by Marcus Sloss
I grabbed Willow’s hand and went forward. The first booth was a sloth humanoid selling what looked like honey. A pricing chart was illustrated based on desired trades. I did not recognize a thing. Since I had no real need for golden syrup, I passed this booth. I hurried to the next stall. Willow tugged my arm. Perci and Nancy were stuck gazing. Willow left for them, but I kept going. Next was a merman selling jello? It looked like jello, but who knew? He also had pearls, dried fish, and eggs. While interesting, I had no idea what these eggs would do. Nor did I care to ask.
The next booth of insectoids did not interest me because the other ninety-degree booths beside them did. It was easy to see becoming infinitely lost in here. Armor. This four-armed, lime green humanoid was selling some sort of shielding. There was a demonstration video playing behind the creature watching me. The display showed a slingshot pinging the armor. An electrical bolt like those the flapions used was easily absorbed. A plasma round hit the armor and the armor shed scales that, moments later, were replaced. This scenario played out until two rapid shots broke through. Oh, I got it. The video was showcasing the weaknesses now. A boulder rolled off a cliff and crushed the armor. Okay, I could live with that. My armor back home had far more gaps in coverage. I pinged the girls my location.
“Alright, my name is Eric, and I am a human,” I said, extending my hand.
“Think about wanting to know what I am,” the being replied.
I did as instructed. Species name TBD. Individual name TBD. Planet system 41231232 Planet number 8 Rating 9.
“Turzok is your name and your species is called Turo. Ugh, I hope I don’t spend all day creating names. Hey girls, look at Turzok here and think about wanting to know what he is,” I said as the ladies arrived.
“I can look fantastic in this armor!” Willow and Nancy said in unison.
“How long for custom orders?” I asked.
“Longer than today. You are from a new human planet. Huh, that is odd. I am surprised you were able to hide for so long,” Turzok said, and my jaw fell open.
“Wait, are you saying there are other humans in this chain of quarantine?”
“Yes, you might find other humans if you run around the market. They do not visit here often.”
“I take it from your comment they have been in the Xgate network for a long time.”
“At least -” the translator crunched some numbers “- three million years, but I am no historian.”
“Hmm…” I said getting lost in thought.
“My point is, humans normally pay really well for armor. I have some for your milking sex.” He paused when I giggled. Perci slugged my arm and Turzok pointed. “See, violence is prevalent, even in your young-bearing. I cannot tell if you are with a child, which is rare for me. I smell the hormones. Ah, you must be trying. Sorry I have a sensitive nose.”
“I do not recognize these materials. The guide mentioned you would have price ranges for what you want. We have common metals, meat-”
“Your device on your wrist. Does it have your list of what you brought?”
I pushed my arm forward. Turzok placed a device over my arm. He smiled when he read the information back.
“Based on this pad, your planet Earth has a mineral you call Yttrium (Y). Electronics, white LED lights, Lithium-Ion Batteries — well, that is your best source for it. You have a tiny sliver of it in your hand. I will trade that for human-sized armor. That and I will trade for these rocking chairs. My kind cannot build wooden rocking chairs to this standard. It is almost like they were crafted by artists.”
The taver’s rocking chairs were amazing. I would happily trade exchange chairs for armor. I had my answer I was seeking, though. More than that. I knew there were other humans on other planets I could trade with. Meeting with Turzok was exactly what I needed. I saved this location on my Gpad, kissed three cheeks, and ran for the exterior wall. To test a theory, I stepped on a different portal. I shot into the void above me and was drifted to the first starting room. I waved to Goldie, who rolled their eyes.
“I have a trade-in holding armor for wooden chairs. How does that work?” I asked, and the shelf wall folded outward, revealing more space further back. I didn’t need to ask what that meant. I hopped out into the golden light.
I checked and I had only spent ten minutes inside. I dialed up the Stronghold Mansion line only.
