is deadpan. “Yeah, he just wants to make sure you understand the... severity of the situation.” The two men split apart encircling John cautiously. John knows this is a fight he can win but should not. However, he thinks to himself, they certainly expect him to fight back and he is willing to oblige them that much.
Matilda backs away quietly from the impending fight and grunts as she stumbles on a rock. The thugs take that as their cue and begin the assault. The grinning man launches himself forward. He obviously expects John to fully involve himself in the defense of his attack. John, however, sidesteps to his right and kicks out his right leg taking the serious thug squarely in the stomach. The first attack was a feint so that the other could blindside him.Their footwork was sloppy and they were broadcasting their intentions before acting them. As the man on the ground squirms trying to catch his breath John spins and brings his arms up crossed above his head. He catches the right forearm of the smiling fighter as he is bringing his club down. John grunts from the force of the blocked blow and digs his fingers deep into the flesh of the man’s arm. He spins around rapidly so that the thug is leaning on his back and drops his center of gravity. Using the weight of the man against him he kneels and surges forward arcing the thug over his head and slamming him down on his back in the packed dirt. John rears his right leg up and slams his foot down on the wrist of the right arm of the thug. There’s an audible crunch of bone snapping as the club pops up into the air and continuing his movement he snatches it with his right hand. The other fight is on his feet and charging him. John kneels down with the end of the club touching the ground and his left arm out in front of him. The thug swings out his club forcefully, but wildly, and John easily ducks under it. Using his left arm he slams into the side of the torso of the fighter throwing him off balance. Spinning John swings out the club with his right arm and slams it into the side of the man’s legs completing the thug's awkward fall back to the hard earth.
John senses another man behind him well before he hears Matilda’s scream. “I was thinking it was slightly unfair only have two versus one.” he says sarcastically. Suddenly there’s a bright blinding light as he is struck from behind and falls limply to the ground unconscious.
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
The path through the crowd is easy and he walks cautiously up to a wooden platform built in the middle of the square. On top of the platforms stands the woman that saved him and next to her is a man who bears the air of authority. The man is dressed in a long cut extremely weathered leather trench coat with a black cotton shirt and dark denim pants. The large excessively worn cowboy hat and boots hats lends to the atmosphere he is projecting. The body language of the woman and the arrogant stance of the man alerts John that this meeting may not be in his favor. She points to John as he is walking through the crowd and looks downwards in submission.
“You, there, sir!” barks the man with a deep gravelly voice. The whiskers of his mustache twitch and stand out from the rest of his graying facial hair. “C’mon up here. We need to have words.”
John does not slow his pace. He walks deliberately and cautiously up the ramps to the stage. He stares the man in the eyes the entire walk as he comes to rest in front of the man and what appears to be the whole town.
The man reaches to his side and pulls up a shotgun. He lets it rest, cradled in his arms, as a very serious reminder of the mood he appears to be in. “Matilda here says she found you out in the Wastes. She says you were half-dead, been picked over by bandits, and don’t remember a thing about it all. That true?” He eyes John suspiciously.
“Yes, sir. That is truth of it. I hardly have any memory of the time before waking up today in her house. My name’s John and I appreciate any help herself, you, or your people have given me. I will gladly repay you for your kindness.” he says with deliberate deference in his tone.
This takes the man by surprise. Perhaps he expected a fight of some kind. He clears his throat to by himself time as he contemplates what he was just told. “Yes, good...” He surveys the townspeople that have gathered here in the square. “That’s good, boy. That’s good. You see, I am Sheriff Westing and I’m the law around here. You get that? Whatever, and whoever, you were before don’t matter much out here. This is the town of New Home and that’s exactly what this becomes to all that travel here. Right, boys?” He nods to several burly and rough looking men behind him. They nod back slowly. Westing looks back and locks John’s gaze with his steel-gray eyes. “This is your new home. You’ll be helping Matilda for the moment, seeing as she don’t have a man now.” He steps forward slowly, the wooden boards beneath him creaking, as he leans in close to John. “This here is the only gun in town. Don’t you even think about running. I’ll get ya in the end.” He smiles mirthlessly showing yellowed teeth. “Just ask Matilda ‘bout what happened to her husband. I’ve shot one man named John. I’d hate to shoot another.” The Sheriff steps back and booms out to all “Ok, folks. That’s enough of a show for one day! Get back to work, the lot of ya. Go on!” The Sheriff turns around to speak with his lackeys.
John turns back around and steps toward Matilda. He reaches out a hand to touch her arm and she shies away. He nods silently and she steps forward to walk away from the square. He knows better than to push the issue so he doesn’t say a word until she shows that she is ready. Halfway back down the main street towards her shack she stops. She turns to John. He can see the tracks that line her face from dried tears. Her hands are clenched down by her side.
