Matakeo: Echoes of the Future

by Daniel L. Newcomb

  Kwin reached for the console. The A.I. had the jump coordinates displayed on a monitor before him. Flipping a switch activated the jump drive and the stars around the freighter begin to move. Seconds later, the Stallion disappeared into hyperspace.

  16

  The last place Kwin could ever imagine being in was a bar, especially one in the capital city of the planet Morella. Never before had he desired to consume a fermented drink. This would be the first time alcohol had ever crossed his lips.

  “Here goes nothing. Or everything.”

  A fruity wallop tantalized his taste buds as he sucked on the straw. Swallowing the concoction brought tears to his eyes. Simultaneously, the tissue in his mouth was unexpectedly saturated by the spirits. His throat burned like fire. Wiping at the perspiration on his cheek bone, he gasped for air.

  For several minutes he tried to play down his experience in case anyone was watching. He did not draw as hard from the straw the second time around, making it more tolerable. Nonetheless, the fire was present. By this time however, his mouth had become desensitized from the first blast.

  “Why did I let Kwal talk me into this?”

  Kwin decided it best if he waited a few minutes before taking another drink. The jowls of his face felt flush and warm as dizziness began to absorb his head. He tried to focus on one place within the bar in hopes it would keep everything in perspective.

  Fifty percent of the establishment's consumers on this day were Morellions. Some other alien species were scattered about. Most of them were sitting back in the shadows at various tables. Until now, Kwin had not realized he was the only human in the bar.

  There was a four piece band at the opposite end of the building from where he entered the establishment. The aliens had nostalgic instruments that were popular during the rock era from Earth. Their vocalist made a poor attempt at singing the songs in the English language. The alien had a twang quality in his voice.

  Many different things were happening at the various tables. Kwin was naive to a lot of things. He had no clue that smuggling negotiations, loan sharking and even several hookers trying to score a client were taking place all around him. From the looks of things, the odds were not in favor of there being many in here for pure enjoyment. The atmosphere was uncertain with a hint of cautiousness. He was uneasy.

  Perhaps there was a good reason for why he was impressed with this feeling. As he scanned the room he soon realized why. At the far end of the bar there were two large Morellions staring at him. At first, Kwin thought it coincidence. He concluded he was wrong when they stood up out of their chairs and walked up to him. Nervously, he sucked at his drink and accidentally consumed every drop. A slurping sound issued forth from the straw.

  They were standing next to him. The larger of the two abruptly slammed his palm down on the counter in front of Kwin. The alien’s cherry skinned fist was two and a half times the size of a human hand.

  “Hey, human! Me thinks you’s took a wrong turn somewhere out of the Sol System.” The fiend leaned down to where his face was directly next to the human’s ear. “What business do you’s have here on Morella?”

  Kwin was still gasping for air from tanking his drink. Even if he had been able to reply, he had no clue as to what he would say. Besides, it appeared as if he were never going to catch his breath. All of this was very discomforting for him.

  “Well, would you’s look at this? Human all choked up.” The other alien taunted.

  “Maybe him got something stuck in his air passage?” The first Morellion roared. “Let me help you’s unstuck it!”

  Kwin had no clue as to what was about to happen next, even after seeing the bartender scurry off behind a closed door. All of a sudden, Kwin’s head was moving forward very quickly. His eyes were filled with a white light when his forehead made contact with the counter. The force of the impact was traumatizing.

  “What the…?” Jumping off the bar stool he took a defensive stance. In his mind, he was positive he was going to die but was not about to go down without a fight.

  “I really did not deserve that!”

  “You’s was born a human! Dat is why I dids it” The Morellion raved.

  “Would you believe me if I told you that I was a Giefan?” Kwin hoped this untruth would help get him out of this predicament.

  The alien’s huge nostrils flared as he took a couple of hard whiffs of his victim. “You’s smell like an Earthling!” Then his hand went for the blaster holstered on his hip. The brute was a fraction quicker drawing his weapon. This pleased him immensely. However, the satisfaction lasted shorter than the amount of time it took for him to think about it.

  The Morellion’s arm stopped moving upward. He grabbed at his skull with his other hand. The brute moaned as severe pains shot through his head. Unable to control the muscles in his weapon hand, he loosened his grip upon the pistol. The antique carbine fell to the floor.

  The weaponless thug screamed in pain. Forgetting his blaster, he left the bar in a big hurry. His buddy was hot on his heels. Everyone in the tavern watched as the two stumbled over each other to get through the exit first.

  A dull ache filled Kwin’s head. He tried to make sense out of what he had seen, or was seeing. The odds of something like this happening twice in a lifetime were probably astronomical. Some kind of power had caused his attacker to freak out. This puissance was unlike anything he had ever seen or heard of. What was even more incredible was that it had originated from a being.

  Now that Kwin’s vision was clear, he could see the entity in full detail. She was amazingly beautiful. There was no doubt about the energy he had seen emitting from her. It was like a beam of light. She never pulled out a weapon nor was she equipped with one.

  “Power comes in many shapes and forms, human.”

  Can she read my mind? Kwin grappled with his words. “I…I do not…know what to say?”

  “A thank you would be good for starters.”

  “My apologies. Thank you.” The man blushed. “I have a sneaky suspicion that you have a name also?”

  “My given is Celestial.”

  “Well, Celestial.” He cleared his throat and then continued. “I cannot recall having met anyone as beautiful as you before.”

  “I am flattered. I am a Paradisiacal.”

  Kwin doted at her features. Seconds seemed like a thousand years as he was lost in her allurement. She looked so human like with a hint of angelic beauty. There was something different and mesmerizing about this dark, blue-skinned alien.

  “Do you have a name, human?”

  These words shattered his momentary lapse, causing him to blush once again. “Kwin, My name is Kwin.”

  “Well, I am honored to have been able to save your life, Kwin.” Her smile made the human feel more at ease.

  “I am grateful,” he fidgeted with his hands. “Can I buy you a drink?”

  “As long as it is a non-alcoholic drink,” she replied.

  Kwin looked around for an empty table. Glancing around the room, he noticed the other patrons had gone back to their conversations and drinks.

  “Over there,” he said pointing at a clean table. The two made their way to the empty furniture. Kwin promptly pulled a chair back and seated her.

  She acknowledged her thanks with a nod. The human sat down in the seat across from her. Again, he stared at her beauty and was speechless.

  “So, what did you do to the Morellion to anger him?”

  “Well, I think his philosophy on humans suggest they should stay in their own little corner of the galaxy.”

  “I have always been under the impression Morellions do not have such ill feelings towards your kind.”

  “My kind?” He questioned. “Was that a hint of racism I detected in your words?” I cannot believe I just said that.

  “Racism is a problem in the Sol System, not the rest of the galaxy.”

  “I am sorry.” Kwin felt embarrassed.

  “You do not need to apologize to me.” She
reached out her hand and placed it on the human’s for just a moment before she retracted. Her action caused a wave of emotion to overcome Kwin.

  “Shall I get us those drinks now?”

  “It is not necessary,” she replied.

  “Actually, I do not consume alcoholic drinks.”

  “That is funny.” She laughed. “Seems as if you were when I came in?”

  “For the record,” he said with a hint of justification, “that was the first for me.”

  She teased him. “First one tonight?”

  “No,” he accidentally barked. Now he wondered if he should ask for her pardon once more. “My first ever. I can honestly admit I really did not like it.”

  “I am just playing with you, Kwin.” Her smile beamed with infatuation. “So why are you here on Morella?”

  Kwin was still amazed that this fascinating alien still had an interest in him. He felt like he needed to pinch himself to see if he might have been dreaming. The human refrained from inflicting the pain upon his self.

  “My brother is here on business.”

  “That seems unlikely. The Morellions have not traded with humans for thirty year’s.”

  Kwin really wanted to change the subject. “Most times my brother believes it best to not clue me in on things.”

  “Sounds to me like he is up to no good.” she smirked. “What do you think?”

  “I think we should not discuss something I have no knowledge of.” What he truly wanted to tell her was she was wrong.

  “May I be so bold as to ask you another question?” Her eyes met his with strong interest.

  Kwin imagined his steadfastness having a hole bored through it by her. There was nothing to stop it. He was at the mercy of her beauty. “Sure. I do not know why you could not?” It was as if she had him under an unexplainable spell.

  “Are you going to keep following your brother around for the remainder of your life?”

  “My brother and I are blood. We are the only two remaining from our immediate family.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Does he really care about what you think?”

  Wow! Had this alien been spying on me? How could she come up with this? “Most of the time I feel like his flunky. However, we are twins. There is a special bond between us.” The volume of his voice continued to rise with every word he spoke.

  “My apologies,” The Paradisiacal knew she was about to burn her bridge with the human. She shifted the conversation a different direction.

  “Oh wow!” She exclaimed. “The charm around your neck is intriguing.”

  “Actually, it is just a trinket.” He paused long enough to reach up with a hand and clench it. Slowly, he lifted it upward and away from his chest, eying it the entire time.

  “This was my fathers.”

  “Oh, I did not know. Sorry.” She placed her hand back upon his. “A sentimental chain?”

  “You could say that, I guess.”

  There was an internal clock ticking in her head. The timing was going to be close. She needed to have something of his to pull off her scheme. Time to sweet talk, she determined silently.

  “May I see it?”

  “Sure.” Kwin let go of the object. Reaching behind his neck with both hands, he unfastened the chain the trinket was attached to. Nervously, he placed it in her palm. At that very moment, Kwin’s com-link sounded.

  “Excuse me, would you?” He pulled the device off his waist and placed it close to his face.

  “What is it, Kwal?” There was no reply. The only audible noise on the other end sounded as if someone were having problems trying to catch their breath.

  “Kwal, are you there?” Kwin sounded anxious. Finally, his brother answered.

  “Kwin,” he exerted. Then there was more panting.

  “Kwal! What is wrong?”

  “Hey, Bro.” The panting grew louder and heavier.

  “Get…to the…ship.”

  “I am actually kind of busy,” he said as he smiled at the female alien.

  “They are…going to…kill…us. Fire…the…freighter up…now!”

  “Who are us? Who is with you, brother?”

  “Now!” Kwal screamed from the other end of the communication device. All the while, the Paradisiacal clasped her hand around the trinket to conceal it. Ever so slowly, she eased it into a pocket. The maneuver helped her achieve the first stage of her goal.

  “I am so sorry,” Kwin employed as he sprung up out of his chair. “I want to stay here with you but I have to go.” Quickly, he was on his feet and gone. Forgetting about his possession, he ran out the bar.

  “That is perfectly understandable.” She muttered to no one but herself. Immediately, she arose and gave chase. The alien was satisfied with her accomplishment. Proficiency is why she was chosen for this task.

  Kwin reached the bay where the freighter was moored. The catwalk made a clanging noise as he sprinted across its length. Just as he entered the ship, he heard a voice call out from behind him. Turning, he noticed the alien coming toward him. If time permitted, he would speak with her after the ship was readied.

  Once inside the cockpit, he pushed a button on one panel, flipped a couple of switches over head and then engaged a power throttle.

  “Annie. Everything look okay?”

  “Yes, all systems are green.”

  “Thank you, love.” The young man knew somewhere, in all the circuitry, the female A.I. was doting in her own intelligent way.

  Worried about his brother, he turned to make his way back to the bay door. As he did so he was startled. There she sat, right there in the navigation chair. He could not believe his eyes.

  “Whoa! You scared me.” Kwin was puzzled. “What are you doing here?”

  “You had forgotten…” she was abruptly cut off by Kwal who had just boarded the craft.

  “Get us out of here now, brother!”

  Kwal passed by just outside the cockpit entrance and headed straight for the sleeping quarters. He had his shoulder underneath another man’s arm to support him. The half helpless man appeared wounded. This was clearly evident considering he was dragging his left leg. Blood saturated the man’s pant leg from about the knee down. There was a striking familiarity about the injured man.

  “Father?” There was no possible way that man could be Devin Jorke’. Right?

  Kwal’s insistent voice came over the ship’s com. “Today Kwin…lift off now!”

  Annie’s soft, unchanging voice heeded a warning also.

  Kwin, there appears to be a squad of Morellion soldiers deploying portable anchors. Please do not allow them to attach those crude magnets on my hull.”

  Kwin pushed a button sealing the entrance to their craft. At the same time he turned to the Paradisiacal. “I apologize once again. Looks like you are along for the ride.”

  “That’s alright. This is rather exciting.” She reached into her pocket and pulled the trinket out.

  “Here you go.” She said, handing it to him. “This is why I followed you.”

  After taking it from her hand, he sat back down and faced the console. Pulling back on the lift throttle caused the Stallion to buck slightly.

  “Three magnets cornered, Kwin. They are placing the last one.”

  “Everyone hang on!” He shouted over the ship’s com. Down he pulled on the throttle, yet no lift was taking place. Further and further he drew on the fuel. The ship’s thrusters never before needed to be at more than forty percent to achieve liftoff. Kwin had it juiced to seventy-five. Finally, at eighty percent thrust, the craft lurched.

  At this point the ship was discharging a massive amount of heat and exhaust. The two soldiers who were attempting to set the last anchor were just way too close to the inferno. In a matter of seconds their flesh had burned completely off their bones. Shortly thereafter, even those had disintegrated. The other six from the squad fired their rifles from behind a blast shield on the catwalk. Even though the rounds did not cause damage, Annie grimaced.

&
nbsp; All four magnets would have kept the freighter from achieving its goal. When the thrusters were fifteen percent away from full, Kwin experienced a touch of vertigo as his lady tugged at the fixed moorings. The powerful magnets slid across the hull of the ship causing a horrendous screeching noise. Annie backed out of the bay, turned and made ready for hard burn.

  “Whew,” Kwin sighed with relief.

  “Thank you sweetheart,” Annie said. “However, I am afraid to look at my body. I believe it has some ugly scars now.”

  How many times in one day do I need to apologize? “If you had not broke us free from there we would be prisoners, or dead!”

  “I love you too,” she answered.

  Celestial interrupted. “We have a big problem.”

  “Yeah,” he fumbled for the right words. “I assume you want dropped off at the nearest port? Am I correct?”

  “No?” Briefly, she had a look of bewilderment on her face before quickly changing to urgency. “No! Your ranging system is showing three large targets closing in on us and fast.”

  Kwin moved in next to her to get a closer look at the radar. “Annie, what do you have for me?”

  “Three patrol ships. Morellion C Class.”

  “How bad can that be?” He laughed sarcastically. “That means their main weapons are smaller than an A class, right?”

  Suddenly, the ship shook violently.

  “They are firing upon me, Kwin.” Annie should have sounded frightened, the pilot thought.

  Celestial put both of her hands on Kwin’s shoulders.

  “Get this ship jumped.” Then she kissed him on the lips.

  “I will see if I can shoot them into space junk.”

  Kwin nodded. He watched her leave the control room.

  “Wow!” Spinning around, he took his place at the helm.

  “Annie. I need jump coordinates yesterday, please.”

  “Did she kiss you?”

  “What?” Kwin detected a hint of jealousy. “I am sure it was nothing, Annie.”

  “Humph.” she sounded disgusted. “Yes, as soon as I can calculate them for you, Sir.” She usually called him by name. Kwin was amused with the sir lately. Without a doubt, Annie was content since she put the last word in. The human knew better than to open his mouth about it again.