“Listen up team, we need electronics. I am talking old DVD players, cellphones, tablets, and everything you can think of that is sitting in closest. Items we passed up, and items people left behind. There is valuable metal in there. With that, we can buy alien crafted armor and weapons. There are probably a million vendors in what I am calling the Golden Market. Finally, there are other planets with humans on them. They are trapped in this cycle like us. So do not be shocked if you see them among the aliens while shopping. Captain King Eric out.”
I immediately dialed up Mitchell.
“Go for Gate Team,” Mitchell said.
“I need all teams on emergency scavenging. How many do you need to push off an assault?”
“If I grab the missiles out of the cave, I can keep my core guards. Not like you are far if we get into anything. Unless they can out snipe me with scan goggles on. Which I doubt. Let me get to work. Do you want regular citizens looting?” Mitchell asked, walking for a vehicle.
“Yes. We know there are no aliens from Xgate 232. I will create a looting boundary line,” I said. Torrez was listening intently. “The armor was stuff our R&D guys could only dream about. That was only the fourth store I looked at. I am coming back with the convoy for all the rocking chairs the tavers made.”
Torrez dialed into our conversation and then spun it to the entire command channel. “Why electronics?”
“Oh, rare metals hold value, some Y symbol metal I never heard of is highly sought after. I have no idea if we are getting a good deal, though. However, we need to get the material. Any electronics, really. Even TVs.”
“This is Braxton, I am with Gary. Should we go looting instead of going to the Xgate to make supplies?”
I paced quickly and decisively came to a conclusion. “Yes, we can always build homes with wood for now. We didn’t always have the opportunity to protect our soldiers in bulletproof, plasma shedding armor. Also, you can go shopping and buy tools after you get done looting. We have twenty slots. Even if you only snag a quick ride's worth of stuff, it could mean a laser cutter or something. I don’t know, but when you go you, will be amazed. Not only that, you will wish you could buy all the neat things. We will buy what we need to start and hopefully finish in time to cycle more people into the market.”
“Okay Cap, sounds like a plan. Diverting to go scrounge for old electronics,” Gary said from beside Braxton the electrician.
I closed their call. My hands shot to around my mouth and I shouted. “Everything out of the trailers and into the north and east portal. Go, go, go. The moment it is done, speed off and loot inside the boundary I drew.”
Torrez tried to talk, but Colonel Reinhardt walked over. His shirtless chest had a translator installed into it.
“I wish we knew more going into this. I didn’t even drag much more than a truckload of gold bars, which are worthless. I am going to take the extra Isaac slot and rush trading stuff out here. Let me see your boundary lines so we don't fight over loot,” Reinhardt said in a scruff tone.
I sent our lines to his Gpad. “I thought you were a black-hearted pirate. Sure are giving Isaac a lot of freedom to loot. I guess we can follow suit. Best to play nice.”
Torrez smiled and said, “We do have Denver to loot, after all. That should be jammed with electronics.”
“I am leaving men behind. If they bug you, let me know. Good luck out there today. I saw some insane weapons, pitiful pleasure slaves, and even dog-sized chickens.”
“Chickens!” I cried out.
“Yup. I’m getting them though; already made the deal. I can give the location of the pleasure slaves if you wa
nt.”
I dejectedly kicked Torrez’s cybernetic legs in a pout. “I got three of those already, except I am the sex slave. Harder to please three ladies than you think. I am not grouchy about that. I want chickens!”
Reinhardt burst into a knee-slapping laughter. He pointed at me while laughing. Okay, that was a bit much.
“I will trade you eggs later, maybe you should be scouring the market instead of talking about what you wish you had. Speaking of which, I need to go loot some mansions loaded with useless old electronics! Who picks chickens over pleasure slaves? So much for being the mythical pirate king. Good to know there is a decent human in there somewhere, Yang. Until later.”
“Bye, Reinhardt,” I waved to the man as he loaded into the MRAP vehicle while waving goodbye. I turned to Torrez. “Thoughts?”
“I am good on the pleasure slave,” he said with a snicker and Maria rolled her eyes. “Maria wants you to pop in and out with Gpad updates. Ouch!”
“Puedo hablar por mi mismo Miguel,” Maria said to her husband after pinching his arm. “Please give us updates on what the current people find and prices listed. Those of us in between looting homes, watching children, or on guard duty will compile price lists and location items.”
“Great idea. Okay, vamoose,” I said, after noticing the metal had all been unloaded.
Torrez chuckled. “It is vamanos. For the community.”
“For the community.”
I went back inside the golden shimmer. The back shelf was loaded with converted bars of high-carbon steel. My walk over to them was devoid of a floating goldfish named Goldie. Thinking of him made him appear. Wishing him away caused him to vanish. I willed him back.
“Is this valuable?” I asked, picking up a bar off the shelf.
“Everything has value to someone. There are still universal laws at play. There is a cost to move you, a cost for these Xgates, and a cost to host this market. We cannot generate something from nothing. This high-carbon steel is not rare, and it is also not used that much. I think you will regret selling all your fancy stuff on your first visit,” Goldie said, while floating around the room. The swim was hypnotic in its own way. “I do understand you expect more down in the town of Denver. Based on the descriptions rooting through your mind, the XLroachs are, in fact, one of the most invasive species.”
“Yeah, they ran into covering fire,” I said.
“Be grateful. They do not like the cold or high altitudes. They would have overrun your defenses. Hating and being unable to handle are two different things. Do not poke the preverbal bear.”
“I may have to. I will have to. Turzok had armor that can withstand plasma bullets. I bet there are all sorts of munitions to buy that will prove vital. The big upside is we will have eleven days to fight and prepare for the next round,” I said, going over the little bars from the minimal electronics. I stepped back to look at the shelf with more perspective. “You auto sorted the valuation. Thank you, Goldie.”
My Gpad pinged an update. Jill sold her high-carbon steel bars for fruit trees. Goldie was peeping over my shoulder. The fish’s face was neutral so that was no help if it was a good trade. I asked her to run around for the next hour cataloging everything she could. A dozen seven foot trees materialized in the storage area with purple pears.
“Will they grow in the high altitude?” I asked.
“Now that your transaction is complete, I can talk about it. Mind you, getting a refund is only possible by pleading. These are low producers, die in the snow, and are very young. Almost worthless for Colorado. If you were in southern Florida, it would have been a great deal. Be happy the trade was minimal.”
“Yea, it was what? Eight pole signs. We can replant them on the next tropical planet we find. I know, we can still maybe use them as a gift to keep the peace or something,” I said with a huff. I texted Jill that if she asked those questions, she had been lied to. She apologized a lot. I told her no problem and that we are all learning.
“That is good foresight and an excellent way to handle bad news,” Goldie said.
There probably was a middle man who would even double swindle us. Maybe one of the banks would be willing to take on a new client. I was pacing, thinking over how to stop the bad deals, when I received a slew of updates from shoppers.
Perci found a small ostrich that laid one big egg a day but may not eat our vegetation. Nancy found a medical device with the ability to knit wounds. It was not infinite. but the recharges were not expensive. Willow found some wicked plasma rifles that were insanely expensive. I muttered about Kentucky girls saying wicked.
Dalila located a tunnel-digging pet. They were ratish in nature. Their claws were designed to dig through rocks to burrow. They were not smart enough to warrant translators, so they could be purchased, decide to burrow, and simply disappear. Besides those, she found her first booth of slaves. War prisoners. Cat people that seemed meek. She sent a video of their defeat and capture. Yikes. I would be freeing them to catch mice more than anything. They surrendered right away while they barely fought.
Felix located another armor dealer. They created chitin armor you pieced together to fit each unique body. Much cheaper than the fancy see-through shielding pixel armor Turzok was selling. We would also need to convert whatever we had to the bank for lower-density, rarer minerals. Or trade slaves.
The next seven reports came in with various creatures that we might be able to use. I told everyone to get images of the creatures eating, sleeping, and their outside habitats. That way, we can verify if they would work for us. Kelly, one of the new apprentice soldiers, found pet tavers. The video I saw was a different color with their fur in bad shape. With a solid update digested, I stepped back to Earth.
