by Ma West
Again there was a long pause as nothing happened. Hashmore pushed away the doubt and focused on the miracle of his still being alive—after whatever it was that he had just been through—and recited another few rounds of the Lord’s Prayer.
The words from his Lord came with a crushing blow. “We don’t understand your gesture. Perhaps you could communicate verbally?”
Hashmore erupted in tears behind his closed eyes, now more afraid than ever to open them. “Oh, Lord, why do you not hear my prayers?” He continued the sobs as they staggered his speech. “Who is ‘we,’ Lord? Is that Jesus?”
The voice took a short pause. “Would you kindly open your eyes so we can finish our exam and open your tube?”
Hashmore took several seconds and said a short prayer to reconfirm that there was in fact no voice of his Lord in his head, just some damn alien. The voice began to speak in order to hurry the process but backed off after Luke opened his eyes and moved. Red light instantly filled his vision, and a string of pulsing, piercing, and popping noises started to give him a headache.
The discomfort didn’t last long, and soon the water was drained away, and the door to the tube opened. There, as his vision cleared, Hashmore saw the physical body of the voice in his head and two other, completely different aliens standing in a line as if to greet him.
His conscious mind drove him to take a defensive stance, but his emotions took control and manifested themselves into a pile of puke that was his vending-machine dinner. The bodies of the aliens adjusted but didn’t move as they seemed to be at a loss for protocol.
Yet another alien, this time a wheelbarrow full of tentacles and puffing antennae, came forward and placed one of its tentacles around Hashmore. At first he interpreted it as an aggressive move, but the tentacle moved to stabilize his body as another round of puke made its way out of his system and back into the world.
Chapter 37
Ascent of the Faithful
The alien proved its true intent by completely lowering its guard. Being aware of the aliens surrounding him only enhanced Hashmore’s feeling of helplessness. Defecating, climaxing, and yes, puking all felt like pretty defenseless positions in which to be introduced to potentially dangerous beings, yet they appeared disinclined to attack. One even seemed inclined to comfort.
One of the aliens slid forward a few feet. It had a hunchback form of a humanoid with five limbs, one possibly being a tail. Short reddish-brown hair covered its front side, while a long, darker brown covered the sides and rear. Long whiskers reached out of the fur on its back. It had the face of a fox but moved more like a monkey. Its narrow eyes trained on Hashmore like a bird hunting its prey.
Hashmore was able to regain some composure, but he still instinctually took a flight stance as he attempted to restore his breath. Loud caws echoed out from the animal, its head bobbing back with each crow. The sounds pounded violently in his head, and while loud and intimidating, the beast didn’t seem to be posing any sort of threat or challenge.
The wheelbarrow alien attempted to wrap its tentacle around Hashmore, but this time, he had the strength to fight it off. The alien didn’t put up much of a fight after realizing its actions weren’t wanted. Each time Hashmore moved, the aliens would follow, yet they never came too close or moved farther away, with limited variation.
A strange smell began puffing out of the wheelbarrow creature in great quantities, fumigating his nostrils with its pleasant lavender, hickory, and charcoal. Hashmore slowed down in mind and body. The intensity rose quickly, and the effects were remarkably familiar. It wasn’t long before he felt numb, just like before, just like the pills.
The wheelbarrow creature again approached to within tentacles’ reach, but Hashmore was stiffened by the amazing numbness. The alien tilted Hashmore’s head and, extending a tentacle high into the air, placed something deep inside his ear.
The bird-like alien crowed with the same intensity, but this time, the words echoed clearly in English within his mind. “We welcome you to the Arkapeligo, the civilized universe’s last symbol of life, a phoenix in a dying universe, a cradle of civilizations, and above all else, a hope for a future. We welcome you and apologize for the less-than-comfortable ride here. My name is Mardoxx, and I am an emissary for the Tilotin people and their leader, Mother Titlion.”
Relaxing his posture, Hashmore then dropped down to a knee, more for physical reasons than political. He wiped his nose and spoke a little prayer. “Lord, give me the strength.”
