Disclaimer: --I own squat, including the squat I thought I owned...
Chapter Two
The Encounter
Many ships take off from earth as a daily routine. Most of them heading for trade, others for transport. I myself have never been into outer space. The thrill I've heard constantly from former pilots of leaving the atmosphere when taking off wasn't true, well to me that is. To tell you the truth I was scared out of my mind, most likely because it was my first space travel. It was an experience I hope to forget. After the radical yet terrifying incident that happened at my hometown Helena, I had nothing left. No family, no belongings, no loved ones, just the burning memories of screaming villagers and my dead friends… I try not to think about it. I don't know how I survived, but I found myself later in the hospital of Rhineton. I later learned what happened to the people from my doctor. What was thought to be flying meteors heading towards earth was actually several space pods from an frightening alien race that destroyed my town. After being treated and healed completely I found myself confused, lost, with no direction to follow. Not knowing how I was going to pay, I wondered into a random apartment building. I told the owner my stituation and he let me stay until I could pay my dept. A few days later I happened to get an anonymous call at my hotel room. The guy was friendly, although mysterious. He wanted to help me, the reason why I don't have a clue. He offered me money, and a ticket to this place called "Space Port Delta". I guess you could say, it was my way to destiny...
"Now boarding, the Home Transport Ship, leaving in 1 hour and 12 minutes-"
The intercom echoed throughout the spaceport's hallways, never seeming to end. At a receptionist desk an old man walked up. He seemed quite ragged but had a nice feeling around him. Age has certainly caught up to him, his hands and face were covered in wrinkles and slightly sagging skin. His hair was completly gray, bald on the top. He was dressed in your everyday clothes, and he was hunched, leaning on his cane which he held in right hand. He slowly staggered to the cheerful looking, uniformed woman. "Good afternoon sir, how may I help you?"
The old man blinked and looked up at her. "I came to get my reserved ticket," he said tiredly, "I don't mean to be so straight forward, but there's people behind me that want to get on with their lives."
The old man chuckled, ending with a few coughs as the woman rapidly typed on her keyboard. "Okay... And what ship will you be boarding today sir?
The old man blinked again, and whipped his cane out, almost hitting a man standing in the other line, pointing at a huge ship with big bold red letters written across it: "Home Trasportation Ship. That one right der."
The woman continued typing rapidly at her computer then finally looked up. "Your name and ID please?" The old man grumbled as he searched through his pockets, pulling out his wallet, then his ID. He handed it to the lady, still grumbling. She smiled and looked up at him. " I see, well you're very lucky sir, the ship is about to leave in about... forty five minutes, do you have any luggage with you?"
The old man started to glare at her, but then looked down. "Does it look like I have luggage you twit?!"
He snatched the ticket that popped out and walked off talking to himself about 'the old days', leaving the woman quite angry as the next person stepped in line.
The metallic door leading outside from the Home Trasportation Ship whined as it opened. The familliar old man stepped in looking around the room he has been in many times before. It was a big room, like an airplane's coach except bigger, and much roomier too. Worn red carpet lined between the seat asle's heading several feet from the entrance to the pilots' door. The seats were blue velvet with many safety attachments on them. The old man looked at his ticket number and then at his assigned seat, a far asle to the right side next to a window. As soon as he sat down, a computer popped open from the seat infront of him. On it was a lady, not a real one though. It said in a recorded voice: "Enter your number please." The old man looked at his ticket, then typed in the keyboard provided: 88A. The words PROCESSING came on the screen when a short time later the computer lady came back on. "Insert your card please." The old man started again with his 'old days' mumbling and insererted his card in a little slot ebbed into the computer. "Welcome to Home Transport Ship, thank you for choosing GLT Airways, if you would like to hear more of our sponsers-". The old man beat the side of the computer with his cane mumbling: "Git out of here you hunk of plastic!" The computer went back into its seat infront of him. Sighing in relief the old man lounged in his chair staring at the ceiling.
