Michael, alias Kaze/Fantasy-soul.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Death's Guide to the Galaxy
Chapter One: Awakening
If this tale were an official inquiry into the nature of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, then it would likely take place in the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy on an insignificant little blue-green dot known as Earth, and start with something simple, perhaps a house.
This is no such tale. Simplicity is rare, and the only truly simple thing is realizing you are just failing to see how complex the universe really is. Which is for your own good, really. As some could tell you, "a sense of perspective" is deadly.
No, this tale does not take place on Earth, nor does it begin with something as simple as a house. It begins, rather...
With a ship.
If this is being read, then it is in the tomes of history, the history of the Guide, and the history of humanity. Humanity often doesn't realize it, but in this world, universe, multi-verse, whatever you call it, there are NO absolutes.
"Impossible! This ship...absolutely should not be here..." One person said to the rest of the crew, as their ship passed this starship in the vicinity of where Earth USED to be, as it was long gone. A hundred years gone.
Okay, so there are SOME rare exceptions to the rule. Or I lied. Choose whichever suits you better.
"What makes you say that?" Another crew member asked the captain, who spoke first.
"This ship...is 10,000 years old! Well, ten thousand one-hundred years old now...It dates back to the beginnings of humanity on Earth!"
"That old dustball? It got wiped out by a prototype Guide...Why would it matter?"
"I don't know WHY, but it matters. Crew, prepare for docking. We're checking for vitals."
"On a ten thousand year old ship?!" The crew protested.
"Yes, on a ten thousand year old ship. Also, any unneeded valuables will be fair game."
"Checking for vitals here we go!"
The captain rolled her eyes as they docked next to the ship and beamed inside.
Her crew was a small one, only four members strong. Still, she knew there was some mystery here. And being an Editor for the Guide itself, mysteries she CANNOT stand.
The ship was indeed old. It was dusty within, filled with cobwebs. Any crew left was ashes or skeletons. However they were NOT humanoid skeletons. There was nothing of value, though the ship ran on an Improbability Drive, now outdated Tech from the age of the last Galactic president, Zaphod Beeblebrox, who had mysteriously vanished after Earth's destruction, presumably dead.
"An improb-drive? Damn. This IS an old ship." The pilot of the captain's crew said on siting it.
"Captain! I've found something!" Said her navigator and mechanic.
The Captain quickly went to her navigator's voice. There was a room that was supposed to be locked, but the lock had broken with age. Within were several Cryogenic Stasis chambers, frozen bodies, but all but one were dead.
"No...freaking...way!" Captain was shocked at the sole survivor. He was male, humanoid, barely clothed and clearly a cyborg. Most of his arms and some of his torso was some metal.
"Nav, examination."
"That's no metal I've ever seen...And I've seen quite a bit of metal."
"So...What IS he, captain?"
"HE...is our next big story. Come on. We're letting him out."
"WHAT?!"
Just then his eyes shot open. They were crimson red, unnatural for most lifeforms. He was still frozen, but he seemed to be glaring at them.
"Captain...I don't think this is..."
"DO IT!"
To be Continued!