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Kevin Harper's Space Adventure

Part One: Escape!

At first, it was dark. I couldn't see anything. However, my three other senses worked fine, let me know several things at once. The first thing I noticed was the cold metallic floor upon which my face laid, stirring me from my unconsciousness; that, and the throbbing headache that intensified tenfold upon waking. The second came as a low drone in the background, the floor trembling under my face, the drone sounded mechanical. However, my focus turned to the onslaught of nausea, caused in part by too much drinking the night before.

I opened my eyes to find myself lying in a dim room, the only light coming from red-glowing bars that blocked the single door out of the room. At first, I couldn't understand what I saw, staring at this strange door for a moment.

That's rather odd for a drunk-tank, I thought. I sat up and fought off a brief wave of nausea.

"I've got to cut back on my drinking," I groaned, clamoring to my feet only to bend over, holding on to the wall for support, and threw-up.

"On second thought, maybe I had better quit."

I stood up and staggered over to the doorway, getting a better look at the bars. They didn't have any solidity, appearing to be made out of pure light. Using care, I raised my hand to the bars.

"I wouldn't touch those if I were you," the low and raspy voice spoke from the farthest corner of the cell. I started and turned around to see where the voice came from. As my eyes adjusted, I spotted a figure sitting up against the farthest corner. I gulped. Though he had a slender build, this figure came up to my chest while sitting.

"Who are you?" I uttered, hating the fear laced within my words.

"I'm just a fellow prisoner warning another prisoner that he's about to make a mistake," he said. I don't know why, but the term prisoner never registered with my mind.

"Look, I'm a scientist. If those bars are made out of pure light, then I should be able to deflect them with a mirror."

Anger overruled my fear, digging into my pockets for my hand mirror. Some of you are wondering why a guy would carry a mirror with him and I could lie. But, the truth is I'm very vain about my appearance. Anyway, I would prove that this guy didn't know what he spoke about.

I found my mirror in my back pocket of my jeans, raising it towards the bars. Again the voice warned me, but I waved him off as my pocket mirror touched once of the bars. Instead of the mirror deflecting the light, it caused an upsurge of energy. Tendrils of electricity arched in every direction like serpents flying through the air.

Instantly, I felt searing pain course through my body, paralyzed for a moment before it blasted me back into the opposite wall. The thunderous sound rattled my ears; when I landed, I heard nothing for the longest time. After a few minutes, the ringing stopped as I coughed out a smoke ring.

"Why me?" I exclaimed with a groan.

My cellmate rolled with laughter and said, "So scientist, what is your conclusion I don't see that you've escaped yet."

To my surprise, the light bars had more solidity than I had anticipated. I looked at my hands and arms, but I didn't need to; I felt the searing pain from burns across my skin.

"Where is the aloe when I need it?" I groaned.

I looked over at my cellmate and staggered to my feet. I made to ask him something when a door beyond out holding cell, opened.

Before I could even make out his features, the foulest smell assaulted my nose. It was even worse than the time I worked at the city dump for a year in college. I vomited at the horrid stench.

"Ah, I see that our little human is awake and you have met your cellmate. This is, how do you say, good," said the large figure as he walked a few steps into the room.

As he did so, I noticed, when the door slid shut, that his features were worse than the smell. His skin looked a pale sickly green that glistened with sweat. Orange dirty hair covered the top of his head, complemented by big bushy eyebrows of the same color-well, I should say brow. Black dots for eyes stared at me, looking as though he'd taken some kind of drug. The long hooked nose flared out with every intake of air as his lower jaw jutted out at the same length.

I wondered if half of his breathing problems related to his weight, or if being excessively fat was a trait of his race. Even with my six-foot-one height, this guy still dwarfed me, and three of my slender frame fit inside of his. The tattered and dirty clothing reminded me of an older uniform that never came off. Finally, his toes poked out of old, beat-up boots, yellow dirty talons stuck out at least a couple of inches.

"Who the hell are you? What kind of jail is this?" My voice seethed with venom. However, this figure only laughed, pulling a remote control from his tattered belt and pressed the button. Suddenly, an electrical shock spread out from my back, paralyzing me. I fell over, fidgeting as my tormenter laughed.

After a moment, he killed the current, pain spread across my body from my muscles contracting. Defiantly, I looked up at him, and thought, What the hell is this place? I've never been treated this roughly before. Who the hell is this guy? I don't remember it being Halloween. Where am I?

"I'm the one who's making demands here, human. You'd best learn your place if you want to keep your pathetic life. In other words, you're my bitch until I sell you to the highest bidder, and with pretty looks such as yours, I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up a sex slave to some overlord." This figure said in in a strange accident

I, beside myself with fear, hadn't expected this development; the sick, vile creature planned to sell me. Me! Only the universe knew what interested party wanted to do to me.

