Infestation (Sci-Fi) A work in progress … Please leave a comment or suggestion.

I N F E S T A T I O N

A doomed civilization on the opposite side of the Milky Way has determined that Planet Earth will be its next permanent home. As time for their dying world grows short, time for the inhabitants of Earth is also being extinguished.

Stand on the sidelines as the inhabitants of two, not so different worlds, collide on a battlefield that spans both space and cultures. Both civilizations are prepared to sacrifice everything they have to propel their way of life into the future.

Chapter One: Aboard the International Space Station:

“Hey Jeff, take a look at this.”

Steve McKinney’s supervisor, Jeff Masters, peered over his shoulder.

“That asteroid we sighted in the beta quadrant an hour ago is heading right for us, look at this new trajectory.”

Steve stepped away from his monitor so Jeff could verify his calculations. When he was done he spoke ominously.

“Steve, if this data is correct that thing will brush the moon, and send a shower of debris into Earth’s atmosphere. Even if most of it crumbles into smaller pieces before hitting the surface, it’ll block daylight for months. That will destroy life, as we know it. Are you sure you entered the right coordinates?”

A frustrated “Humph!” preceded his irritated answer. “I checked everything three times, the trajectory, speed, and size estimates are certain. It’s time to call Dave, Jeff. And I’m glad that’s your job and not mine.”

Jeff turned away from the screen wringing his hands nervously, trying to deny what the data showed quite obvious.

“This can’t happen now, we’re not ready for this. We were supposed to time to prepare for this kind of scenario.”

While the computer digested data, his eyes settled on the red phone nestled beneath the acrylic shatterproof dome. “Pray I won’t be making that call, Steve.”

“Planet Earth, just ten minutes later.”

“Put it into the down-link and I’ll have Clyde verify it right away.”

Steve pressed ‘down-link’ and watched as his work transferred to the satellite and down to Earth Station Zeus. Location, somewhere in the Arizona desert. “It’s coming your way Dave, are you see any of it yet?” A moment’s pause. “It’s just coming on screen now. I’ll sign off, and contact you as soon as we’ve run the numbers. I’ll have the results shortly.”

Steve snorted distastefully, “We triple checked everything before we contacted you! Make the call Dave, it can’t wait!”

Bound by protocol and policy Dave remained adamant. “I have to do this by the book, Steve. I know it seems like a waste of time to you. But we can’t afford to go off half-cocked especially on anything as catastrophic. Try to relax, sit tight and wait for my call, it won’t take long.”

Jeff pleaded, “Did you see the date, time, and location of the probable impact? Please Jeff, don’t make us wait.”

Dave Watson was tired of having his decision, and what he knew to be his responsibility questioned. He barked angrily, “The details of date and time are all the more reason to be sure before I put my ass on the line! And you’re burning precious minutes arguing with me.”

Steve sighed, “Fine, let me know when it’s been done.”

Jeff pulled him back to the monitor the minute he disconnected the call. “Take another look, Steve. There’s something different about this one.”

Steve peered through the telescope, “Different, how? I don’t see anything unusual. Hum, well now, is that a dome dead center?”

Jeff spoke cautiously, “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear it’s a command and control center. Look how it reflects light differently than the rest of the body.”

Steve nodded, “Yeah, and it looks structural too, but think of the technology it would take to rig a space station inside a runaway asteroid.”

Jeff lay his hand on Steve’s back, “Steve, I don’t think that’s an asteroid. I believe it’s a vessel disguised to look like one.”

Chapter Two: Collision course Earth.

Donning the uni-cloak of a fleet Admiral, Commander Quasar assembled the crew for a final pep talk. As they neared their destination, the crew’s nerves grew agitated. Quasar’s intent was to refocus their energies.

“Attention fellow Primordians!”

When the excited throng fell silent, he began.

“Fleet-mates and fellow citizens of Prime Star! Our long journey through space is nearing an end. The opportunity for preparation and making mistakes is over. Starting now our work must be error free, attention to detail will be critical to our success.”

Muted conversation swept through the crowd.

“Attention!” The buzz died immediately. “The situation on the space station is just as we expected. They’ve spotted us and are currently analyzing our approach. Their ability to scan and probe our vessel will greatly improve once we enter orbit around Mars.”

Quasar peered into the crowd, catching the eyes of his listeners for emphasis.

“Remain alert and report all anomalies. Stay at your post until you are relieved; don’t leave a single workstation unattended. Double-check everything every fifteen space-clicks. The slightest miscalculation at this range could destroy our vessel and doom our mission to failure.”

He paused and searched their faces for a reaction, then he finished.

“We are a small crew, accordingly, each of our individual efforts are critical to success. Each of you was chosen for your tireless stamina and reputation for maintaining a cool head in the heat of battle. Draw on those talents now. We can not fail. Failure will doom our families and civilization to complete annihilation.”

Quasar fell silent, scanned the crowd a final time and then gave the order.

“Now my fellows the time for action is upon us all. Return to your stations and remain alert.”

He turned to face his first commander and old school mate, Derchk, and smiled, then he punched his arm upward for dramatic effect.

“Comrades, the invasion begins!”

“Preparations to Flash down to the surface.”

Derchk gathered his team and hurried them into the cloaking room.

“Hurry, move your moldering carcasses! Shed your uni-cloaks and select a change of robbing then fall in for inspection!”

The anxious team of ten ran ahead, tearing open their uni-cloaks as they hustled into the cloaking room ahead of Derchk. Brazen-Minx complained to his partner, Stall-Whart.

“HURRY, HURRY, HURRY! Is that the phase of the time-span? We’ve practiced this routine a thousand times and we always have more than enough time for robe changing, weapons selection, and pellet gathering. I wish they’d stop pushing so hard.”

“Calm down, Brazen-minx, the brass isn’t about to let up on us until the initial introduction of vermin has been planted. So, change into your Earth duds and practice fitting in with the locals. And this time be sure to stuff your pockets full of vermin pellets. Last practice session you completely forgot that single, most important detail.”

Chapter Three: Earth Station Zeus, calling the eye in the sky!

“Your calculations are right with one exception. You’re operating under the perception that the object is traveling at a steady rate of speed. That’s wrong! It’s steadily gained momentum over the past twelve hours. If speed continues to increase at the present rate it should pass through the orbit of Mars on Tuesday. That puts it within closing range of you guys by Friday.”

Silence fell over the space station as Steve and Jeff silently considered the time estimate, Steve was first to bark his dismay.

“Friday, that’s too soon, we can’t stop this projectile that quickly.”

Jeff finally took control of the conversation.

“Dave, we took a closer look at this thing, and similarly to the miscalculation to speed, I fear we made another initial assumption that doesn’t hold up. The reality changes everything. Listen Dave, maybe you should have a seat.”

The scowl on Dave’s face was apparent as he dropped into his swivel chair behind his controls.

“You took a closer look at what, Jeff?”

“It’s the asteroid, well, I mean, the thing. You see, it’s not an asteroid, it’s something else, a vessel set inside an asteroid, maybe.”

“Jeff! Have we left you up there for too long? Are you suffering from space fever? I knew I should have turned down your request for that last extension.”

Jeff remained clam, he’d expected this insult, in fact, if the situation was reversed, he’d be thinking the same thing about Dave’s mental state.

“I’m quite sound of body and mind. We have the first digital photos coming down to you now. Look at them closely and you’ll see it too. This thing is not a typical asteroid. I believe it has been disguised to resemble one, or it is an actual hollowed out rock, but it’s not just a rock. As you review these photos note the attention given to detail. I believe this meticulous attempt to disguise this vessel as a run away space rock implies malicious intentions. I believe we’re in for some real trouble. Examine the photos and make a decision, then call the Pentagon. The sooner the better.”

Chapter Four: At home on planet Prime-Star.

Her sleek silhouette shimmered against the red glowing sunset as she gazed across the majestic terrain of Basking-Moor province. Although her eyes roamed the lush countryside her mind strayed from the refreshing evening breeze wafting through the hills at her back.

She was thinking of him. As days fell from calendar her like autumn leaves and their time apart lengthened her loneliness for him deepened.

She missed his comforting smile, the cadence of his baritone voice and the reassuring pace of his footsteps through the house. She prayed for some word, a voice disc from the fleet, reassuring her that he was well. The last rays of daylight disappeared as her mind settled on the photograph in her hand. The familiar lines of his face made her heart quicken.

“Are you well Derchk? Has the fleet suffered a setback?”

Stars started to pop into view, they sparked and twinkled like diamonds over their home planet, Prime-Star.

“Derchk, my husband, my life, my love. I miss your touch.”

She closed her eyes and imagined his comforting image standing by the patio door.

“Are you ill with space sickness? Is that why you’ve fallen silent?”

She settled down at the patio table and raised a challis of Zinnoxoglixz to her lips. It was sweet and intoxicating, and she needed it tonight like never before. When the challis was drained she poured a second and a third. She needed every ounce of it to quiet her tormented spirit.

Anxiety about the invasion had brought on a prolonged spell of insomnia and soul rending torment. The consequences of failure were unthinkable for her and every citizen of Prime Star.

As she tilted her head back to drain her cup the familiar, thunderous rumblings began to shake the landscape. Long resigned to the fact that there was nowhere to run she sat perfectly still while her entire world threatened to crumble beneath her feet.

She’d lost friends and family to the quakes as cliff-side dwellings tumbled into open ravines and the earth collapsed upon them, burying them alive. She sat motionless waiting, praying that this episode would not be the one, which would claim her and her child.

“Mercy Lord, help us hang on until…”

She stopped in mid penance when the rumbling ceased. She stood and crossed her heart in customary Scootchagal fashion. Then she bent her right knee, curtseyed before the small, ceremonial altar to Scootchie and knelt to pray.

“Dear Lord Scootchie, reveal your grace. Grant us the gift of time to complete the journey, time to prepare the new planet, and time to trek to a far off world on the other side of the galaxy. I beg you Lord Scootchie, look upon us with favor. Grant the fleet a swift and decisive victory on the new planet. Lengthen Prime Star’s life span, insure our survival.”

She crossed her heart and ended her prayer with the ancient invocation.

“Aloorah, Scootchie, Mootch.”

Then she poured the ceremonial Scootch-A-Mooch oil onto the hot altar. The fragrant scent of Whither-Brew Oil filled her head as her eyes turned to the second floor window. When she entered the house, she went directly to the infant’s room. Soft moonlight lit the interior with heavenly radiance.

She stood over her newborn son admiring his innocent beauty. He was oblivious to the dire circumstances he’d been born into. Although she loved him with her entire soul, she deeply regretted his birth. She reflected on her vow as he placed the binding collar over her head on the day of their binding.

“As we join hearts and minds in love, I promise that I will not conceive. Nay will I bring an innocent babe into these desperate times here on Prime-Star.”

However, despite pills, injections and abstinence during her most fertile time of the month their baby was conceived. Derchk, the proud father, believed their child was destined for the greater good of all Primordians and Scootha-mites. She pondered the miracle of his birth, as she adored her sleeping babe.

“Why was I made to conceive, Lord Scoothcie? What grand purpose awaits my little one?”

From birth, his contented smile seemed to be permanently painted on his plump, little face. He never sobbed, but beckoned his mother by gently cooing. When she was beyond hearing she simply seemed to know when he needed her.

She pulled the blanket over his arms, “My precious little one, you’ve been born into an uncertain time. Oh how I pray for your fathers’ success. Our very lives depend on it.”

Chapter Five: A quiet moment in the away-room.

He stood before his locker removing his uni-cloak when her thoughts overtook him.

“Derchk, my husband, mingle with my consciousness upon the winds of time.”

Her presence permeated his entire being as he reflected on her slim alluring figure.

“Shandrew, oh how I miss you.”

As the uni-cloak dropped to the floor around his feet thoughts of joining her in their bedroom flooded his mind. He walked naked to the wardrobe and selected the business suit of a Wall Street mogal, complete with a fashionable tie and a sleek billfold. The mock Rolex was a must.

He stared into the admiration glass and wondered.

“Shandrew, is Binds-you-to-me well? Has Scootchie blessed him with weight gains and brightness of consciousness?”

Lacking time to luxuriate beneath the water-stall he doused himself with fragrance.

“SULTRA-MAN”

For the successful, yet sensual, man of Wall Street and the world!

When he studied himself in the admiration glass he laughed.

“God of Hosts, Lord Scootchie! Such hideous garments! And the odor of this stink liquid is gut wrenching! How do males on this planet find females daring enough to come near them?”

He selected a cell phone, blackberry and an array of fabricated legal documents required for identification on Earth. He checked each off the inventory as he stowed them in the billfold.

“New York State driver’s license, two credit cards and a passport.”

He stared into the admiration glass and held his chin reflectively.

“Think Derchk, what have you forgotten?”

Then he saw it lying atop the cloak chest.

“Yeah! The NYSE ID to gain entrance to the stock exchange on Wall Street!”

He checked the photograph and the dates then tucked it into his shirt pocket. Then he was ready and time was wasting. He stepped into the passageway on route to the main inspection deck and ran smack into his Supreme commander.

“Quasar! Why are you prowling the lower decks? Shouldn’t you be on the bridge reviewing the final details of the invasion?”