“I’m sorry, John. I truly am. I knew what would happen if I brought you back here. I couldn’t leave you out there, though! I couldn’t let you die... just like...” She stumbles on the words. Her voice cracking she struggles to continue. “You can’t run, you really can’t. That’s what....” She sighs deeply. “He left to get us help. He couldn’t bear our family living under the so-called protection that the Sheriff gives us. I told him that it’s a life, a safe life, and we should be grateful for what little we do have.” Her body is shaking from the mixed emotions running through her.
“Matilda... it’s alright.” John whispers to her. “It’s you I need to apologize to. I lied.” She looks up at him sharply. “I lied about my memories. There are some I have from before that I do remember and more are coming back as time is passing.” He pauses to lick his lips. He must choose his next words carefully. The woman has been through enough hardship recently. “I was attacked for something I was carrying. I knew I would be overwhelmed by the raiders and so I hid my gear near where you found me. I can’t remember what it is but I feel that what I was doing was extremely important and I am running out of time. I can’t stay here.” Her bottom lip begins to quiver. She looks up to him as her mouth opens to speak and her expression instantly turns to one of fear and apprehension. Her eyes are locked past him.
John immediately pivots to the side and drops into a defensive fighting stance. Two of the Sheriff’s large men strut towards them lazily. They both have makeshift wooden clubs that appear to have seen a lot of use. The thug on the right grins like a predator and says, “Don’t worry, man. This is just a reinforcement of the Sheriff’s chat.” The other thug’s face is deadpan. “Yeah, he just wants to make sure you understand the... severity of the situation.” The two men split apart encircling John cautiously. John knows this is a fight he can win but should not. However, he thinks to himself, they certainly expect him to fight back and he is willing to oblige them that much.
Matilda backs away quietly from the impending fight and grunts as she stumbles on a rock. The thugs take that as their cue and begin the assault. The grinning man launches himself forward. He obviously expects John to fully involve himself in the defense of his attack. John, however, sidesteps to his right and kicks out his right leg taking the serious thug squarely in the stomach. The first attack was a feint so that the other could blindside him.Their footwork was sloppy and they were broadcasting their intentions before acting them. As the man on the ground squirms trying to catch his breath John spins and brings his arms up crossed above his head. He catches the right forearm of the smiling fighter as he is bringing his club down. John grunts from the force of the blocked blow and digs his fingers deep into the flesh of the man’s arm. He spins around rapidly so that the thug is leaning on his back and drops his center of gravity. Using the weight of the man against him he kneels and surges forward arcing the thug over his head and slamming him down on his back in the packed dirt. John rears his right leg up and slams his foot down on the wrist of the right arm of the thug. There’s an audible crunch of bone snapping as the club pops up into the air and continuing his movement he snatches it with his right hand. The other fight is on his feet and charging him. John kneels down with the end of the club touching the ground and his left arm out in front of him. The thug swings out his club forcefully, but wildly, and John easily ducks under it. Using his left arm he slams into the side of the torso of the fighter throwing him off balance. Spinning John swings out the club with his right arm and slams it into the side of the man’s legs completing the thug's awkward fall back to the hard earth.
John senses another man behind him well before he hears Matilda’s scream. “I was thinking it was slightly unfair only have two versus one.” he says sarcastically. Suddenly there’s a bright blinding light as he is struck from behind and falls limply to the ground unconscious.
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Dreamscapes
This is something that I wrote a long time ago when I was really young. It was published in my high school literary journal and I have recently rediscovered it.
Dreamscapes
In a cabin, looking out, I only see black and white. Looking through the foggy glass I can only make out bare shadows and shapes in the blinding whiteness of the snow and the looming darkness. Beyond the snowbound rusting fence lie three gloomy graves. The graves lie there ever-knowing and yet oblivious to all. The snow blankets everything with a false warmth that only invites death to the lonely stuck in the freezing wilderness. Looking up in the unending, cloud covered, gray sky, I can only hope and pray that a ray of light, a ray of salvation, will shine through and illuminate the dark frozen hell, which has become the mortal world. In this land of shadows stands one solitary cabin, blanketed in show, inviting me to come in and be alive again. It whispers to me to leave the world of mortal death and cold that I inhabit and come to the light and warm happiness. As I enter the bright cabin the world around me howls for my death, screams for me to turn around and indulge in the dark and soulless void of shadows and snow. Never ending snow. The dark shadow of the cabin on the white snow twists and turns...
As I gaze across the still, serene waters, I wonder. I wonder if I can feel as calm as it when time passes us by. I feel my heart beat for her as each tiny wave rises then falls on the miniature shores. The waves live in perfect splendor then die, frantically struggling to escape the steely grasp of the shore. Shall we too, struggle to the very end? No, we will be. Always, and forever. The mirror like surface of the water reminds me of her. Reminds me of how I see myself in her, how I see herself in me. The water whispers gently, as I whisper to her. There is no reply from me. We are one with the water. The waves ripple and start to change...
I am running through the shallow light and twisting through shadows of trees long forgotten. I'm lying upon a dew encrusted pale green bench in the middle of this forest of dreams. Lying there, staring at the carpeted ceiling of leaves, I get a feeling of being watched, of being judged. My insides are turned outside to be seen by all, to be judged by the mother of earth, of nature. I gaze at the myriad of bright sunbeams reaching for the spongy surface of the forest floor. The dank smell of rotting leaves wafts up and reminds me of life eternal and how this forest always here, watching. The pale yellow of ambient light glancing off the dark trunks of trees standing, ever silently, row after row of nature's soldiers. I slowly inhale the ancient life force and my eyes flutter open....
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
First Contact
First Contact
My name is Eric Bernstein and I sell insurance. You would think that selling life insurance to asteroid miners in the Perseus Delta cluster of the asteroid belt would be easy work. It’s not. To be honest, there should be life insurance salesmen for the life insurance salesmen. I’m not trying to downplay the danger in the miners’ work but they are used to it. My average day consists of wearing a normal suit and tie not a spacesuit and drill! In case you are interested, you can contact me through my company email. I offer 5 unique packages that cover anywhere from death, dismemberment, depression, and void sickness. We have very attractive price points that will automatically deduct from your paycheck. Peace of mind is worth every penny!
Sorry. Old habits. I was on an unusually large C-type asteroid named Matilda when the event happened. The Arkid Mining Company had established a temporary base of operations and were in the process of mining hydrated minerals. I apologize. I don’t understand the science but it’s something about fuel for spacecraft and water needed for additional mining operations. My boss assigned me to Matilda in the hopes that such a large operation would draw in some new mining recruits that my company had not signed up already. I was also to make my way out to a dig site with some of the more experienced miners to do a video recording with some voice over work. The point was to add a more human element to our presentations and to show that we are an insurance company that knows exactly what the average miner goes through in day to day operations. If it wasn’t for the sizable bonus my boss tacked on to my commission there would be no way I would have agreed to this. I had given my presentation in the dining hall while 2nd shift miners were on break. It’s not ideal I will say. The miners concentrate more on the food than the presentation but the hunch was correct and there were many new recruits amongst the crowd. By the time break was over I had almost hit my weekly quota and I was quite ecstatic.
I met up with a lovely woman by the name of Georgia at airlock D. By lovely I mean she was gruff, sarcastic, and tough as nails. She was the lead foreman and had claimed to have the most experience in zero and low gravity mining out of everyone in the company. She also claimed that her father originally named her George but she changed it to Georgia after marrying a man named George. I was thinking that it was probably not a good idea to trust this woman at the time. After her team assembled we left the airlock to regroup at the rovers and grab the equipment needed. I was effectively walking on a giant tumbling rock in space and was not having an enjoyable time. If you have never done so then I highly recommend you decline if ever offered. By the time we had awkwardly hopped our way to the rovers I was furiously fighting to not become reacquainted with lunch. I can tell you from experience that vomiting in a space suit is one of the worst experiences you will ever have. The ride in the rover was slightly less trying. We were making our way towards a natural cavern system that led into the heart of the asteroid. Georgia explained this was rather unusual and allowed the miners to gain easy access to rarer minerals. It was more dangerous but allowed the job to be completed quickly and therefor enable the miners to get a larger bonus.
I was checking my video equipment when an unmarked rover pulled up alongside ours and we stopped. The dark coloring of this new rover made it nearly impossible to see until it was upon us. The surface of this asteroid was almost pitch black in color and without lighting it was hard to tell when the surface ended and the void began. It was very unsettling. Georgia had deftly jumped from our rover to the strangers’ and begun talking to them. There were no corporate markings on the rover or the suits of the men in it. After several minutes she hopped back to our rover and explained to her team and I that these were United Nations men accompanying a scientist and they were to piggyback our expedition. Some of her team turned and eyed me with some trepidation as if I had started a chain of events. Georgia also told the team anyone not complying with and aiding these men would lose a week’s worth of pay. I did not think it was possible to feel even more uneasy but I am sure I was a walking poster child for anxiety medication at this point.
The rovers began to roll again and we made our way to the caverns quickly. I began to film and Georgia explained to me that the caverns seemed to have been caused by an impact that penetrated the surface of the asteroid at some point. The point of this expedition was dual fold. The miners were set up their equipment inside the caverns at points most likely to find rare metals and to search for whatever caused the impact. More than likely it would have been another asteroid that might contain rare metals as well. I was blown away by the size of the crater when we arrived. I was expecting something like a small cave I suppose. This was enormous and I could barely make out the further edge from us.
The mining team worked quickly building a platform to anchor the team’s ropes. The government men were helping the miners as I walked to the edge and looked down. There was nothing but complete darkness down there and I was already dreading the descent. I hopped back to the rovers and couldn’t help but eavesdrop as I passed Georgia and a couple of the government men. My guess is Georgia had kept the communication line between her and I open on purpose. She seemed like a woman that had a healthy fear of unnecessary risk. I could appreciate that given the occupation she was in. Two of the government men introduced themselves as Major Stern and Dr. Osten. They were pointedly explaining to Georgia that they were not interested in metals or precious compounds. They were here for other, obviously, classified reasons. At this point I am sure my stomach was trying to eat it’s way out of my body so it could run away. I almost wished it would have.
It did not take much time for the teams to get everything set up for the descent into the cavern. The mining team members were loaded down with equipment and they went down first. The government team descended next. Georgia was going to go last so it was my turn next. I would love to explain to you what it was like looking down into the darkness as I was lowered slowly into it. I am sure it was a sight to see but I had my eyes closed the entire time. I did record the whole thing so maybe you should just watch that. I hit the bottom hard. I was so focused on pretending I was somewhere, anywhere, else I was not expecting it. It took me a minute to untangle myself from my equipment and get up. When I did I was awed by what I saw. The miners had deployed large portable spotlights on tracks and were illuminating the area. I felt like I was standing alone out in the vast sea of stars. The rock down here was the same black as on the surface but now wherever the light touched it caused some kind of compound to sparkle like starlight. I know I will never see anything like it again. Georgia touched down and began to coordinate her team. The miners were using some kind of instrument to start mapping the area. I asked one of the miners if it was some kind of sonar and they only laughed at me. I made a mental note to add his name to the spam mail list my company sends out. The thought only made me slightly less anxious.
As Georgia’s team prepared to move out she moved over to Dr. Osten. He was the only one out of the government group to produce and use any equipment. The other members of his team all had packs that were stuffed full with something but none had opened them yet. Georgia and Dr. Osten were arguing about the fact that there were several tunnels leading away from this impact zone. Georgia was obviously shaken. She explained that there was no way these tunnels could have been caused naturally. Dr. Osten agreed but explained they must move forward and she did not have a say in the matter. At this point I told myself I would stay as far behind everyone as I could. Grudgingly, Georgia gathered her team and followed Dr. Osten’s direction in where they would move.
As we moved through the tunnels I made good on my promise to stay in the back. This allowed me a good vantage point as the Major and his cronies finally pulled out what was in their packs. Weapons. The thing about fighting in space is you don’t need to be mortally wounded to die. Any kind of rip or tear in your suit will kill you if you cannot patch it fast enough. I’m not sure how these guns worked but I didn’t want to find out. I immediately opened up my communication line to Georgia and told her what I saw. She explained that she already knew. She told me that when she had first jumped onto their rover they showed her the weapons and explained what would happen to her team if she did not comply. She doubted they were actually representatives of any government agency and told me she would handle it and to watch my back as they did not know I was recording all of this. I swallowed dryly as she canceled the line. Welcome to indigestion hell.
Eventually we made our way into a large spacious chamber. The sparkling was even brighter here and was almost overwhelming. There was a small rock formation in the middle of the chamber that looked almost like a pedestal. Dr. Osten’s team immediately fanned themselves out with weapons drawn and moved quickly towards it. Georgia’s miners were beginning to become anxious themselves and she busied herself with trying to keep them calm. With no one paying attention to me I moved backwards to the entrance of the chamber. I was not going to move anywhere near that pedestal if I could help it. Dr. Osten pulled out more equipment and begin to poke and prod at the pedestal formation. As if responding to commands from him the pedestal began to rotate and spin. Immediately some of the miners slowly backed towards the tunnel entrance and myself. The major and a couple of his men moved towards them yelling for them to stop.
The situation was devolving quickly. The Major’s men were on the verge of opening fire on the miners. The miners began to panic. Georgia was stepping in between the gunmen and her team. Dr. Osten was kneeling in front of the pedestal in an almost religious gesture as it began to peel open like a flower. The flower shape began to spin like a top. I stood still. I was frozen with fear and had no idea what to do. The flower shaped stone spun faster and faster and in the blink of an eye it exploded outward. The large chunks of rock whirled through the chamber pulverizing everything it touched. I assume that because I was at the entrance of the tunnel I was too far out for the rock to kill me. I screamed in fear and stumbled over something protruding from the rock floor and fell on to my back.
Filled with pain and fear I sat up to survey the chamber. All of the rocks had fallen to ground and were not moving. The only traces of the people that had previously stood in that room were reduced to red smears across the floor and walls. I was alone. My hand rested on the protrusion I had tripped over. I looked down at it to notice some kind of small metal pyramid that was vibrating. I quickly backed away from it as it vibrated faster and began to rise from the stone revealing itself as a cube. My great-grandfather had once showed me something from his childhood when I was young. He called it a Rubik’s Cube and this is exactly what this metal artifact reminded me of. It could easily fit into the palm of my hand and the individual cubes that made up the whole item were covered in some kind of foreign flashing glyphs or writing.
