Sizz-Lorr was in a particularly down mood. Remembering his
humiliating past always caused him torment. As he was wallowing in self-
grief, a distinct clamor brought him out of his dismal thoughts. It was
definitely created by a living creature. Sizz-Lorr quickly rose to his feet
and raised his antennae as he cautiously approached his storage closet. The
motion detector sensed his footsteps and the door slid open revealing his
food rations and supplies. He squinted in the dimness as he felt for the
light switch. Flicking it on, he blinked around the room, antennae
twitching, listening for any stirring. Austy clasped her clammy palm over
her mouth as her concealed face poured sweat. Her entire body began
trembling uncontrollably.
Sizz-Lorr, assuming he was hearing things turned around and started for the exit. Once his footsteps were no longer heard, Austy took several deep-calming gulps of air. Sizz-Lorr who had been standing outside of the closet, wheeled around and thundered back into the enclosed room.
"Who are you?" Sizz-Lorr demanded.
There was no response.
"I know you're in here! Show yourself!" snapped Sizz-Lorr.
Austy, realizing that it was useless to stay hidden slowly and reluctantly pulled herself up. Sizz-Lorr's violet eyes grew wide as he watched Austy draw herself to her full height. Although she didn't tower over him, she was still at least a good inch above Sizz-Lorr. He kept his distance, unaware of what this unusual Earth creature was capable of. Trying to prevent himself from appearing nervous, Sizz-Lorr stood up as tall as he could and spoke in a deep, intimidating voice.
"How dare you try to steal my ship you thief!" he spat out.
"I-I w-wasn't g-going t-to steal I-it." Replied Austy in an alarmed tone. "Oh, sure! You just wanted to hop along for a joy ride then!" said Sizz- Lorr growing more confident. "A-almost?" said Austy weakly.
Sizz-Lorr narrowed his eyes at her.
"P-please allow m-me t-to explain," stammered the frightened girl. The massive Irken sighed.
"Proceed" he said, growing irritated.
"M-my name is Austy. I-I saw your ship and jumped in because I.because I."
Austy fished around for words while desperately trying not to reveal her underlying purpose.
"I wanted to.see the universe." Said Austy quickly. "Eh?" said Sizz-Lorr confused. "Yeah that's right. It gets dull living on the same planet all your life so I saw this as a random event to explore what's really out there."
Austy mentally kicked herself. She was a terrible liar. Sizz-Lorr blinked and scratched his head . "I don't see why I shouldn't just turn around and deposit you back on Earth." He said with a slight growl.
Austy gasped. She had come too far to get thrown in the dust again. If she went back to Earth, who knew how long it would for another chance like this? No she would not quit. Not when she knew her parents were out there fighting for their lives.
"No, Please!" she shouted as she tried to plead. "I've been waiting all my life for an opportunity like this to arise!" "Mmff," said Sizz-Lorr as he started for his control panel.
Austy turned to face him.
"Please. I'll do ANYTHING!" she exclaimed, nearly in tears.
Sizz-Lorr put his hand to his chin.
"Anything huh?" he thought.
He suddenly brightened, an idea coming to him. Sizz-Lorr spun around to face Austy, an odd grin now painted across his lips. Austy shuddered a bit at his ominous smile.
"Actually there is something I need." Said Sizz-Lorr. "Yes?" said Austy skeptically.
**************
Angela flopped on her side and gazed at her digital clock. 1:45. Staring up at the ceiling, she tried to imagine soothing thoughts. She just could not sleep after speaking to Austy earlier that evening. She had always known how concerned Austy was on the subject of her parents. And why shouldn't she be? They were out there, running from the strongest known military power in the universe. However, last night Angela had never heard that quizzical tone which was present in her adopted daughter's voice. She seemed unstable and uptight like a person with bipolar passing into the next phase. Angela feared that she might behave impulsively and risky. The neurotic woman did not know how she would ever carry on with life if anything happened to the only child she ever knew. Pushing away these dreadful thoughts, she looked over at her snoring husband. How was it men could always sleep so peacefully even in the most stressful situations? She nudged his solid form.
"Brian!" she whispered. "Mmm w-what?" he muttered half-asleep.
"Was it just me, or did Austy seem rather anxious last night?" said Angela. Brian yawned.
"Come to think of it, she didn't appear to be herself," he said.
Angela crept over to her nightstand and switched on a lamp. Picking up her phone she quickly dialed a familiar number.
"What are you doing?" asked Brian raising himself up.
"I'm calling Austy to make sure she's alright," replied Angela.
"Ang, you're gonna wake her," said Brian. "It would help me sleep better if I knew," said Angela. "Anyway, I got her answering machine."
Angela dashed to her closet and pulled on a pair of tennis shoes.