Quasar smacked his heels together, three times in rapid succession, Third Reich fashion.

“I’m looking for my old learning mate of course. I longed to wish him a rapid victory and a speedy return. A joyous celebration awaits us all on Prime-Star. Are we agreed old friend?”

“Indeed Sire, but I implore you, if you receive word from Shandrew, while I am on the surface, tell her that I am well. Let that be your answer even if you receive word that I have fallen in death. Don’t tell her anything that would serve to distress her until the operation is complete. Then go to her quietly and offer her comfort along with the news of my discontinued life force.”

Quasar frowned; saddened by the grim reality that Derchk’s scenario could easily come to pass.

“It shall be precisely as you ask dear friend, but take comfort, for I have seen the future and the scenario you outline is not destined to befall you. You will return to Prime-Star to receive a hero’s welcome.”

Derchk’s smile was strained because his recent dreams had been laden with uncertainty, pain, and death. The Senate’s hostile campaign to brutally exterminate Earth’s inhabitants like an infestation of crassworms was a direct affront to the Great Lord Of Hosts. As the invasion captain, he believed that Lord Scootchie had tallied his name among the first to die in the opening wave of the invasion.

Like many other citizens on Prime Star, Derchk viewed the annihilation of all Earthlings as unnecessarily cruel, even going so far as to argue his case before the Global Senate.

“We must consider a diplomatic solution. We must contact the leaders of this New World, and outline our intentions! They may grant us sanctuary in a phased migration following a short a period of quarantine. We are obliged by tradition, statute and religious dogma to use diplomacy. If we don’t, we risk the wrath of Scootchie!”But Derchk and his Action Group, “Primos for an amiable transition.” failed to move the Senate. The Senate Proconsul, Aristocitees, countered his arguments.

“We have no time for diplomacy. While ambassadors argue over senseless details, those of us left behind on Prime-Star will die when the inner core explodes.”Derchk argued, “Warn the leaders of Earth! Let them know we are steadfast in our intentions! We may sway them to grant us asylum!”Aristocitees refused, “Though this approach seems callus an abrupt and decisive attack, one that kills ALL of Earth’s leaders, is OUR only hope for survival! We must kill all of Earth’a reigning aristocracy and deal with the remaining inhabitants AFTER we’ve established a firm seat of government. There is NO other solution open to us.”Derchk pushed the memory aside, “Sire, while you’re on the inspection deck, will you grant me the honor of inspecting the landing crew?”

Quasar smiled, “Lead the way old froend.”

As they stepped together, onto the inspection deck their minds were in the midst of a battle that would wage a war against the men, women and children of Earth. Death and possibly complete annihilation was coming to Earth’s largest cities. The plague they were poised to release would quickly spread to all regions. Earth’s populace would soon succumb to “The Infestation.”

As they stood before the landing crew their prayer was the same.

“Scootchie, Lord of fire, giver of life, herald of doom, and God of universal truth, grant us a swift victory, and a merciful, painless death to our foes, and please Lord, deliver us safely home to gather our families and bring them to this new world.”

Chapter Six: WHAT WAS THAT!

“Christ Jeff, it’s true! We’ve identified structural details of a spacecraft! This is not a common meteor or asteroid, although, it seems to be fashioned from one. It appears that a large craft has been set directly into a hollowed out section of rock!”

Steve’s smug smile intimated an unspoken, “Told you so Jeff!” But he kept his mouth shut.

“Dave. Have you identified it’s origin, it’s possible purpose or any major components?”

“Negative, it’s too far out and the glare coming off the dome is encumbering our view of the interior. All we know for sure is that it’s not a simple space rock. It’s being propelled and guided on a deliberate course. That much is good, because with living inhabitants aboard, it’s unlikely that their goal is mass suicide. We’re sure it’s not going to smack into us. I suspect it has a landing site or a specific orbit in mind.”

Jeff wasn’t so sure, “Are you certain that Earth’s complete annihilation is not their mission? That thing could be remote controlled, maybe they’re here to wipe us out and return in a couple hundred years to clean up the mess and take over.”

Jeff’s ominous comment shook Steve to his core, “Christ Jeff, don’t jump to a doom and gloom scenario with out a shred of evidence to support it. We don’t know shit about any of this yet.”

Jeff waved his right arm to silence Steve, “As Steve so rudely interrupted to interject, yes, my statement is complete conjecture. We haven’t noted a single indication of hostility, yet. But I don’t have a good feeling about this. If these visitors from elsewhere have the capability to harness the orbit of an asteroid and set a control and command center into the middle of it, then they must have the ability to contact us. So why haven’t they done that?”

Silence from Earth Station Zeus, so Jeff finished it for them all.

“The logical explanation is that they’re hoping to catch is sleeping. They don’t want us to know they’re here. That infers covert and I would suggest hostile intentions. I recommend we get off our duffs and start preparing for the worst.”

Dave pointedly refused, “Jeff, I’m not ready to conclude that this vehicle or it’s inhabitants have hostile intentions. We can’t go to the Pentagon with half the facts.”

Jeff barked, “You can let them know what we know to date. How many visits of this type do have to list as precedent, anyway? We can’t afford to wait! If these creatures intend to do us harm, we don’t have much time to prepare!”

Jeff leaned closer, bringing his tense face within an inch of the screen. He lowered the tone of his voice and pleaded.

“Please Dave, give us the order to place the space station in Condition Alpha. We can lock things down now and hold everything at the ready until the official word comes through, but don’t make us sit idly by when our lives could be in jeopardy, please. By the time these guys deal with us, global destruction could be less than a week away. Let us prepare the station, now.”

Dave’s face contorted with anger then his countenance softened.

“You know how much I hate being prodded by subordinates, Jeff. But I think you’re right. If things turn out as you fear they could, we won’t have time for protocol. Shit, the President himself could be killed in the initial invasion.”

Jeff smiled. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, Dave?”

“Yes Jeff, you do your part up there and I’ll work quietly behind the scenes down here. But I warn you Jeff, don’t attempt to communicate with that vessel. If these guys are hostile the least indication that you’re on to them could draw their fire.”

Jeff sighed with relief.

“Thanks Dave, I promise you won’t regret this decision. Out for now, keep us informed, please.”

Steve watched his superior with keen eyes while Jeff snapped off the monitor and stood.

“You give the order Steve, you saw them first. It’s rightfully your place to put out the call to arms. I’m heading below to freshen up and to prepare for a long twenty-four hour shift. No one rests until we know what our visitors intentions are.”

Chapter Seven: Stardust and a Grand Martian fly by!

“Commander, we’re entering the orbit of Mars.”

Commander Quasar nodded to his second in command, but never took eyes off the overhead display.

“We’re ahead of schedule Dramaius. We’ll have to make a couple orbits before moving into position over Earth’s moon.”

Mars loomed below them like a red crystal ball. The muted light shimmered warm and oddly friendly. Quasar and the crew missed the sensation of solid terrain beneath their feet. They were eager for the opportunity to walk the surface of their prospective new home. Dramaius gave the order.

“Finnders, take us into orbit at half a zone-warp. When we’ve completed the second rotation move us out of orbit and into a course for Earth’s moon.”

The happy navigator smiled, “Aye Aye sir.”

With a few clicks of the console switch, he fed the speed and coordinates to the helmsman. Moments later the alien vessel, cloaked in the shell of a marauding asteroid, fell into orbit above Earth’s sister planet.

“Orbit established and speed checked sire, it will be ten Earth hours before we complete the first rotation.”

Quasar stood to leave his station.

“Take the bridge Dramaius, I have many details to attend below. Have the crew check all systems. And order Hanniblan to perform an engine core and propulsion check, those vital systems must not fail.”

Dramaius moved into action as Quasar crossed the bridge, but just before the commander entered the deck transport something stopped his retreat.

“What is that, Zerronious! What is that inflection on wave two-thousand-three?”

The communications officer was busy tracing a random but very disruptive solar disturbance.

“It’s nothing sire, just a routine discharge of energy from a solar flare. I have it isolated, there, that does it!”

Zerronious turned to face the commander and announced, “All quiet sire, it was just an unexpected solar flare.”

Quasar wasn’t amused, “We can’t afford communications failures Zerronious! Keep a close eye on this strange sun’s solar activity! If we lose communications while the landing party is on the surface it could prove disastrous for them and for us.”

Zerronious’s happy smile quickly disappeared. She felt she’d given a good and rapid response to quieting the solar disturbance. Now, she felt unappreciated.

“Yes sire, I’ll have the solar monitor and stabilizer adjusted immediately.”

Quasar thought about soothing her vexed emotions, but he didn’t have time for foolish female weaknesses.

“That’s fine Zerronious, see to it right away.” And then he was gone.

*** At that very moment aboard the international space station.

“Shit Jeff, that damn thing just went into orbit around Mars!”

Steve stepped aside and pushed Jeff into place before the observation scope.

“Look at it, this can’t be right. Why would they do that? What could be so fascinating about a dead planet?”

Jeff adjusted the display in an effort to hone in on the vessel itself.

“Wait a minute Steve, give me a chance to check this out.”

Steve shoved a seat beneath Jeff’s buttocks.

“Sit boss, take a load off.”

Then Steve fell into a seat beside Jeff and waited. Several minutes passed while Jeff studied the situation, then he spoke.

“It’s amazing Steve. It’s a rock alright and a damn big one. But it’s staying above the planet, it’s not dropping into the atmosphere and burning up. The only explanation is propulsion. That thing is a vessel not a common space rock.”

Steve was stunned at his boss’s in-astute observation.

“Christ Jeff, we already knew that! Do you see anything new that could be of use to us?”

Jeff turned to Steve and smiled. “Well, actually, yes! I do see something! And I wish we had thought about this before, it’s so obvious!”

Steve was elated to hear his boss’s hopeful tone.

“Out with it, boss! What are you talking about?”

“It’s simple if you think about it with a cool head. Actually, it’s quite plain to see.” He turned to the scope and pointed, “Look closely, don’t rush it, take a close and thoughtful look.”

 

Steve was clueless; he didn’t see anything new or useful.

“Jeff, are you going nuts? All I see is an oversized rock spinning in circles above Mars, when we all know that the bitch ought to be crashing through the atmosphere and burning up!”

Jeff nodded, “That’s right, making an orbit and not continuing on. And look closer, there’s a blinking beckon on the aft end. That must be a sensor, but for what purpose?”

Steve shrugged, “Got me, it could be anything.”

Jeff disagreed, “Not in this case. Think about it. What would they need a sensor for? And why would they delay their arrival by making a rotation around Mars?”

Steve wasn’t clear where Jeff’s direction was pointing.

“Call me slow, you can even call me stupid, but I don’t have the answer Jeff, I don’t know what you’re driving at.”

“They’re checking us out. That sensor is collecting data about us! Before advancing toward Earth they’re counting heads and calculating the amount of resistance that this space station represents. After deducing any threat we pose they’ll make their next move.”

Steve still had a blank glaze in his eyes, so Jeff shook him by the arm to rouse him.

“We gotta do something, now! We haven’t got much time. We don’t know how many orbits they’ll make or how long one orbit will last. But one thing is certain! Once they’ve completed their deductions about us, they’re going to come for us. We have to calculate the length of time an orbit will take at their present speed. Our sensors show their speed slowed considerably when they entered the orbit over Mars, maybe we’ll have time to feed some data to Earth before they blow us out of the sky.”

The light snapped on in Steve’s head.

“Christ Jeff, do mean to say that those goons plan to attack this space staion?”

Jeff was stunned by his mate’s inability to think ahead!

“Yes Steve, we’re their first target! They know that we’ve been feeding information and specifics about them, back to Earth. They’ll deal with us first because we’re in the way and we’re spies. They probably plan to blow us clean out of the sky. So, get working on those calculations. It’s probably already too late for us, but we may be able to save some lives on Earth. Move it Steve, times wasting.”

**** Fevered brains react quickly!

Steve leapt to his workstation and started to crunch numbers. Concentration was difficult, because the vision of impending death, his death, fogged his mind. Ten minutes later he transferred the data to Jeff’s computer.

“Coming your way boss, look at it right away. It looks like ten hours per orbit, but just how many orbits they plan to make … Who Knows, but that’s how long we have left to live.”

Jeff hurried to his computer and reviewed it.

“Good work Steve, that’s actually more time than I expected. Even if they make just one rotation we should have enough data to do some damage.”

Jeff worked feverishly at the controls interpreting the incoming data from the vessel.

“There are fifty creatures aboard that thing. It’s not many, but we don’t know kind of firepower they possess. Fifty could be more than enough to destroy the entire Earth’s population.”

Steve studied the scope with troubled eyes as Jeff spoke on.

“Steve, we have two choices. One: We feed this data to Zeus right now and high tail it out of here or Two: We stay for as long as possible and die doing our jobs.”

Steve didn’t like the second option.

“I vote we jet our asses out of here right away Jeff, and the sooner the better.”

Jeff nodded. “We’ve done everything possible anyway. Call the crew, we’ll leave in an hour. But Steve, keep in mind they may have the power to shoot us out of space the moment they see us run for it. We just don’t know what their capabilities are. We could die in space Steve, keep that in mind.”

Steve barked, “Big difference Jeff, Sit here and die or die running. Which sounds most promising to you?”