Across the ship sat three young men, all covered in tattoos and goth clothing. One of them had spiked green hair, the other a very big guy, bald and and not a inch of skin was not covered in tattoos... and of course the little short man with about 6 piercings on his face and a shaved head, complete with a dyed red spiked mohawk. All of them trying not to be seen were conversing with each other. The medium guy spoke first. "Dammit, damn those machines! We're gonna get caught for sure." The big guy, a little dopey looking, looked at the medium guy. "...But Joe, we can just put in a ticket and-"
He was cut short by a back-hand from Joe. "Of course we could you idiot! We need a DAMN ticket!"
Joe hunched back against the wall, sulking to himself. Meanwhile the short guy was staring at this old man the whole time.
"Hey Joe, check it out," he said while pointing at the old guy. "Gramps is sittin all alone over there. Maybe he has his family's tickets or summtin." Joe was in deep thought rubbing his chin when he looked up at the old man.
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to try. Alright, lets jack the tickets from the old geezer and stash him somewhere."
The big guy pounded his fist and chuckled stupid like. "Huhhuh, yeah stash him."
Joe back-handed him again, "Shuddap Kurtis, or I'll kick your sorry ass from this end of this ship to the other." The odd trio headed for the old man, chuckling as they went.
The old man was getting impatient. I thought that damn woman said we were leaving in forty minutes.. he thought quietly to himself when three shady figures surronded his seat. The old man blinked as he looked around at the gothic trio. Joe pointed at him first. "Hey old bum, give us your tickets and we promise not to hurt ya... too badly." The other two chuckled when unexpectidly the old man laughed with them. The old man grabbed his cane and pointed it at Joe.
"Heheheh, I hope you're not talking to me! I only have one ticket. And if each of you kids want a black eye or two, then stick around and get a prize." Joe smirked and snapped his fingers, Kurtis slowly took the cane and snapped it into many wooden shards over his knee. The trio chuckled again when the old man looked kind of sad. "Aw, now look what you've done. Now you've broken my cane and...well...my temper too." The three goths stopped and looked oddly at him when suddenly the old man was up on his feet, sending a lightning quick punch to the short guy sending him flying to the other asle, the short guy wailing as he flew through the air. He turned to the other two as they shook their fears away. "Lets get him!" Joe shouted, by this time an area of people around them were watching. Joe and Kurtis took one step forward when a voice came out from behind them. "Hold it!"
"Now what?!" Joe snarled angrily when he turned around. Breaking through the crowd a man stepped on the asle. He was a slightly tall man, wearing a brown cloak like cape that came down to his torso. His pants were slightly ragged as well as his brown boots. His hair was a bizarre silver color, his eyes glaring at the two teens. "Two punks against an old man? Doesn't sound fair to me."
"Who do you think you are?!" Kurtis said abruptly. By this time they were both turned around, the old man forgotten. The man standing on the alse nodded at the old man, and the duo was sent flying through the air from the old guys quick punches, only to be sent the other direction from a kick and punch from the man in the cloak. The crowd gasped, and soon security came to the dazed group, putting cuffs on their wrists. The crowd went into a slight cheer followed by whistles and hoots as the cloaked man and the old guy sat in their seats. The old man grinned at the mysterious cloaked figure.
"You're not so bad for a young 'un as yourself."
"I should say the same for you."
The computer popped up infront of the cloaked man asking him for his number, leaving a bewildered look on the man's face.
"Just type in the number on your ticket, then later pop in the ticket into that slot." The old man pointed out. The cloaked man followed his directions and slumped back into his chair ignoring the ongoing computer about advertisements. The old man did the same. "What do they call you young 'un?"
"...Dolan. Dolan Lambert."
"And I'm Eric Exallophis Bostvic... Just call me Eric."
I looked at Eric for a moment, still confused about what happened.
"Why were those punks after you? And... where were the staff and security?"
"The punks? They were after my ticket...or should I say 'tickets'. The staff around here are cowards, and only know how to serve and fly, not to break up fights. As for security guards, they're not allowed on the ship unless it's an emergency. If guns were fired the windows could be penetrated and... well so on and so forth."
Must I remind you, I was scared out of my mind, no matter how calm I sounded. All around me were people of different races and culture. Not only that but I've never been on a space transportation... ship thing before.
"Is this your first time in space young 'un?"
"...Yeah."
" Heheh, no wonder you're so nervous!"
