7y BV
John wasn’t terribly fond of his circumstances. One moment he was walking back to his dorm from a performance in a pub and the next a beam of light blasted down on him like it was the rapture and the rest got a little fuzzy. He woke up blearily with an itchy neck and stretched on the cold metal floor, his joints letting out pops and cracks. He slowly got up and took notice of the giant raccoon in the corner. Of course he panicked and scrambled to the far most corner away from the giant raccoon. The raccoon looked slightly shorter than him, although in fairness he wasn’t particularly tall. Please let this be a dream please oh God please. He thought as he pinched himself. Alas John was not in some twisted alien abduction dream but in an actual twisted alien abduction. The giant raccoon didn’t seem as panicked as John was but what did he know about alien body language. “I-I mean you no harm.” He managed to stammer out to it (him?). He wasn’t even sure it understood English.
“And I do not mean you harm either.” The giant raccoon replied with forced calmness in perfect English. John’s eyes went wide with shock and his jaw dropped.
“You speak English!” John squeaked. Reality seemed more and more surreal by the minute. First, abduction by aliens and then a giant raccoon that spoke English was sharing a room with him. The universe was simply not happy with John.
“No I don’t. You simply hear English. The Corti must’ve installed a translator in your brain.” The raccoon explained to the distraught human. The raccoon tapped his temple to indicate where his own translator was. John mimicked the alien and found a bald patch of skin with very faint bumps. “My name is Regalo. I’m a Gaoian.” The Gaoian’s smooth tenor voice informed him. John seemed to slowly calm down, his head nodding along.
“Alright… My name’s John Ash. My species is human.” John replied as his breathing slowed and he finally calmed down. He spent a few moments to collect his thought then asked. “You said the Corti installed a translator in my brain right? Who are the Corti? Are they like the little grey men?” He asked with his head cocked to the side. Regalo’s ears flattened slightly in mild surprise.
“The Corti are indeed like little grey humans except their heads are much larger than yours and they’re a good deal smaller along with a lot of other differences which add up to make them look nothing like you.” Regalo answered, chittering slightly. He scratched his chin. “I’ve been here for a good few ten-days, but they brought you in yesterday.” Regalo continued. “They’re running experiments on the both of us but what about us specifically I’m simply not too sure.”
Grkkrt was perplexed by the tests they had run on the human. They had finally managed to develop a translator implant for them a year ago and this human was the first subject to receive the Mark II implant. It didn’t differ much from the Mark I in terms of function but it was a good deal less crude than the prototype. Watching the cell room with the Gaoian the translator worked without a hitch but the human’s brain had been unexpectedly different from past humans who had received the implant. The corpus callosum was significantly larger as well as areas of the human’s brain to do with sound and coordination were larger. “What has this human done…” He asked himself. It could be related to that strange case it was carrying. The clasps on it required far more dexterity and strength in a beings hands to open than any of the Locayl crew or the Corti scientists had on hand. To break it open was simply far too much risk, should they break what was inside. The ship Brilliant Light was currently in FTL to restock on nutrient spheres now that they had acquired the human.
“It could be some form of training for combat.” Hypothesised Freski. Grkkrt jumped at the sudden appearance of his assistant beside him.
“You should be less quiet with your entrances.” Grkkrt told her. It always annoyed him when she did that. “I can see how that would be used for combat training but it’s a rather poor specimen. It’s a lot weaker than the human soldiers from past studies.” He retorted, putting the upstart assistant in her place. His eyes turned back to the screen that showed the Gaoian and Human in their cell. The two were side by side idly talking. The abnormality of its brain will certainly allow me to rise higher than what a study on Gaoian virility and neurology. He thought.
Suddenly the ship was ripped out of FTL. “Captain what’s wrong!” Commanded the Corti. The Locayl turned, and managed to mumble out. “Hunters.”
+<Accomplishment; Anticipation> Alpha the grav spike has successfully caught the ship+ The Alpha eyed the ship on the display. The Beta had come to inform him despite the fact that it could have communicated with the Alpha from anywhere it the ship. Their pack had had a few bad hunts. The yield from the prey ships had not been high so the Hunters were ravenous. In their hunger their numbers had gone from 20 strong to a measly 10. +<Approval; Acknowledgement> Good, prepare to board. Meat to the Maw!+ it Declared to the betas as their wordless cheer and anticipation was broadcasted as their pack ship docked with the prey vessel.