"Now were are you going?" said Brian. "I'm going to our daughter's home. You can come or you can stay. It's your decision," said Angela sharply.
Brian sighed and grabbed a pair of his own shoes.
Knowing that Austy was an insomniac, Angela was not fretful as to why Austy did not answer her phone. Oftentimes she would be on her rooftop, gazing at the night sky and scribbling in her astronomy log. However, as the Earth couple approached their foster daughter's house, their hearts sank. They gazed at a vacant roof. Panic rising, Angela raced to the front door and reached for the doorknob. To her surprise, the wooden door creaked open. The entire house was caliginous and appeared uninhabited. As Brian hurried upstairs, Angela scanned the ground level. Upon entering the kitchen, she spotted a small white sheet of paper on the translucent table. She picked it up and read the hand-written words:
"I saw the chance and grabbed it. Please don't be upset. Love, Austy"
Angela nearly fainted as she clutched her chest.
"Brian!" she managed to choke out.
Brian instantly rushed to his wife's side.
"What? What is it?" he asked bracing himself for the response. "Brian," she gasped. "She's gone."
************
Austy could barely believe what she had just gotten herself into. She sat cross-legged on the floor of Sizz-Lorr's ship. He was situated in front of his control panel, his eyes upon her. The two had made a compromise. If Sizz-Lorr agreed not to return Austy to Earth she would work for him on an intergalactic restaurant called ShlooGorgh's. Although she was apprehensive, she did not want to be restored to Earth. Austy figured with so many races of the universe consistently on Foodcourtia, she could easily slide her way out and continue in her mission. She didn't care if he needed assistance at his restaurant. After all he was a member of the Empire and they all thought alike. Yes, this would only be temporary, she thought.
Sizz-Lorr glared at the unknown species. He had not taken his eyes off her since they had made the agreement. Leaning back in his navy armchair, he scanned her foreign features. Her jade green eyes were very different from his Irken ocular organs and her face was brushed a pale, peachy tone.
"Shining auburn.wait a minute. What are those thin, strand-like projections sprouting from the top of her head?" Sizz-Lorr wondered.
He had just noticed that the room had been silent for quite a while now.
"All the better," thought Sizz-Lorr.
She would just be a temporary replacement anyway for that miserable Zim. Sizz-Lorr planned on using her in his place during the next Foodening so he could finally take a vacation. It would be her trouble. Sizz-Lorr closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
"mmyep," he thought.
Soon his worries would be a thing of the past.
*Sorry this chapter took so long. I was busy with school and work. This chapter was probably the hardest one I had to write so far. It took so much thought and work because it is a major transition in the story. Please tell me if ya like Austy as she is my fan character and based loosely off of myself. There will be much more action and romance in upcoming chapters. Hope you like so far and thanks for reviewing.
Sizz-Lorr, assuming he was hearing things turned around and started for the exit. Once his footsteps were no longer heard, Austy took several deep-calming gulps of air. Sizz-Lorr who had been standing outside of the closet, wheeled around and thundered back into the enclosed room.
"Who are you?" Sizz-Lorr demanded.
There was no response.
"I know you're in here! Show yourself!" snapped Sizz-Lorr.
Austy, realizing that it was useless to stay hidden slowly and reluctantly pulled herself up. Sizz-Lorr's violet eyes grew wide as he watched Austy draw herself to her full height. Although she didn't tower over him, she was still at least a good inch above Sizz-Lorr. He kept his distance, unaware of what this unusual Earth creature was capable of. Trying to prevent himself from appearing nervous, Sizz-Lorr stood up as tall as he could and spoke in a deep, intimidating voice.
"How dare you try to steal my ship you thief!" he spat out.
"I-I w-wasn't g-going t-to steal I-it." Replied Austy in an alarmed tone. "Oh, sure! You just wanted to hop along for a joy ride then!" said Sizz- Lorr growing more confident. "A-almost?" said Austy weakly.
Sizz-Lorr narrowed his eyes at her.
"P-please allow m-me t-to explain," stammered the frightened girl. The massive Irken sighed.
"Proceed" he said, growing irritated.
"M-my name is Austy. I-I saw your ship and jumped in because I.because I."
Austy fished around for words while desperately trying not to reveal her underlying purpose.
"I wanted to.see the universe." Said Austy quickly. "Eh?" said Sizz-Lorr confused. "Yeah that's right. It gets dull living on the same planet all your life so I saw this as a random event to explore what's really out there."
Austy mentally kicked herself. She was a terrible liar. Sizz-Lorr blinked and scratched his head . "I don't see why I shouldn't just turn around and deposit you back on Earth." He said with a slight growl.
Austy gasped. She had come too far to get thrown in the dust again. If she went back to Earth, who knew how long it would for another chance like this? No she would not quit. Not when she knew her parents were out there fighting for their lives.
