by Mirren Hogan
As a whole, we had too many victories for me to keep count. The Galaxy Watchers were a righteous group, and they would win every battle in the end because that was the way it was meant to be. When I joined them, I had dreams of grandeur. I waited so long for the moment when I would be a part of one of their sieges and witness firsthand how they were making the galaxy better. I wanted to be a part of making the galaxy a better place. Ever since humans had procured the ability to travel the links of the universe, instead of focusing on conquering, colonizing, and trading they had been crossbreeding with almost every race they found. Now, humans were the minority in the universe. But that was not something to put up with. Humans had the right to conquer, own, and rule, but only when they are pure of blood. It was our duty to make sure that humans became pure again and expand through the galaxy, as the rulers that we were.
I felt the jolting of the ship as it landed and knew that it was time. My comrades and I waited at the ship’s entrance as the ramp began to descend. I was near the front of the line, one of the best warriors in the group. Several years of training had been worth it even though I hated waiting to be able to be a part of all of this.
I could feel the energy around me as everyone was ready with their swords, ready to wreak holy justice on the many dirty bloods that would be awaiting us on the outside.
We came out with a roar, ready to take this large utopia-like colony by surprise. The place was overrun by dirty bloods. I could tell instantly as I begin to slash into the crowd with my sword, clean cuts coming off so that torsos, heads, and feet were severed all around me. There were some that look so human except for markings or strange appendages. Some look like they might be a mixture of several races. It was absolutely disgusting to me. I had no problem slaughtering them all.
As I grunted, surrounded by severed flesh, it took me some time to notice that we were more than outnumbered. In fact, as I began to check out my surroundings, I could see that somehow they had been prepared. I didn’t know if these dirty bloods suddenly formed some kind of army that was always at the ready, or fate somehow gotten word that we were coming. Either way, it did not make me happy as I saw many men fall. To make matters worse, they were being killed. They were being taken prisoner. A fate worse than death. I could only hope that I would be given the chance, if I got captured too, in my life as the way of the warrior, not be slave to these dirty bloods. I could never live with myself.
I let out a roar, a last-ditch effort to kill as many of them as possible has a new surge of dirty bloods came at us. Had we known that they were trained and ready we would’ve brought more men. But I soon found my sword taken from me, and my hands bound behind me. I was a prisoner of war. These creatures, because I would never insult myself by giving the name men or people, had me and there is no escaping. I was chained and taken to the city as a patch was slapped on my shoulder, over my great cloak. Number 42 was emblazoned on it. My existence had become no more than a number. I suddenly wanted to rip the thing off and put it on one of the men who had me. They were the numbers. They were the scum.
I woke up in a white room. That’s all there was. I was completely surrounded by white on all sides. As I came to, it took me a moment to see if there is actually a bed in the corner, that I had been haphazardly laid on. It was white like everything else, little more than a makeshift mattress on the ground. I turned over, not showing any signs of pain. I was completely alone. I saw that there was a lone towel, also white, laying on the opposite side of the room. I couldn’t fathom, at this moment, the reason for it. It was looking like a mighty fine thing to use, this tool, in order to end my misery. But something held me back. I still, for some reason had a will to live. Maybe it was the idea that if someone ever came to get me out of here, for any reason, maybe I’d get the chance to slaughter another dirty blood, maybe the three who brought me in here, to begin with. Now that would be a true warrior’s death.
I growled as I noticed that stupid 42 still sitting there on me. I would spit on the first one to try and call me that. And from the sounds of footsteps headed in my direction, it looks like I might get my chance pretty damn soon.
Despite my injuries, I stood up proud, my hands in front of me clasped, my head held high. I would greet my enemy with strength and pride. In a fair fight, we would have won. Clearly, there was some trial here, something to learn, something righteous; otherwise, why would I have lost.
In front of me, I soon found a female surrounded by three dirty bloods in armor, and I couldn’t tell whether they were there to guard her or to do her bidding. I was literally taken aback by the loathsome idea that a woman had any kind of authority, but also by the fact that her blood was clearly the dirtiest of them all.
She stood before me, her skin the pale mask of the human woman. She was tall like one of the old warrior races. Her mouth, her body shape, and even her long golden hair belied the fact that someone had muddied up their genetics by breeding. So, she was something lower than human. The barely visible, red markings that covered the sides of her face and likely much of her body made that clear. I cannot even tell what race or descent she was mixed with. It was a shame considering she would remain a stunning human woman. Instead, she was something worthy of death before she even made it on this planet, or wherever planet she was born on.
“Are you going to continue to stare at me? Were you going to kill me? I assure you, that I’m ready to die. I also assure you, given the chance, that I will take down every single one of you on my way out.”
The female creature gave an eerie grin before responding. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t completely surprised by the fact that she was able to speak perfect English. “Actually, I came by to see the one that they labeled 42. I came by to learn his name as he is the last of his kind alive of our prisoners of war. It seems that the towel I gave each of you so that when you were awake and less wounded you were able to clean yourselves, has turned into a means to an end. So, tell me, why you were the only member of the galaxy watchers who did not use it for such a purpose.”
She came so close to the white bars to sit between myself and them. I couldn’t tell if she was being condescending or genuinely curious. The only reason that I supplied her with an answer was to show the strength of my people. Though, I bowed my head for a moment out of respect for those I had lost. “You do not deserve my name, so you get it for those who will never be able to give it to you. I am Nevin, a great warrior for the galaxy watchers. While I did to contemplate what the others follow through with, I saw an opportunity if I did not die just yet. As I have already explained to you what said opportunity is.”
The strange woman gave a slow nod, backing up only a couple of inches before she gave some sort of silent order to the two behind her.
Turning back to me, she said,” no, I don’t think I’m going to kill you quite yet. I want to try and rehabilitate you first. I’m not the barbarian they would have you think.”
I didn’t quite know what to make of her words. Or the fact that I was being let out of the cell. In this case, rehabilitation sounded more like brainwashing. I didn’t know what was to come. And then a calm came over me and told me not to even try to attack these creatures. I didn’t understand it. But something I had been taught by my commander was to obey my gut feelings.
Chapter 2
If I had counted right, I have now been imprisoned on this planet for five days. For five days I had been taken from my cell to get clean, eat, and to go to what they called classes. They were for rehabilitation. They felt a lot like what I had feared, which was brainwashing. I could feel something changing within myself, and I struggled to remain the same man with the same resolve I had before, about these creatures. I had to give it to them that they were intelligent. As intelligent as a human being. That was the unfortunate part, that when we humans decided to muddy up our blood, we became heinous aliens, we lent them things like that. They were really good at strategizing, and I could tell that they had, at least on this planet, m
odern sciences, and arts, and politics. For the most part, all I had seen were the various guards and other high-ranking officials. And of course, there was her.
I came to learn that her name was Kaia. Everyone seemed to completely respect her, and yet, she did not lord that over anyone in the same way that I was used to. Raul was a great commander. He was a great commander because he had ideals, he had combat skills, and he had intimidation. He put fear into the enemy by putting fear into his comrades, and to his inferiors. I didn't know what to make of this woman. I would've said she was too soft, but I could see a hardness there.
I didn't understand why I was noticing her at all. She was a disgusting mutt. I should've retched at her feet. But I couldn't. I just couldn't.
They must've seen some kind of improvement in me, though I couldn't exactly see that as a good sign considering I was trying to be loyal to Raul. I wanted to make my commander proud even if he never figured out that I was here and alive. Though, I did have hope that I would be back to fighting for him one day. And if I didn't, I would find my way out one way or the other.
Today, I was brought in to the only thing that I could describe it, was a cafeteria. It was a large place where many gathered to eat. I would guess they were all either prisoners or low-ranking civilians. Some were humans like me, possibly that have been captured and brainwashed, and some more alien. But they did not wear the clothes of the military or upper class of this planet.
I sat down with the food I was given, a large and nutritious meal. Despite the fact that I was a prisoner, I still remain mostly strong. Though, the first few meals I had refused to eat much. I was afraid I was being poisoned with their alien food. My stomach had gotten used to it after the first couple of days. After I couldn't hold out anymore.
A sudden quiet came over the entire place. I looked up to see that Kaia herself was entering the cafeteria. Whether or not this was a usual occurrence, I couldn't be sure.
I was even more suspicious of the situation as I saw her make eye contact with me and walk over. She sat down across from me as if she was going to have a meal with me, and it made me shift in my seat.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked her bitterly. She smiled a genuine smile that made my skin crawl. I can make out that she has fangs... fangs like a vampire. It turned out the legends like that came from an actual species of creatures. There is an entire alien race that actually had to suck blood in order to survive. What human had bred with one, I wasn't sure. Though, I had to admit that her beauty was much like I would imagine that of the Sirens. Her eyes would often go from a frightening black to striking blue, and the red splotches on her face actually made it look more symmetrical and angular. Her perfectly pursed lips, pale skin, and silvery hair were exactly what any man would like to see after a long dry spell. Though, I'd never seen signs from her of actually being some kind of seductress. Not that you would need to be looking like that.
"I wanted to touch base with you and see how you are doing. You made some progress, but it seems you are still stuck in your own ways. I wanted to see why. Very little of your kind has survived this long."
I narrowed my eyes at her. I didn't quite like what she was insinuating, and I felt there was more to what she was saying; teaching me that they can survive that long because they had to kill us? Or does she mean something else entirely, like the fact that many would kill themselves rather than allow themselves to be brainwashed? I had hung my head low, at that thought. I was letting down my comrades and Raul who had trained me to be one of their best.
