The wake-up alarm sounded in my quarters. That irritating oddly pitched buzz filled my head as my mind drifted into consciousness. They have scientifically created the sound that our hearing and brains can’t ignore. I think it is a combination of a baby’s cry, the sound of a cat whose tail is stepped on, and a nagging wife all rolled up into one sound, and then add a little screech of fingernails on a chalkboard. “I’m awa...

Chapter 53 Friendship in Despair “Well, you’re correct. He is slow, because he is in the process of intercepting Leot’s communication with Almaz. I believe it’s his real reason for going there. But the official reason for the attack is tellurium. Our cities are made of tellurium. He always wanted it for his purposes.” “Let’s skip the subterfuge for a second. But could the said intercepted information be an explanation for...

Chapter 52 Navigating the Unknown “Loving your own kind and discriminating against others is not love at all. Love can only be for everyone. The ederi understood that when you told them about the effects of their unfair law. As for feeding – they have a weaker form of your parasite, capable of sustaining the infant until it learns to process the energy by itself.” We fly lower and lower, and I can already see the fields o...

Chapter 7 By Kari and Khadaj At 0600 the comm dinged, and Zlanta's voice came out. "Sive, time fer breakfast an' tha tour of tha ship. Capt'n's already in the cahmon room. You awake, chile?" At Sive's answer the comm clicked off. When Sive heard the comm ding, she jumped up. Pressing the comm button she replied. “I'll be right there Zlanta.” Having one last look in the tiny mirror, she saw something she hadn't seen in mon...

Chapter 6 By Kari and Khadaj Jason thought for a few minutes before answering, "Actually, I do. You found that pendant on your desk just before you had to disappear, eh? That in itself is suspicious, not to mention you've said a couple of times how whomever is chasing you has been able to stay on your trail." Jason stroked his chin, staring at the pendant which was framed by her small breasts. "I think Donny should have a...

Chapter 51 The Golden Rain “Maybe because you all know more than I do!” I answer loudly to the child, but no one is surprised. “Thank you.” Is heard behind us. I turn around, startled, and it is Yasen, transparent, just like Verba. He addressed his “thank you” to Kallitris. I’m astonished at this turn of events, as if one can get any more astonished with these folks. This is when the crowd starts yelling and cheering in h...

Chapter 50 The Magic of Ederi “I know what happened.” I continue, feeling dizzy with how much danger I’m putting myself in, that is, in the middle of an already uneasy, electrified situation. “Leot had always been with you – in the form of a black stone. These here black stones are Leot! He wanted you to be his best experiment ever… But then you guys went out of control, and adopted that stupid law, prohibiting the ederi...

“Not even Oxy-Boy can be near him!” and “He only likes the neighborhood eight!”. Iron Man always heard negative things being said about him. In his neighborhood -neighborhood eight- he was admired by the children and adults on every street. He never knew that one day he would be considered the neighborhood super hero! When a child is born in neighborhood 8, they are given a number. Iron Mans’ number was 26. As a young boy...

Chapter 5 By Kari and Khadaj Rubbing her bruised wrists, Sive turned as she looked up at Jason. “How can I ever thank you for risking your lives for me just now?” Her eyes widened as Jason's last words finally sank in giving Sive some hope. “Wait....did you just say what I thought you did? Are you sure you want me aboard your ship, now that you know my history? And what about the other crew members? Their lives will be in...

Chapter 4 by Kari and Khadaji Watching Jason as he speaks about her test results makes Sive wanted to shout, (I've never cheated on a test in my entire life you Dumb Ass Spacer!) She could feel her temper rising, but stops herself by biting her lip. He moves like a cat watching his prey until he is sitting in front of her, continuing in a different vein, his words reaching her like no one had been able to in years. Sive l...

Chapter 3. by Kari and Khadaji Sive could only watch dumbfounded as Jason left the portmasters. Fuming she went after him, practically skipping along side him she breathlessly added, “Look my friend, I didn't mean to offend you back there, I really do need this job, you saw those goons, they won't stop coming after me until I either pay up or they get their credits some other way.” She shuddered as she finally realized th...

Chapter 2 by Kari and Khadaji While the men confronted each other, Sive had the time to assess her would-be saviour. He had the look of no nonsense about him. She put her knife back in her boot, trying to decide how to put herself in the best possible light.If I play my cards right this might just be my ticket out of this hell hole. Damsel in distress? No, he would see right through that one...hey, I could be just a helpl...

By Kari and Khadaji Chapter 1. Jason DeBois watched the last of the cargo off-load onto the dock for the client's inspection. Now came the moment of truth. Was this one honest or would he try to cheat? Jason had already ordered the steward into the dorsal turret with instructions to have it pointed near the client's vehicle. Not at it, no need to be rude. But close enough to blast it into next week if something went wrong...

Chapter 49 The Revelation “I saw Leot.” The erahi blurts out. Then he frowns, pausing, and looks around to make sure no one had heard us. Why am I so scared all of a sudden? I do not know why I’m afraid of this thing, this creature, my creator. He is too omnipotent, too unpredictable, I guess. When I lived on Earth he seemed desirable. I wanted him, I dreamt of him. But now? Everywhere I turn it seems like Leot either cre...

The universe is a cold, dark place. It goes on, forever, and ever, and there's nothing we can do about it. There's nothing that can change the fact that one day, the stars will go out, one by one, dying as they fade from the sky we so desperately love. We look up and see death, the slow death of the universe as stars explode, or get swallowed up by black holes, or get overrun by alien races we know nothing about. And yet,...