Chapter Eight: Sire! The Aliens are making a run for it!

Ensign Zerronious detected unusual activity aboard the space station and reported.

“Captain Dramaius! There’s something happening aboard the space station, I believe they’ve determined our intention.”

Dramaius ordered, “Put it on screen Zerronious! Let’s have a look at what’s happening.”

The high-resolution display screen flashed a detailed diagram of infrared dots congesting into a central point aboard the space station.

“They know that we intend to destroy them, they’re making preparations to flee. That’s a keen eye Ensign Zerronious!”

Dramaius pressed the seek button on the control panel at his side. Quasar’s voice responded immediately.

“Dramaius, what’s happening?”

“Trouble sire, they’re preparing to make a run for Earth. Shall we stop them?”

Quasar knew that a direct attack on the space station would erase all postures of coming to Earth in peace.

“No Dramaius, we can’t do that. An open, unprovoked attack would alert factions on Earth that an invasion is imminent. We have to wait, the orders from the Senate were quite strict. Sit tight, I shall be topside in five space clicks.”

When the intercom light faded Dramaius gave the order.

“Not too much at first Schecklin, just a simple penetration dart to let the oxygen out of that crude space toy. We’ll suffocate them, slowly. They’ll simply fall asleep and their lives will wither away, painlessly.”

Schecklin shook his head. “No sire! The Commander just said…”

“Silence! Who’s been left in charge on this bridge?”

Schecklin rightly understood Prime Fleet protocol and etiquette. Regulations state, that the bridge commander can make calls over the head of the supreme commander when the first officer is elsewhere attending other duties. Unless Commander Quasar returned and withdrew the last order, Schecklin had to follow Darmaius’ last command. The reason is that an officer not on the bridge is not privy to up to date, first hand data. When the weapons officer hesitated Dramaius barked.

“Schecklin! I gave an order, obey it immediately.”

Schecklin sighed, “I fear we’ll live to regret it, sire.”

Dramaius remained steadfast.

“My command is the same as an order given by Quasar! His order was made without knowledge of new and specific data that I now have but don’t have the luxury of time to expound upon. Obey immediately!”

Schecklin scowled but Dramaius held the power to force this action. His hand shook nervously as he reached forward to unlock the launch console. His prayer was muffled but was audible to Primordian on the bridge.

“May Lord Scootchie have mercy on our souls.”

And then projectile number one launched.

“Number one space-dart is away, sire. Impact in ten space clicks.”

 

**** Manned and ready to abandon ship.

Steve sat at the control panel inside the first away pod. He raised his hand and shouted.

“All present and accounted for in pod one, Jeff. In fact, both descent pods are manned and awaiting the evacuation signal. Jeff, please, give us the order. Don’t wait another second. We’ve got to get our butts out of here before it’s too late!”

Jeff replied immediately, “Alright Steve, get the first pod out of here. We’ll follow the second you’re out of range.”

Steve sighed with relief and closed the secure latch. Jeff waved as the seal closed between them. Then he spoke to men of his away team.

“We wait here until Steve moves pod one into descent-alpha path over Australia.”

**** Inside escape pod one:

“Everyone keep those blast masks close at hand we may be needin’ ‘em.”

The escape blast painted a long gaseous tail in the dark of space. The blast forced the pod away from the station and down toward Earth. When the initial shock of the blast passed, Steve counted heads.

“Is everyone okay, count off, now!”

Stratmore started, “Stratmore, Jenkins, Smith, Wesley, Jones, Young, Valencia.”

“Good, we’re all conscious and it sounds like we’re all doing just fine. Now, pray fellas. For now, that’s all we can do.”

**** Inside the International Space Station.

“They’re off! Frank, let me know the moment they’re clear. We don’t have a second to waste.”

Frank Blair’s eyes were glued to the screen.

“You’ll know the second we’re cleared sir. Believe me, I’m as eager to get off this sitting duck as you are!”

**** Aboard the Asteroid the invasion force takes action.

Dramaius didn’t see the escape pod’s trail until Schecklin pointed it out.

“Sire! They’re making a run for it. The space dart is set to impact in just a few space clicks, but I see two targets descending to the surface!”

“Stop them, fire two more space darts! Lock onto those pods and obliterate them!”

Quasar returned to the bridge and stepped up behind Dramaius.

“Cancel that order Schecklin! Close the space-dart console this instant!”

 

“BOOM, SPLINTER AND POW!”The bridge crew stared at the observation screen above their heads. Seconds later the first space-dart hit the space station. When the light show ended the wounded space station drifted forlornly to one side and began a slow descent into Earth’s atmosphere. A trail of escaping oxygen hissed slowly into space behind it.

Quasar scowled at Dramaius and ordered, “I’ll see you in my chambers in five space clicks Dramaius. Schecklin, you have the helm, and I don’t expect to return to the bridge to find you engaged in tactics similar to those I just witnessed. Understand?”

Schecklin bowed his head and clicked his heels.

“Sire, as you order, so shall it be done.”

Quasar waited for Dramaius to acknowledge his command. The second in command scowled at Quasar and spoke.

“I’ll report to your chambers as ordered, sire.”

Then, he clicked his heels and left the bridge in a flurry of official robes.

**** Aboard Space Pod One:

“Christ! Those bastards actually did it! They hit the station with a missile! They’re fuckin’ crazy! The station didn’t explode but it’s falling out of orbit. It’ll enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up for sure!”

Steve watched his home away from home disintegrating before his very eyes.

“Those pricks! Who do they think they are, coming here and shootin’ those alien missiles at us like that?”

Jimmy Young, the youngest among the group, spoke first.

“They think they’re our future masters, Steve. And they might be right.”

Steve feared that Young was about to break. His eyes were dilated and darting around the tight enclosure as if searching for an escape route.

“We gotta get away from ‘em Steve. We gotta get out of this space pod. They’re locked onto us with one of those blasted missiles! We’re next, I know we’re next! The next shot will hit us before we land on Earth!”

Steve winked at Jenkins the thirty-year-old Comm officer. Jenkins nodded his understanding. While Young continued to spout heated verbiage like an over heated radiator, Jenkins reached forward and pulled him straight back. The young man was prone and his arms were secured beneath Jenkins armpits.

“Quiet down, Young. We’re gonna get back home, all of us. Those aliens ain’t about to fuck with these space pods. All they wanted was to take out the space station.”

While Jenkins spoke Valencia took the medi-kit off the bulkhead and located a hypodermic filled with sedatives. When Young saw it he freaked!

“Get the fuck away from me, Jose! I’ll shove that damn needle up your ass if you come near me with it! I don’t need that shit! I don’t need it I tell you!”

He pleaded frantically for Steve to reconsider.

“Steve, please! Don’t let him do it! I swear I’m fine now, I’ll quiet down, I know I can…”

Jose Valencia stuck the needle into the young man’s upper arm and just seconds later he was knocked out cold. Jose smiled at Steve and sat down. As he stowed the medi-kit, Steve thanked both shipmates.

“Thanks guys, the last thing we need up here is a crazed lunatic. He’ll be fine once we touch down. Jack, keep your eye on him until we’re safe on the ground.”

Jack Wesley stood and switched seats with Jenkins.

“I have him now sir, switch seats with me, I’ll take care of his crazy ass. If he wakes up before we’re on the ground, I’ll knock his ass out with this.” Wesley clenched his fist and held it up. “Works like a charm, fellas.”

Wesley was the disciplinary officer. He knew how to control a tough situation; he’d gladly take charge of Young if he went off his rocker before the pod landed in the Arizona desert.

Steve ordered, “Everyone else, relax. All we can do now is wait. We’ll be home in few short hours. Sleep if you can, except for you Jenkins. Sorry but you have to stay alert to observe Young. We can’t have him acting up until we can get his ass off this craft.”

“Of course sir, I didn’t expect anything less. Certainly, I’ll remain awake and alert.”

***** Aboard space pod two.

Jeff’s eyes flared with distress.

“The intercom shows a disruption on the other space pod. Crawley, lock into it and find out what’s going on down there.”

By the time Crawley established communications, the emergency light went out. “Hum, it’s out now, but I want to know what happened, contact Steve right away.”

“Steve! What’s the fuss down there? Is everything OK?”

Steven pressed the Comm button and leaned in, closer to the console.

“It is now, but we had a little scuffle with Young. He isn’t takin’ to the escape pod too well. We had to knock him out for his own good.”

Jeff understood, in fact he’d expected Young to act up.

“You did right Steve. Young will be fine once he gets his feet back on solid ground, but if he disrupts you further…”

Steve stopped him, “He won’t boss, Jenkins is watching him, if he gets worked up again, Jenkins will take care of it, fast.”

Jeff understood just how Jenkins solved such problems and it concerned him.

“Steve, make sure that Jenkins doesn’t get overly assertive. I want Young to be fit for duty when we arrive on Earth.”

Jenkins smiled coyly and nodded as Steve pressed the Sign-Off button. He spoke before Steve could relay the caution.

“Not to worry Steve, I won’t hurt the kid. You have my word.”

Chapter Nine: Guess who’s coming home early!

Shelly Whistler blinked then shrieked, “Its fallen out of orbit! The space station is going to hit the atmosphere in less than forty minutes!”

Dave ran to her monitor and focussed his worried eyes on the pictures coming in from above the Earth.

“Christ! That’s impossible. We just spoke them!”

Just then the crackle of the space pod communicator flooded the chamber.

“Away-pod-beta calling Zeus, come in Zeus. Do you read?”

Dave gave the nod to Cummings to reply, “We read you, go ahead!”

Jeff gave Dave a synopsis of the past hour.

“The meteor we saw coming toward us, it’s not a meteor! It’s a spacecraft and who ever is piloting that thing just shot the space station right out from under us! We got into these space pods and escaped. No one was left behind, we should be touching down in thirty minutes.”

Dave took a deep breath before speaking.

“Jeff, my God. What in hell is going on? Did you see anything to indicate this was about to happen?”

“Yes, and just in time too. Another couple of minutes, one way or the other, would have caught us with our pants down. Sorry, but the station is lost. It should enter the atmosphere ahead of us. I don’t have a clue where it might come down.”

 

“We’ll worry about that. Relax for now, if you can. We’ll see you on the surface. Out for now.”

“No Dave, hold the line just a second longer!”

“Yeah, now what? But, no more bad news, please.”

“Its Young, he flipped out when we got into the space pod. He’s convinced they’re planning to destroy both pods before we get home. You might want to have a medical crew and a security guard standing by, just in case. We sedated him, for now he’s quiet. But that won’t last long.”

Dave cussed, “Fuckin’ new kid, I warned Jacobs about that guy. Well, thanks for the heads up. We’ll have the necessary personnel standing by when you arrive. Is it safe to sign off now? We have preparations to attend for your arrival.”

Dave’s apparent irritation infuriated Jeff.

“Yeah, Dave, we’re concerned about you too. Thanks for the concern pal.OUT!”

Dave cringed when the buzz at the other end died and Jeff’s voice fell silent.

“That bastard! He’s awful arrogant for a guy whose life depends on us.”

Dave turned to Shelly and grumbled an order.

“Get the landing crew ready. They’ll be home in less than an hour. The quarantine unit must be ready when they get here.

Chapter Ten: The Senate chambers on PrimeStar.

Aristositees hurried through the passages with his arms flailing wildly.

“Who gave the order to attack the space station? Those fools! The opportunity for stealth has been eradicated by one of our own! I want the guilty uni-cloaked member executed publicly, in front of the entire Senate!”

Serropolis gasped at the prospect of witnessing such a harsh sentence upon a uni-cloaked member.

“Is the ultimate punishment truly necessary, sire? We understand that Quasar’s second in command was the guilty individual. Commander Quasar has put Dramaius under armed guard, awaiting your order.”

“Yes it’s necessary, it’s imperative. We can’t allow the members of the selected away teams to act wantonly. Their actions affect all of us in very real ways. But this infraction could be used to our benefit. A public display of this nature will illustrate our firm position on disobedience with vivid clarity. No one else will dare to break with protocol once they’ve witnessed this public execution.

The Senate prime-adjunct’s evil smile sickened Serropolis, but she had no choice but to follow his master’s lead.

“Shall we enter the chamber now, Sire? The Senate is abuzz with innuendo and rumors about what has happened aboard the Luna-Moona.”

“Yes, Serropolis, we must squelch the rumors quickly. The fragile state of civility here on Prime-Star is precarious. Left unchecked this incident could lead to open revolt. We don’t have the luxury of independent thinking at this volatile time. Enter the chamber ahead of me and make my entrance known to all. I will enter on queue.”

Serropolis bowed, then entered the chamber and called the delegates to order.

“Senators and citizens! Attention, please!”

Heads turned and silence fell over the excited crowd. Serropolis bowed in customary fashion and called the session to order.

“The Senate is now in session. We are gathered today to address a grave matter! Remain seated while I introduce the Senate Prime-Adjunct!”

Serropolis danced the ceremonial Senate-whirl-and-twirl then announced.

“Senators, I announce the Prime-Adjunct of Prime-Star, Aristositees.”

Then she bowed at the waist and stepped back. Aristositees expected a thunderous welcome, but he was disappointed. The chamber was as quiet as a tomb as he stepped forward to take charge of the session. He scowled at the group assembled then began to speak.