Conversation erupted among the aliens standing behind Mardoxx, but it was very hushed, and only the impression that they were discussing him came across.
Wiping his nose and spitting out the last remnants of his puke, Hashmore rose and spoke verbally. “My name is Hashmore, and I am the emergency manager, subordinate only to the mayor. What have you done, and why?”
After his response, the conversation between the aliens ceased, and they focused with a diplomatic courtesy. Again Mardoxx crowed a tiresomely piercing noise as the words echoed, the way he thought the Lord’s had, deep in his brain. “Yes, of course, forgive my terseness, but the local situation requires us to forgo many of the normal pleasantries, forcing us to tube you through the vacuum of space.” There was a short pause as the being gave Hashmore a moment to interject, if necessary. Hashmore did not, and Mardoxx continued. “You and your local brethren are now aboard the spaceship Arkapeligo—a spaceship of immense history, culture, life, and power, whose mission it is to save as many species as possible from the threat of the Wilde. The Wilde are the most ancient of all species, but they betrayed the creator and broke the bounds of his laws. For which they went mad, crazy, and hateful. Now their only purpose is to destroy all that was made by the creator.”
He took another short break before continuing. “This ship houses the last remnants of thirteen species. Your species will now hopefully become the fourteenth. We races cohabitate as equally as possible, but if outside decision-making is required, we defer it to the Tilotin people as residing caretakers.” Again Mardoxx paused, almost surprised at Hashmore’s lack of interruptions.
This time, however, Hashmore interjected with only a nod of endorsement. Mardoxx, while having only been introduced, seemed as easy to read as a human. The smile and impressed nature communicated clearly across the alien’s face. “Thank you for your attention. I know it must be a lot to absorb, and I’m afraid the local situation requires you to have yet more extensive knowledge so that you may return to your people and lead them appropriately. There are no imprisoned races on this ship, and each race has a specialty that they share with the collective, as rent.” Waving with an extended wing, he stepped aside as one of the rear aliens stepped forward.
It was repulsive, with its numerous eyes protruding out of a furry sack that could change the direction it was viewing, much like a turtle if it could rotate inside its shell. It had the body of a spider, with several limbs that towered over its shell, doubling its height to almost five feet. Soon the shell vibrated, and a beautiful symphony of sounds, whistles, hums, and swirls varied its level of pleasantness. With the sounds, soon returned the words inside Hashmore’s head. “I am known in other tongues as Hummington. My species is the Pergenese, and we are proud members of the Arkapeligo. We were the fifth species to join in this great venture. Our home world fell victim to the Wilde. We were the last major stronghold against our rivals, who would take advantage of our great loss. Our enemies were numerous, and the ark lost several defenders in our rescue. For the loss of those who would save us, we now live to save and defend the ark as its pilots, crewmen, and citizens. May, too, your species be judged worthy to join the ark, for it is not only salvation but home.” The being stood erect for several seconds and then moved back toward its companions and its place in line.
The third creature in formation now stepped forward. The alien also only stood, at most, four feet tall. It had brown skin like the bark of a pine tree. It had leaf-green hair running along its back, arms
, and legs. The alien stepped forward, spun around, and collapsed into what looked very much like a furry shrub. After a brief moment, the creature spun around again and presented itself. Of all the aliens so far, this creature’s voice sounded familiar, like a near-eastern language.
“Dulax is how you will address me. My people, the Collinary, are proud members of the Arkapeligo. We proudly serve as providers of nourishment and nutrition for the majority of the species here in the ark. Our world of Atania is no longer a great pearl of civilization, as the Wilde stumbled upon our world early in their madness, the worst of their madness. To only the accord of mercy do they now terminate, yet at that time, they did unspeakable things to my people. We were a farming colony, the finest in the quadrant. The ark offered us refuge, but in our arrogance and abundance of a scarce product, we sought out to rebuild what had been taken. Yet with so many resources, so many willing mates, and so few to answer to, we became decadent and failed to build anything of value.”
