Shi: A Dark Adventure into Living Forever

by C. F. Villion

  “Great, how large is it? We will need quite a bit for the rift machine and then for fields.”

  “It's the same size as this level, half of it is the armory. But we can clean out the firing range side.”

  The boys sat in stunned silence for a while, “What, too small?” I asked impatiently.

  Denny cleared his throat and looked at Asher and then back at me.

  “I think I speak for both of us when I ask this,” he leaned forward towards me.

  "Why do you need a firing range?”

  Asher shook his head a bit, "Don't ask man."

  I shrugged, “I like weapons, and t made sense to be able to practice. And it isn’t all weapons either if you must know. There is some armor stored as well.”

  “Ok, so we have enough space, clearly,” Asher said.

  I shrugged if we landed in a situation that required firepower - and that would be soon apparently - we were prepared.

  “You boys can thank me after we pull off a heist that we didn’t need to go weapon shopping for.”

  “Somehow Eliza, I wouldn’t be surprised if you had half a shopping mall stashed in here somewhere.”

  “Look, the warehouse was cheap and safe.”

  “We get you, don’t worry. I liked moving around to stay safe. But this apparently works for you.” Denny smirked.

  After treating him to a scathing look, I said, “It does and has for well over seventy years.”

  He shut his gaping mouth and turned to Asher, who smiled and looked down at the notepad.

  “We need a rift generator.”

  He held up a hand to stop my inevitable question.

  “It opens a rift between here and there in the simplest terms. In this case your basement here on Earth and the alien world where Shi naturally grows.”

  I nodded, “Okay, big enough to cover the basement?”

  Denny snorted, “We might need two to cover your basement.”

  “One will be sufficient; we just need to program a bigger doorway.”

  I held up a hand. Asher looked at me with a raised eyebrow but smiled.

  “Yes, Eliza?”

  “But doesn’t this mean that we will also and always be accessible from the other side?”

  “Yes, it does. Are you afraid of an alien invasion?” He said.

  “Hell, yeah, I for one don’t want to wake up with a face hugger dropping down on me.”

  For all, I knew the Alien movies were real and this action on my part would allow Earth to be overrun. I have done a lot of shit over the years, but I wouldn’t be the one to get the planet into that kind of trouble. I felt a bit put out when Asher started laughing.

  “There are some nasty things on that side, but nothing that could survive outside of the rift. And definitely nothing like a face hugger.”

  “How is it that you know so much about the other side?” Denny asked, not taking his eyes off of Asher’s face.

  I was curious as well, but traitorous parts of my anatomy were slowing my thinking down. Asher’s expression, however, caught even their attention with something other than lust. My stomach flip-flopped, and I concern flooded me.

  “Oh shit, you are one of them aren’t you?”

  Thirty-One

  Denny and I had only encountered one alien, and he had died when he left the plantation. The guys that chased us could have been human, or aliens with modified vehicles. I just assumed Asher was human, an immortal like myself, from a different division, or a different part of the country. A different part of the galaxy was a bit tougher.

  “You are an alien.” I was calmer the second time I said it.

  I was hardly the spokesperson for normal, but I knew I was human. I was a known, quantifiable creature that science understood. More or less at any rate. I worked as the medical books laid things out.

  But alien was, well alien. I have seen too many sci-fi movies where alien equaled bad, evil or evil incarnate to control my current emotions.

  My heart was palpitating, and I was concerned that my lusting after him had been brought on by mind control. That his alien mojo was toying with me and luring me into some alien sex scenario. Keep your logic to yourself.

  “Yes, Eliza, I am. I am from there, but I have lived here for much longer. Earth is my home as much as it is yours.”

  “Well, hooray for more weird. Just when I got used to one set of strange you guys throw more at me.”

  Denny looked at me and then at Asher, who sat patiently with his hands resting on the table. I got the distinct impression he was trying to strike a non-threatening pose.

  “If you think about it Eliza you are at least as alien as he is,” Denny said.

  I shook my head vehemently; there were inherent differences between us. I loved being different, but I was not alien. I knew I was human, no matter what.

  “He is right Eliza; Shi has changed you more than you even realize.”

  “You are wrong, Asher. I know who I am.”

  He raised his hands in a placating manner, “I am sure you do, but you have been infused and changed by Shi for years. For longer than the average human lifespan, your body has gone through something that cannot be undone. You are no more human than I am.”

  I pushed away from the table forcefully, chair scraping over the floor. I was pissed; I was human. Plain and simple and they can kiss my ass for anything else.

  The boys were quiet, whether it was to give me time to collect myself or just too afraid to push their point I couldn’t tell. My bookshelves were the furthest point from them, so it was my focus.

  Looking at my collection I took deep breaths, reality was a mean bitch, and it wanted to assert itself, I knew I would have to face it eventually.

  But more sleep and rest, in general, was required to make sense of it all. Or just to reboot and life to just stop being so fucked up. The back of my neck grew hot, as he got closer, the heat travelled all over my body. I hated it and loved it, this man - alien - had an effect on me I couldn’t control. He wasn’t close enough that it was his body heat warming me, no it was the path his eyes took.