“So how did you get nabbed by the Corti?” John asked his furry new friend. “I was on my way to Gorai with a few friends to join the small commune. We thought it would be easier to establish a new clan on the colony than on Gao. The Corti simply ripped our ship from FTL and kidnapped us. They took away my comrades I had grown up with. They’re most likely dead from the experiments. Those filthy Corti.” Hissed Regalo. John wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that nor did he know how to comfort the grieving alien.
“Uh… Well… I’m sure we won’t end up like that.” He said half-heartedly. “I mean there has to be a way to break out of this room, I mean look at that door!” He exclaimed as he jumped to his feet, his dense body causing a resounding thud from the floor. John began to approach the door and continued “Look it’s not that thick looking we could-” And then John’s nose was introduced to the wondrous solidity of force fields. “Fucking hell,” He barked as his hands shot up to hold his nose and his feet managing to find balance. The ship jerked hard, causing John to lose his precarious balance and fall. “Fuck!” he swore. The Gaoian chittered a little at his new companion’s predicament but was worried about the ship.
“We must have dropped out of FTL.” Regalo muttered, more so to himself than to John.
“We what?” Asked the slightly dazed and annoyed human. Regalo got to his feet and quickly moved to John’s side.
“We were torn out of FTL and I’m not sure by what yet.” The Gaoian answered in hushed tones.
An electronic voice sounded from the PA system. “Hello? Human I will deactivate the force field on condition that you fight the Hunters that are boarding the ship.”
Regalo’s eyes went wide and his ears twitched. Hunters! Before he could tell the Corti what to do with his offer John cheerily answer. “Deal! We’ll fight these Hunter things and you drop down the force field.” And with that the invisible wall ceased to be. Regalo’s jaw dropped. “Come on Regalo we’ve got hunters to fight.” The human happily chirped, giving Regalo a sneaky wink. The door opened as the human approached it. “Seriously dude hurry up.” John sighed exigently. Regalo followed the human and once they were outside the Gaoian seemed to snap out of his reverie and realised just what they were about to attempt.
“John! Are you mad?!” He screeched.
“Don’t worry my furry friend for we’re not actually gonna fight. We’re gonna find our things and I dunno use an escape pod to get the fuck out of here.” John reassured. “Since this ship is under attack we’ll need to move quickly so quit hanging around.” He exasperatedly told the Gaoian. The Gaoian was surprised by the human’s cunning deceit.
“I remember the layout of this ship from when they captured me. Follow me.” Commanded Regalo as he led the way. The pair checked two rooms for their personal effect to no avail but luckily the third room held them.
“Oh thank Christ they kept my violin.” John sighed in relief as he slung the case on his back.
“Thank who?” Regalo asked confusedly.
John waved his hand and said, “I’ll explain later.” John blanched as he heard screams coming from deeper in the ship’s long hallways. “Regalo what are Hunters?” He quivered as fear gripped his heart.
“They’re monsters who eat the flesh of sapients.” The Gaoian quietly replied.
“Oh… Lovely…” His face blank in muted terror as he finally processed that losing to the Hunters might entail something more than death. “Ok we need to get of this god damn ship now.” He babbled out as he secured the straps of his violin case. He began running down the hall. Regalo was momentarily astounded by the speed at which the human fled and tried to keep up, but to no avail
“Slow down!” He called out to the human. John turned back and was shocked to find the Gaoian lagging so far behind. John never really hit the gym but someone Regalo’s height should’ve been able to keep up. He ran back to Regalo and bent his knees.
“Hop onto my back.” John told the Gaoian
“What?”
“Hop onto my back we’ll move faster that way!” John anxiously said. “We can’t go at that speed so if you hop on and I carry you we’ll make more time. Just get in between the violin case and me alright?” He quickly explained.
Hesitantly, the Gaoian slid between the case and the human. The two resembled a human mother with an oversized furry baby in a harness on its back. John tightened the straps of his case to secure Regalo and began bolting down the hallways. John was too distracted by the possibility of him being some alien’s appetizer to note how surprisingly light Regalo was for a being his size.The human’s speed amazed Regalo once more until he realised they were going the wrong way.