Eric laughed to himself, again, ending in a loud cough. He cleared his throat looking at my hands which were grabbing on to the armrest tightly.
"Relax, nothing is gonna happen... Well, there was that time we had to go through this asteroid belt..."
"Thanks, that makes me feel better."
"Hahaha! That was just a joke young 'un. Don't take it so seriously."
"I told you old man, my name is Dolan."
"Well alright young 'un, don't wear your feelings on yer sleeve."
Eric continued chuckling to himself as I took a deep breath and stared forward. The seats were about filled now, so I could tell we were about to take off... great. Eric looked up and faced me. "So where are you heading Dolan?"
I looked up at my card reading the bold print: Space Port Delta.
"Um, Space Port Delta."
"Space Port Delta huh? I've been there a couple of times. Why are you going?"
"To tell you the truth, I really don't know."
"What the...? How can you be heading to a specific place and not know why?!"
"Beats me."
"You don't talk much do you Dolan?"
"No. Well, not lately."
"Why's that."
I hesitaded for a moment and looked down at the red carpet. "I'd rather not say."
As soon as I finished my sentence the intercome aboved came on. It had an old metallic ring as the person spoke. "This is Captain Fredrick speaking. Please relax and enjoy the trip. A video of a few instructions will appear shortly. We are now leaving Rhineton Space Port, our next stop will be Space Port Delta. Please enjoy the trip and try to relax."
Eric chuckled about the repeating pilot, who he has flown with many times. The intercom cut off and all the lights slowly dimmed as a huge T.V. screen thing lowered in the front asles, revealing the same lady as on the ticket computer, explaining about services and all that. Eric and I ignored it.
"Will this take long? I'm not even hungry or thirsty."
"No, it shouldn't. Excuse me for a moment."
Eric slowly got up and started hobbling down the asle.
"Where are you going?!"
"To the bathroom of course."
"What?! At...at take off?"
"Yeah, whats the problem with that?"
"Uh... nevermind."
Eric slowly hobbled away behind me. I took a deep breath, the T.V. screen finally drawing up as the lights came back on. I have to say I was pretty excited, scared, and worried all at the same time. I could feel the adreniline running through me as I heard a distant roaring yet humming sound from behind me. I was going into space for the first time. Wouldn't I float around or a carelessly object hit my head like I've seen on T.V.? What if the windows cracked? Or the ship go out of control? All these thoughts were frantically running through my head as the distant roaring noise got louder and louder. I closed my eyes tight feeling the ships momentum shoot forward, slowly at first but getting faster by the second. That constant roaring and the low murmur of voices seemed to get louder in my head. I dared to open one eye and look out a window, we were shooting up! Sweat trickled down to my neck, my breathing got shorter as if I was almost gasping for air. A continous rattle ran through the whole ship, as I suppose, started to leave the earth's orbit. It seemed as an eternity passed before I realized the rattling stopped. I slowly opened my eyes, looking around myself. Some people were staring at me, others just looking as normal as I saw them before. It took me a moment before I was able to look out my window next to me. After being through all that, going through space for the first time, seeing earth floating in a blanket of stars and darkness looked so beautiful that I was speechless. Eric finally shuffled back into his seat, looking out the window with me. "She sure is beautiful huh?"
"Yeah," I said quietly.
"If I had a dollar for everytime I've seen earth orbiting around in space, hell I'd be a millionaire!"
Eric once again started chuckling to himself, I kept quiet gazing at the glowing orb. It was kind of weird, watching my home world slowly get smaller and smaller, I've never been in space, at that see earth from this distance. It hurt to watch myself leave the home I'd never thought I could possibly escape from. I leaned back into my seat sighing to myself when Eric looked at me again. "How about a drink?"
"I'm not thirsty."
"Something to eat?"
"No thanks."
"Well, ya can't be acting like this the whole trip. If ya do I'm going to shoot myself."
"Huh?"
"Look I know how it feels to leave earth for the first time. But you'll be back. You're not leaving her forever. Well, really thats up to you but...hm....so, how about a drink?"
I took those words in slowly, then suddenly a little smile spread across my face.
"To tell you the truth, I am a little thirsty."
The Home Transportation Ship flew straight into space, soaring to the stars and darkness, earth was now nothing but a small star in the distance.
Chapter Two
The Encounter
Many ships take off from earth as a daily routine. Most of them heading for trade, others for transport. I myself have never been into outer space. The thrill I've heard constantly from former pilots of leaving the atmosphere when taking off wasn't true, well to me that is. To tell you the truth I was scared out of my mind, most likely because it was my first space travel. It was an experience I hope to forget. After the radical yet terrifying incident that happened at my hometown Helena, I had nothing left. No family, no belongings, no loved ones, just the burning memories of screaming villagers and my dead friends… I try not to think about it. I don't know how I survived, but I found myself later in the hospital of Rhineton. I later learned what happened to the people from my doctor. What was thought to be flying meteors heading towards earth was actually several space pods from an frightening alien race that destroyed my town. After being treated and healed completely I found myself confused, lost, with no direction to follow. Not knowing how I was going to pay, I wondered into a random apartment building. I told the owner my stituation and he let me stay until I could pay my dept. A few days later I happened to get an anonymous call at my hotel room. The guy was friendly, although mysterious. He wanted to help me, the reason why I don't have a clue. He offered me money, and a ticket to this place called "Space Port Delta". I guess you could say, it was my way to destiny...
"Now boarding, the Home Transport Ship, leaving in 1 hour and 12 minutes-"
The intercom echoed throughout the spaceport's hallways, never seeming to end. At a receptionist desk an old man walked up. He seemed quite ragged but had a nice feeling around him. Age has certainly caught up to him, his hands and face were covered in wrinkles and slightly sagging skin. His hair was completly gray, bald on the top. He was dressed in your everyday clothes, and he was hunched, leaning on his cane which he held in right hand. He slowly staggered to the cheerful looking, uniformed woman. "Good afternoon sir, how may I help you?"
The old man blinked and looked up at her. "I came to get my reserved ticket," he said tiredly, "I don't mean to be so straight forward, but there's people behind me that want to get on with their lives."
The old man chuckled, ending with a few coughs as the woman rapidly typed on her keyboard. "Okay... And what ship will you be boarding today sir?
The old man blinked again, and whipped his cane out, almost hitting a man standing in the other line, pointing at a huge ship with big bold red letters written across it: "Home Trasportation Ship. That one right der."
The woman continued typing rapidly at her computer then finally looked up. "Your name and ID please?" The old man grumbled as he searched through his pockets, pulling out his wallet, then his ID. He handed it to the lady, still grumbling. She smiled and looked up at him. " I see, well you're very lucky sir, the ship is about to leave in about... forty five minutes, do you have any luggage with you?"
The old man started to glare at her, but then looked down. "Does it look like I have luggage you twit?!"
He snatched the ticket that popped out and walked off talking to himself about 'the old days', leaving the woman quite angry as the next person stepped in line.
The metallic door leading outside from the Home Trasportation Ship whined as it opened. The familliar old man stepped in looking around the room he has been in many times before. It was a big room, like an airplane's coach except bigger, and much roomier too. Worn red carpet lined between the seat asle's heading several feet from the entrance to the pilots' door. The seats were blue velvet with many safety attachments on them. The old man looked at his ticket number and then at his assigned seat, a far asle to the right side next to a window. As soon as he sat down, a computer popped open from the seat infront of him. On it was a lady, not a real one though. It said in a recorded voice: "Enter your number please." The old man looked at his ticket, then typed in the keyboard provided: 88A. The words PROCESSING came on the screen when a short time later the computer lady came back on. "Insert your card please." The old man started again with his 'old days' mumbling and insererted his card in a little slot ebbed into the computer. "Welcome to Home Transport Ship, thank you for choosing GLT Airways, if you would like to hear more of our sponsers-". The old man beat the side of the computer with his cane mumbling: "Git out of here you hunk of plastic!" The computer went back into its seat infront of him. Sighing in relief the old man lounged in his chair staring at the ceiling.
Across the ship sat three young men, all covered in tattoos and goth clothing. One of them had spiked green hair, the other a very big guy, bald and and not a inch of skin was not covered in tattoos... and of course the little short man with about 6 piercings on his face and a shaved head, complete with a dyed red spiked mohawk. All of them trying not to be seen were conversing with each other. The medium guy spoke first. "Dammit, damn those machines! We're gonna get caught for sure." The big guy, a little dopey looking, looked at the medium guy. "...But Joe, we can just put in a ticket and-"
He was cut short by a back-hand from Joe. "Of course we could you idiot! We need a DAMN ticket!"
Joe hunched back against the wall, sulking to himself. Meanwhile the short guy was staring at this old man the whole time.
"Hey Joe, check it out," he said while pointing at the old guy. "Gramps is sittin all alone over there. Maybe he has his family's tickets or summtin." Joe was in deep thought rubbing his chin when he looked up at the old man.
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to try. Alright, lets jack the tickets from the old geezer and stash him somewhere."
The big guy pounded his fist and chuckled stupid like. "Huhhuh, yeah stash him."
Joe back-handed him again, "Shuddap Kurtis, or I'll kick your sorry ass from this end of this ship to the other." The odd trio headed for the old man, chuckling as they went.
The old man was getting impatient. I thought that damn woman said we were leaving in forty minutes.. he thought quietly to himself when three shady figures surronded his seat. The old man blinked as he looked around at the gothic trio. Joe pointed at him first. "Hey old bum, give us your tickets and we promise not to hurt ya... too badly." The other two chuckled when unexpectidly the old man laughed with them. The old man grabbed his cane and pointed it at Joe.
"Heheheh, I hope you're not talking to me! I only have one ticket. And if each of you kids want a black eye or two, then stick around and get a prize." Joe smirked and snapped his fingers, Kurtis slowly took the cane and snapped it into many wooden shards over his knee. The trio chuckled again when the old man looked kind of sad. "Aw, now look what you've done. Now you've broken my cane and...well...my temper too." The three goths stopped and looked oddly at him when suddenly the old man was up on his feet, sending a lightning quick punch to the short guy sending him flying to the other asle, the short guy wailing as he flew through the air. He turned to the other two as they shook their fears away. "Lets get him!" Joe shouted, by this time an area of people around them were watching. Joe and Kurtis took one step forward when a voice came out from behind them. "Hold it!"
"Now what?!" Joe snarled angrily when he turned around. Breaking through the crowd a man stepped on the asle. He was a slightly tall man, wearing a brown cloak like cape that came down to his torso. His pants were slightly ragged as well as his brown boots. His hair was a bizarre silver color, his eyes glaring at the two teens. "Two punks against an old man? Doesn't sound fair to me."
"Who do you think you are?!" Kurtis said abruptly. By this time they were both turned around, the old man forgotten. The man standing on the alse nodded at the old man, and the duo was sent flying through the air from the old guys quick punches, only to be sent the other direction from a kick and punch from the man in the cloak. The crowd gasped, and soon security came to the dazed group, putting cuffs on their wrists. The crowd went into a slight cheer followed by whistles and hoots as the cloaked man and the old guy sat in their seats. The old man grinned at the mysterious cloaked figure.
"You're not so bad for a young 'un as yourself."
"I should say the same for you."
The computer popped up infront of the cloaked man asking him for his number, leaving a bewildered look on the man's face.
"Just type in the number on your ticket, then later pop in the ticket into that slot." The old man pointed out. The cloaked man followed his directions and slumped back into his chair ignoring the ongoing computer about advertisements. The old man did the same. "What do they call you young 'un?"
"...Dolan. Dolan Lambert."
"And I'm Eric Exallophis Bostvic... Just call me Eric."
I looked at Eric for a moment, still confused about what happened.
"Why were those punks after you? And... where were the staff and security?"
"The punks? They were after my ticket...or should I say 'tickets'. The staff around here are cowards, and only know how to serve and fly, not to break up fights. As for security guards, they're not allowed on the ship unless it's an emergency. If guns were fired the windows could be penetrated and... well so on and so forth."
Must I remind you, I was scared out of my mind, no matter how calm I sounded. All around me were people of different races and culture. Not only that but I've never been on a space transportation... ship thing before.
"Is this your first time in space young 'un?"
"...Yeah."
" Heheh, no wonder you're so nervous!"
Eric laughed to himself, again, ending in a loud cough. He cleared his throat looking at my hands which were grabbing on to the armrest tightly.
