Zorvak's Rescue: Compatibles

by Hannah Davenport

  As I scurried the now crowded streets, I kept my head down, trying to skate by unnoticed. A nobody, that’s the way I preferred it. The crisp air chilled my bones, making me pull the ends of my thin, dark cloak closer together. I needed a way to get off this Godforsaken planet. The fight club wasn’t far away now, and with only two borrowed coins to my name, I reluctantly decided to bet it all. If I could turn the two into four, or even six coins…well, every little bit helped.

  The closer to town I walked, the dirtier it became. With the cloak hood pulled over my head and the darkness to shadow my face, I would glance up every now and then only to spot strange looking aliens coming from and going into other buildings. Some looked humanoid, others looked as though they belonged to the insect class, with their beady eyes. Maybe they were related to the Humchins?

  I found the building Munic told me about, and the heavy glass doors dissolved in front of me. I took in the scene on display. I’d read about things like this but never experienced them firsthand. Hard techno type music pumped through the room, making it impossible to hear myself speak. I could feel the beat of the music as it thumped in my chest. Aliens---some with tentacles---some not, sat on a round couch smoking a foul-smelling object. It reminded me of a cigarette, but thicker and much more foul smelling. The aliens watched dancers and…Oh my God! I stood in stunned silence, my mouth gaping slightly as I watched an alien with three breasts suckle the cock of another. He may look different, but the location and actions were the same as he pumped in and out of her mouth.

  Tearing my eyes away from the scene, I scanned the area. On the other side a fight broke out. One threw the other across a table with brutal force. I veered the other direction and tried to avoid the commotion.

  The machines Munic told me to use lined the far wall, but where was the fighting rink? I slowly walked around the large domed room, trying not to touch anyone, or draw any kind of attention. If they found an unknown species here… My eyes slid to another erotic scene in front of me as an unwanted shiver ran down my spine. Two male aliens were openly having sex with a female as others watched. Nobody seemed to care, not even the female on display.

  Looking past them, a long thin rail near the center of the room snagged my attention. Winding around the chairs that sat in the room like spots on a Dalmatian, I started to grab the rail but stopped at the last minute.

  My stomach dropped as I peered over the rail and looked down---it had to be at least a hundred feet drop to a massive fighting rink at the bottom and nothing else. No seats to watch the show, no pathways to walk around the rink. Not even a door to get in. I puzzled about how the fighters would enter. How would I decide who to bet on if I couldn’t see them first? Not that it would matter, I knew some of the different species and their traits, but I’d focused more on reading the language.

  When I spotted a betting machine in the corner, I waited while another made a bet and walked away. This was it. I hurried over and scanned the machine. It appeared simple enough. Insert my money, pick the winner, and then take the receipt.

  Glancing around the room making sure no one was watching or waiting, I took a chance and accessed my NI. I wanted to shout with joy when it connected almost instantly. The computer system, which included the betting machines, used the same technology as Munics’, it was just on a much larger scale.

  I scrolled through the information and couldn’t believe how easy this would be. The words were easily read and I couldn’t help the grin I sported while inserting the one coin. I didn’t need to use the other one and would save it for another day. As soon as the machine registered one coin, I used the NI and changed it to twenty. I never considered myself a thief, but right now I’d do anything to get back home. Now to choose a winner. Hmm… Zorvak vs Kuna. I wavered from one to the other until I finally just slammed my hand over Zorvak. The machine spit out a credit card of sorts with numbers and symbols engraved on both sides. It read: ‘Zorvak… twenty credits.’

  Loud cheering drowned the music while everyone rushed to the rail. Pulling the hood over my head a little more, letting it almost droop in front of my eyes, I headed over to watch the fight.

  Aliens bumped into me from both sides, but I never looked up as I jolted one way and then the other. My eyes focused on the rink below. Just as someone announced the fighters, the floor of the rink slid apart and the two contenders rode separate platforms up, one on each side.

  A yellow beast with two small horns on top of his head stood on two legs. He grasped a wooden staff in his small hands while a long tail swung wildly back and forth. He roared in anger as his voice bounced off the walls. I gasped and took a small step backward.

  Pulling my eyes away from the beast, my gaze slid to my opponent. He stood stoic in the corner staring at the yellow beast. With his chin slightly raised, he oozed confidence and authority even though he was shorter and smaller than his competition. He stood clad in only a loincloth, showing off his corded muscles. My breath hitched at the sight. He looked almost human except for his dark red skin, black eyes, and black lips. A short black mohawk ran across his head and slightly down his back.

  I didn’t know which one was Zorvak, but I wanted this man to win. I couldn’t look away as I watched him and he watched his opponent. Then I felt a little dizzy as a warm fuzzy feeling spread throughout my body. I took slow deep breaths in and out through my nose and tried to steady myself. Just as I was feeling a little better, his head turned sharply and his eyes bore into mine. I gasped. I knew he couldn’t see me, but I still took a quick step back and looked down at the floor.

  Something wasn’t right. I didn’t feel right. My thoughts clouded until I finally squeezed my eyes shut. The announcer’s voice blared overhead. “In this corner, we have our first contender, Kuna, undefeated champion of Ukan.” I couldn’t watch, couldn’t think. What was happening? “In the other corner, we have a special guest from the planet Ulaya. Zorvak La’qa!”

  Just as I was about to grab the rail, the dizziness cleared, the fog receded and I wondered what the hell just happened?

  4

  ____________________

  A Brutal Fight

  Shouts and jeers grabbed my attention as the world righted itself. The fight had started. Everyone leaned over the rail and yelled encouragement to their chosen pick for the night. One alien after another knocked into my shoulders, shoving me one way and then another.

  I glanced at one standing beside me as he shouted. His face a pale blue, hard, twisting in hate as he yelled threats if his pick didn’t win. With all eyes on the fight, no one paid me any attention.

  The yellow beast, Kuna they called him, let out a mighty roar and swung at Zorvak with his wooden staff. Zorvak ducked. With Kuna’s side now exposed, Zorvak narrowed his eyes. His grin looked terrifying, deadly. With his arms wide, he barreled toward Kuna and wrapped them around the yellow torso as he tackled his opponent to the ground.

  Punches thrown, blood splattered, they were evenly matched. Kuna threw Zorvak off him and jumped to his feet. I didn’t want to watch, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the gruesome scene as they battled, hopefully not to the death.

  The fight lasted forever, or so it seemed. Both males showed no signs of tiring. The rink floor now covered in blood…orange from Zorvak, green from Kuna. I don’t know how much time passed as my eyes stayed glued to the scene below. Mesmerized and horrified at the brutality of it all, uncaring of the aliens bumping into my shoulders as they shouted.

  Somehow, Zorvak wrestled the wooden staff from his opponent. With focused, intense eyes, he circled Kuna like prey. Kuna whipped his tail, trying to knock Zorvak off his feet. It didn’t work. Zorvak watched for an opening and when Kuna raised his fist in anger, leaving his torso exposed, Zorvak barreled toward him, impaling him on the wooden staff. Kuna’s eyes widened in shock, but no sound came from his mouth. He clutched the impaled staff just before he fell dead to the floor. Zorvak stood over him, and after a mere second, his head shot up and he pierced me
with his black eyes.

  My world tilted again. How did he know I was there? Surely, he couldn’t see me. I needed to leave. I needed to collect my winnings. I took two steps back then turned on my heels. Munic’s words echoed in my mind. Use the same machine. Just my luck, it was empty. As I stood in front of the betting machine, my eyes darted to my surroundings. No one paid any attention to me as the same erotic scenes played out around the room.

  I reached inside the cloak and slid my hand inside the pocket. My fingers wrapped around the card. I was nervous. For the first time in my life I was committing a crime. I often wondered what drove people to lead a life of crime and now I knew the answer. Desperation. As guilty as I felt, I still slid the card into the slot and collected the winnings.