“My fellow Senators, citizens and comrades in desperation. I come before you to deliver tidings of horror and great sorrow. Thirty space clicks past, the away team made a terrible misstep. Their horrendous error could doom us all!”

Chatter broke out in every corner of the chamber. Aristocitees turned and smiled at Serropolis then silenced them.

“Fellow citizens, listen to me. We have much to resolve and little time. I regret the purpose of this gathering is for each of us to bare witness to the public execution of one of own.”

Gasps, shock and groaning gave way to verbal cries.

“Lord Scootchie, No, Nay!”

“Scootchie forbids such punishment!”

“We refuse to witness the execution of a fellow Primodian.”

There hadn’t been a public or clandestine execution for many eons. Modern thinkers succeeded in passing laws that strictly forbid execution of a typical citizen by any method. But in rare instances uni-cloaked members serving on active duty can be executed by order of the Prime-Adjunct if the infraction is responsible for severe damage to the overall society the uni-cloak member has sworn to protect.

Aristositees snarled at the crowd’s open display of opposition to his will.

“COWARDS! WORMS! We, as Senators, sworn to a narrow course of action before the Luna-Moona left the palnet. We cannot stray from it now. If we do our society will die here on this failing planet! We can’t allow disobedient uni-cloaked members, deployed on the Luna-Moona, to live!”

The crowd roared, “WHO IS IT! Who do you order to suffer the Ancient death ceremony?”

Aristositees eyes settled on the willowy figure closest to the podium. The wife of Dramaius, Dame Amorphious, stood trembling, supported by her friend Capricia-Leena. Amorphious had appointed acting Senator from Vermellonous to serve in her husband’s absense while he joined the emergency crew aboard the Luna-Moona.

Dramaius was a cruel man but he was deeply loved in the Senate. The order of his public execution would not be well received by this delegation.

The crowd continued to howl, “No Primordian shall die in service to the society!”

“Who has committed this crime against us?”

Aristositees barked, “SILENCE! And I will reveal the name of the traitorous villain.”

Amorphious was psychic. She swooned before her husband’s name was spoken.

“The treasoner is Dramaius of Vermellonous! Today, it is our duty to witness his execution and accession to Scootchdom!”

**** Prepare the prisoner for execution!

Frigmyntoesis tried to remove Amorphious from the chamber.

“Come Amorphious, you must not witness the execution of your life-mate.”

Aristositees prevented her retreat.

“No Frigmyntoesis! Every Senator has a sworn duty to witness the execution of all state treasoners. Amorphious knew this when she accepted the appointment in her life-mate’s absence. I regret these harsh circumstances, it pains me deeply, but she must fulfill her sworn obligation to the citizens of her province.”

Grumbling broke out in the back of the chamber.

“Cruelty! That hateful creature! He’s a soulless slime-a-grime! How can he be so cruel to Amorphious! She must not witness her husband’s public shame, torture and death!”

“SILENCE! Or one of you shall draw lots to die here in this camber, along with Dramaius! I will not permit an open revolt to take root in this chamber.”

Frigmyntoesis glared forward as she steadied Amorphious on her shaky feet. His hatred for Aristositees was well known in the Senate.

“Be brave Amorphious, Dramaius will find salvation in Scootchdom. Our Lord of Hosts is your only comfort now.”

Aristositees snapped his fingers.

“Bring down the overhead viewer, put Quasar onscreen.”

“Quasar, have the guard bring the treasoner onto the inspection deck! Shackle him to the ceremonial rack!”

The unruly throng of stunned witnesses groaned with horror as they watched their friend and colleague dragged forward. Amorphious sobbed openly while her life-mate was fastened to the rack by both arms and legs.

“I beg for mercy, I beg you all to consider what Scootchie will do for this vile betrayal of his natural law!”

His desperate plea stabbed at Amorphious’s heart as she wailed at the top of her lungs.

“Stop this outrage Aristositees! I beg you, have mercy on Dramaius and I shall concede all of my family’s holdings in t Prime-Zone Province! I release them to you this very day, by power of deed. I beg you, allow Dramaius to live!”

Aristositees smiled bitterly.

“What good are your Prime-Zone holdings now, Amorphious? Those properties sit atop the most unstable mantle on all of Prime-Star. Be silent or I will be forced to accept your plea as treason, and so shall I be committed to sentence you to join your husband in death.”

She dropped to her knees and lamented loudly.

“So let it be done! I’d rather die at his side than live in a universe with out him.”

“So be it! Bring her forward!”

He smiled victoriously, content with the idea that after today, he would indeed own all of her family’s holdings.

It took some fast thinking, but Frigmyntoesis spoke up immediately.

“Sire, may I interject?”

Two centurions were already approaching to take custody of Amorphious.

“Speak quickly, Frigmyntoesis. We haven’t got all day. There are now two executions to attend, and all of the official documents to sign afterward.”

Frigmyntoesis bowed and spoke.

“The Primo Gentry, Clarion-Warren, will surely frown on our actions today. You, Sire, have the right to order the execution of a disobedient uni-cloaked member. We concede the life of Dramaius into your hands. But the life of an acting Senator is not yours to rule upon. I beg you to reconsider this before you lay hands on Amorphious. If Clarion-Warren is insulted by your actions, you could fall victim to the same fate you proclaim for her.”

Aristositees bowed his acknowledgement.

“Thank you for your concern Frigmyntosis, but do you really think me so foolish as to continue this proceeding without the high ones concurrence?”

Frigmyntoesis was openly stunned.

“Are you claiming that Clarion-Warren has approved this action?”

Aristositees nodded, “With his official seal, hear it for yourselves.”

The screen at the fore of the chamber displayed the official sealed agreement. Clarion-Warren’s voice message played throughout the chamber.

“Senators and friends, Dramaius must be punished by penalty of his life and if Amorphious moves to stop it she too must die.”

As the crowd moaned with pained disbelief, Aristositees moved forward.

“Clarion-Warren is focussed on preserving our lives and our culture by maintaining order here on Prime-Star, as well as on the vessel in space. No one is exempt from the order of strict-compliance! No one!”

Then he pointed to Amorphious and barked.

“Bring her forward.” Then he turned to the captain of the guard, “Insert a round of death serum into your weapon and stand by for orders.” He then turned to Serropolis, “Prepare Amorphious for her final statement to Scootchie.”

She was unconscious when they dropped her at Aristositees feet in a disheveled heap.

“Revive her, we can’t continue until she’s alert. She must bear witness to her life-mates official execution.”

Mare-Soffolous bent to waken her with a vile of Adrenodrine.

“Umm, what, what happened?”

As she regained consciousness she remembered every painful detail. When her eyes focussed she realized that she’d been brought to the podium and placed at Aristocitees feet!

“Sire, I beg you …”

“Silence, Amorphious, stand so we can continue.”

Two guards pulled her to her feet. When she gazed upward the overhead inter-comm-link displayed Dramaius’ struggling body being strapped to the rack aboard the Luna-Moona. Her husband was gagged to prevent any further outbursts. His struggle against the bonds was useless and he knew it.

Amorphious crossed her heart and prayed, “Take him under your merciful hand Lord Scootchie. Guide him beyond the great realm of darkness and into your palace of light. Aloorah, Scootchie, Mootch.”

While she prayed, Aristocitees gave the order.

“Let the teasoner be sacrificed upon the sacred altar to Lord Scootchie!”

The crowd gasped and buzzed nervously as an armed and hooded guard aboard the vessel stepped forward and cut Dramaius’s robes away from his upper body. Then Aristocitees ordered.

“Centurion, make the initial wound!”

Dramaius’s bound body quivered with pain as the centurion’s long blade made the deep, purposefully slow and painful cut down the center of his chest, stopping at his navel. Purple blood ran like a small river as it escaped his warm and pumping veins. Amorphious fainted and when the medic ran to revive her Aristocitees waved her off.

“Not this time Maresoffilous, allow her to stay that way. We can’t waste any more time on her foolish behavior!”

The ceremonial bloodletting went on for the traditional length of five minutes. At that time Dramaius was weakened to the point of fatigue and hallucination. When Dramaius began to rant against the gag, Aristocitees ordered.

“Remove the gag, allow him to claim his death right to cry aloud to Scootchie. Let us all witness his death wish!”

The moment the gag was removed Dramaius loosed a mournful litany of pleas to Lord Scootchie.

“Come Lord Scootchie, end my suffering, take me into your open arms. I’m cold and sick, I’m weak, help me Lord Scootchie.” His eyes rolled dazedly side-to-side. “Cast your guiding light before me. I’m lost guide my footsteps through the haze. Help me enter your warming world of light!”

Aristocitees evil grin sickened the congregation of Senators. When Dramaius fell silent he nodded to the executioner aboard the Luna-Moona and gave the final order.

“Centurion! Award the treasoner that which he begs for! Send him on his way, help him to find Scootchie! Finish his torment, now!”

The hooded centurion stepped forward and plunged the ceremonial dagger into the left side of the victim’s chest. Purple spurting ooze ran down his chest and onto his abdomen like a slow moving river. Most of his blood had already been drained into the sacrificial vessels between his legs. The victims blood would be dumped upon the Holy Altar in the ships ceremonial hall to be ceremoniously returned to Lord Scootchie as an offering.

Dramaius eyes popped wide when the dagger plunged into his dual heart and split it in two. His head fell forward with a muffled grunt and he died instantly. The gathered witnesses turned their heads in revulsion and horror. Their colleague died with his eyes wide open.

As the centurion removed Dramaius’ lifeless body from the rack, halfway across the galaxy, Aristocitees reveled in the fact that he’d silenced his most outspoken critic and opponent. He grinned with perverse joy as he turned his eyes away from the video feed and focussed his viscous attention on the trembling figure of the frail Amorphious.

She was sobbing openly locked in the arms of Frigmyntoesis. He was about to have her dragged forward when he heard something that halted his speech. A low buzz was gaining volume inside the Senate chamber. It was sad and familiar. He cocked his ear to one side to listen, and when recognition hit him, his anger was kindled.

All eyes were settled on the lifeless body of Dramaius hanging limp from his shackles while his half-naked body was removed from the rack. The chamber came alive with many voices that chanted, as one, the sacred blessing of last rights.

“Merciful Lord Scootchie. Guide him over the horizon to Grand-Scootchdom. Aloorah, Scootchie, Mootch.”

Chapter Eleven: Take them to normalization!

“The first pod had reached the surface, sir. Initial observations indicate they’ve e come through the ordeal just fine.”

Shelly faced Dave with a broad smile.

“I’d say they’re fine, Steve wants to know if he can have a cold one on the trip to isolation.”

Dave gave a dismissive wave of his arm.

“Let him and the others have anything they want, so long as the doc signs off on it. Except for Young! I want him placed in isolated custody until the doc says he’s safe to rejoin the group. I don’t have time to chase these details, Shelly.” He winked and smiled, “Will you make it happen, Shelly?”

She answered by diving right into the task.

“Steve, Dave says you and the others, except Young of course, can go for the gusto. Have the doc take Young into the lab for observation. We’ll check on you in a couple of hours. We’re glad to have all of you back. I just wish it were under better circumstances.”

Steve laughed.

“The circumstances look pretty good to me, Shelly. We could have been blown to smithereens. We’re damn lucky to be here. Speakin’ of the station, where will what’s left of her hit?”

“Still calculating the precise spot, but the impact site will be close to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We should know by the time you guys come out of isolation.”

**** Pod Two is on the tarmac.

Jeff was eager to get at Dave the minute his feet touched down on terra firma.

“Get us to isolation and into de-tox quick. I can’t wait to get my hands on Dave. That bastard deserves a stiff, swift kick in his ass!”

Shawna shook her head and cautioned.

“Cool off Jeff. You won’t solve anything by spoiling for a fight. Dave isn’t the friendliest guy, but he knows his job. He would have done anything possible to help you guys if he could have.

“Not friendly? Christ, Shawna, he’s a prick. He’s a typical bureaucrat who prioritizes from the top down. His job comes first, the expensive equipment comes next and finally the people who operate it.”

Shawna tried again.

“Like I said Jeff, take the time in isolation to cool off. And when you approach Dave with your complaints keep your temper under control. There’s a lot happening here and the last thing any of us needs is in-fighting. We have to work together on this.”

“That’s real nice Shawna, the last thing you and Dave needs is in-fighting. Well let me tell you this. The last thing we needed one hour ago was a prick like Dave gaffing us off while our asses were on the line. Dave didn’t give a fuck whether we made it back or not! All he was worried about was the damage to the space station!”

Shawna gave up trying, realizing that her soft spot for Dave was, once again, preventing her from seeing things objectively.

“You’re back now, Jeff. When you get out of isolation, you’ll have your chance to debrief Dave. I just hope you two will find common ground for the sake of the situation confronting all of us.”

She smiled then, “Chin up Jeff. Susan will be waiting for you when you get out of isolation. Maybe she’ll talk you down before your debriefing with Dave.”

Jeff smiled at the mention of his wife’s name.

“Susan is here? That’s great! How did she know?”

Shawna whispered into the radio.

“Hush, Dave called her the minute we knew that you were heading home. You remember him don’t you? The big oaf, the unfeeling louse we just discussed.”

Jeff scowled, “Yeah, I remember the big dick. Well, I’ll forget his shitty attitude for now. Susan is far more interesting to think about. Tell her I’m busting at the seems to get at her.”

She stood at the window and waved to them as the electric van hurried them toward the isolation chamber and grumbled beneath her breath.

“Men, the entire world is in peril and all they can do is argue and flex their muscles.”

Chapter Twelve: Scootchie’s Wrath!

 

Senators clamored their disapproval as the chamber was being prepped for the execution of Amorphious. The din of the crowd stopped instantly when the Senate structure began to sway and tremble beneath their feet. Suddenly, Clarion-Warren’s image flashed onscreen. His voice was clear and urgent.

“A devastating quake is laying waste to the province of Eppichac! The foundation of the Adjunct-Minister’s palace complex is crumbling around us!”

Senators watched the screen in horror as the walls of the great palace’s north chamber cracked. Perra-Soppoliss shrieked when the immense fell and stopped just three feet from the floor. The immense fixture swayed and tinkled precariously overhead while Clarion-Warren cowered beneath its shimmering crystal arms.

“We in the Governing City are doomed. Aristocitees, the duty of holding unfettered elections falls to you. No appointments will do in these desperate times. Elections must be held quickly! This full effects of this shock wave will reach your vicinity in fifteen ripple-spans. Evacuate the Senate immediately!”

The transmission died and the screen went blank as a violent rolling hit the Senate. Many fell others steadied themselves against walls. Then the rolling gave way to violent quaking. The powerful shock wave tore through the chamber amidst groans, shrieks, and screams. Chaos turned to outright pandemonium, which left a trail of death in its wake. The fortunate fled for their lives.

Frop-Quivolous wasn’t among the lucky. Jay-Mournia gasped in horror as his the immense statue of the western hero, Brandin-Flandon, fell from its portico and crushed Frop-Quivolous beneath its gargantuan weight. A growing pool of purple surrounded Frop-Popolous’s prostrate body. No one, except for Jay-Mournia, stopped to assist their fallen colleague. None even tried to avoid trampling his lifeless body as they darted for the exit like a mindless herd of Froe-Ginneas.

Amid the chaos Aristocitees scurried through the side entrance with his aide, Serropolis, at his heals. As the doors closed on the unfolding death scene inside the Senate, they rushed toward the great central garden of Mid-Donia. Amid the lush fronds, Aristocitees stopped to gather his thoughts believing he was safe.

He was just considering his good fortune when the scowling face of Scootchie appeared in the heavens. As senators scrambled for their lives the holy deity roared with righteous indignation.

“Scootch-A- Mooch Re-Loose-A-Quake! Those among you who have reveled in the death of Dramaius shall join him in judgement, today. But the first shall be my blaspheming son, Aristocitees! Come my unholy son, fall into your father’s embrace! I have prepared a special antechamber in Nether-Scootch designed from the blueprint of your dark and wicked heart!”

Serropolis fell to her knees and bowed her head in respect to Scootchie. In the absence of her ceremonial headscarf she covered her head with both and begged for her lord’s forgiveness.

“I pray, Lord Scootchie, have mercy on my Lord, Aristocitees. He did not act in defiance against you. His actions were prompted by the dire circumstances here on our home world! He acted with best interest toward all Primodians! Mercy Lord Scootchie, have mercy on my Lord! Aloora-Scootchie-Mooch!”

Scootchie blessed Serropolis for her loyalty and purity of spirit. His translucent hand raised her from the ground with his supernatural powers.

“Your heart is as pure as gold, Serropolis. I shall reward your inner beauty by sparing you the agonizing fate that awaits the entirety of your crumbling world.”

Aristocitees watched in awe as Serropolis raised her arms upward to embrace Scootchie as he pulled her into Scootchdom on his mighty invisible arms. She was immediately transformed from physical to spirit before his very eyes. Aristocitees stared above and watched Scootchie pull her shimmering, crystalline figure to his bosom.

“Welcome home daughter, Serropolis. Your purity of spirit has spared you the pain of physical death. You will stand beside me this day to bare witness as I place judgement upon my faithless servant, Aristocitees.”

While Prime-Star’s two Governing cities on opposite sides of the planet crumbled beneath Scoothies wrathful outburst, Aristocitees cowered in the lush central garden at the heart of the Eastern-governing complex. Its many paths were lined with crumbling statuary that honored great Primodians from long past history. He cowered at the foot of the statue of Scootchie and begged for mercy. Although he begged for atonement he knew that his bleak and painful fate had already been determined. Hopeless desperation burned like a wildfire in his blackened heart.

“Please, Lord, show mercy. I have served you as a loyal and just judge for many moon-clicks. Today, I acted out of necessity. I had to act decisively to insure victory on the far off world. Your people are my prime concern.”

Scootchie recognized the deception and blood lust lurking in Aristocitee’s wicked heart.

“No darkened son, Aristositees! Your love for wealth and power far outweigh your love and concern for your fellow citizens. Your history of using his position for personal gain has incurred my wrath for many eons. But today you committed the worst crime possible by sentencing an innocent Primordian to death in My holy name and later had the audacious fortitude to place the innocent blood on My holy altar!”

“The blood of an executed citizen must be placed upon your altar, Lord. It’s written in the codex of the Holy Order Of Scootch-a-Mites!”

“Always an answer, always prepared to explain away the darkness that swells in your malignant heart. But then, tall me, my son of darkness. What have you to say for the life of Amorphious? Was her death to be a detail of necessity or one of personal gain and expedience?”

If he hadn’t attempted to deceive the great lord of hosts and made a repentant confession instead he may have softened Scootchie’s anger and managed to gain pity for his wicked soul. But his dark heart didn’t see beyond his own selfish interests.

“Forgive me Lord, I have sinned against my fellow Primodian, Amorphious. In my zealous drive to protect our world, I acted against her unfairly. But it was done in good faith. My only concern was to preserve our dying society.”

Scoothcie roared with disfavor.

“Your words condemn you! You have rejected your final opportunity to save your evil soul! Prepare to come home my black-hearted son. Your reward awaits you in the Netherworld of Scoothc-dom!”

Serropolis bowed at Lord Scootchie’s side, blessing and praising his righteous judgment and flawless wisdom as Aristocitee’s entire body burst into a burning ball of flames! His death cries were hideous and mournful as his pyrotechnic body collapsed at the feet of Scootchie. His body was reduced to a ball of flames which crackled and sizzled until the Dark Lord’s body and life force was totally consumed.

 

When the corrupt ruler’s life force was extinguished the rumbling beneath the surface of Prime-Star abated. In the aftermath, ten Senators who founded an unholy allegiance with Aristocitees were discovered dead. Their bodies were carried into the ceremonial hall and burned on the great altar to Scootchie. In the Governing city on the opposite side of the planet the prime adjunct, Clarion-Warren, was found traumatized but alive. The disaster, however, left him a mindless and raving Moona-tic!

Emergency elections were quickly arranged to replace Clarion Warren. The execution of Dramaius aboard the Luna-Moona, still fresh in the minds of all Primordians, garnered a huge sympathy voter block for Amorphious. Touting Dramaious’ great personal sacrifice as an election slogan, Amorphious won the election with ninety-nine percent of the vote to become the final Prime-Adjunct on the failing world of Prime-Star.

Chapter Thirteen: Shifting power but not direction.

Quasar reported the tragic events on Prime-Star to his crew and gave them ample time to petition Scootchie in their own personal way. There were Stecca-Mecca-Scootch-a-mites, Decca-Spectra-Sccotch-a-mites, and Swirlling-Whirlling-Scooth-a-mites to prepare and perform services for. Each sect had special rituals to be considered. Each with its own special chants and religious trappings to be placed before Scootchie’s holy alter.

Quasar insisted that the Swirlling-Whirlling-Scooth-a-mites enter the ritual hall last. Their ceremonial ritual of “flop and whirl around the alter” made an unscootchval mess! And no one had the time or desire to clean it up! The landing evolution was looming too close at hand for house keeping behind a bunch of Swirlling-Whirlling-Scootch-a-Mites!”

The sacred hall was packed for three full Scootchie-Moots before all hands had completed their individual rituals in respect to Scoothcie, the lord of hosts. Then Amorpheous was proclaimed to all citizens as Prime-Star’s new Prime-Adjunct. She surprised no one by announcing that the invasion must go forward as planned.

She addressed them from the forward portico of the Planetary Palace; one of the remaining edifices that didn’t collapse during the quake. Sunset was a mere Decca-flick away.

“As the landing teams aboard the Luna-Moona go forward, let each of us petition Scootchie, the Lord of Hosts. Ask that our space travelers keep Scoothcie’s name on their lips as they walk the unknown territories of this strange, New World.”

Amorpheous bowed at the waist and curtseyed in official fashion. Her long flowing ceremonial robes rustled and shone with brilliance beneath the glowing sun of Prime-Star. Via Space-Vision she addressed the Senate and the crew aboard Luna-Moona in unison. It was imperative that all citizens bear witness to her decision at the same time.

“Both of Prime-Star’s Governing Cities lay in ruin. Those of us left behind at home hurry to repair the necessary chambers for official functions. Hear me wayward citizens, your speed in attaining the New World for all Primodians is critical to the survival of all that we as a cumulative hold dear. Scientists have determined that the inner core is expanding at an accelerated rate. I fear that Aristocitees’ hateful decisions and heavy-handed governance have damaged our standing before Scootchie. We have much less time than first thought. Time is against us, time is of the essence!”

Then she knelt before the statue of Scootchie, representing her people before his Dog-Faced likeness. She bowed and curtsied then lit the ceremonial offering of incense.

“Accept our hearts, and hear our cries as we petition you Lord Scootchie. Our time on Prime-Star grows ever shorter. We beg you lord, save us! Stand behind our loved ones as they prepare to take the foreign world by firestorm. Attain for us a home, a new home, on the opposite side of the galaxy. Grant our victory Lord Scootchie and we shall proclaim your glory through out the universe!”

The sweet aroma of Whafting-bloom filled the air as the late afternoon shadows fell over the ruined terrain. Each Senator, in turn, stood and walked forward and dropped their individual offering of Whafting-bloom into the smoldering fire then returned to their seats in the ceremonial gardens.

Amorpheous closed the session, “Senators, return to your home provinces and loan your undivided support and hope to our citizens. Stand by them and encourage them to hold on yet a while longer.” Then she raised her head to the screen and spoke pointedly to Quasar. “And you Sire Quasar, obtain our victory, quickly. Our very lives, our only hope for the future posterity of Prime-Star, depends upon it.”

(Aboard the Luna-Moona)

Derchk rallied his men and pushed them into rank and file. “Faster men, hurry. Quasar is preparing to pull away from Mars Orbit in ten space-clicks!”

When they were all mustered and standing in even rows, he inspected them and nodded with pride. “You look great men! I hate these clothes, but we will fit in when we hit the surface. The tablets we’ve been ingesting will even insure that we bleed red if we are injured. But I warn each of you, beware. We can’t know with certainly how any one of us will react once in the Earth’s atmosphere. If you feel sick, find a private place to shelter yourself and call the ship. Sachar-Rand and his team will locate you and administer to your infirmity immediately.”

He took one last opportunity to wish them all well.

“You’re all on your own men. We part company here. Once we materialize on the surface we all live by our own devices. Scootchie speed to each of you. Now, away to your transporters and await our departure. Next step, planet Earth.”

As each lander-mander filed away, in the direction of their individual transporters, one hand after the next checked pants pockets for the sealed bags of lethal pellets. The contents were key to each lander-mander’s individual and group success. Careful, clandestine placement of the pellets was determined the best tactic to annihilate life on Earth without destroying the environment. The pellets contained an innocuous virus to inhabitants of Prime-Star but would devastate much of the human lives on Earth.

Derchk was the last to step inside his transporter tube. He checked the column of deep blue tubes before stepping into his own. The transparent tubes revealed his team, in suspended consciousness as they waited for the atomizer to scramble them, and reassemble them, on the surface of Earth. Each set for a different destination city on Earth. The virus would do the hard work no Primordian would have to raise a weapon to claim their prize.

He prayed silently as he strapped himself safely into his tube.

“Aloora-Scootchie-Mooch, stand behind us Lord and grant the human life on Earth a peaceful end as we take custody of their home world.”

As darkness surrounded him and his consciousness faded his last thought fell on the willowy figure of his life-mate, Shandrew.

“Lord Scootchie, protect her and our little one. In my absence give her peace and contentment. And, if I should come to face your judgement, before I return to my loved one, I pray that you shall grant her a new life with renewed love so that she will not dwell alone in sorrow. Aloora-Scootchie-Mooch.”

 

 

Chapter Fourteen: They’re Here!

Dave Watson resented being prodded or questioned by subordinates. Stubborn by nature he was a tenderhearted soul beneath his rough exterior. He wanted to smile and greet his colleagues, but his inner pride stopped him form getting too sappy about it.

“It’s a damn wonder any of you made it back. None of you know how to take orders and carry through on ‘em!”