An almost human display of remorse came across in body language despite the dramatic physical difference. “Again the Wilde returned. All of us fled. So few of us lived. Those who did banded together at a lesser colony and launched an expedition to find the ark. After a journey of much hardship and loss, we were finally reunited with the Arkapeligo. Now we pay homage to the ark and its caretakers, the Tilotin, and we devote our existence to supplying the ark with the nutrition it needs to undertake its vital mission.” The alien Dulax made a gesture and returned to Hummington’s side.
Hashmore finally interjected, eager to fill in some blanks. “Who were the creators of this ark, and what happened to them? What the hell has gone Wilde? Judged? How will I be judged, and by whom? What do you mean by ‘local situation’?” Hashmore struggled to remember them all, instantly forgetting each as soon as it was out, for the next question required all concentration.
Whispers and impressions came across his mind, but Hashmore was at a loss for what the four aliens were discussing. Waves of emotions such as doubt, worry, and apprehension came across as he concentrated on their discussion, but alas, nothing substantive. Mardoxx turned back around to face Hashmore, and again the annoying crows came across as the words spoken in his head. “We will, in time, answer all your questions in more detail, but for now, all you need to know is that the Wilde are a grave danger to all of us, every living thing. So grave, in fact, that many of your people have been unfortunately lost as we rush to depart for the local solar system as soon as possible. As to your other questions, you are not the one being judged. Some of your brethren will be. As for your last question, the empire believes that your race has something valuable to collect, and they intend to do that before the Wilde arrive and destroy everything.”
Another new alien entered the room from around the corner. This alien was intense in its presence and power. It stood seven feet tall, on two powerful legs. Its front arms seemed to have extra elbows, and a spiky tail waved catlike behind it. Its face was dog-like, and its eyes were narrow. It held a long staff with a bulb of electricity at each end. It waved its paw as Mardoxx continued with the loud crows. “This is a member of the Dognosis species, obviously a very powerful and intimidating race, which is why we don’t include them in first introductions. As I’m sure you have already determined, the Dognosis serve as security aboard the ark. I say ‘security’ because their numbers are again too few to make an army. Not that it takes many, mind you.” Mardoxx moved like a chicken across the floor, looking like nothing more than a pet to the huge creature as he stood before the Dognosis alien. Again he crowed, but this time at the alien. The words were still clearly in Hashmore’s mind. “Aragnaught, proud warrior of the Dognosis, will you honor your service to the ark by vowing to protect Mr. Hashmore in his quest?”
The alien changed stature, barked loudly, and pounded the electric spear across his chest.
The furry little beast let out a visible chuckle before uncomfortably moving on and back toward Hashmore. “Alas, the last great power in this galaxy is known as the Huban Imperial Empire. A most gifted and powerful race, they once ruled with a Midas touch, but now they control with ruthless abandon, all consumed with the task of saving their empire from the Wilde. Slaves they make out of worlds in days. Now they have come here. Leaked out from within . . . still to be determined, but alas here is where we find ourselves now. The empire is coming for you and your people, the Wilde are coming for your world, and we are all that stand in their way, well at least for the near term.” The creature paused, waiting to see how much Hashmore had assimilated.
There was a noticeable pause before Hashmore realized that a response was necessary, and another as he reviewed the last few words. Several questions rose to the top, but as he was about to begin, the creature crowed again. “Time is of the essence, and there will be many more questions. There is one more task we must complete before we can return you to your people.”
To his amazement, the creature opened wide, powerful wings, now braced by the large whiskers that protruded out of its back. The creature again crowed as it clucked like a chicken and approached Hashmore. “The judging has commenced, and your race’s fate shall be determined by the time we arrive at our destination.”
Hashmore reached out his arms in a defensive position as the smaller creature jumped, grabbed him around the chest, and lifted them both up with its massively powerful wings.