"Fuck you, you piece of shit! No one owns…" I started, but the figure cut me short as he pressed the button again.

I seized up again. However, anger coursed through my body, finding I could move. I wavered up to my knees, my sight on the figure in front of me. The creature looked surprised by this and increased the charge, I fell back to the floor.

"You are strong. I will have to beat that out of you. You may call me master."

Master, as he called himself, was cut off by an incoming transmission, he spoke into some kind of communication device in his pointed ear. "What is it?" The annoyance thick in his voice.

"Sir, two Seriani Warships are coming out of slip-space." Her voice frantic, but professional.

"Code Red Status! Battle stations!" Master barked, moving quickly to the door and paused. He looked back, not at me, but my cellmate. "Don't think you are saved just because your people show up."

With that, he pressed the button once more, stopping the flow of electricity through my body. I wanted to vomit again, but only dry-heaved. However, as I looked up from the floor, two giant paws the size of dinner plates, stood in front of me.

'Why am I looking at paws?' I thought and peered up and up until, at last, my eyes found his head. For the longest moment, I had trouble comprehending what I saw, try as I might shake the image from my eyes, it remained. There before me stood a werewolf. Yes, you read right.

He had all the features of a grey wolf, mixed with the body of a man, wearing clothes that resembled deer skins. The beadwork around his neck reminded me of Native Heritage, but I shook my head and thought, 'This can't be real. I have to stop drinking. Where are my friends when I need them?'

The werewolf, for lack of a name, extended his hand to me, as I took it, I took note of the ghost-blue eyes. They sparked with confidence, warmth, and, perhaps, kindness. He pulled me back to my feet and it amazed me how strong, yet, careful he was with me. Not that I couldn't handle some bruising, because, you know, I'm a man.

"Come on, Scientist. Let's get out of here," said the werewolf, but something struck me as odd.

"So, rand question, but how are you and that…ogre able to communicate with me?" The curiosity in my voice laced into the question.

A simple spread across the werewolf's face, resembling more of a snarl than anything and he pointed to his ear. "Universal Translator. It's implanted at birth for most, if not all, races in the galaxy."

'Galaxy?' I thought, realizing that I might be in a dream. However, I did not want to appear ungrateful, so I let go of the issue.

"Well, thank you for helping me. What is your name?" I extended my hand.

He took it and offered his other hand, crossing our arms in an 'X'. "Gladly met. I am called Negaviski Anubiana, but you may call me Neg for short."

I smiled. "Kevin Harper."

All of a sudden, a loud bang sound out, the cell shuttering shortly after. Neg and I collided, both of us careened into the wall to our right.

"Let's get out of here," I exclaimed, but again the cell shook, followed after another loud bang. We held on to the wall for support.

Then, something strange happened. I floated off the floor when the power cut out, absolute darkness surrounded us. Faster than I could react, a light flashed into existence that blinded me until it moved towards the doorway. Neg held out an orb of light, and not mythical, but more like an advanced flashlight. He floated over to the control panel, me in tow.

Nausea returned as we continued to float through the room and I thought, 'Why am I floating? It's almost as if I'm in…'

However, I did not get to finish my thought because, when we reached the door, another BANG rocked the room. Except, this time, whatever caused the sound tore open the room, I felt the sudden rush of air race towards the gap. I grabbed the console and held on for dear life. I looked, shocked to see a planet set before a black backdrop of stars.

Looking forward, I saw Neg pull the doors apart. At this point, I felt light-headed from the lack of oxygen. My fingers burned from the coldness of space and the heat escaping. I concentrated to stay conscious and reached out for Neg. He reached back for me, our fingers just centimeters apart, straining for a solid grip. Suddenly, I lost my hold on the console and felt myself fly towards open space.

Fear filled my body with adrenaline. I thought that this was it. In the vacuum of space is where I would meet death. But, no. I felt a hand grab my arm and heard a growl behind me. Neg had grabbed the console for leverage, using a great amount of strength to pull me back toward him.

Faster than my eyes, he put his feet on the console and jumped us through the door. The power came back online, causing the door to close and the and the gravity along with it. We dropped to the floor with a loud tank, I took several gasps of air before I cried out, "what am I doing in space?"

Neg clapped a hand over my mouth and growled into my ear, "Listen hu-man! We don't have time for panic. I need you to remain focused because if I believe for a moment that you will get us killed, I'll kill you."

I nodded, both out of fear and the knowledge that he was right. This was not a time to lose my mind and the message on my face must have said as much, for he smiled while rising to his feet. Again, he offered a hand up, and this time I did not hesitate.

