August is a month for Prompts #26
8/26: Space Bar
In an odd dust covered satellite a ghost town of sorts resides. It orbits the uninhabitable but stunning, purple and blue planet called Nox.
The gorgeous swirling atmosphere looks inviting but a world of storms is what lives beneath it.The satellite dubbed, Nia by its creator was intended to be a rest stop before reaching Nox. However, that didn’t come to pass. Once the first explorers of Nox left and never returned Nia began to lose her splendor. The second set of explorers disappeared just like the first, the third and fourth groups followed suit.
One would imagine people would stop traveling to Nox, but the rumors were too grand and spread through the universe like wildfire.
“Nox is a treasure planet.”
Nia saw the arrival of royalty from across the cosmos. The satellite expanded and additions were made to accommodate the guests. A wealthy family hired a well known Planet Diver, Tobaris InKrew to delve into the planet's atmosphere briefly and return with information of what dwelled beneath.
A crowd of Tucy’s wealthiest people gathered to watch Tobaris’s dive live. His topaz space suit was made of Elephant Stone, a lightweight malleable stone that stretches and contracts based on the environment it’s exposed to. He stood on a plank outside the satellite with a thick cord attached to the ship.
“Oh no, don’t do it,” someone in the crowd muttered unenthusiastically. “You’re never gonna come back.”
The entire crowd shifted as if they were one mind. A man in the corner sat alone at the bar with his back to the window. A brown liquid swished in his glass while the ice cubes flattered against it. He sighed heavily and without turning around he asked, “What do you think happened to all the rest?”
“Colonization of course!”
“Resource acquisition!”
The old man at the bar started to laugh, it was dry and humorless. He tossed back his drink and slammed it on the bar.
“Keep’em coming,” he barked at the bar keep. He finally turned to face the crowd. He was familiar to most of them, he was the King that lost it all. He was thinner than he was in his prime, his long limbs were mere sticks compared to the branches they once were. His clothes were tattered, his purple cape lined with white fur was dingy, something gleaned on his hip but was kept hidden by his clothes. He was none other than Gatterby Frost, former member of the Universal Tribunal.
“They aren’t down on Nox living their best life. They’re all most likely dead. The last of my resources went down there and haven’t come back. None of my men would have abandoned me. If Tobaris returns he won’t be the same and you’ll all most likely be killed.”
The crowd began to mutter and a man stepped forward. Bold and proud, Pomp Loquer III with his fat flabby lips and unkempt hair said, “You are a failed man. Misery loves company and I refuse to be in it. Follow me to the dive sight.”
Pomp’s belly was just as big as his ego, his triple chins wobbled as he turned and clambered away. All of the guests agreed and followed him. Gatterby’s long spider leg like fingers stretched out and gripped his face. He held his face until the desire to smile faded. He snatched his glass from the bar and groaned as he tossed it back.
He was right.
Joharis InKrew dove off the plank created just for the jump. As he descended he performed a series of tricks for the entertainment of the rich. As he approached the planet he felt a tremendous foreboding heat that meant to consume all. In response his Elephant Stone suit began to inflate to keep the person inside nice and cool. However, the moment the suit penetrated the atmosphere it contracted viciously.
Joharis’s scream blared over the speakers, the guests collectively gasped and cringed as the thunderous snap of bone crackled across the speakers. Some people cried out, others scrambled to console them, the rest watched eagerly for him to be returned by the bungee cord. Seconds turned to minutes and the haunting cry of a broken man played out like a song over the satellites speakers.
Gatterby waited for the stampede and sure enough the tumultuous footsteps began. Accompanied by shrieks of terror, the squelch, squish, and crack of bodies being torn apart chased them with the occasional grunt. The royals that had gathered raced and trampled one another to reach their escape pods that would deliver them to the safety of their star vessels.
The barkeep trembled and dipped behind the bar, Gatterby reached over it and took the bottle with his brand of drink in it. He tipped it back as the deafening cries of the hunted filled the ship like a symphony. He waved his hands as if he conducted the song of death that rattled the satellite. A large clawed topaz hand gripped the wall and crushed it, Gatterby watched and waited.