When my feet were back on rocky grass, I saw my troops were gone. I checked the stronghold and it was almost completely vacant.
A second later, I updated our Strongholds Gpads. I received numerous replies saying thank you. I could feel the excitement of the community. I tracked our unit’s Gpads to see them scattered in a wide dispersion. They were going over every home we had already looted once. The friendly texts among our group caused me to grin. Even night shift was awake with the fervor of shopping. Well, Jevon was sleeping while they drove to a further housing division. The entire community was motivated about shopping. I frowned after looking around me.
As fun as shopping was, I could see the destruction of that first community. The homes torn asunder by the initial puroon invasion. I was worried about what would come out next. Deep down, I had a horrible feeling; this time tomorrow, the ground would be drenched in blood.
The End
Epilogue
Jarod was in disbelief. The expensive hotel glass slid through his gloved hand to smash against the floor. Aliens had arrived a day before he was set to fly home from Perth. Only one thought crossed his mind. Getting home to his family. The news was a flurry of activity. None of it was telling him how he would get home. The Australian government was broadcasting a shelter-in-place alert. The words scrolled across his Gpad over and over, leaving his jaw in a tight grimace of anger.
That was not what Jarod had in mind. Admittedly, Jarod knew he was a coward. He would never argue the fact. He despised open places with crowds of sniffling, coughing humans. At this moment, his mind flared, trying to make a decision.
During the pandemic of 2020, he had been slow to react. His instinct was to trust those in charge and stay in place. He got sick on a grocery run, which in turn infected his parents. Jarod mourned his lost loved ones like many others from that tragic virus. When the 2023 outbreak hit, he was living with his girlfriend and her parents. Another scenario where he could do something simple, like take a journey to the store, and people might die. He was prepared this time. The money he saved by living with her parents let him buy a sailboat. His girlfriend refused to join him when he refused to stay. The two reached an impossible impasse. He got on that boat without her and sailed away until the vaccine was ready.
When he came home, he vowed to avoid germs at all cost. Eventually, he met Jill. Jill was his rock. The grounding factor that life was not only worth living, but worth encouraging. Having Mary was something he never thought he would be able to accept. Bringing a child into this cruel world. Jill was just too convincing, and Jarod never regretted the tedious process required to produce Mary. Until this moment.
Now he was more than half a world away, in a land where he was going to be trapped. He could jump the ledge of his fourteen-floor balcony, and it would all be over. The thought was fought down. He had a plan, albeit a bad one, but a plan, nonetheless. His small travel case was already sealed and ready to go.
One last glance off the balcony told Jarod the way to the docks. Three blocks left, turn right, and he could see the boats bobbing in the harbor. He opened his travel case and looted the minifridge. Out went his business suit and extra shoes. Thank God the vending machines had card sliders. He stocked up on a few snacks. The water was jammed full, so he kept buying. More clothing left the case until it had only one spare shirt and shorts. He ran back to the room for the garbage sacks to fill with water bottles. He needed to hurry while, at the same time, preparing.
Jerod knew what humanity turned into when bodies piled in the streets. He understood the savagery of man. Descending the stairs was a pain, but his thin plastic sacks holding the water did not break. Once on the street, he found it was eerily quiet. Cars paused to watch the broadcasts on their Gpads. Jerod ignored the device filling with alerts. He ran for the docks as fast as possible.
When he arrived, he was a huffing mess. Sweat beads trailed down his forehead. He swallowed a few deep breaths to calm his beating heart. An old lady was holding open a coded gate that led to the docks. Jarod approached her with the intent of sneaking past as if he belonged.
“Oh good, you are here. You mentioned you would be a disheveled mess. Captains, all the same from my experience. Well, you are here now. Hurry up!” the old lady said with an American accent. She grew impatient, letting the gate close. “The Pearly Dream is a state of the art sailing yacht. The contract is for three months, but I want to extend the terms.”