Hunter, Prey

By Sapphire

Author's notes: This story was inspired by a book I read a couple of years ago: "The Needle" by Hal Clement. I haven't read it in a while, but when I came up with the idea to write a story more centred on John, the basic idea from that book popped up in my mind for some strange reasons. I just gave it the Thunderbirds Twist.

Disclaimer: Not mine. The T-birds belong to Gerry Anderson and some other people I've never met. Hunter is inspired by the book I've mentioned above.

Prologue

The small yellow sun wasn't much different from thousands of other stars in the same galaxy. Like many stars of that type, it was accompanied by several planets (in this case ten), an asteroid belt and a multitude of comets. An altogether unremarkable star system.

A small ship neared the third planet at a speed of several thousand miles per second. It decelerated as it got closer and soon went into orbit. Immediately it started to collect data and transferred the information to its lone occupant.

The passenger was delighted when he learned that the planet was populated by an intelligent life form, one that though it had not yet made the step to other solar systems had already a highly developed technology up to interplanetary travel. It was absolutely perfect.

The planet – called by its occupants 'Earth' – was way off the normal interstellar routes in a distant sector of the galaxy that to his knowledge had not been explored yet. Here he could hide as long as he wanted. He would learn the language of those Earthlings and then he would manipulate them any way he wanted. Here he would be able to get the power he deserved.

All he needed was to find a host and there would be no way that his hunters would ever find him.

He knew that at least one of his hunters was still on his trail, only a day or so behind. He had pushed his ship's engines to its limits and beyond, burning out the interstellar drive in the process. Still, his hunter had managed to follow him somehow. But here on Earth the other one would lose the trail. And in case the other would be able to detect his ship once he had landed, he would make sure to leave behind a little surprise.

Manipulating the controls of the ship, he lowered his orbit, searching for a good place where he could land and find a host.

Suddenly there was a small explosion in the aft section of his ship. What had started as a controlled descent turned into an uncontrolled downward dive. He was over a large body of water. A small island dominated by an extinct volcano appeared on his scanner and he tried desperately to steer his craft towards it.

He didn't quite make it.

With a huge splash, the ship hit the water less than a mile away from the island. For a second it floated on the surface, but then the water closed over it and it sunk into the depths of the ocean.

Moments later, there was no sign left that there ever had been a visitor.

tbc

Additional comment: As with my other stories I posted, this one is completed, though parts of it are still with my beta readers (whom I thank very much). I will try to post one part a day (there are 15 parts all in all), so everything should be out before I head out for my four weeks vacation in New Zeeland in January/February big grin

Comments are, as always, very welcome.

A Merry Christmas to everybody.