Steve stood by Jeff’s side shaking with angry indignation, man oh man, did he ever want to shove a fist into Dave’s arrogant throat! Jeff saw his partner’s intention and stopped him. “Let me explain it to Dave Steve, I be real clear and easy, so even he won’t lose track of the logical progression of events.”

Dave was furious! “Me lose track? Me not logical! Why I ought to!”

Jeff stepped forward and nearly spit the words. “You prick! Our asses were on the line up there! Not yours! You had your fat ass tucked safe and sound into your over sized chair, made to order for your over sized fat ass! Only to be out done by the size of your fat head!”

Dave wanted to kick the pair of them out of his office, but the longer they ranted, the harder it became to control the urge to laugh. In truth, he was glad to have them back, safe and sound. He finally stood and shook Jeff’s hand.

“Jeff, if we didn’t have a history together, I swear, if I didn’t know you like the back ‘a my hand, I believe I’d…”

Dave laughed and shook Dave’s hand. “But we do have a history, and as much as I’d love to kick your fat ass half way across the county line, I’m damn glad to have you at the controls. Thanks for getting’ us home. Now that we’ve had our fun time, where’s Susan?”

(Beaming down to the surface.)

Quasar stood behind the monitor screen and watched with heavy heart as the team beamed down, one at a time, until just Grayson-Waynes remained. His son, his only child, and now, he was gone. “Farewell my son. Scootchie’s speed in returning to me and your dear mother.”

Then he returned to the control bridge and took control of the invasion and its progress. By the time he sat at the controls Derchk had checked in with Frumpel-Stein. When Quasar returned, he handed the communications over to his superior.

“Sire, Commander Derchk has checked in. It seems he’s already run into an unexpected situation. He’s awaiting your order sire.”

“Quasar here, trouble so soon Derchk?”

“Yes and the worst possible kind. My pellet bag has disappeared. I had it with me, but when I materialized on the surface, it was gone.”

“Check the immediate vicinity Derchk, double check. You’re useless down there with out those pellets! And your closest comrade is seven-hundred Earth Miles away in Pittsburgh!”

Derchk sighed, “Quasar, I know how this looks from your end, but I promise you, I didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll find the pellet bag.”

Quasar’s tone softened, “O course you will Derchk, I trust you completely.”

“Stay on the line Sire, I’ll search my immediate surroundings, it may take a moment and I may be interupted, so don’t worry if I don’t respond right away. Wall Street is bustling. It’s far more chaotic than we anticipated.”

He stepped cautiously from behind the dumpster and walked the length of the alley. Then he saw it. The bag lay precariously near the curb where the alley meets the street.

“How did it get all the way over there? I know I had it on my pocket.”

As he stepped onto the street and bent to retrieve the precious article it came to him.

“Oh yes, just before my transport, I held it in my hand, just to be certain I had it. I never stowed it in my pocket, so it got flung away from me when I touched down. Quasar know that I’ve found it.”

He turned his back and stepped toward the dumpster for cover when she startled him.

“Sir! Oh sir!”

When he whirled around and faced his eyes popped wide. She was a beauty. When he studied her willowy build and shoulder length, sandy-brown hair her entire appearance reminded him Shandrew. As he stared at her, the need to see her burned in his chest. Then he remembered urgent need to contact Quasar but her presence made it impossible at the moment. He smiled at her and tried to think of a way to get rid of her. He slipped the pellet bag into his pants pocket and greeted her.

“Oh yes, Ma’am, what can I do for you?”

Her eyes inferred surprise, he prayed she hadn’t witnessed his materialization.

“That bag sir. I hate drugs and people who use them. You’re young, very young. I hope you’re not a user, or worse, a dealer.”

He’d heard about the abuse of drugs on Earth but didn’t immediately know why she’d think this of him.

“Drugs? Why would think that?”

She pointed to the bulge in his pants.

“What’s in that bag? I saw you grab just now, and then try to hide it and yourself. Folks who act that way are usually hiding illegal drugs.”

His face shriveled into a frown.

“No, Ma’am, I’m not a drug user and I’m certainly not a dealer. This is a prescribed substance, I assure you.”

She wasn’t convinced, “Prescribed? So, why then are you prowling around in this dirty alleyway? If you’re actions are legal, why would you hide in an alley to take your prescription? It’s quite unsanitary back here.”

 

He had no explanation for this.

“Well, umm, now if you let me think.”

She stared him in the eye and began tapping her foot.

“I am waiting, truth doesn’t usually take much thought.”

Part of the invasion training was learning to think and respond to any and all questions posed by Earthlings, but her likeness to Shandrew made concentration difficult. She was so much like Shandrew and he missed her so much. Then an explanation came to him.

“HIV, I’m HIV positive. If I take this stuff at my desk or anywhere that others can see, I get dirty looks and the third degree.”

Her eyes shone with pity, this she believed understood. Still, like all others confronted with a stranger who is sick with aids she backed away.

“AIDS? Oh my, you poor thing. How did you, I mean, how did it …”

She stepped back and put a hand over her mouth, didn’t he just say that he hated being questioned? She lowered her hand and bit her bottom lip. Like everyone else on this strange but oddly familiar planet, the threat of this insidious illness frightened her deeply.

His ploy had worked like a charm. He smiled sadly, still putting up the front.

“Don’t be afraid miss.” He searched her eyes. “I didn’t get your name. I’m afraid that I’ve stunned you. Forgive my careless statement, I shouldn’t have disclosed it, but you seemed determined to know the truth.”

She smiled uncomfortably and continued to back away.

“Don’t be silly. I shouldn’t have intruded on you. I’ll leave you alone. Forgive my rude interruption.”

He followed her onto the sidewalk and watched her hurried escape. He smiled reflectively as she turned the corner. He thought about following her because she intrigued him. He grumbled aloud, trying to rouse himself.

“Don’t be impulsive Derchk. You have to call Quasar and tell him about the death pellets. And then, you must introduce them into the water system. You don’t have time for this fantasy.”

The grim work ahead of him would become far more difficult if he were foolish enough to allow any emotional ties between himself and the humans he came into contact with. He sighed as he considered her face.

“So beautiful, Scootchie in heaven, she’s a beauty. How can I do this terrible work I’m committed to?”

He tried to resist the urge to follow her, but it was no good. Before he could stop himself was running. His chest heaved passionately as Shandrew’s alluring eyes appeared in his mind.

“Derchk, my darling life-mate. Don’t fail me.”

The idea that he’d fail to save her, stopped him dead in his tracks, and what was that noise?”

“Come in, Derchk! Are you there?”

“Lord Scootchie! It’s Quasar!”

He ran back into the alley, ducked behind the dumpster and pulled out the communication receptor.

“I’m here Sire, I’m fine. You can relax. I’ve recovered the pellets.”

Quasar was much relieved.

“I knew you would, Derchk.Are you close to your target?”

“Yes, just across the street from my destination. But Quasar, I hate this. It suddenly feels wrong. These people have no idea of what’s about to happen. Are you sure we have the right to do this? Will Scootchie punish us even if we succeed here today?”

Quasar was firm.

“It’s not for Uni-cloaked members to decide right or wrong, Derchk. We took the oath before the Senate when we donned the Uni-cloak. We are bound by honor to follow orders. Our allegiance belongs to those who have placed their trust in us. Have faith in Lord Scootchie, he shall bless you with the courage and peace of mind to complete your difficult task.”

Quasar paused, then finished his thought.

“And Derchk, if you’re unsure of where your loyalties should lie, remember Shandrew and your young son. Their lives depend on your commitment to success. Don’t attach yourself to any humans. You can’t afford that luxury. Human entanglements will only make your work more painful.”

“Yes sire, of course. You’re right again, and I am behind schedule. Be at ease, Sire. I have the pellets, I’m on my mark and I’m leaving now to introduce the pellets on the wealthy moguls of Wall Street. Aloora-Scootchie-Mooch.”

(On the trading floor, NYSE.)

 

Ticker tape spewed from the machines like paper spitting fountains. The cacophony and chaos of traders sprinting to-and-fro insured that one noticed the new man stepping onto the floor. Amidst excited calls of ‘Buy!’ and ‘Sell!’ she was the only one to notice him. As he worked his way through the crowd she followed his steps and squinted to be sure.

“That’s the man I saw in the alley. I haven’t seen him in here before. He’s dressed right but he doesn’t look right for Wall Street.”

As she shadowed him from a distance, avoid his notice, his path became clear.

“He’s heading for the toilets. Maybe he’s going to take his AIDS pills in private.”

She gazed around a bend in the hall just in time to see him stop at the door to the men’s room and turn to check his surroundings, then he entered. When the door closed she turned the corner, leaned against the wall and crossed her arms across her chest.

“I’m waiting right here till he comes out. But I’ll have to act surprised when he sees me. He mustn’t know I followed him.”

(Hey guys, watch your zippers, there’s an Oddball at the urinals.)

Derchk’s eyes roamed the interior of the plush rest room noting the layout and the number of men inside. Two of them noticed him acting suspiciously and hurried to finish. The older man spoke as they left.

“Are we still on for lunch at Nick’s, Greg?”

The younger man nodded as he turned and took a final stare at Derchk.

“Yeah, of course. If you get there ahead of me, order me a Molsen’s”

When the door closed Derchk entered a stall and dropped three pellets into the bowl. The clear gelatinous nodules sank and lay at the bottom of the bowl for several seconds. Derchk waited to be sure they would work as expected.

“I hope the chlorine and bowl cleaners won’t interfere with the reaction time.”

He sighed with relief when they started to fizz. He stepped back and watched the pale blue mist of odorless gas rise. From behind the stall door he followed its ascent as it was pulled toward the air circulation system. The transformation gas entered the air ducts and dissipated.

He was relieved that the initial test had worked. But the reality of the inteded effects gave him pause. He felt evil like a slimy, repulsive Wonsa-worm in a sub-Clarion Swap. He leaned against the stall door and mumbled a prayer.

“Forgive us our sins, Scoothie. It’s too late to turn back. Every major city on the globe will be infested by nightfall. Good or bad, like it or not, the infestation has begun.”

His twin stomachs heaved with revulsion as the reality of the coming devastation settled in his mind.

“All of these people will soon be dead. Eaten alive by hideous parasites.”

His hand clutched the bag containing thousands more pellets.

“I’ve just started, there’s much to be done. I must get to the zoo in Central Park, Rockafeller Center, and Flushing Meadows. Then, a quick stop at Yankee Stadium and JFK InterNational and I’ll be done. Just a few pellets in each location will generate a huge infusion of microbial and bacterial growth.”

He stepped out of the stall and came face to face with a young man hurrying toward the wall of urinals.

“Hey dude, look before you jump out of that stall! I could’ve run you over!”

His coat was open and he was already unzipping his fly when he scurried to the end urinal. White flaccid flesh poked outward toward the urinal, then Derchk heard a whizzing sound.

“Oh Christ, I drank too muck coffee this morning. I hope I’m not missing anything good out on the floor. Shit happens quick these days!”

He turned to face Derchk.

“Hey, did you get soaked with those Mock-Shop stocks yesterday. I took a royal fucking yesterday. Did you get fucked too?”

Derchk’s head wobbled incoherently.

“Excuse me? I don’t understand. How do you mean, ‘Did I get fucked?’”

The young man zipped his pants and hurried to the sinks.

“Yesterday’s big sell off. Didn’t you hear? The CEO of Mock-Shop and his cronies fucked us all! They started a selling panic hoping dicks like us would sell our shares cheap. And dude, we all did. And while we sold the shit at a loss, those dick heads bought every share they could get hold of. This morning they’re sayin’ its worth a couple hundred a share! Wow Dude, we all got seriously butt-fucked! I mean, Dude, my ass hole is still sore!”

Derchk smiled cautiously hoping his response sounded convincing.

“Those bastards! I mean, that thing they did is really bad for us. Isn’t that right?”

The young man stared at him quizzically and stepped back a pace.

“Bad? Hell, it’s worse than that! It’s a rip off and a cheat! If anyone can prove what they did, those scumbags could land their asses in jail! Man, I tell you I lost big on that stock! I’d love to find a couple of those pricks and beat the shit out of ‘em!”

Derchk tried to respond but the angry young man turned on his heals and ran for the door.

“You’re new at this ain’t you? Christ, you won’t be at this job for long if you spend this much time in the toilet every day. See you on the floor!”

When the irate Dude was gone Derchk stood before the mirrors and smoothed his hair, inwardly prodding himself forward.

“Next stop, Central Park. And dude, keep track of these damn pellets!”

When he stepped into the hall he saw her scurry around the corner. She resembled a naughty child caught robbing the cookie jar.

“Strange, she looks familiar.” Then he remembered, “That’s the girl who saw me in the alley, the one who thinks I’m a drug addict!”

He turned to leave by the opposite direction when he heard a thud and a painful moan.

“She must have fallen.”

He back tracked and found her stretched out on the floor, unconscious.

“Miss, are you alright?”

He got on his knees and took her wrist to check for a pulse.

“I hope this is right, didn’t Crendall Wallace tell us that humans have a pulse … ummm … right about here, in the wrist?”

He checked a few spots and finally found it, “Yes, there it is! She’s alive, for now.”

She started to come around and looked up to see him holding her hand.

“What the, who, where am I …” She stared up into his face and suddenly remembered. “You! It’s you again!”