I glanced around Neg to see another ogre-like creature charge toward us with an energy sword raised aloft over his head. Again, this creature resembled the first alien. Neg turned around as two knives, pulled from his belt, stabbed into the ogre's gut. He crossed the blades, cutting a bloody 'X' and disemboweled the crewmen.

"Who are these guys?" I asked, disgusted at the alien's uncleanliness.

"They are called Vomineer. They are the scavengers of the galaxy and known to be cannibals. Normally, humans are their favorite to eat. Come, we need to go." Neg said, taking off down the corridor. I shuddered at the thought of the Vomineer and followed Neg.

Another blast hit, what I assumed to be, the spaceship; We leaned into the opposite sides of the corridor for purchase. While we did, I noticed my reflection within the metal plating. My hair stood out in all directions and my blood-shot whites shown in direct contrast with my blue irises. A thin, narrow, face looked back at me with skin draped tight over bones. My appearance terrified me as if I came straight out of a nightmare.

Again, we set off and came upon a cross-section. As soon as we entered, a blast hit the ship again, causing the corridor to explode. We jumped out of the way of the fireball, our ears covered from the violent onslaught of debris crashing around us. I glanced up, fear building from the pit of my stomach. My new friend trapped, possibly crushed under the weight, on the other side of this wall of fire.

"Neg? Neg?' Fear mingled with my words, staggering back to my feet. I felt a few cuts, but I ignored them.

"Kevin? I'm all right. Are you hurt?" Neg shouted.

"I'm fine. Hold on, I'm going to try to shift this debris," I yelled and ran forward, but the heat was too much.

"Kevin, even I can't get near this material without burning myself. You will have to find a way around. If you can, find a weapon and use good sense. I will find you."

"All right! Be careful!"

"Always."

That was the last time thing he said to me before I took off down another corridor. I had no idea of where to go, but this way seemed like the only choice left to me. The ship rocked again, sparks flew out of various places and the lights dimmed, casting the corridor into haunted darkness.

"This ship won't last long at this rate,' I thought as I continued to walk.

I came to another junction and saw a dead Vomineer on the floor with shrapnel lodged in the side of his neck. I pushed back nausea and turned away, but as I did, something caught my eye. In the hands of the crewmen, I saw his rifle held tight in his hands.

'Better than being unarmed,' I thought as I knelt, ever watchful of my environment, and tugged at the weapon. It moved a couple of inches, causing the crewmen to twitch. I froze. For a moment, I thought he came to life, but I glanced to see the same death stare he had before. Again, I pulled on the weapon, trying to pry it loose. Suddenly, a battle cry from the far end of the corridor crashed into my ears like a raging bull.

I looked up to see another crewman charging me at full speed. Struggling with the weapon, I pointed it at my attacker and fired. When he ran within three feet of me, a red beam of light shot out, incinerating him. As the cutlass dropped to the ground, I caught it and stared. Scientific curiosity, I suppose, but it looked simple in design and thought, 'I suppose if I'm really in space, I might as well have a cool weapon.'

I looked back at the crewmen, eyeing the rifle and the cutlass. I smiled while, using care, switched on the cutlass, finding it rather light. Slicing through the crewmen's wrists. I grabbed the beam rifle.

The ship rattled while I tied the gun to my back and kept the cutlass in hand. I took off down the hall, making a good distance before passing a window. I stopped and backed up to the window, peering out to see a hanger with small, strange crafts. Now, mind you, I learned how to fly at a young age, but this hanger's size made all the others seem puny. However, the problem that nagged at me was, 'how do I get in there?'

"Shit," I said as another blast hit the ship. In the distance, I heard something massive explode. The ship convulsed. I held onto the wall for support. All of a sudden, the entire floor under me began to tilt towards the way I headed.

"On, no!" That was it. That was all I could say before I started to slide forward, picking up speed as I went. I heard crashes on the other side of the wall and figured it might be the ship crashing. Soon, I fell outright and had to do something to stop myself. I couldn't remember how I lost grip of the wall but tried to re-grip another with no success.

Left with no options, I switched on the cutlass, twisted around and stabbed into the floor. To my surprise, I came to a halt, crying out as sharp pain lanced up my arms. I, also, thanked the universe that I used both hands.

'That's going to leave a bruise,' I mused and looked down.

"It worked!" I exclaimed and noticed the end of the corridor a few feet away. Bracing myself, I switched off the cutlass and landed in a crouch on the doors with a soft tank.

After standing aside, I pressed the control button for the door and found myself at the hanger. The first thought that crossed my mind was convenient because I could not read a single word of this alien language. The second, however, was all but two of the small crafts smashed into the far side, adjacent to the bay doors.