“Take a left here!” Regalo screeched and John responded by sharply taking the turn, causing the violin case to bang painfully against the Gaoian. At this point the Gaoian was hanging onto the human for dear life. John could feel his heart pounding and the adrenaline coursing through him as he ran for much longer. A lot longer than I could in PE. The none panicked part of John’s brain noted. He was about to turn at another corner when two Hunter stepped out from said corner.
The Hunter on the right was mushed against the wall by John as the human failed to slow down in time. Regalo hit a hard stop against John’s oddly hard back, winding him.
John was mortified by what he had just done. He looked down at what was left of the corpse and the thick gore that now decorated his front. The other Hunter momentarily stunned by what it had just witnessed quickly raised its pulse pistol, but before it could fire off a shot John threw up on the remaining Hunter.
His stomach acid scalded the flesh of the blinded the hunter. Slowly the stomach acid killed it. The pair stood in abject horror at what had just occurred before them.
“Oh shit Oh shit I killed some of the crew oh god oh god we need to leave now oh dear god.” John rambled, as his breathing grew heavier.
Regalo simply stared at the human and screamed “YOU JUST UTTERLY DESTROYED TWO HUNTERS!” momentarily forgetting that the ship was filled with Hunters.
“B-but I’m not strong! I’ve never been in a fight in my life! I’m a musician not fighter!” John panted as he began hyperventilating.
“What do you mean you’re not strong! You took down two of the most fearsome monsters in the galaxy!! We can save this ship and get out of here!” Regalo told the human. John’s face was still scrunched up in fear and anxiety. His heart threatened to break his ribs with its pounding. Every fiber of his being screamed to get out of here, to run away.
“I… I can’t I’m not brave enough. What if they shoot us with their gun hand thingies!” John exclaimed. Their argument paused as they could hear scuttling in the direction the two Hunter had com from.
“You either fight or we die and I like living too much so you go out there and fight!” Ordered the Gaoian as it scrambled off the cramped space between the violin case and John.
“O-ok just take my violin.” John mumbled weakly as he slid off the case straps from his shoulder and gave it to Regalo. The Gaoian took the case with a slight ‘oof’. He looked to the human in a mixture of amazement and realisation of just how strong John was to have been carrying this case along with the Gaoian with such ease.
John readied himself as the Gaoian scurried away down the hall they came from. When the first hunter rounded the corner at the bottom of the hall in front of John charged. As his arms braced his head the Hunters unleashed their pulse pistols on the human but they didn’t seem to affect him. John tackled the first two Hunters and smashed them against the wall. He quickly turned to rush the remaining third Hunter.
Regalo ran down the hall with the case, leaving John to fight the hunters alone. Despite the brave front he had put up for the human Regalo was petrified. He had been sitting side by side with a creature that could have easily torn him limb from limb. He shook the malignant thought from his mind. John isn’t a creature he’s another sapient like me. Regalo heard a loud thud from the hall he had left John to face the hunters in and stopped. What am I doing? There is a person who is risking his life to save mine, a complete stranger! And I’m running away! Regalo turned around. Hesitating for a moment, he quietly started making his way back to the human.
+<Panic;Fear> Alpha this prey has just defeated two of-+ the transmition was cut mid thought as the Beta died. The Alpha was thoroughly confused by the half sent thought. The remaining four betas and itself were currently enjoying the delicious meal of the ships crew at the bridge. The prey had even been kind enough to all gather in one place in an attempt of a last stand.
+< Command> Come we will finish this meal once we see what has happened to the betas+ The four remaining betas reluctantly followed their Alpha. The pack slowly moved down the hall in a tight formation, their weapons raised.
John felt queasy once more as he looked at what was left of the three Hunters. His entire body stung as new bruises formed in places he wasn’t aware were places. “Ahh fucking fuck me.” He groaned as he slowly trudged down the hall he had charged the three Hunters from, back to acidified Hunter and his friend mushed Hunter. He stopped mid step as the general hum of the ship was punctuated with another sound. He paused and strained to hear. The scuttling slowly grew louder. The faint scuttling sound the 6-legged Hunters made. John cringed with anxiety and weariness as he lightly returned to the corner of the three bull rushed amigos and pulled what was left of them out of the corner to join the acid face and his friend. Wouldn’t want to give ’em a heads up He thought. