by Nolan Fury
A few minutes passed with no warning indicators or alarms blaring. A slight grin curled on my lips. I held out my hand to high-five Tyler. “Good job, Buddy!”
He looked at me like I was crazy and tentatively returned the gesture.
I throttled the rear thrusters up and nosed the craft skyward. The acceleration slammed me back against the seat. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. For a ship this size, it was fast. At least, I thought it was fast. I didn’t have much to compare it to.
The bulkheads rattled as we rocketed toward the upper atmosphere. The vibrations ran through the control column and up my forearms. My teeth chattered. The engines rippled the air behind us, emitting a blue glow.
I couldn’t contain my joy.
Hell yes! I was going to be a fucking astronaut!
I had always wanted to go into space and even thought about applying for the program. We soared through the cottony clouds and entered the weightlessness of space. My ass lifted from the seat, and my hips pressed against safety harness. I felt like a little kid who had finally achieved a childhood dream of seeing the stars up close and personal. I gazed with wonder at the blackness of space. Brilliant stars flickered in the distance.
My gaze turned to the majestic planet below. I didn’t even know what the planet was called, or where I was in relation to Earth. The stat screen that appeared in my vision answered my questions for me. Veluvas, in the Omega sector—wherever the hell that was?
I wanted to unbuckle my safety harness and float around the cockpit for a moment, but I figured the smart thing to do was to stay behind the controls.
Tyler reached over and flipped a switch, enabling the artificial gravity. I sank back into my seat. “That was fun. Now what?”
“I'll program in jump coordinates. But I must warn you, if this is your first quantum jump, you may find the sensation unsettling.”
“How bad can it be?”
11
Everything was fine until I engaged the jump drive. It would allow us to travel across vast distances in a brief amount of time. I didn’t even bother to ask how it worked. I didn’t really care as long as it got us where we were going. It was the transitional phase that was a problem.
The minute I flipped the switch, time dilated. The bulkheads bulged and rippled. My stomach swirled, and I thought I was going to hurl. The sour acidic taste of bile crept up in the back of my throat. My cheeks puffed out, and Tyler zipped out of the line of fire, anticipating the worst.
My body felt like it was being pushed and pulled and squeezed and twisted, all at the same time.
I unbuckled my safety harness and made a beeline for the head, but it was like trying to walk in a fun house. Everything appeared to be at odd angles, and my legs wobbled like walking on the deck of a ship pitching in high seas.
Just as suddenly as it began, the sensation ended as we snapped into quantum space. I was still queasy but was able to steady myself. I swallowed the bile back down and returned to my seat. “You weren’t kidding.”
“It doesn’t bother me for obvious reasons, but others tell me can be quite traumatic. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it over time. It seems to affect some people more than others. I’ve even seen hardened sailors succumb to it after having gone years with no ill effects. It can be quite random at times.”
“Good to know.” My stomach rumbled, still queasy. I took slow steady breaths. “Have you done much space travel?”
“Yes. I was in the Navy aboard a super-carrier.”
I raised my eyebrows, surprised. “Really?”
“I was a general service bot and worked mostly as a cook.”
“Did you see any combat?”
“Yes. I served during the Lyra Cygnus War, and the Aldebaranian Conflict. Sadly, I was forced into retirement when the updated models came out. Fortunately, Ruby acquired me, and I have been her faithful servant ever since.”
“Are you happy working for Ruby? Do you even have emotions?”
“Yes, I am fully capable of emotions. It is in my nature to be optimistic and helpful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get angry or in a bad mood. Ruby has become like family to me. I would have been destroyed by the Navy, had it not been for her. I take care of her, and she takes care of me. And between you and me, I couldn’t stand it when she was with Severin. He was just an asshole. He never said please or thank you and expected me to do everything for him without any consideration. It wasn’t my place to tell her he was a jerk, but I was happy when she escaped.”
"Escaped?"
"He was a vicious and cruel master. Ruby and the girls fled to her secret palace. I don't know how he found us."
“We’ll get her back.”
“You’re brave to take on Severin. I’ve seen the damage he can do to supers, let alone mortals.”
“I’m not brave. Just doing what’s right.”
A red light on the dash flickered. An alarm sounded. My concerned eyes scanned the controls, trying to determine the source of the malfunction. Suddenly, the bulkheads bulged and rippled again. My stomach twisted, and I fought the taste of bile.
The ship dropped out of quantum space.
The cockpit was spinning. I couldn’t tell if it was just me, or if we were really in a spiral.
After a moment, my vertigo stopped. The craft drifted through the abyss. I scanned around, but there was nothing but empty blackness. No planets. No asteroids. Just the glow of stars in the distance.
“Looks like we lost a quantum oscillator,” Tyler said.
“Is that something we can replace?”
“If we have a spare. I’ll need to check the inventory. I’m not sure how many we went through already.”
“What happens if we don’t have a spare?”
“We could radio for help. But our current position is too far out to reliably communicate with any colonies. Under normal propulsion we will never be able to reach the nearest planet during your lifetime.”
“That sucks,” I said, casually.
12
“I’ve got bad news, and I’ve got really bad news,” Tyler said.