  I couldn’t see them but I sure as hell could feel them, and my imagination extended it to his hands. This guy removed any and all guards I had, and it pissed me off no end. He stopped close enough that I could smell him but not near enough to lean back into him.

  “I am sorry, Eliza. It is a lot to absorb.”

  I nodded, I wasn’t ready to deal with the implication that I was no longer as human as I would like to be. But we needed to plan so that I could have tomorrow and as many as I wanted to deal with this shit.

  “Yeah, the shittiest day ever but let’s get to planning rather. I can deal later.”

  We sat down again, and Denny gave me an apologetic smile. I smiled at him, and Asher looked at both of us and nodded.

  “Ok, so let’s get to it then. I know where to get a rift generator, but we can’t just go in and buy it. Even though I am sure between us, we could afford one. These are black-market guys, but even they won’t sell to disavows.”

  “Wow, who knew black marketeers would have such high standards,” Denny said.

  “Yeah, even the scum has ethics these days,” I said.

  “Not ethics but fear,” Asher said. “The Man knows they exist and what they get up to, but they put up with it as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.”

  “So what, a rift generator wouldn’t be unusual? It seems that something like that would be a big problem to have on this side.” I said.

  “You are correct of course, but these guys got it in a deal, and it’s not for sale to anyone. Not really, officially for sale, that is.”

  “That seems overly complicated.”

  “It is, so they have it and will keep it until the right price comes along. Which is good for us, it is safely tucked away in one of their warehouses.”

  “Not the main distribution center, I hope?” I asked.

  “Luckily not but it does mean it is more secure though than th
e main one,” Asher said.

  “Of course, it is, that is also just how our luck has been running.”

  I nodded in agreement with Denny’s statement; it sure seemed par for the course.

  “Let me guess, heavily armed and all the alarm bells and whistles?” I asked, hoping beyond hope.

  “Yes, and the alarm codes are changed daily. The rift generator isn’t the only precious thing they keep locked up.”

  “Naturally, is there any actual way to get past all this shit?” I was annoyed; it would take more time than I had to get in.

  Asher cleared his throat and looked at Denny, a bit uncomfortably I noticed. I frowned at him and raised an eyebrow. Denny saw and shifted in his chair and sighed.

  “I am not going to like this am I?”

  “No you’re not man, I am sorry to say.”

  “Okay, what the hell do you want me to do?”

  Asher pushed a hand through his hair and looked across to the lounge and finally met Denny’s eyes again.

  “Denny will have to be our distraction, the black marketeers are all alien, and their particular taste runs towards big, pretty boys. He is exactly their type.”

  Thirty-Two

  “What?! How much of a distraction do you need? I sure as hell am not willing to have sex with a bunch of alien henchmen.”

  Denny was gripping the hand rests of the chair hard. I must admit that it wasn’t what I had expected either.

  “Oh no, you won’t have to have sex with any of them. But you will have to flirt and, in general, pretend to be interested.”

  “Think of it as running a con, Denny,” I suggested.

  He nodded and a thoughtful look crossed his face, “I guess I can do that, I know how to schmooze clients. Getting guys focused on me has to be as easy as getting girls to look.”

  “Yeah, you are lucky to be naturally charming so rub a bit of funk on that and get their attention that way,” I said.

  “That’s one way to put it,” Asher said.

  I laughed, “Well, sexy or whatever you’d rather call it. But you need to ooze it.”

  “Ok, gross imagery aside, I understand what you mean,” Denny said.

  I turned to Asher, as Denny got lost in thoughts of how to attract another man’s, or alien, in this case, attention.

  “So I assume while he is flirting with the boys in front we will break in the back?”

  Asher nodded, “Yes, we will break through a back window. We will need to get through some burglar proofing, but that we can use a torch on.”

  “That simple, huh?” I said.

  “Yes Eliza, in theory, it is that simple. If our friend here is successful at distracting the guards we should be able to get in quickly and out just as quick.”

  “How big is the rift generator? Will it fit through a window?”

  I was concerned that going through a standard warehouse window would be easier said than done.

  “It will fit, don’t worry. Shall we get down to nitty gritty? I’ll draw you a map of the warehouse layout in case we get separated.”

  For the next thirty minutes, we poured over the map that Asher drew, memorizing details and quizzing him on potential hazards. Eventually, though there was nothing left to do but weapon and armor up.

  Denny took a long shower and got dressed with much commentary from us. We both agreed that skinny jeans were the way to go, much to his disgust. A shirt that hugged his chest was approved, along with unbuttoning it lower than he liked. He was as ready as it was possible to be.

  “I can’t believe you guys talked me into these jeans; they are terrible.”

  Asher nodded sympathetically, and I laughed. It was funny, the jeans suited him, but I could understand his dislike. But Denny was a professional and would put up with it. And by the way, he walked I knew it wasn’t the first time he had donned a pair.

  I led the way to the basement and ignored the awed silence with which the boys beheld my armory. As well as the looks they shared, let them stare and wonder. I liked to be prepared, and I saw my armory like my car collection.