Light began to emanate from what was left of the rocky pedestal and a shape began to emerge out of it. It was cylindrical and light glittered off it from the sole spotlight that illuminated the chamber. It appeared to be made of the same metallic substance the cube was made of and slid onto the floor like a serpent. As it slithered towards me I noticed it was made of the same kind of small cubes the artifact in front of me was made of. The ground beneath me began to vibrate violently as the metallic snake-thing came closer. I knew then I was going to die. I had resolved myself to it and was glad for my amazing life insurance policy. The only thing I was worried about was it not covering ‘murdered by metal alien snake’. You cannot prepare for everything I suppose.
I was not prepared when the metal creature struck at me. It moved with blindingly fast speed and the vibration of the ground was intense I am sure I could not have even stood up had I tried. I did not die, however. The floating cube in front of me exploded into blinding light and when I opened my eyes again the individual parts of the cube were spread out as a shield in front of me. The spaces in between it’s pieces glowed with a silver light. The metallic creature flew back in a shower of sparks and light as it hit this force field in front of me. It flew through the rock pedestal in an explosion of stone and slammed into the back of the chamber leaving a small impact crater.
Instinct finally kicked in and I scrambled to my feet. I ran into the complete darkness of the tunnel as fast as I could. I did not have a clue where I was going. I only knew I had to get away. I soon yelped in surprise as a light grew behind me. The pieces of the cube suddenly flew at me attaching themselves to my suit. I felt no pain as the light grew around me and illuminated my surroundings. I did feel a wave of confidence and relief wash over me. I felt more sure of myself and the fear that had just been consuming me was gone. I don’t know how it knew but as I willed myself to run faster the cube parts slid down the outside of my suit towards my legs. Forming themselves on my legs I knew I could run faster. I am not sure how fast I ran but I know it was faster than any human could possibly run. I could not stop to think about what was happening to me as this feeling rushed through me telling me the creature was in the tunnel behind me and catching up quickly.
In an insanely short amount of time I had made it to the original cavern. I do not think I was controlling my own body as I sprinted past the spotlights that had been left behind by the miners. My body tensed and my legs hummed as I felt an energy surge through and out of my legs as I leaped into the air. I slammed into the cliff face and was stunned by what had just happened. In one mighty jump I had ascended halfway up the cliff towards the surface. The cube split itself equally onto my arms and legs. Somehow I knew exactly what to do next. Slamming my hands into the rock they slid easily into the stone as pieces of rock exploded outwards. I fit my feet easily into those holes and did the same with my arms above. It was a steady and easy climb towards the surface as I carved my way up the cliff. I was almost at the surface when I felt a sense of warning surge through me. I glanced downward and saw the metallic creature slithering up the wall towards me. I instantly knew that the cube could not form a shield and keep myself attached to the surface of the cliff at the same time. I hastened my climb as I began to feel the cliff vibrate under me.
I was pulling myself up onto the surface when the creature caught up to me. It wrapped around my legs and began to pull me downwards. The cube focused itself on the outside of my legs and I could feel it’s vibrations as it fought to force the metal alien off of me. Without the cube’s assistance on my arms I scrambled awkwardly to get a grip on the rocks of the surface. I was about to be pulled down when an idea struck me. I had no idea if it would work but I had no alternatives. One of the rovers was nearby on the surface, only a dozen feet away, and I willed the cube to my arms. I felt a resistance at first but it appeared to obey my commands and I felt the strength leave my legs and surge through my arms again. I almost passed out from the pain and vibration as the snake creature constricted itself around my legs, crushing them. Slamming my left arm into the rock to steady myself I through my right arm outwards as if throwing a ball. The pieces of the cube flew forward just like I imagined a whip would and somehow the last piece stuck firmly to the frame of the rover. Jerking my arm back and up the rover flew upwards and arced over my head. I tasted the iron tang of blood in my mouth. I was biting my lip to fight the pain and not pass out. I pulled my arm back down and watched as the rover completed it’s arcing flight and suddenly momentum brought it down into the bottom half of the creature attached to the cliff. The cube surged back onto the bottom half of my body at the last moment and pulsed with the same bright silver light. The rover exploded at the same moment as the creature was pushed off of me. I watched, precariously hanging onto the cliff’s edge, as the creature fell entangled with the wreckage of the rover. The cube moved again and formed around my right hand. I held out my palm and aimed it towards the alien. At the moment the creature hit the bottom I willed destruction towards it and the cube pulsed out a sparking ball of light. It flew downwards at high speed and slammed into it. There was a massive explosion of light and the force blew me up and over the cliffs edge onto the surface. I had taken all I could and immediately lost consciousness.
