***
The four men stood in the center of the Market Square beside a dry fountain. A thick forest pressed against the Ondor village where only thin rays of sunlight peeked through the canvas of lush foliage, sprinkling the town with radiant pearls of light. Temporary homes constructed of the durable gray plastic called Solfrit lined the streets stretching out in all directions.
Kalin caught sight of his reflection in an arched window. His Saleran bone structure made him tall and thick with muscle, a trait noticeable beneath his clothes: a black vest, long-sleeved white shirt and skin-tight black pants. There was a loud snap of a branch and he swung his Barra around, ready to fire. Keeping the black rifle aimed down a side street, he noticed hundreds of green and red vines had spread across the roadway. He glanced down all the streets. The vines covered the roads, even the alleys, and some were making their way up the walls and into the houses.
The strangeness of it increased his discomfort. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves and he felt his stomach knot up. Something was very wrong.
“I am not registering any life,” said Marante, studying the small holo on the scanner. “Not even animal or insect. Only the plants.”
“It looks as if they’ve been gone for months,” said Baskka, his red eyes glowing against the shimmer of his light green skin. “I’m sure the Preconts cleaned up the roads before allowing the colony to move in. So what gives?”
Muab was shaking his massive blue head, the four antennae on each of his ears waving side-to-side. “Evil here. Must hurry.”
“I agree,” said Kalin. “Keep alert and—”
Suddenly, the ground began to rumble and move. The men struggled to stay on their feet. Muab shouted something, but Kalin’s attention was on Marante, who had a look of horror on his face. He followed Marante’s gaze.
“Back up! Back up!” shouted Kalin, waving his arm.
On the other side of the fountain, an enormous black vine in the shape of a hand was creeping out of an open fissure. It pulsated as if breathing, and although the plant appeared to be eyeless, Kalin sensed they were being watched. Without warning, it rose into the air and slammed down on the fountain, smashing it to pieces.
“This is a new species,” said Marante, studying the scanner. “There is no record of this life form. It—”
From within the crevice, a bellowing roar vibrated the air and the tentacle rose higher. It shrieked and vaulted towards them.
“Run!” yelled Kalin.
They dashed into a small, nearby house, where a couch, a soft chair, and an overturned dining table were the only visible furniture. Stacked on both sides of a large window were blue boxes.
Building supplies, thought Kalin.
Some had tumbled off and broken open, scattering long nails and screws on the Solfrit floor.
“Block the doorway!” he shouted.
Muab grabbed the cushioned chair and flung it against the door.
“They come from under the ground,” said Kalin. “Ready your Barras. Set to disintegrate.” He was grateful their Barras could laser blast through six inches of solid steel.
Pounding and deep growls vibrated the steel door. Kalin’s grip tightened around his Barra. The floor beneath them started to shake. A deep crack began splitting the ground.
“Jump!” shouted Kalin.
All leapt to safety, except Marante. Kalin could see the tips of his eight-inch fingers desperately trying to get hold of the loose dirt as he dangled in the crevasse. The snarls of angry monsters began echoing from within.
“Kalin!” shouted Marante.
Kalin jumped to his feet and ran, but he tripped on a box and fell face down.
“Kalin, this is no time to be slow!” said Marante.
“Hang on!” shouted Kalin. “I’m coming!”
Ready to spring to his feet, he shifted his weight and felt the skin on his chest rip. His body quivered with the excruciating pain. He lifted himself to his knees. Through his bloodied white shirt protruded the end of a hefty screw.
“They are coming,” said Marante. “You must hurry, Kalin!”
The earth beneath Marante’s fingers started crumbling. Kalin yanked out the two-inch bolt and dove with outstretched arms as the cliff gave way. Kalin hit the ground with a thud, sending up a cloud of dirt. The floating grit blocked his vision as both arms dangled over the ledge. To his relief, he felt Marante’s fingers in his hand. After pulling him out, they both crawled behind the overturned dining table.
“I cannot believe you took so long,” said Marante, making adjustments on the scanner. “Were you deliberately trying to give me a heart attack?”
“Actually, I wanted to see if your nose could get as big as your head.” He glanced at Marante, whose nose instantly went from pea-sized white with worry to orange-sized and angry red. “Almost.”
“You are pathetic,” said Marante. “Where are Baskka and Muab?”
“There.” He nudged his head. “Behind the couch.”
The whining sound of a fast-moving object was getting louder when suddenly another vine flew out of the chasm and lunged towards the men.
“Shoot it!” yelled Kalin.
Laser fire bombarded the creature. The vine flailed in the air, shrieking to the laser blasts tearing through its membrane.
“They feed off the nutrients of the planet, but they can be carnivorous,” said Marante.
“Duh...I guess that’s why there are no colonists,” said Kalin. Marante was always a scientist even in the face of the obvious.
“Your sarcasm is not appreciated,” said Marante, juggling the scanner in one hand and firing with the other. “And why must you always get us into these predicaments?”
“Because you need to keep the blood moving in that big head of yours,” said Kalin.
“Stop making fun of my head, you oversized fur ball and—oh my!”
Out of the pit vaulted a creature standing over eleven feet tall. Protruding from its hip, the damaged vine was healing at a remarkable rate. The jagged, dark green skin of the monster sparkled as it moved. Its slender body was hunched over as if straining to hold up its long arms and oversized hands. Curved, spiked nails tipped each three-toed foot. One large, red eye glared menacingly down at the men while its slightly elongated maw repeatedly opened and shut, exposing its serrated teeth in an obvious threat.
“What is it?” whispered Kalin, noticing an uneven bulge moving in its stomach.
“It is definitely not human,” Marante said.
“Really? How did you figure that out?”
It quickly turned towards the table where it heard the sounds. A high-pitched squeal came from its mouth.
Kalin kept his aim as he slowly stood up. “Marante, set the scanner to translate.”
Marante waved his hand over an orb and a strange, gentle music began to play. It silenced the creature.
As Kalin spoke, his words became soft melodious tones. “We come in peace. Who are you?”
The voice of the beast was deep and scratchy. “Thuron. Invaders must die.”
“The people that were here before us meant you no harm. They would have left your world alone if you had asked. The colonists, where are they?”
“All dead!” roared the creature.
The Thuron grabbed the couch and flung it against the wall where it shattered. With lightning speed, its hands gripped the necks of Muab and Baskka and lifted them off the floor. Static bolts ripped through their bodies as the mended vine sent offshoots into their open crevices.
“Blast it!” yelled Kalin.
Muab and Baskka screamed, trying to loosen the creature’s grip.
“The static shield surrounding the Thuron is deflecting all laser fire,” said Marante. “Penetration is impossible.”
Kalin shuddered at the morbid sounds of popping joints and cracking bones. The creature’s teary eye was wide open as if in a trance. A steady flow of red drool streamed out from its gaping mouth. Kalin began pulling the trigger so fast the
laser pulses became a stream of light. He had to save his men.
“They are dead, Captain,” said Marante, standing up. Kalin kept firing the Barra, unable to accept it.
Marante put his hand on his shoulder. “They are gone, Kalin. It is over.”
Kalin shivered with anger as he lowered his laser. They were eaten alive.
The creature dropped Muab and Baskka to the floor. Their hollow bodies lay flat. All their organs, muscles, and skeletal structures had been devoured. The beast carefully folded their empty bodies as if treasuring a prize then lifted a slice of skin over its stomach and slid them in its pouch. Immediately, its stomach undulated to the added items.
It is digesting their remains, said Marante in Kalin’s mind.
The monster glared at Kalin and Marante and began moving towards them, claws ready and fangs snapping. The two backed up.
The window, Marante, said Kalin in thought.
Got it, answered Marante.
The two dove through the glass to the outside. They hit the ground, rolled to their feet and began running. The crunching sound of the Thuron’s spiked nails digging into the ground was closing in. The vine latched onto Marante’s arm and yanked him to a stop, slamming him down.
Kalin skidded to a halt and lifted the Norin Blade from his boot. Marante was on the ground, fighting off the shoots of vine trying to enter his body. Kalin leapt towards the vine, flipping in the air and slicing it in half as he came down on his feet. An ear-piercing shriek came from the creature as black liquid spurted out. The vine on Marante shriveled. Kalin swung his arm around and rammed the knife into the monster’s back, holding it in as he slid it down its torso, cutting through its bone as if it were paper and releasing its entrails. A gut-wrenching shrill sound vibrated the air and the creature fell dead.
“We must leave,” said Marante, panting as he picked up the scanner. “There must be more.”
“Yeah,” said Kalin. A heavy wind began blowing through the trees. He tapped the small Comlink on his vest. “Tolba....”
Crackling sounds split the air as if it were electrically charged. Kalin felt the hair on his head rise.
“What’s happening?” he asked.
“It is some kind of force field,” said Marante, studying the scanner. “They have cut off communication with the Quasar.”
The ground in front of them rumbled once again. Numerous fissures burst open and out leapt ten more of the same creatures.
“Run!” they yelled together.
They dashed into the forest. Kalin glanced back. The Thurons were shrewd and fast, spreading out as they took chase. Dark clouds formed in the sky, blocking out the sunlight. He could barely see. The ground tremors intensified. A vicious wind howled through the trees, sending thick branches down, just missing them.
“They control the weather!” shouted Marante.
“I know—watch out!”
A small tree dropped down into their path, then another, and another. They strained to leap over plant life deliberately falling in front of them. Kalin felt the quick swipes of a creature’s hands brushing his back. High-pitched screeches emanated from the trees and bushes that were violently shaking.
The plants are sentient, said Marante in Kalin's mind. They are against us.
Suddenly, it was quiet. Everything was still. The creatures had disappeared. The sun was peeking through the fast-moving clouds. Kalin pulled Marante to a stop. They surveyed the area, out of breath.
“Where are they?” he asked, suddenly aware of the thin air. It was getting harder to breathe. “The oxygen level is dropping.”
Marante studied the scanner. “Yes, it is. I cannot find thei...we must go now!”
Five trees in front of them reshaped themselves into the creatures, along with five behind. Within moments, ten angry beasts surrounded them. One Thuron leapt into the air towards them. Kalin blasted the creature. The other Thurons charged, and the two men stood back to back in a shooting frenzy.
A beast latched onto Marante’s neck. Kalin turned to fire, when suddenly, beams ignited and they were on the teleporter deck of the Quasar. The startled Thuron dropped Marante and froze. Marante quickly rolled off the deck.
“Tolba, return teleport, now!” shouted Kalin.
The Thuron disappeared in a flash of light. Without warning, the ship lurched, throwing them to the floor.
“Tolba, report!” yelled Kalin.
“A Tractor beam has enveloped the Quasar, Captain. We are being pulled into the atmosphere.”
“Full reverse!” shouted Kalin. “We’re on our way!”
The sounds of the powerful engines whining and scraping filled the ship. The vessel trembled and bucked, fighting to stay in space. Kalin and Marante stumbled down the hallways and into the lift.
“Bridge,” said Kalin, clutching a wall bar.
The lift zoomed off sideways, lateral pale blue lights showing the passing levels. The upward shift was barely felt. A loud boom sent them to the floor. The Quasar was losing the battle.
“The energy beam is emitting from the alien device,” said Marante, carefully reading the holo on his scanner as he got to his feet. “The creatures are part of the root stock of the planet. This is a living world, Kalin. Every plant is alive, conscious of their surroundings, and able to communicate with each other. This is the first discovery of its kind.”
“What’s the energy source of that device?” asked Kalin, pulling himself up.
“It is one grain of Pril,” said Marante. “How did these creatures know about Pril?”
“I don’t know, but we have to stop this or we’re all dead.”
The doors slid open and they staggered onto the bridge. Marante hurried to sit beside Tolba at the main controls.
“Tolba, engage light speed at my command,” said Kalin, hopping into the captain’s chair. “Marante, ready a Ronar Pulse and fire at my command. Three-two-one-fire!”
On screen, they watched a white pulse race down the middle of the energy beam. A large explosion erupted within the planet.
“Now, Tolba!”
Kalin was slammed back into the seat as the Quasar zoomed away. He sat straight, feeling his muscles tense up from anger.
“The whole colony is gone!” shouted Kalin, bashing the armrests with his fists. “I lost two friends down there! Why weren’t those things detected in the earlier scans?”