He tried to reassure her.

“Hush, be still. You fell, you might need of a doctor.” He hoped he remembered the term correctly. When she shook her head no, he knew he had said it right.

“No doctor, no ambulance, just give me a minute to compose myself.” She jerked her hand away and dug in her purse. “I need a candy bar. My sugar must be low. That’s why I passed out again. I skipped breakfast this morning, that’s all.”

Derchk didn’t understand, “Sugar low? A candy bar?”

She looked at him quizzically and sighed, “Yes, a candy bar. A Milky Way to be exact. I carry one in my purse in case of an attack.”

She pushed him away. “Stand back. I told you, I’ll be fine. I just need some space.”

He watched her tear into the candy hungrily.

“I do it every time. My mother told me not to skip meals. And believe me, I know she’s right, and I try real hard not to skip meals, but Christ! Women don’t have the luxury of sitting back and letting men do everything. I have to work, shop, clean the damn apartment! Who in hell has time to eat?”

He watched as she devoured the entire bar in three greedy gulps, then she mused with a happy smile.

“Now that I got that down, I’ll be fine. And shit, I’ve been off the floor far too long! I hope I haven’t missed any sweet deals!”

He wanted to stop her but she jumped to her feet and ran down the hall before he could reach her. As she disappeared down the hall he told himself it was for the best. His time was wasting too, and now that she was fine, he felt at liberty to make his departure.

“Stay well miss, what ever your name is.” Then he saw her nametag lying on the floor right where she had fallen.

“Marlene Greenwich”

He picked it up and giggled.

“Scootchie in Heaven! What kind of a name is that?”

Chapter Fifteen: Stand back and enjoy the fireworks men!

Not far from Flagstaff, in an undisclosed region of the northeast quadrant of Arizona, a myriad of state police and Army National Guard were busy holding back hundreds of onlookers. The firebomb that fell from the heavens, totally unexpected and completely undetected until the moment of impact, had attracted every major news channel in the nation, if not the world.

“I’m Sheena Rodweena reporting from the Arizona desert, where just half an hour ago, an unidentified object fell from the sky. It left a blazing trail of debris and ash in the atmosphere and exploded like a mini-nuclear bomb upon impact! Needless to say, most of the evidence of the origin or it’s identity have been destroyed in the high temperature burn.”

Dave eyed the newscast overhead as he ordered his ground crew to man up and head out.

“The Guard will let you beyond the check point, just have your ID out and ready when you drive up. In the meantime, I’m going over to the isolation house to check on our wayward children.”

(Inside the quarantine unit.)

Jeff Masters listened carefully as Carl Young tried to explain his irrational behavior in the space pod to Steve McKinny.

“I don’t know what came over me, boss. I was fine one minute and completely spiraling out of control the next. I felt a panic well up inside my chest that I could not control. I’ve never felt like that before, I swear, I never experienced anything like that before.”

Steve tried to console the young man. “Don’t think a thing about. We’re all back on dry ground, and have far important issues to deal with. Once we’re determined to be safe, and can get out of this tin can, we can start helping with whatever disaster those freaks from elsewhere have in store for us.”

Jeff chimed in, “That’s right Carl. We’ve all had an irrational episode in the past, yours wasn’t all that different. You have to put it behind you and move on. If you think you need an open ear, I can set something up with Doctor Weismeuller. I’m sure he could offer some insight as to what set you off.”

The younger man thought about it for a moment and dismissed it.

“No, not now anyway. If I can’t settle it in my mind before sundown tomorrow, maybe. But don’t mention this to the doc yet, please?”

Jeff nodded but laid out the reality of the issue.

“I won’t say beans about it to the doc, but the report of the return trip must include an outline of your episode, I can’t hide that from Dave or his superiors. You do understand that?”

Young nodded but didn’t speak then he turned away and tried to focus on the TV monitor overhead. His arm went up as he pointed to the TV and raised his voice.

“Hey guys! Take a look at that shit!”

Steve spoke sarcastically, “Yeah, and we can all count our lucky stars that we got off that thing before it entered the atmosphere. Char broiled astro-nuts anyone?”

Young laughed nervously, it was obvious that the escape trip from the space station to the planets surface had left him with a serious case of posttraumatic stress

 

Chapter Sixteen: Planetary Death Throes, Ceremonial Vows.

Shandrew sat at her table on her small patio basking in the mid-day sun. As she listened to the gentle coo from the baby’s room overhead her mind returned to the voice disc she’d received from her wayward husband. The few but precious words it contained lifted her spirits and calmed her restless spirit. The closing lines lingered on her mind.

“Shandrew my life-mate. Before I descend to the new planet’s surface, I hurry to complete this voice-disc. It is my desire to ease your mind and heart concerning the execution of Dramaius. I pray that the public execution has not haunted your dreams. For those of us aboard the Luna-Moona it was a hideous and painful ordeal to witness. The executioner himself has fallen upon his death implement for fear that he has transgressed against Scootchie.Her serene reflections were interrupted by the familiar coo from the upstairs window. Then, a subtle urgency caught her ear.

“There’s trouble coming. His coo is excited and uninterrupted.”

She suddenly understood her infant’s communication. A cataclysmic tremor was coming and would likely be the big one. Maybe it was the baby’s continued urgent coo, which conveyed his dire thoughts. All she knew for certain was that she and her baby had to leave their home now or perish in it.

(New Directions on Prime-Star)

Clarion-Warren had recovered from the incoherent ranting which befell him following the global quake. His six foot seven frame towered above the planetary council in ceremonial garb to introduced Amorphious.

“Citizens, according to the special ballot Amorphious has been elected as the next Prime Adjunct of Prime-Star.”

Howls of glee swept through the gathered crowd.

“May Scootchie live in her heart! May she follow the code of Canine-A-Thethious and bring long life to our civilization.”

Clarion-Warren raised his right arm.

“Quiet please! And now, Amorphious. Raise your right hand and place it upon the Sacred Tome of Scootch-A-Domicile.”

As she stepped forward her gait exuded inner confidence and composure. The death of her husband had hardened her heart. Her customary receding nature and demeanor replaced by pragmatism. She stood before the dousing altar, raised her head and spoke with authority.

“I am prepared to take the vow of Rule-A-Scootch, Clarion Warren!”

She curtsied and placed her hand upon Scootchies’ Tome of truth and honor.

Clarion-Warren’s voice rang clear and true.

“Recite the vow as it has been spoken since time immortal.”

Amorphious began to perform the ceremonial dance to Scootchie as she recited the vow she knew so well.

“On my life I vow to obey and enforce the ageless laws given by Lord Scootchie and passed down since time began on Prime-Star began.. I dedicate my life in service, to attend the welfare of the infirm, to provide for those who can no longer provide for themselves, and to give guidance to those whom have lost their way. All of this I avow of my own free will and accord, in the presence of, and in the Name and tradition of, our benevolent lord of Hosts, Scootchie. Alorah-Scootcha-Mooch.”

Upon completion she entered the dousing pool and submitted to the Scootch-A-Tism that completes the ritual of swearing in the new Prime Adjunct.

Pooch-Pious the IIV took the ceremonial challis and poured three cups of Basking-scents-oil over her head.

“One for the Lord, One for invisible spirit that lives in us all, and One for the son who is yet to be made known to us. Aloorah-Scootchie-Mootch.”

The Revered one took her hand and led her up the marble staircase toward the entrance to the temple.

“Revered One, Scootchie is pulling me to him. He has urgent news to impart to us all. I must enter his chamber to receive his word.”

At the top of the stair, Pooch-Pious turned her around and bowed.

“Release the crowd Amorphious. Then we shall enter the chamber together.”

“My fellow Scootch-A-Mites! Scootchie has summoned me into his holy sanctum! Go to your homes and await his word! My decree shall follow the moment his word has been passed to me!”

A clatter of voices rose as the throng disbursed. Pooch-Pious turned and led Amorphious through the Howling Pillars flanked by twin statues of Skipper-Lipper.

Her eyes sparked in the shimmering light as she bowed and stepped back.

“Scootchie has beckoned you, Amorphious. You must enter alone. I may enter only if Scootchie calls me.”

Amorphious nodded, “I shall enter alone, and I shan’t be long. The holy one’s message is urgent and will require swift action once received.”

Once inside it took several moments for her eyes to adjust to the muted light. As her vision returned her eyes were drawn to the larger than life sized image of Scootchie, his benevolent face peering down at her. The inner walls were engraved with depictions of his likeness, others recounted the Primordian tale of creation. Holy verses from the Tome lined the colonnade.

She hurried forward and stopped before the altar. Immediately, the weight of the prophecy she was about to receive weighed heavily upon her. Unable to stand beneath the burden she fell to her knees, gasping. Her breath was suddenly labored.

“Please, Lord Scoothcie. Make your desires known me.”

“Amorphious, daughter of Claronious and Cessaria, friend to the infirm and the down trodden. She who is pure of heart and spirit. Lift your eyes and I shall reveal the path that you shall walk.”The vision placed her in a trance. Upon completion Scootchie gave her rest, placing her into a deep sleep. Pooch-Pious found her many parse-a-clicks later passed out cold at the foot of the altar. When she awoke she found her standing over her. The palace physician was attending to her.

“What? Adelleous-Melloneous? What’s happened?”

Then she remembered the visions and bolted upright.

“Heavens … we must address the citizenry immediately! Scootchie has given me a vision. We have a path to follow, one that shall provide a home and shelter to all Primordians. Prepare the tele-chamber for a planetary address. There’s no time to spare!”

(Refugee Central on the outer perimeter of the Vermellonous in The Prime Zone.)

She climbed the stair and quickly collected her infant and settled him into the vehicle, then she returned to the house to collect the travel bags she’d packed several days earlier in preparation for a quick evacuation. She picked his favorite toy from the baby-pen, and quickly returned to the lava-glider and hurriedly tossed the bags into the cargo chamber. Then, she smiled at the baby and handed him the toy.

“Hold onto this Binds-you-to me … it may be all you’ll have to remember this place and time. Try to sleep my darling, we have a short trip to make.”

Then, as the elected neighborhood captain, she used the roving tele-speaker to warn her neighbors to flee.

“We shall all meet at the Refugee Camp on the outer boundary of the Prime Zone.”

Less than fifteen mini-flicks later, one by one, a small group of refugees met atop the ravine. The terrain trembled violently as the quake reached its zenith. Shandrew joined them at the Sha-Land-Dross Heights Crossroads. They counted heads and inventoried supplies.

“Spewwie-Spurty-Squirty … Boom!”

Squalla-Warnna shrieked. “Everyone! Look down there!”

The valley below split wide open and a cavernous soot and steam-spewing crater exploded. The fiery orifice appeared like a hungry dragon’s mouth and began to swallow the refugee’s hillside homes amid licking flames and oozing lava. Sereanna-Mourning-Blute wept bitterly.

“My ancestral home. All I have ever known has been taken away!”

Shandrew lay a hand on her friend’s shoulder.

“Turn away dear, look back no more. The lives we knew are behind us. Those lives will live on, only in our memories. We must make our way to the Capitol City to receive emergency assistance and direction.”

Chapter Eighteen: Chaos at NYSE.

Dave Glibinesse entered the rest room and darted for the nearest john.

“Stay back Jeffreys! I had some bad lox on that bagel! It’s running straight through me!”

George Jeffreys jumped away from the stalls and headed for the door.

“It’s all yours Dave, see you on the floor.”

George sneered in disgust , mumbling under his breath, as he entered the hallway.

“Dave is hog, he eats garbage every morning and stinks up the john.”

In mid complaint, he ran smack into Greg Mason and cautioned, “You don’t want to go in there right now, man. Believe me, you want to wait.”

Greg seemed annoyed, “Step aside George, stop screwin’ around, I can’t afford to leave the floor for too long.”

George stepped in his colleague’s path and tried again.

“I’m serious, Greg. Mr. Smelly Ass just ran for the first available toilet seat. He ate some bad lox again. The air in there is bound to be toxic! But do what you gotta do, Greg.” He stood aside and bowed toward the door. “It’s all yours, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Greg winced and rubbed his chin.

“Dave you say? Lox again? Well, maybe I should wait.”

George smiled and led him back to the floor.

“Good choice, Greg. I’d wait half an hour, that is, if you can control yourself that long.”

Greg added, “If I can’t, I’ll use the mens room on the mezzanine. No way am I going in there! Not until Dave’s back on the floor for a good hour!”

(Where’s the Tidy-Bowl? This bowl has bugs!)

Dave ripped his pants open, shoved them to his ankles and squatted.

“God in Heaven, I have stay away from that lousy deli. When will I learn?”

Jim Harnois was two stalls down when the loud discharge exploded. He knew it was Dave.

“Jesus Dave, what in Hell did you eat this time? Christ, I’m out of here!”

The young man wiped, zipped and ran to the sinks for a quick hand washing and then he headed for the door. Before leaving he called over his right shoulder.

“Hey Dave, If you ain’t out in fifteen minutes, should I call a doc?”

“You’re a funny man, Jim! Save it for the Jay Leno show!”

Dave heard the door close and flushed, then sighed deeply. “Christ, I have to stop patronizing that slop shop.” Then he opened the business times and began browsing. Just a few seconds later he heard a strange sound.