If you get this message then you know we are not alone. You have my video log. Stay away from Matilda! There is only death on this rock. Do not approach anywhere near it. Do not look for me. I do not know what or who I am now.
And please...
make sure to purchase some life insurance!
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
My name is Eric Bernstein and I sell insurance. You would think that selling life insurance to asteroid miners in the Perseus Delta cluster of the asteroid belt would be easy work. It’s not. To be honest, there should be life insurance salesmen for the life insurance salesmen. I’m not trying to downplay the danger in the miners’ work but they are used to it. My average day consists of wearing a normal suit and tie not a spacesuit and drill! In case you are interested, you can contact me through my company email. I offer 5 unique packages that cover anywhere from death, dismemberment, depression, and void sickness. We have very attractive price points that will automatically deduct from your paycheck. Peace of mind is worth every penny!
Sorry. Old habits. I was on an unusually large C-type asteroid named Matilda when the event happened. The Arkid Mining Company had established a temporary base of operations and were in the process of mining hydrated minerals. I apologize. I don’t understand the science but it’s something about fuel for spacecraft and water needed for additional mining operations. My boss assigned me to Matilda in the hopes that such a large operation would draw in some new mining recruits that my company had not signed up already. I was also to make my way out to a dig site with some of the more experienced miners to do a video recording with some voice over work. The point was to add a more human element to our presentations and to show that we are an insurance company that knows exactly what the average miner goes through in day to day operations. If it wasn’t for the sizable bonus my boss tacked on to my commission there would be no way I would have agreed to this. I had given my presentation in the dining hall while 2nd shift miners were on break. It’s not ideal I will say. The miners concentrate more on the food than the presentation but the hunch was correct and there were many new recruits amongst the crowd. By the time break was over I had almost hit my weekly quota and I was quite ecstatic.
I met up with a lovely woman by the name of Georgia at airlock D. By lovely I mean she was gruff, sarcastic, and tough as nails. She was the lead foreman and had claimed to have the most experience in zero and low gravity mining out of everyone in the company. She also claimed that her father originally named her George but she changed it to Georgia after marrying a man named George. I was thinking that it was probably not a good idea to trust this woman at the time. After her team assembled we left the airlock to regroup at the rovers and grab the equipment needed. I was effectively walking on a giant tumbling rock in space and was not having an enjoyable time. If you have never done so then I highly recommend you decline if ever offered. By the time we had awkwardly hopped our way to the rovers I was furiously fighting to not become reacquainted with lunch. I can tell you from experience that vomiting in a space suit is one of the worst experiences you will ever have. The ride in the rover was slightly less trying. We were making our way towards a natural cavern system that led into the heart of the asteroid. Georgia explained this was rather unusual and allowed the miners to gain easy access to rarer minerals. It was more dangerous but allowed the job to be completed quickly and therefor enable the miners to get a larger bonus.
I was checking my video equipment when an unmarked rover pulled up alongside ours and we stopped. The dark coloring of this new rover made it nearly impossible to see until it was upon us. The surface of this asteroid was almost pitch black in color and without lighting it was hard to tell when the surface ended and the void began. It was very unsettling. Georgia had deftly jumped from our rover to the strangers’ and begun talking to them. There were no corporate markings on the rover or the suits of the men in it. After several minutes she hopped back to our rover and explained to her team and I that these were United Nations men accompanying a scientist and they were to piggyback our expedition. Some of her team turned and eyed me with some trepidation as if I had started a chain of events. Georgia also told the team anyone not complying with and aiding these men would lose a week’s worth of pay. I did not think it was possible to feel even more uneasy but I am sure I was a walking poster child for anxiety medication at this point.
The rovers began to roll again and we made our way to the caverns quickly. I began to film and Georgia explained to me that the caverns seemed to have been caused by an impact that penetrated the surface of the asteroid at some point. The point of this expedition was dual fold. The miners were set up their equipment inside the caverns at points most likely to find rare metals and to search for whatever caused the impact. More than likely it would have been another asteroid that might contain rare metals as well. I was blown away by the size of the crater when we arrived. I was expecting something like a small cave I suppose. This was enormous and I could barely make out the further edge from us.
The mining team worked quickly building a platform to anchor the team’s ropes. The government men were helping the miners as I walked to the edge and looked down. There was nothing but complete darkness down there and I was already dreading the descent. I hopped back to the rovers and couldn’t help but eavesdrop as I passed Georgia and a couple of the government men. My guess is Georgia had kept the communication line between her and I open on purpose. She seemed like a woman that had a healthy fear of unnecessary risk. I could appreciate that given the occupation she was in. Two of the government men introduced themselves as Major Stern and Dr. Osten. They were pointedly explaining to Georgia that they were not interested in metals or precious compounds. They were here for other, obviously, classified reasons. At this point I am sure my stomach was trying to eat it’s way out of my body so it could run away. I almost wished it would have.