"Relax, nothing is gonna happen... Well, there was that time we had to go through this asteroid belt..."
"Thanks, that makes me feel better."
"Hahaha! That was just a joke young 'un. Don't take it so seriously."
"I told you old man, my name is Dolan."
"Well alright young 'un, don't wear your feelings on yer sleeve."
Eric continued chuckling to himself as I took a deep breath and stared forward. The seats were about filled now, so I could tell we were about to take off... great. Eric looked up and faced me. "So where are you heading Dolan?"
I looked up at my card reading the bold print: Space Port Delta.
"Um, Space Port Delta."
"Space Port Delta huh? I've been there a couple of times. Why are you going?"
"To tell you the truth, I really don't know."
"What the...? How can you be heading to a specific place and not know why?!"
"Beats me."
"You don't talk much do you Dolan?"
"No. Well, not lately."
"Why's that."
I hesitaded for a moment and looked down at the red carpet. "I'd rather not say."
As soon as I finished my sentence the intercome aboved came on. It had an old metallic ring as the person spoke. "This is Captain Fredrick speaking. Please relax and enjoy the trip. A video of a few instructions will appear shortly. We are now leaving Rhineton Space Port, our next stop will be Space Port Delta. Please enjoy the trip and try to relax."
Eric chuckled about the repeating pilot, who he has flown with many times. The intercom cut off and all the lights slowly dimmed as a huge T.V. screen thing lowered in the front asles, revealing the same lady as on the ticket computer, explaining about services and all that. Eric and I ignored it.
"Will this take long? I'm not even hungry or thirsty."
"No, it shouldn't. Excuse me for a moment."
Eric slowly got up and started hobbling down the asle.
"Where are you going?!"
"To the bathroom of course."
"What?! At...at take off?"
"Yeah, whats the problem with that?"
"Uh... nevermind."
Eric slowly hobbled away behind me. I took a deep breath, the T.V. screen finally drawing up as the lights came back on. I have to say I was pretty excited, scared, and worried all at the same time. I could feel the adreniline running through me as I heard a distant roaring yet humming sound from behind me. I was going into space for the first time. Wouldn't I float around or a carelessly object hit my head like I've seen on T.V.? What if the windows cracked? Or the ship go out of control? All these thoughts were frantically running through my head as the distant roaring noise got louder and louder. I closed my eyes tight feeling the ships momentum shoot forward, slowly at first but getting faster by the second. That constant roaring and the low murmur of voices seemed to get louder in my head. I dared to open one eye and look out a window, we were shooting up! Sweat trickled down to my neck, my breathing got shorter as if I was almost gasping for air. A continous rattle ran through the whole ship, as I suppose, started to leave the earth's orbit. It seemed as an eternity passed before I realized the rattling stopped. I slowly opened my eyes, looking around myself. Some people were staring at me, others just looking as normal as I saw them before. It took me a moment before I was able to look out my window next to me. After being through all that, going through space for the first time, seeing earth floating in a blanket of stars and darkness looked so beautiful that I was speechless. Eric finally shuffled back into his seat, looking out the window with me. "She sure is beautiful huh?"
"Yeah," I said quietly.
"If I had a dollar for everytime I've seen earth orbiting around in space, hell I'd be a millionaire!"
Eric once again started chuckling to himself, I kept quiet gazing at the glowing orb. It was kind of weird, watching my home world slowly get smaller and smaller, I've never been in space, at that see earth from this distance. It hurt to watch myself leave the home I'd never thought I could possibly escape from. I leaned back into my seat sighing to myself when Eric looked at me again. "How about a drink?"
"I'm not thirsty."
"Something to eat?"
"No thanks."
"Well, ya can't be acting like this the whole trip. If ya do I'm going to shoot myself."
"Huh?"
"Look I know how it feels to leave earth for the first time. But you'll be back. You're not leaving her forever. Well, really thats up to you but...hm....so, how about a drink?"
I took those words in slowly, then suddenly a little smile spread across my face.
"To tell you the truth, I am a little thirsty."
The Home Transportation Ship flew straight into space, soaring to the stars and darkness, earth was now nothing but a small star in the distance.