“Squeak-a-leek-a-sneak-a” “Week-a-week-a-sneak-a”

Gurgle, whirl and swirl.

Dave looked into the bowl and puzzled, “What that noise, what in blazes is happening? Is this toilet going to run over?”

Before he could stand to take a closer look the first sewerage worm bit into his rear end. A secind later another slithered straight up his flexing butt hole and wriggled upward into his oozing bowel.

“Ouch, Jesus Christ! What’s happening, it hurts, oh God, it hurts!”

He jumped up and threw the stall door wide open and staggered into the middle of the restroom with his pants around his ankles. He reached back and tore the lock jawed sewerage crawler off his raw derriere and cursed.

“Youch! What the hell is this?”

His stomach and intestines burned like wildfire as he stared at the wriggling, three-inch long parasite in his hand. He sneered at it with disgust, threw it to the floor and tramped it.

“Christ, I never saw anything like that before.”

Then his abdomen cramped hard and he bent forward. He fell to his knees in pain. Then he heard something odd. As his head turned to the stall a swarm of parasitic worms crested the toilet bowl and came for him. He tried to stand, but the pain in his gut prevented it. His eyes clouded with tears as the carnivorous swarm reached his prostrate body and began to enter his body from every possible orifice.

“I can’t breath, I’m going to pass out.”

His torso quivered like an electrical surge passed through him. As his abdomen filled with sewage worms, blood began to run. The smell of blood brought more worms from the other toilets searching for meat.

Dave was still conscious, although, just barely. His eyes swelled with silent tears as he watched the meat-eating worms slither onto his body and come for his face. Mercifully, he was dead before the creepy crawler entered his nose, mouth, and ears. Others gnawed into his navel, trying to get at Dave’s sweet inner organs.

As the bowls overflowed with parasitic flesh eaters, hidden away in the dry, darkness of the air vents, lethal pests of another breed were multiplying faster and growing even larger than Prime-Star’s scientists had predicted.

(Central Park, ten minutes later.)

The subway train was crowded and far more uncomfortable than Derchk had expected. The mock-ups of commuter trains back on Prime-Star also neglected to include the odors, the noises and the mind numbing clatter of multi-language conversation.

His head hurt from trying to distinguish the origins of the numerous indecipherable conversations surrounding him. He and his team of invaders had been taught the singular language of their individual destination due to time constraints.

As the train neared Central Park the mix of physical discomforts and external stimulus was beginning to sicken him. When the doors whooshed open at his stop he was overtly relieved to exit the train, but his joy didn’t last. He quickly found himself amid another painful situation, the clamor and shoving force of other commuters leaving and entering the train.

He was halfway up the escalator to the street before the effects to the bustling crowd began to dissipate. He mumbled under his breath as day light shone above.

“Lord Scootchie in Scootdom. That train ride was far worse than I could have expected. Even worse than the cross galaxy journey aboard the Luna-Moona!”

On the street above he stepped off the escalator and balanced himself precariously against a wall trying to settle his stomachs.

“I wish I had one gut, like these aliens. Then, I’d have just half the misery.”

He found the “Malted Moola-Woola” pills in his pocket and ate three at once.

“I hope these things work fast!”

Then he focused his eyes across the street. Although it was still early the park was abuzz with joggers and strolling pedestrians. His predetermined site was the zoo.

(NYSE at the same moment.)

The sewerage worm crawlers had covered the floor and were amassing inside the men’s toilet, waiting for someone to open the door. Jim Gregory was fated to be the unfortunate man. He called over his shoulder as he reached for the door.

“Save a few of those hot commodities for me Joe! I gotta whiz real bad, but I won’t be off the floor long!”

The moment he opened the door the slithering carpet of gray parasitical worms rushed forward and spilled outward, ten feet beyond the door! Jim disappeared beneath the flow of sewerage worm crawlers but his cries of pain were heard far down the hall.

“Arggh, ouch, AAHH! Oh, God! What are these things?”

The hideous worms entered him through all orifices, the nose, mouth, ears, and the most delectable to any sewerage crawler, the anus. They slithered up his pant laegs and beneath his boxer shorts as they made their way toward their goal. As they gnawed into his flesh his struggling body quivered beneath a carpet of worms. The slower worms were left with the unhappy task of trying to enter Jeff through his navel.

Joe Grobinoffski saw the ugly foot long worms cover his friend as the fast moving tide of slug like creatures came for him.

“Everybody run! Save yourselves!”

 

Chapter Nineteen: Pushing on from Vermellonous.

The trip would be made easier with the help of a dozen inflate-a-riders, which were donated, by the last surviving auto-craft showrooms in the Prime-Zone. Just a handful of refugees were left to make their way on foot. It was the duty of the Evacuation Supervisor, Perseptamonious, to select those who would travel by foot.

“Healthy young men will be left here for now. But be of good hope. You are not abandoned! The moment the evacuees reach Capitol Heights a rescue team will be sent back here to retrieve you.”

Tendon-Flexamous stepped forward. “I volunteer to lead the group, if the others will have me serve.”

Perseptamonious nodded, “A vote shall be held after the inflate-a-riders are loaded.”

Tendon-Flexamous and several other young men assisted women with children to settle into the land-gliders. When the vehicles were fully loaded the group of men stood aside. Six vacant seats remained. Perseptamonious took Tendon-Flexamous by the arm.

“I leave to you to take a vote. Then, the leader of the group shall select those to fill the remaining vacancies.”

Tendon-Flexamous took a hand vote and as suspected he was selected as leader. It was easy for him to choose those who would go forward in the land-gliders.

“Joe-Sineous, my youngest brother, you shall ride with Perseptamonious as his personal guard. Your training as a Ninjin-sneekin qualifies you for that position.”

Joe-Sineous spat at his brother’s feet, insulted by the selection. Strong, daring and prideful as any rebellious Primordian male, he felt the eyes of the other young men on his back. He knew their thoughts.

“I shall not ride my brother. I am one of the strongest among this group! Send Dunder-Psycloneous in my stead!”

Tendon-Flexamous put his hand on his brother’s shoulder and pulled him aside.

“Don’t fight me on this. The land-craft must reach Capitol Heights. You are an experienced machine-crafter. If a machine fails during the trip, you have the skill to repair it. None of the others do.”

Joe-Sineous sighed, then huffed. “Poken-flux! I hate this. I see how I could be useful if a craft breaks down, but the others believe you’re showing favoritism to your brother. I beg you, choose someone else.”

“I won’t lie. I want you on one of the land-gliders for your protection. I swore to our father that I would protect you. But all of that aside, you are uniquely positioned to serve this evolution in two important ways, to guard Perseptamoneous and as a machine-craft repairman. Please, accept the appointment.”

Joe-Sineous nodded and rejoined the group without speaking. The young men diverted their eyes in respect to Joe-Sineous. Tendon-Flexamous continued.

“Time is wasting, there will be no more questioning my authority. Joe-Sineous will serve as Persepatamonious’ guard and if necessary as a craft repairmen. The others riders shall be Cower-Min-Dineous, Dull-Wittens, Slinking-Hip, Knock-Knee and Brazen-Bronz. All of you take your seat and serve as a guard to the group you ride with. No more questions, and no arguments. We have no time.”

The selected men grumbled among themselves but moved quickly. When everyone was settled, Perseptamonious waved his arm.

“Drivers, take us to Capitol Heights!”

Chapter Twenty: Fountains and streams.

Derchk hurried by the Café on the Green with one thought in mind. ‘The zoo.’ Once inside he introduced several pellets into each water supply. The light cloud of misty green fog wafted into the rafters of enclosed exhibits, slithered into subterranean drainage pipes and floated among lush foliage. Derchk checked off this important stop and hurried toward Rockefeller Center.

The Statue of Prometheos loomed overhead as he entered the complex. The flags whipped in the late afternoon wind. There was s storm coming on. He quickly threw the pellets into the fountain and left.

Back on Wall Street, hurrying toward the rendezvous point, he saw her. She stumbled across the street and collapsed on the sidewalk. As he approached it was obvious she was gasping for breath.

“Miss Milky Way? What are you doing? What’s wrong?”

Her head fell back to look up. “They’re dead! The whole place is covered with, with, oh I don’t know what they are. But they’re repulsive, and ravenous. They ate most of the people on the floor before anyone could get out.”

Her head fell forward and she cried, “Where did they come from? I don’t know what to do. Where to go? I’m confused.”

She was in shock. He knew he should care, he knew he had to get to the rendezvous point or be left behind. He checked his time-band and decided he had a few moments to comfort her. Hoping that Scoothcie would take pity on him for his kindness. He sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her.

“Shush, it’ll be alright. You’re ranting. Take a breath and tell me what this is about.”

She wiped her eyes and tried again.

“Worms, and something else. Hideous things. They slither in swarms and completely cover a body in just seconds. They eat them alive, their screams don’t last long, because they swarm into the mouth and eat their way down into the body. They eat everything. Bone, skin, hair, and when they move on there’s nothing, not even a trace of blood.”

Her cries began again. Derchk was confused, he mumbled.

“This isn’t the way it was supposed to happen.”

She looked at him, “What? Not supposed to cry. Because I’m a woman, I’m not supposed to cry? Did you see what I saw? You’re a typical man.”

She pushed him away, “Leave me alone! I can take care of myself. And I’m getting out of here before it’s too late. Those things aren’t going to stay inside for long. And when they get out I don’t want to be sitting here waiting.”

He was worried, if the people were suffering, being eaten alive, Scootchie would exact a heavy penalty on the landing crew. In the alley, awaiting transport, he contacted Quasar.

“Derchk, there’s trouble all over the globe!”

“Yes, Sire! The pellets aren’t working right. They’re not anesthetizing the host before the parasites start the clean up. They’re eating the people while they’re still alive and conscious!”

Quasar sobbed openly. “Lord Scootchie, no!” He took a moment to compose himself. “This must be why Brazen-Minx has been slain by locals in Paris. Idle-Flippen is missing in Buenos Aires, Sino-Ricin hasn’t responded to our call in Hong Kong. Stand by old friend, the transport is ready!”

Before the beam could be activated a flood of Wonsa-worms erupted from the sewer at Derchks back. He had to run. Instead of grabbing Derchk’s form the beam locked onto a wave of onrushing flesh-eating worms.

 

Chapter twenty one: Crisis at Capitol Heights

Amorphious sat beneath the Ceremonial Pavilion on Capitol Heights surrounded by sheer blue and green billowing draperies. The twenty-nine provincial flags of Prime-star wavered in the stiff winds pushing in from the dead-zone. The heat off the dead-zone indicated the onset of the dry season. This season was destined to be Prime-Star’s last.

Viewer pods focused on the Prime-Adjunct as she prepared to address the citizenry. Refugees from across the planet had arrived by land-gliders, fizz-porters others came on foot. More were arriving even as the address began. It had to begin, time had run out.

Amorphious stepped to the Official Address Portico and curtsied.

“Primordians and fellow citizens. The time has come to leave our homes and enter the great unknown. The inner core is collapsing. Einstinian has calculated our remaining time to be less than two bleaker-spans. We can not wait for the Luna-Moona to contact us with news of success. We must take to space and pray all has gone well. Scootchie has shown me the fate of this dying world, a world we have known as home. But have courage and be faithful. Scootchie has shown me the way forward. We shall make a home on the new planet. The escape vessels await. Captains and centurions are circulating among the crowd as I speak. Every one has been assigned a space-craft. Families will be kept together. We can’t take personal possessions. There is no time and no space on the craft.”

Shandrew stood close to the podium holding her baby. His gentle coo soothed her frayed nerves. She sensed that he was telling her that his father was well. As the crowd settled down awaiting assignments, she sat rocking him in her arms. Her thoughts were on him.

“Derchk, my husband. How I miss your firm guiding hand. I need you with me and our baby.”

As she reflected, Binds-you-to-me became excited. She held him firmly and tried to reassure him.

“We’re fine little one. What has you worried?”

His excited coo was somehow different.

“Is it your father? Is that what troubles you?”

Then he stopped. For the first time in his little life, his flawless brow wrinkled. But she didn’t have time to think on it. The centurion stopped and gave her the assignment.

“You and the baby will be aboard the Zenith-cutter. Follow the crowd over there. And may Scootchie be with you.”

She entered the transporter canister and beamed up to the spacecraft. Accommodations were Spartan but adequate. She was assigned to berth cubicle AA-134. Once settled she focused on feeding Binds-you-to-me. That’s when his troubled demeanor caught her eye. He was silent but the customary smile on his little face was gone replaced with a mask of forlorn resolve.

“What is it my little one? Is it your father?”

His coo was uncertain or maybe she didn’t want to know. Other than the baby, he was the one big reason for living and enduring the journey. The finality of leaving her home and rejoining him was the only thing that drove her forward.

His little face stared up as she rocked him in her arms.

“Don’t fear little one, we’ll find your father. As soon as we arrive on the new planet we’ll be reunited. And where ever we are all together, that shall be our home.”

Otherwise, all has gone well during our tri, and as our galactic flight ends the crew physician has determined that I am sound of spirit and body. I shall return to Prime-Star for you and little Binds-you-to-me very soon. Have faith and be well.”

Mooch-A-Scooth … Derchk