It did not take much time for the teams to get everything set up for the descent into the cavern. The mining team members were loaded down with equipment and they went down first. The government team descended next. Georgia was going to go last so it was my turn next. I would love to explain to you what it was like looking down into the darkness as I was lowered slowly into it. I am sure it was a sight to see but I had my eyes closed the entire time. I did record the whole thing so maybe you should just watch that. I hit the bottom hard. I was so focused on pretending I was somewhere, anywhere, else I was not expecting it. It took me a minute to untangle myself from my equipment and get up. When I did I was awed by what I saw. The miners had deployed large portable spotlights on tracks and were illuminating the area. I felt like I was standing alone out in the vast sea of stars. The rock down here was the same black as on the surface but now wherever the light touched it caused some kind of compound to sparkle like starlight. I know I will never see anything like it again. Georgia touched down and began to coordinate her team. The miners were using some kind of instrument to start mapping the area. I asked one of the miners if it was some kind of sonar and they only laughed at me. I made a mental note to add his name to the spam mail list my company sends out. The thought only made me slightly less anxious.
As Georgia’s team prepared to move out she moved over to Dr. Osten. He was the only one out of the government group to produce and use any equipment. The other members of his team all had packs that were stuffed full with something but none had opened them yet. Georgia and Dr. Osten were arguing about the fact that there were several tunnels leading away from this impact zone. Georgia was obviously shaken. She explained that there was no way these tunnels could have been caused naturally. Dr. Osten agreed but explained they must move forward and she did not have a say in the matter. At this point I told myself I would stay as far behind everyone as I could. Grudgingly, Georgia gathered her team and followed Dr. Osten’s direction in where they would move.
As we moved through the tunnels I made good on my promise to stay in the back. This allowed me a good vantage point as the Major and his cronies finally pulled out what was in their packs. Weapons. The thing about fighting in space is you don’t need to be mortally wounded to die. Any kind of rip or tear in your suit will kill you if you cannot patch it fast enough. I’m not sure how these guns worked but I didn’t want to find out. I immediately opened up my communication line to Georgia and told her what I saw. She explained that she already knew. She told me that when she had first jumped onto their rover they showed her the weapons and explained what would happen to her team if she did not comply. She doubted they were actually representatives of any government agency and told me she would handle it and to watch my back as they did not know I was recording all of this. I swallowed dryly as she canceled the line. Welcome to indigestion hell.
Eventually we made our way into a large spacious chamber. The sparkling was even brighter here and was almost overwhelming. There was a small rock formation in the middle of the chamber that looked almost like a pedestal. Dr. Osten’s team immediately fanned themselves out with weapons drawn and moved quickly towards it. Georgia’s miners were beginning to become anxious themselves and she busied herself with trying to keep them calm. With no one paying attention to me I moved backwards to the entrance of the chamber. I was not going to move anywhere near that pedestal if I could help it. Dr. Osten pulled out more equipment and begin to poke and prod at the pedestal formation. As if responding to commands from him the pedestal began to rotate and spin. Immediately some of the miners slowly backed towards the tunnel entrance and myself. The major and a couple of his men moved towards them yelling for them to stop.
The situation was devolving quickly. The Major’s men were on the verge of opening fire on the miners. The miners began to panic. Georgia was stepping in between the gunmen and her team. Dr. Osten was kneeling in front of the pedestal in an almost religious gesture as it began to peel open like a flower. The flower shape began to spin like a top. I stood still. I was frozen with fear and had no idea what to do. The flower shaped stone spun faster and faster and in the blink of an eye it exploded outward. The large chunks of rock whirled through the chamber pulverizing everything it touched. I assume that because I was at the entrance of the tunnel I was too far out for the rock to kill me. I screamed in fear and stumbled over something protruding from the rock floor and fell on to my back.
Filled with pain and fear I sat up to survey the chamber. All of the rocks had fallen to ground and were not moving. The only traces of the people that had previously stood in that room were reduced to red smears across the floor and walls. I was alone. My hand rested on the protrusion I had tripped over. I looked down at it to notice some kind of small metal pyramid that was vibrating. I quickly backed away from it as it vibrated faster and began to rise from the stone revealing itself as a cube. My great-grandfather had once showed me something from his childhood when I was young. He called it a Rubik’s Cube and this is exactly what this metal artifact reminded me of. It could easily fit into the palm of my hand and the individual cubes that made up the whole item were covered in some kind of foreign flashing glyphs or writing.