“I wondered what happened to my men. I was hoping I could find out for myself today.” Gatterby’s eyes glossed over and his purple tongue glazed his lips. He had waited for a chance to avenge the loss of all his belongings and the last of his wealth. On a loop around his waist his late-wife’s crown rested on his hip. She left it to him to return to her on the surface of Nox. She promised to go before him and set up the nation he deserved to rule with people who loved and respected him.
A guttural screech exploded followed by a shockwave that caused the glass bottles behind the bar to shatter. A stumbling, boil covered beast lurched from around the corner. The distorted space suit that once housed Tobaris Inkrew was now riddled with jagged bones jutting from the suit. Where his head was a gaping voracious maw lined with razor sharp teeth chewed on a leg. The beast's left arm was swollen, his knuckles dragged across the ground. A foul stench reached Gatterby’s nose and he noticed the festering wound on the beasts' back.
The beast wailed in pain, a man who had been hiding in the room tried to run. The beast reached into its mouth, plucked one of it’s razor sharp teeth and hurled it at him. It lodged itself between the man’s shoulders and he collapsed with a soft moan.
Gatterby tapped his wife’s crown and tears began to stream down his cheeks, “Is this what my wife has become? A predator forged by the planet Nox. A cruel gift bestowed by the atmosphere itself.”
The beast lunged at the tall crying man with it’s left arm cocked back. Retractable claws burst from his fingertips like sabers ready to slice him to pieces.
“Forgive the fate I forced upon you my love.”
The Nox Beast roared and swung it’s left arm with intentions to liberate Gatterby of his head. However, Gatterby had moved so fast the beast slashed at an after image. Gatterby stood behind the beast in perfect form, his eyes reddened and pooled with tears. A crude smile spread across his lips while his aura darkened. The Nox Beast instantly felt it’s position of predator switch to prey and instinctively trembled. It retreated and scurried down another hall. Gatterby started to laugh, his long fingers gripped his face as he tilted his head back.
“Run! Run! As fast as you can! For I will be murdering you!”
The barkeep poked his head from behind the bar and looked up at the friendly old man that arrived earlier than everyone else. The figure that stood before him was no longer a hapless old man, Gatterby Frost’s posture was rigid and powerful. His daunting aura was menacing but it’s aim was not at him. He knew he was safe and would be protected by him.
“Can I do anything more sir?”
“Find me three more bottles of my brand and a crate of Nia Berries. I’ll return when I’ve had my fill of carving up this beast that has infiltrated the ship.”
Suddenly, the creature sprinted back into the room and cowered in fear behind Gatterby. A tremendous pressure filled the ship and the barkeep fainted on his feet. Gatterby shuddered, his jaw clenched and he grit his teeth as he focused on maintaining his consciousness. His eyelids grew heavy as the pressure increased. Three figures entered the room clad in silhouette.
“Where is everyone dear?”
“Looks like the ship was raided Cap.”
“It wasn’t a raid, a beast slaughtered all the people.”
“Are you so sure Tonja dear?”
“She’s right. The smell of blood and bone marrow is prominent. However, the scent of gunpowder, laser burns, and metals are all absent.”
“What are you trying to say Kyan dear?”
“There wasn’t much of a fight. The people we slaughtered without mercy. They didn’t stand a chance.”
“Then be on guard and protect your captain dear. The beast could still be lingering.”
The Nox Beast whined behind Gatterby and he gulped when Mine, Tonja, and Kyan’s eyes turned to him. He knew that the pressure that spread through Nia was attributed to the trio before him. He didn’t know what to say, his will to fight and mangle the beast at his feet dissipated. He felt bad for it to a certain extent and even more so when he felt it trembling with fear.
“Ah,” Mine pointed at Gatterby and said, “You’re the Disgraced Descended Ruler of Ragnar. Just my luck. I came to find you.”
“Me?” Gatterby had never met the man before him, his aura was more malicious than any other he had ever encountered.
“Yes you dear. You see, I’ve got beef with the Matthews of Ragnar and I hear you do too. Care to join my crew?”
Will the Disgraced Descended Ruler, Gatterby Frost, Former King of Ragnar join Captain Mine’s crew? In order to find out, you have to stay tuned…
***
Stay Tuned…
Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds
By: T. M. Ashley
M.I Flight of the Hummingbirds is the debut by T. M. Ashley, which features a six century old mastermind that was banished from space and time and is now free to do as he pleases and find his way home. Read the Prologue here:
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