  There weren’t many coins, but they looked different than the one I had left. I scooped them up, slid them into my pocket, and with my head down, I headed for the door. I wanted to glance around, make sure no one followed, but I couldn’t. Fear clogged my throat and I needed to leave as soon as possible. I’d never stolen anything before. Never! And even though the rules were different here, I’m sure stealing was still against the law.

  Cold air stung my face, but I never looked up as I hurried away. The first light appeared, casting a dim shadow all around. Shit! I had to hurry. I knew the nights were short here, but not once did I dream that I’d stayed there that long.

  Shouts rang out over my shoulder. The sound of hoofs pounding the pavement sent my heart into overdrive. All I could think about was the Humchins riding those beast, searching for their next victim. Did they know I stole money? I quickened my steps but the sound drew louder, closer. Thinking quickly, I ducked inside one of the buildings and headed toward the back.

  “Can I help you?” A deep voice sounded from behind. I just shook my head and kept walking, hoping he understood.

  When I reached the back wall, I stood there. With overwhelming fear, tears glistened in my eyes. I felt trapped as the walls closed in on me.

  “Are you all right?” the same deep voice called out. I knew he stood right behind me. I could almost feel his breath sweep across the top of my head when he spoke.

  I squeezed my eyes shut and tightened my lips together. With nowhere else to run, I slowly turned and faced the owner of the store.

  I kept the hood over my head, but his eyes still widened in surprise. My eyes drifted away from him and I got my first look around.

  The walls were made of seamless metal with intricate designs etched into it. There were no clothes hanging on hangers, nothing that I would expect to find back home. Instead, there were rows of cubes made from different colors and sizes. I accessed the NI and immediately new that the cubes were clothes. The fabric formed to the person who wore it.

  “What are you?” My eyes slid back to him. An average sized alien with ridged gray skin, large eyes, and holes for a nose, he looked reptilian. Screwed, that’s what I am.

  Why would you think that? I froze. Someone, or something just spoke inside my head. Was it the alien in front of me?

  “I asked you a question.”

  Well that answered that. How could I speak knowing he won’t understand? I just shook my head. He stared a mere second longer, and then walked over to the wall. As one hand touched the side, part of the wall disappeared, leaving a small opening to see outside.

  The first rays of the harsh sun shone brightly, hurting my eyes before I quickly turned away. But not before I got a look outside. Several Humchins were policing the streets while riding their beasts. Are they looking for me?

  Why would they be looking for you?

  That voice again! A deep, dark voice that oozed sex but sounded like the promise of death. Someone I wouldn’t want to meet or cross.

  He touched the wall, making it whole once again before he turned and faced me. There was no one else around when he closed shop.

  “Now,” he started again as he crossed his arms, “what are you?”

  “Human,” I barely mumbled as I stared at the floor.

  “Speak up. I didn’t understand you.”

  The charade was over, at least with him. With my chin lifted high, I stared him in the eyes as I slowly reached up and slid the hood back showing my face. “Human,” I repeated louder, with more confidence than I had.

  He gasped. “I have never seen a creature such as you.” With nervous eyes, he looked everywhere and then grabbed my wrist in one hand while touching the back wall with the other. Just like the window, a doorway appeared. “Come on.” He pulled me through against my will, his grip so tight it hurt.

  With the wall now firmly in place, he dropped my wrist and stared intently, his eyes studying my appearance. I wanted to run away but instead, I hid my nervousness of his intense scrutiny. I knew I was different, but he must have seen tons of different lifeforms here.

  Instead of speaking, I glanced around the small room. He must live here. There was a small divan against the wall to rest on, a round chair, but not much more.

  “You cannot go outside right now. The Humchins would snatch you away instantly.”