"No, Please!" she shouted as she tried to plead. "I've been waiting all my life for an opportunity like this to arise!" "Mmff," said Sizz-Lorr as he started for his control panel.
Austy turned to face him.
"Please. I'll do ANYTHING!" she exclaimed, nearly in tears.
Sizz-Lorr put his hand to his chin.
"Anything huh?" he thought.
He suddenly brightened, an idea coming to him. Sizz-Lorr spun around to face Austy, an odd grin now painted across his lips. Austy shuddered a bit at his ominous smile.
"Actually there is something I need." Said Sizz-Lorr. "Yes?" said Austy skeptically.
**************
Angela flopped on her side and gazed at her digital clock. 1:45. Staring up at the ceiling, she tried to imagine soothing thoughts. She just could not sleep after speaking to Austy earlier that evening. She had always known how concerned Austy was on the subject of her parents. And why shouldn't she be? They were out there, running from the strongest known military power in the universe. However, last night Angela had never heard that quizzical tone which was present in her adopted daughter's voice. She seemed unstable and uptight like a person with bipolar passing into the next phase. Angela feared that she might behave impulsively and risky. The neurotic woman did not know how she would ever carry on with life if anything happened to the only child she ever knew. Pushing away these dreadful thoughts, she looked over at her snoring husband. How was it men could always sleep so peacefully even in the most stressful situations? She nudged his solid form.
"Brian!" she whispered. "Mmm w-what?" he muttered half-asleep.
"Was it just me, or did Austy seem rather anxious last night?" said Angela. Brian yawned.
"Come to think of it, she didn't appear to be herself," he said.
Angela crept over to her nightstand and switched on a lamp. Picking up her phone she quickly dialed a familiar number.
"What are you doing?" asked Brian raising himself up.
"I'm calling Austy to make sure she's alright," replied Angela.
"Ang, you're gonna wake her," said Brian. "It would help me sleep better if I knew," said Angela. "Anyway, I got her answering machine."
Angela dashed to her closet and pulled on a pair of tennis shoes.
"Now were are you going?" said Brian. "I'm going to our daughter's home. You can come or you can stay. It's your decision," said Angela sharply.
Brian sighed and grabbed a pair of his own shoes.
Knowing that Austy was an insomniac, Angela was not fretful as to why Austy did not answer her phone. Oftentimes she would be on her rooftop, gazing at the night sky and scribbling in her astronomy log. However, as the Earth couple approached their foster daughter's house, their hearts sank. They gazed at a vacant roof. Panic rising, Angela raced to the front door and reached for the doorknob. To her surprise, the wooden door creaked open. The entire house was caliginous and appeared uninhabited. As Brian hurried upstairs, Angela scanned the ground level. Upon entering the kitchen, she spotted a small white sheet of paper on the translucent table. She picked it up and read the hand-written words:
"I saw the chance and grabbed it. Please don't be upset. Love, Austy"
Angela nearly fainted as she clutched her chest.
"Brian!" she managed to choke out.
Brian instantly rushed to his wife's side.
"What? What is it?" he asked bracing himself for the response. "Brian," she gasped. "She's gone."
************
Austy could barely believe what she had just gotten herself into. She sat cross-legged on the floor of Sizz-Lorr's ship. He was situated in front of his control panel, his eyes upon her. The two had made a compromise. If Sizz-Lorr agreed not to return Austy to Earth she would work for him on an intergalactic restaurant called ShlooGorgh's. Although she was apprehensive, she did not want to be restored to Earth. Austy figured with so many races of the universe consistently on Foodcourtia, she could easily slide her way out and continue in her mission. She didn't care if he needed assistance at his restaurant. After all he was a member of the Empire and they all thought alike. Yes, this would only be temporary, she thought.
Sizz-Lorr glared at the unknown species. He had not taken his eyes off her since they had made the agreement. Leaning back in his navy armchair, he scanned her foreign features. Her jade green eyes were very different from his Irken ocular organs and her face was brushed a pale, peachy tone.
"Shining auburn.wait a minute. What are those thin, strand-like projections sprouting from the top of her head?" Sizz-Lorr wondered.
He had just noticed that the room had been silent for quite a while now.
"All the better," thought Sizz-Lorr.
She would just be a temporary replacement anyway for that miserable Zim. Sizz-Lorr planned on using her in his place during the next Foodening so he could finally take a vacation. It would be her trouble. Sizz-Lorr closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
"mmyep," he thought.
Soon his worries would be a thing of the past.
*Sorry this chapter took so long. I was busy with school and work. This chapter was probably the hardest one I had to write so far. It took so much thought and work because it is a major transition in the story. Please tell me if ya like Austy as she is my fan character and based loosely off of myself. There will be much more action and romance in upcoming chapters. Hope you like so far and thanks for reviewing.