  I started collecting weapons and cars not long after my change, and some of my vehicles have only had one owner since new, some things in my armory could boast the same.

  “Wow,” Denny whispered.

  I smiled and led the way to the more common assortment of weapons. Denny stood back and waited for us; there was nowhere in his skinny jeans he could stash a gun. I took a smallish Bowie knife off a shelf and handed it to him.

  “It should fit in your boot, so at least, you aren’t completely unarmed.”

  He nodded his thanks and spent the next few minutes finding the most comfortable spot in his boots for it. Asher was walking around and browsing, reverently touching weapons but leaving them behind.

  I strapped on and tucked in a few things, gathered rope and a blow torch. Asher raised eyebrows and shook his head. Denny laughed and reached out to help carry. I shook my head and refused to hand anything to him.

  “You need to stay pretty young man, so no carrying for you.”

  “So this is what it's like for pretty girls? I could get used this.”

  “Hah, don’t get too used to it. You will help carry things on the way back in.” I told him.

  We decided to go with the SUV again, all purpose and Asher had assured me that the rift generator would fit comfortably in the back. The drive to the black market warehouse was quiet and easy. The roads were almost empty, a few lone pedestrians and late shift employees going about their business.

  The warehouse was much closer to mine than I liked, a place like this existed in what I considered my haven. Suddenly I felt exposed; I had become complacent it seemed. A good immortal should have known all the legit and illegitimate businesses around them. I vowed to take more interest in my neighborhood and people.

  We pulled into the back alley next to the warehouse fence. It was quiet and as far as I could tell there were no signs of life. I turned to Asher with a questioning look.

  “Are you sure this is the correct place?”

  “Yes, I am one hundred percent certain.”

  With that, he got out and went to the back of the car. Denny shrugged and got out as well, which left me with nothing to do but follow the boys.

  “Denny, go ahead so long. We’ll phone when we're done, and you can extricate yourself.”

  “Bad phrasing man, bad phrasing,” Denny told Asher.

  I put a hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze.

  “It’ll be okay Denny, and don’t worry. If things go south you know, I’ll come for you.” I attempted to reassure him.

  “Thanks, Eliza, but would that be before or after they decided to have their wicked way with me?”

  Denny leant down and hugged me. He stood back and straightened, strengthening his resolve. Denny looked from me to Asher, and finally said to Asher, “Keep her safe.” After which he walked away at a brisk pace.

  Thirty-Three

  ––––––––

  We had given him a couple of minutes head start before we approached the fence. I still had doubts about this being the correct location. If there was nothing inside I could always kick Asher’s ass.

  Of course, that brought a kinky little thought with it. I wanted to kick his ass and afterwards help him feel better. In all sorts of ways. I sighed, my lust was running rampant, and if weren’t going to look odd, I would slap myself.

  Extreme but oh so necessary, instead I shifted the rope around my shoulders as I walked with the alien that must have used mojo on my mind.

  We clipped the metal strands and turned them aside to enter. I didn’t know what I was expecting to find when we got passed the fence; certainly it was still on Earth. The air was the same stale air as in any warehouse district; the gravel crunched with the same feel and sound as anywhere else.

  I stuck close to Asher’s side as we approached the building. Much to my relief the windows weren’t tiny, I assumed these were the back offices repur
posed as storage spaces. We stopped at a window indistinguishable from the others. I had asked him earlier how he knew which room the rift generator was but received a wholly unsatisfactory response.

  After all, this was done I would take some time and get the truth from him. By whatever means necessary, a slightly stimulating thought crossed my mind. It drove me nuts, suddenly I was a complete horn dog and every thought linked to him was related to sex.

  An elbow in the top part of my arm alerted me to the fact that I had lost focus for a lot longer than I had thought. Thankful for the dark hiding my blush I hastened to pay attention to what he was indicating. I prayed that he couldn’t see in the dark.

  I handed him the small blowtorch we’d brought, a big one would have drawn a lot of attention, but would have been quicker. But thanks to a trend in culinary circles we had this little thing. It was effective but slow for the task at hand.

  But as with most of regular burglar proofing, there were a few key places to be dealt with to hasten our job. Asher started in on removing the bracing struts while I turned my back on it and stood watch. Denny should be in position and well into his flirty role by now, but there could be a few stray guards moving around.

  I heard the blowtorch turn off and turned around, in time to see him give a good pull and bring the whole burglar proofing from the wall. I was prepared to assist in the removal, and fully expected that even with the necessary joins removed we would still have a fair task of getting off the wall.

  But I was not needed, he was either excellent at using the blowtorch or alien muscles were much stronger. He grinned at me, and I thought that surely he must be able to see in the dark to have caught my amazement.

  After he had set the proofing quietly against the wall, we looked carefully at the window. It wasn’t even properly latched closed; they had believed in the proofing so much that there were no extra precautions on the window. I stuck my tiny hand into the gap, and one small bump against the handle undid it completely.

  I opened it fully and nearly wet my pants when I suddenly felt his hands around my waist. His mouth against my ear was almost too much to bear.