Oh, Lord, are you there? Please tell me, what does this all mean? Whom shall I spite for you, my Lord? This is all so different, so strange. I don’t like it, Lord. I feel so scared, so weak, so deprived of faith. Oh, Lord, will you give me the faith? Give me the knowledge? Lord, I am your warrior. I have slain many demons for you. Will you not grant me my peace?
Oh, Lord, are you there? Have you not always shown me the way? Have you not always led me to the wolf as a sheep? Yet this time, Lord, I fear I cannot do what you ask of me. Everyone here is a monster, a threat to your existence. How much more can you ask of me? How much more can I give? Have the battles I waged in your name not been enough? How many more demons must I slay to earn a place at your table? How many more works must I produce to prove my faith?
Oh, Lord, are you there? Please tell me what to do next. Please tell me how much more. My spirit well is running dry, my body aches and pains with age, and yet you continue to ask, continue to order. Oh, Lord, where shall I get the strength? When shall I persevere? When shall I rest?
Oh, Lord, I’m so tired. Will you not renew me, renew my dwindling belief, renew my failing conviction? Oh, Lord, I beg of you, renew my faith. I can go on no longer.
Chapter 38
Flight of the Faithful
With two powerful strokes, Mardoxx lifted Hashmore high above the room, which had a dome shape, with four entry pods in the center and supporting equipment on the periphery. Mardoxx had altered Hashmore’s position and now held him by the arms, around his waist, and under his shoulders. Together they moved toward a large hole in the top of the dome. With a great flurry, Mardoxx thrust his wing to cover them and, with a strong current, began to suck them up the vent.
They were moving fast for three, maybe four stories, Hashmore guessed. Then they burst forward into a greater expanse. It was amazing. It was beautiful. It was scary. For nearly the full distance of his vision, the ship stretched in each direction. Shaped like a cylinder, the expanse was interlaced with large, circular junction points. Some of these junctions seemed to have active transportation systems with vehicles moving in and out frequently. Other junctions were large, dark spots in a vast stretch of correlating, lit buildings and open fields of strange vegetation.
There was no up, no down, maybe even no left or right. Hashmore had never felt so much like a foreigner. Mardoxx again crowed, but slower and weaker as he struggled to maintain his breath. “This is the heart of the ark. We call it the city of eternity, the city of the blessed, and the city of a forever hope, Xeanna. Those residents are the engineers, craftsmen, and trade smiths that ke
ep the actual ark working. They are usually the offspring of the mixed-blood families that can occur, usually outside the boundaries of one or both of the civilizations. There are even a few descendants of the first ones, still alive and working down there, somewhere.”
A few powered vehicles passed by. Several large transportation systems seemed to be in operation all at once. Speedier, longer vessels zoomed by more centrally as they fled down the center pathways. Larger, bulkier vessels traveled much more slowly in a separate layer farther out from center. Several vessels of various shapes and sizes zipped up and down to the surface at select intervals. Mardoxx flew higher, staying about five hundred meters above the surface as they proceeded in a flight pattern that Hashmore was sure he couldn’t duplicate.
“Why don’t we just take a vehicle?” Hashmore yelled louder than was necessary while using the stones, but Mardoxx didn’t appear to mind.
“Because those vehicles aren’t allowed where we are going.”
“And where is that?” Hashmore asked.
“To see the Great Mother.”
So far, most of what Hashmore had seen looked and felt more like a city than a military or political organization. Yet as they approached a circular junction point, that look changed dramatically as both Tilotins flew in an inner-circle defense perimeter while small craft with intimidating hardware circled the perimeter. Stationed at the entry points were Dognosis, checking the visitors as they queued for entry.
The defenders spread out and opened a pathway that led to another vent, which appeared to be their destination. Once again, Mardoxx gave a big thrust and covered the two with his wings as they were sucked up a tube at an incredible speed. They burst forth into another expanse. This time, a huge dome reached high above a tall, vertical spire of a mountain. The landscape was littered with smaller mounds, creating a labyrinth surrounding the great spire.