The two ships that had been anchored were my only options, though, in my excitement of rushing over to them, I remembered I couldn't read the damned language. The ship leveled out as I held onto the small craft for support.

"Damn," I said, the fact hitting me hard.

"What's the matter, little human? Unsure about how to fly one of my ships?" Said the, all too familiar, voice that chilled me. I turned and saw Ogre, as I called him, standing by the door.

In an instant, Ogre charged me, pulling a knife from his back. 'What is it with these guys charging me? Have they ever heard of tactics?' I thought.

I swung my gun around and fired. However, to my surprise, he dodged it. As a fat, as he looked, he was quick on his feet. I fired again but found the gun drained of power. Tossing it aside, I brought up my cutlass and deflected the blow of the knife. However, a fist connected with my temple. I flew back. Pain exploding across my face. I crashed into one of the small ships. For the longest moment, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think.

I glanced up. A boot flew at my head and I dodged. Ogre cried out in agony. Taking the advantage, I punched him in the groin, figuring the anatomy close to my own. He cried out again, throwing a fist at my head. I rolled out of the way, getting to my feet.

Now. I only know so much about fighting other than the occasional bar fight, my experience limited. But, I knew enough. I threw a roundhouse, thinking I would knock him out. I was wrong. He deflected my kick with ease. He punched hard into my kidneys, the air leaving my lungs.

The pain paralyzed me. Before I could understand what happened, I felt myself grabbed and slammed into the small ship. Stars danced across my vision. My broken body screamed in protest, my heart consumed with fear.

'Is this it? Is this where my life ends?' I mused as he laughed over me.

"You stupid, human. Thinking you could defeat me. I am the captain of this ship and an elite. I've killed greater warriors with ease. I'm invincible," shouted Ogre. I looked ahead of me and the cutlass laying just under the ship. I looked back, seeing the fat asshole laughing over me with his knife held aloft. Just as the knife fell, I snatched the cutlass.

As I stabbed Ogre, I noticed the surprise etched on his ugly face and the horror that crossed his mind. I trembled, never had I killed anyone before, but the cutlass buried to the hilt in his gut proved that now I had. As he took a couple of steps back, coughing up greenish blood, he found his way blocked.

I noticed the ears before anything else, the cutlass coming free of Ogre. I dropped the cutlass, watching Ogre freeze with fear. He looked back, Neg stood there, snarling at him and then it happened. Before my eyes could react, Neg decapitated the ogre. His head rolled several feet away as Neg rushed over to me and helped me stand.

"Are you hurt?" Neg asked as I took stock.

"It's not as bad as I thought, but one of my ribs are cracked. I'll have to be careful."

"Well, at least until we get to a medical bay."

The ship rattled as another blast hit. In the distance, an explosive cascade headed toward us. Neg grabbed my arm, dragging me over to the nearest ship; he opened the hatch and flung me into what I perceived to be the passenger seat. He sat in the pilot seat in front of me, pressing buttons as he went. The ship roared to life, lifting off of the ground while the hatch closed, and turned towards the bay doors.

The cascade of exploding fireballs so close to us, I thanked the universe again for the energy shield keeping us alive. Neg slammed his fist against the console, drawing my focus back to him.

"What? What's wrong?" Trepidation rising in my voice.

"The security code I found doesn't work. We'll have to blast out," Neg said just before the doors exploded, exposing the bay to space. The gap, however, looked smaller than our ship. Neg steadied the craft as all the air blew out.

"Uh, I think that gap is going to be a problem," I said loud enough over the noise.

"Not a problem," Neg said calmly. At that moment, I admired the confidence he slowed. It was something I wished for myself but always seemed to fall short.

Neg pressed a red button on the panel, two torpedoes launched and blew a larger gap in the wall. We lurched forward, pressing us back in our seats as we accelerated faster than anything I've seen. We cleared the hanger, looking back, I saw the massive ship explode in one major blast. A shockwave blasted out in a sphere.

"Go! Go!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. All of a sudden, as fast as we were, the shockwave outmatched us.

"Hold on," I braced, but it didn't help.

The shockwave smashed into our ship, spinning us out of control. Neg tried to regain the ship's stabilizers, but as I looked up, I noticed the ship had entered the planet's atmosphere; flames licked the outside of our craft.

"Neg? How can I help?" The noise almost drowning out my voice. However, Neg looked back at me and pressed a couple of buttons. The readout on my console changed to English as I thought, "Convenient!"

"I need you to help stabilize the right thruster. Bring it back online, " the tension in his voice rising to the surface.

I nodded and went to work figuring out everything, all the time grateful for a photographic memory.

I fixed the thrusters and had Neg fire it up. He put the thrusters in full reverse, immediately straightening out our craft, but too late. I glanced up just before we collided with the ground. Everything went black.