"You truly want to know what I feel about you and those like you? You really want to know why?" Kia nodded her head encouragingly. Then, part of me told myself that she would regret asking. But who was I to deny her to be aware of her own ugliness? "Humans, from what I can tell, have always been the most intelligent and advanced species in the universe. What other reason would there be for no one ever making it to earth? For the fact that we had to go out and find all of you? It is a shame that many humans have, instead of spreading throughout the stars with colonies, new technology, and using all of you for trade and work, decided to breed with all of you. They have mixed our blood, muddied our blood with many other species. Those that are the step between animal and human. And now it is all of you who are taking over; all of those who are mixed. It isn’t right. It is disgusting, it makes me gag just the thought of it. What I want, no, what we want is the right for pure humans to do what we were meant to do in the first place."
I looked at her with curiosity to see that she wasn't angry, sad, or anything of the sort. She no longer held a smile upon her face, but she seemed to not be so swayed by the awful things I have said about her.
"From the look on your face, I think that you are surprised that I'm not reacting in a typical way to this information. While I have been mostly aware of what the galaxy watchers were after, I have never had the pleasure of talking with one face-to-face and asking them why; asking them what they believe. You see, I believe in something else entirely, but I can respect you having such a strong resolve. I see you are not so easily giving up on what you believe just because you are a prisoner or because you fear something. In fact, I would say you are one of the bravest humans to come to us."
"Brave?" I scoffed. "Raul would have my head for such betrayal, for such sniveling behavior as choosing my life over the cause. I should attack you just so that you will take my life now rather than continue this game that we are playing. I don't know why I haven't, but it is certainly not out of bravery."
Kia suddenly stood up, and two guards behind her stood as well like there were magnets attached to the both of them. "Follow me."
I looked at the two guards and all the guards that surrounded me in this cafeteria of sorts. I knew that I was going whether or not I agreed. So, I decided to save a fight, for now.
I was shocked to be taken past my cell and down to a corridor I never seen, then taken down a set of stairs down, down, down. I didn't realize something we've gone down further than where they kept their prisoners. As a cold chill came over me, I saw that we were going deep down into the planet. Then, a noise assailed my ears. I looked around as a new worry enveloped me. They had some kind of heating element down here. That, and there were hundreds of muddy blooded creatures bustling about. There were some making weapons, some looking at maps, and others performing various tasks. Everyone was so busy no one even stopped to look at the human prisoner.
"What is this place?" I asked, confused.
"This is the resistance. These are the people who in one way or another are helping us. They are helping us to fight the galaxy watchers, to push them back, and to make sure that we maintain our rights. You see, I know I'm bringing the enemy in here. But I don't exactly see you as the enemy. I see you as a person with strong convictions. A person who is grown being taught something that I was not taught, that I do not believe in. But I can tell that you are a strong warrior with a strong will. You could do great things here. But even if you never do, even if you waste away here or do decide to end your life, I wanted you to know one thing in return for your answer. We do not fight because we feel it is our right to fight. I believe in fighting for everyone, for everyone's right to live their life. I believe we are all made for greatness in one way or another and that we should all deserve to survive and thrive. That is how I feel."
The freedom I was given after that was unprecedented. I was wary of it. I felt something must've been waiting in the wings for me, or that perhaps I was constantly being watched when I didn't know it. Were they waiting for me to off myself, waiting for me to make a wrong move so that they felt justified in taking my life? My brain and my heart were rocking against each other. I knew what I had been taught. I knew the gray robes I wore of the galaxy watchers were those of the righteous. Those who were in the right, those who deserve all things in the universe. Yet, I could not find any specific faults with these creatures. They were kind and in a way that I had not seen as a human. They were log
ical and that too, I did not expect. And despite being a prisoner, I'd much more freedom than I would expect considering the kind of damage I could cause, even as a minority on this planet. Kia knew the kind of warrior I was. She had me pegged. And that also was messing with me. She consumed my thoughts! I was afraid it was because I was beginning to worship her the way the others did. Though I shouldn’t, all I saw was my commander instead of a woman. I had to do something about it, and either I would get my freedom because of it, or I would be free in death. But it had to end.
My access to the resistance and their supplies in their quarters meant that I had seen that they had advanced technology. Tech similar to humans. There is actually a computer that I could easily access. Maybe they would have a map of the planet. Maybe they would be information about a ship I could take to get out of here and get back to the galaxy watchers. Then and only then I could be a worthy and true hero. I could bring the vital information about the resistance so that we could finally end this planet and in these people. Look at me calling them people. They were party brainwashing me.
I smirked to myself when I realized I still had my gift of intelligence. I opened the computer and knew I had to be quick. I used the hacking skills that I learned a with the galaxy watchers, something only I and a few others were trained in, to get into their systems. I scanned through numerous amounts of information like weapon design, maps, and databases. Something caught my eye that was strange though, and I had to do a double take. They had a file on some of the galaxy watchers and their leaders. It looks like Raul and I have a file, though there was very little in it about me other than I had been put in prison with a number 42 on my chest. But Raul, he was there.
If I was going to go back to my commander, I needed to know what they had on him. I need to know is this how they figured out that we were coming and bombarded us. Also wanted to know if he was alive.