I cringed.
“The oscillator is toast,” he said as he held up the melted circuit board.
“Okay. What’s the really bad news?”
“The overload caused a short in the thermal exchanger. There’s an unregulated power draw on the fuel cell, and we'll run out of power in 12 hours at the current rate of depletion. That means you’ll only have the remaining oxygen in the ship. Once that’s gone, forget about it. But you will probably die long before then from the cold as we lose temperature control.”
I let out a disappointed breath. “I suppose we don’t have any spare oscillators?”
“No.”
“So, we are totally fucked?”
“Basically.”
I grumbled to myself. “You got any liquor on this ship?”
“There is some Tuarian whiskey in the galley.”
“Break it out. If I’m going to be stuck in space for all eternity, I’m going to have a drink.”
Tyler zipped out of the cockpit and scurried to the galley. He returned with a bottle of whiskey and a glass. He poured a drink and handed it to me.
I sipped the smooth liquor, tentatively at first. It had a pleasant flavor and went down smooth. The amber liquid heated my belly and a wave of warmth extended through my appendages. “Not too shabby.”
I held out my glass, and he refilled it. Then I strolled out of the cockpit, heading aft. I looked through the passenger compartment, searching for anything that might serve as an oscillator. “You know, with a little work, this ship could be top-notch. I mean, we could put a pool table in here, a big screen display. A nice stereo system. A leather couch. Maybe a disco ball.”
“Is now really the time to be contemplating interior decorating?”
“I’m trying to get my mind off the fact that we’re stuck in space. Besides, if I clear my head and think about something entirely different, usually a
solution pops into my mind.”
“I am using my full neural-capacity as well.”
I slugged the glass of whiskey and had Tyler fill it again. As I brought the glass to my lips, an idea sparked in my mind. “The escape pod. That’s got an oscillator in it, doesn’t it?”
Tylers eyes lit up. “I believe it does. But it’s not rated the same amperage as a quantum drive.”
“It’s better than nothing. Let’s give it a try.”
“Good idea. I must warn you, it likely won’t last as long. It could burn out within moments.”
“Let’s hope it gets us to Gamma Hydra 9.”
Tyler and I raced to the shuttle. I pried open a panel and accessed an array of circuit boards and modulators. I found an oscillator and pulled it from its socket. I detached the wiring, then made my way to the quantum drive. It didn’t fit, but I was able to rig it up with some creative wiring and soldering. Then I rewired the thermal exchanger on the fuel cell. The whole process took maybe an hour.
In the cockpit, I powered up the quantum drive. The system monitored power levels, and everything looked normal. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”
Tyler recalculated our coordinates. When everything was ready, we exchanged a wary glance, and I engaged the quantum drive.
Bulkheads rippled and warbled. I felt the same queasy sensation in my stomach, but this time it wasn’t as bad. An instant later, we snapped into quantum space and continued our journey. My worried eyes stayed glued to the display monitor. My body was tense, and a nervous sweat coated my skin.
I didn’t want to declare victory. I knew the moment I did, shit would go wrong. But I started to breathe a little easier. I raised my hand and high-fived Tyler. This time he responded enthusiastically.
It only took a few hours to reach Gamma Hydra 9. We descended through the upper atmosphere, plunging through pillowy clouds. Tyler programmed in nav coordinates for Na'Seva, a sprawling metropolis in the northern hemisphere. The autopilot guided us in.
“There’s a dimensional gate in the mountains, north of the city. We’ll land there, then enter the gateway on foot. Well, you’ll be on foot. I’ll float.” Tyler smiled.
“Another dimension? How many are there?”
“Don’t ask.”
“I have to warn you, the Oracle can be ruthless. Do not upset her. Obey her commands. If she seals the portal, we may not be able to get back to our dimension.”
“Great,” I muttered, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
13
We flew past the sprawling metropolis of Na'Seva. Towering skyscrapers glistened in the sunlight. Sleek curves and angular lines painted the horizon. Futuristic buildings jutted into the sky as far as the eye could see. Millions of people scurried about on the ground below. Automated cars and trucks zipped about. Lights flickered and haze filled the air.
I gazed with awe at the sight of the city. And I thought New York was big… sheesh. This was huge!
We flew past the metropolis and headed north to the craggy, snowcapped peaks. “We need to stop in the city on the way out and see if we can pick up another oscillator. I don’t know how long this one is going to last.”
“I agree,” Tyler said.
I found a clearing at the base of the foothills and landed the Warbird. The sloped face of the mountains was too steep to land on. I was glad I had a coat. Something told me this was going to be a cold trip.
I unbuckled my safety harness and slipped out of the cockpit. Hydraulics whirred as I lowered the ramp. Tyler and I strolled down to the meadow. Brisk air hit me in the face. The meadow was filled with vibrant green grass and evergreen trees at the perimeter. It wasn’t all that different from Earth.
A path through the forest led to the mountains. I followed Tyler as he took point.
“You might want to make sure your pistol is loaded,” Tyler said. “Rygoks roam these woods.”
“What the fuck is a Rygok?”
“Think of a grizzly bear, but far more fearsome.”