Marante worked the colorful holo in front of him. “According to the original study of the planet, they searched twenty miles into the crust for any sign of life or volatile activity. However, the Thuron City is forty miles beneath the surface therefore they were not detected. I have scanned their city, and there is no human life. Baskka and Muab did not stand a chance, Captain. The energy output that engulfed them was ten thousand times that of normal.”
Kalin sat back and sighed. There was nothing worse than losing human lives, especially good friends, due to human error.
When is the Federation going to listen? he said to Marante in his mind. I’ve told them many times to search deep down, right to the core of the planet for any life. Now a whole colony is gone and I’ve lost two of my best friends.
I agree, said Marante. This catastrophe could have been avoided.
It has to stop, said Kalin, feeling his anger rise again. We’re losing people to stupidity.
Yes, I agree.
“I’ll speak to the families of Baskka and Muab personally,” Kalin said aloud.
He felt the sorrow of having to inform their wives and children who lived with them on the Quasar. He had to prepare himself for the onslaught of tears, something he was never ready for.
“Inform the Federation of the loss of the colony and recommend they put this star system under quarantine,” he said. “We don’t want the Thurons to have this technology so find the access codes to the Ancis device and set the village to self-destruct. Let’s leave these beings to themselves.”
“Aye, Captain,” said Marante, waving his hand through the holo
, where a twinkle of light appeared, then vanished. A small burst of fire appeared on the planet surface.
“Captain,” said Tolba. “I have an incoming message from King Altor.”
“Put it on screen,” said Kalin, welcoming the change of subject.
The death of good friends was, unfortunately due to the Federation’s stupidity, becoming a habit. However, speaking with his father always ended in another argument and right now, he just wasn’t in the mood. He’d have to cut him off again and take it in the Overview, which would anger his father even more.
The tall broad figure of a gray-haired man appeared. His square chin and well-defined features gave him the look of authority. Although over three thousand years old, Altor still had the strength and appeal of a man much younger in age. Kalin just wished his own black hair wouldn’t gray; only nine hundred years more and the white would begin. He sighed.
That’s way too soon, he thought.
“Ah, my son, finally,” said Altor, his deep voice carrying throughout the bridge. “I’ve been trying to reach you for over a week now. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you. Deep space is hard on communications. How’s Mother? Disa?”
“They are fine. I wanted you here for the historic event, but alas, it has already started.”
Uneasiness rippled through Kalin. “What event?”
“Two days ago your cousin, Vorkis, began testing his new weather system. I wanted you to see it first-hand.”
“What?” said Kalin, rising to his feet. “You allowed him free access to Salera’s atmosphere? Dad, have you lost your mind? When are you going to believe me about Vorkis? He’s dangerous. You should banish him from the planet like you did Vurro.”
“Vurro tried to steal information from our data banks and we caught him, however, Vorkis has always shown the proper respect.”
“I’ve told you many times, Vorkis has left Salera repeatedly. His reputation on the outside is not good.”
“Nonsense, I will never believe the accusations. Vorkis is family, and besides, he has never lied to me.”
“And I have?” asked Kalin, recalling his anger over previous conversations. “Just because I chose a different path doesn’t make me the enemy. You’re allowing an evil man to use Saleran technology—”
Altor raised his hand. “Enough! Just come and see his greatness. You will be impressed.”
“Yeah, I’m coming, all right,” said Kalin. “Somebody has to watch over him because you’re not.”
“Good,” said Altor. “We look forward to your arrival. End transmission.”
Kalin dropped down into his seat not believing what just happened. How could his father have done this? Altor trusted Vorkis more than his own son. Although they were the same age, of the same blood, Vorkis was Kalin’s opposite, a power-hungry liar and a thief, which Kalin had yet to prove. As a teenager, Vorkis had formed a secret gang that repeatedly stole from Salera’s citizens, selling the items to outsiders for a profit. When Kalin told Altor about it, he refused to believe his nephew would do such a thing and dismissed the idea. Therefore, Kalin took it upon himself and had accused Vorkis on several occasions, besting him in the fights, and each time calling him a coward knowing how much it angered him. Vorkis had long ago sworn to kill him. And now Altor had simply handed him all life on Salera.
Vorkis has long been working on your father’s trust, said Marante in his mind. I fear something dreadful is going to happen.
“Set a course for Salera,” said Kalin. “Warp 12.”