Light began to emanate from what was left of the rocky pedestal and a shape began to emerge out of it. It was cylindrical and light glittered off it from the sole spotlight that illuminated the chamber. It appeared to be made of the same metallic substance the cube was made of and slid onto the floor like a serpent. As it slithered towards me I noticed it was made of the same kind of small cubes the artifact in front of me was made of. The ground beneath me began to vibrate violently as the metallic snake-thing came closer. I knew then I was going to die. I had resolved myself to it and was glad for my amazing life insurance policy. The only thing I was worried about was it not covering ‘murdered by metal alien snake’. You cannot prepare for everything I suppose.
I was not prepared when the metal creature struck at me. It moved with blindingly fast speed and the vibration of the ground was intense I am sure I could not have even stood up had I tried. I did not die, however. The floating cube in front of me exploded into blinding light and when I opened my eyes again the individual parts of the cube were spread out as a shield in front of me. The spaces in between it’s pieces glowed with a silver light. The metallic creature flew back in a shower of sparks and light as it hit this force field in front of me. It flew through the rock pedestal in an explosion of stone and slammed into the back of the chamber leaving a small impact crater.
Instinct finally kicked in and I scrambled to my feet. I ran into the complete darkness of the tunnel as fast as I could. I did not have a clue where I was going. I only knew I had to get away. I soon yelped in surprise as a light grew behind me. The pieces of the cube suddenly flew at me attaching themselves to my suit. I felt no pain as the light grew around me and illuminated my surroundings. I did feel a wave of confidence and relief wash over me. I felt more sure of myself and the fear that had just been consuming me was gone. I don’t know how it knew but as I willed myself to run faster the cube parts slid down the outside of my suit towards my legs. Forming themselves on my legs I knew I could run faster. I am not sure how fast I ran but I know it was faster than any human could possibly run. I could not stop to think about what was happening to me as this feeling rushed through me telling me the creature was in the tunnel behind me and catching up quickly.
In an insanely short amount of time I had made it to the original cavern. I do not think I was controlling my own body as I sprinted past the spotlights that had been left behind by the miners. My body tensed and my legs hummed as I felt an energy surge through and out of my legs as I leaped into the air. I slammed into the cliff face and was stunned by what had just happened. In one mighty jump I had ascended halfway up the cliff towards the surface. The cube split itself equally onto my arms and legs. Somehow I knew exactly what to do next. Slamming my hands into the rock they slid easily into the stone as pieces of rock exploded outwards. I fit my feet easily into those holes and did the same with my arms above. It was a steady and easy climb towards the surface as I carved my way up the cliff. I was almost at the surface when I felt a sense of warning surge through me. I glanced downward and saw the metallic creature slithering up the wall towards me. I instantly knew that the cube could not form a shield and keep myself attached to the surface of the cliff at the same time. I hastened my climb as I began to feel the cliff vibrate under me.
I was pulling myself up onto the surface when the creature caught up to me. It wrapped around my legs and began to pull me downwards. The cube focused itself on the outside of my legs and I could feel it’s vibrations as it fought to force the metal alien off of me. Without the cube’s assistance on my arms I scrambled awkwardly to get a grip on the rocks of the surface. I was about to be pulled down when an idea struck me. I had no idea if it would work but I had no alternatives. One of the rovers was nearby on the surface, only a dozen feet away, and I willed the cube to my arms. I felt a resistance at first but it appeared to obey my commands and I felt the strength leave my legs and surge through my arms again. I almost passed out from the pain and vibration as the snake creature constricted itself around my legs, crushing them. Slamming my left arm into the rock to steady myself I through my right arm outwards as if throwing a ball. The pieces of the cube flew forward just like I imagined a whip would and somehow the last piece stuck firmly to the frame of the rover. Jerking my arm back and up the rover flew upwards and arced over my head. I tasted the iron tang of blood in my mouth. I was biting my lip to fight the pain and not pass out. I pulled my arm back down and watched as the rover completed it’s arcing flight and suddenly momentum brought it down into the bottom half of the creature attached to the cliff. The cube surged back onto the bottom half of my body at the last moment and pulsed with the same bright silver light. The rover exploded at the same moment as the creature was pushed off of me. I watched, precariously hanging onto the cliff’s edge, as the creature fell entangled with the wreckage of the rover. The cube moved again and formed around my right hand. I held out my palm and aimed it towards the alien. At the moment the creature hit the bottom I willed destruction towards it and the cube pulsed out a sparking ball of light. It flew downwards at high speed and slammed into it. There was a massive explosion of light and the force blew me up and over the cliffs edge onto the surface. I had taken all I could and immediately lost consciousness.
If you get this message then you know we are not alone. You have my video log. Stay away from Matilda! There is only death on this rock. Do not approach anywhere near it. Do not look for me. I do not know what or who I am now.
And please...
make sure to purchase some life insurance!
© Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert Jones and Robots and Rockets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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