I frowned. The last thing I needed was some angry forest creature gnawing on my flesh. I kept my head on a swivel, scanning the forest for any signs of danger. The air was spicy and fresh. All sorts of wildlife fluttered through the thick foliage. Every snap of a twig or rustle of a leaf grabbed my attention.
At the edge of the forest, uneven steps led up the mountainside. The rocky staircase winded its way up the steep slope. I was in pretty good shape, but it didn’t take long before I was sucking wind. The thin air made it difficult to breathe. My lungs burned like fire. Each step became more treacherous than the next.
Tyler had none of these problems.
Midway up the steps we came to a circular gate made of stone. A strange language had been etched into the rock. What I saw as I looked through the portal was different from what I saw when I peered around the side of the gate.
“This is it,” Tyler said. “Step through the archway, and you will be in another dimension.”
I’m not going to lie, butterflies tickled my stomach. I had a bit of anxiety about stepping through the portal. I placed my hand on the grip of my pistol, still in its holster. I wanted to be able to draw quickly if I found something unpleasant on the other side. “You’re coming along, right?”
“I’m right behind you.”
I stepped across the threshold and entered a dimension vastly different from the one I left behind. The mountains that lay ahead were no longer covered in snow. The black slopes looked like volcanic rock. A dark angry sky loomed above, rumbling with thunder. Steam billowed from fissures in the slope. An acrid smell filled the air. It was hot and hazy.
“This looks like a friendly place,” I said, dryly.
“This isn’t a dimension I care to visit often,” Tyler said in a nervous tone.
“I can see why.”
It looked like we had stepped into one of the circles of hell. Farther up the mountainside, a Gothic structure jutted out of the slope. It looked worthy of housing demons. Black walls, tall spires, and grotesque gargoyles. “Is that it?”
“That’s it!”
“I was afraid you were going to say that.”
We climbed our way up to the spooky castle and knocked on the door. The rapping echoed through the cavernous structure. I was soaked with sweat from the heat.
I glanced back down to the portal to make sure it was still open. I sure as hell didn’t want to get stuck in this place.
The door creaked open and a big blue alien stood in the archway. He had to be at least 8 feet tall. He towered over me. He had broad shoulders and biceps twice the size of my thighs. He had a square jaw and long upper and lower fangs. I swallowed hard as I gazed up at him. “We’re here to see—”
“Lady Vanya,” Tyler finished for me.
The gruff alien glared at us for a moment, then grunted. He stepped aside and motioned for us to enter. He led us down a hallway and ushered us into a sitting room. Tyler and I exchanged a wary glance. The alien left the room and didn’t say a word.
The inside of the castle was as spooky as the outside. The modern furniture had an antique flare to it with intricate ornaments and grotesque figures.
“Remember, whatever you do, don’t piss her off,” Tyler said.
14
Lady Vanya wasn’t at all what I expected. I had anticipated an old craggy woman with a crooked nose, jagged teeth, and skin wrinkled like a roadmap. This woman didn’t have wispy gray hair, or a mole on her face, or arthritic knuckles.
She was gorgeous. Young and fresh. Translucent blue hair and pale skin and lavender eyes. The sheer fabric of her gown left nothing to the imagination. Her pert nipples poked through her bikini style top. Her translucent skirt hung low on her hips and high on her thighs. She didn’t wear any underwear. My eyes couldn’t help but fall all over her body.
Tyler nudged me. “Stay focused.”
“You come seeking answers,” she said in a soft breathy voice that seemed to know all.
Lady Vanya sat
at a table that contained a large, ornate bowl of water. I took a seat at the table opposite her and Tyler hovered beside me.
“Yes. I’m hoping you can help.”
“You seek to destroy a powerful enemy, do you not?”
“You’re good at this,” I said, with a slightly snarky tone.
An almost imperceptible grin crawled on her luscious lips. “I have the answers that you seek. But there will be a cost. Will you pay it?”
“What’s the cost?” I asked. Then I muttered aside to Tyler. “How much money do you have?”
“I do not require money. You will pay me with something far more valuable.”
My brow knitted, perplexed. “Like what?”
“I will decide after I have given you the information you came for.”
“That doesn’t seem totally fair.”
“Who said life was fair?”
I couldn’t argue with that statement.
“Take it or leave it?”
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll pay your price.”
Tyler had a grave look on his face.
Lady Vanya looked into the bowl of water. She saw a montage of the images of the last few days, culminating with Ruby’s abduction. The images stopped on Severin’s face, then faded.
Lady Vanya gazed up at me with her big lavender eyes. “Severin is a formidable opponent indeed. And you are a mere—”
“I know, I know. I’m a nobody.”
“You are a nobody who has an interesting destiny.”
“Can you see my future?”
“The future is never concrete. I can see possible outcomes. Success or failure, happiness or despair, is completely up to you.”
She reminded me of a fortuneteller back on Earth. And I wondered if she was going to continue speaking in riddles or if she was going to give any concrete information. “How can I succeed?”
“You will need three things in order to defeat Severin. Without them, you will fail. And you will need to acquire them in the order that I specify, otherwise you will fail. Do you understand?”