  My eyes darted back to his. “I know.” Why would he help me? That was the real question. Could he be stranded here like Munic and Oddle? “My name is Camilla, but everyone calls me Cami.” He grimaced, at least I think that was the expression on his unusual face.

  “I cannot understand you.”

  “I know. According to Mu…according to my friend, I must keep talking for you to understand what I’m saying. Yes, I’m babbling but it helps your translator. If you have a translator that is.” I glanced around in a nervous gesture. I couldn’t believe I almost gave him Munic’s name. “Nice place you have here. Is this where you live?”

  “No. It is where I rest when I am here.”

  My eyes shot to him. Damn, those translators were smart. “You understand me?”

  “Yes. What are you?”

  No beating around the bush with this guy. Straight to the point. “I’m Human.”

  He crossed his arms and tilted his head. I felt like a bug under a microscope. “I have never heard of Human.”

  “I know.” But I had read about his species, at least a little. Skarz, a mild-mannered species unless provoked. “I’m Cami.”

  “Rokhol.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Rokhol.”

  He sighed, clearly not happy that I stood in his secret room. Or maybe it wasn’t so secret. But it felt that way. “I have to open up. It will attract too much attention if I don’t. Stay here until dark, and then you must leave. If the Humchins find you here, then we are both in big trouble.”

  “Thank you.” I swallowed in relief. If I could hide in here until dark, then I could make it back home. I startled at the thought. Where did that come from? This was not my home. I didn’t belong here.

  Rokhol nodded before he headed out. When the wall rematerialized, I plopped down on the chair and raked a hand through my tangled hair. I want to go home!

  Free me and I will take you.

  I bolted straight up and gripped the arms of the chair so tight, my knuckles turned white. No one else was here with me so who keeps talking? Am I supposed to talk back?

  Free me! The voice growled inside my head.

  I may not know much about this planet, but he sounded dangerous. Why would I free him?

  They kidnapped me from my home planet and I have a score to settle.

  You heard me. How?

  Do not be daft.

  I seethed. Who the hell did he think he was to call me daft? He was the one needing to be freed while I roamed around undetected by other aliens. I told him as much. Daft? You’re the one who needs to be rescued.

  An unfortunate oversight on my part. He sounded smug. The fact that I could tell that from the tone in my head sent chills down my arms. What else could he do? Could he control my mind? My thoughts?

  Well, good luck with that. Goodbye, I said, wanting to end the conversation. As the adrenaline faded, my eyes grew h
eavy and I needed rest. It had been a stressful night full of adventure--- good and bad. Mostly bad, although I did win some money. I just didn’t know how much. Someone could have handed me a handful of rocks and I wouldn’t know the difference. Mental note: learn more about currency.

  Wait!

  His voice was a sharp command, and it pissed me off. Don’t order me around! I’m tired and need to rest so get out of my head! I felt a little bad for telling him that, but seriously, how can he demand help? What happened to common courtesy? I headed for the divan which looked inviting. As I laid down, I relished the comfort as I placed one arm behind my head. Tonight would be here soon enough.

  5

  ____________________

  Who’s in My Head?

  “Hey, it is time for you to leave.”

  I blinked my eyes open, trying to clear my vision. Had I slept all day? Wow!

  I glanced up to a solemn-faced Rokhol, who towered over me. “Okay.” I pushed up from the divan and faced him. With one side of my lips tilted upward, I said, “Thank you for letting me stay here.”

  “You are welcome, Human.” In an odd gesture, he reached out and slid his fingers around the ends of my hair. It didn’t feel sexual, just curious. “You are odd, unlike anything I have encountered before.”

  “Same here.” This time I smiled wide.

  He cocked his head to the side and studied my face. After a moment, he asked, “How did you get here?”

  “By accident. It was our first deep space mission and I got sucked into a wormhole.”

  He shook his head in disbelief. “Be safe Human and good luck.”

  “Thank you.” I slid the hood of the cloak up, covering my hair, and followed Rokhol out of the room.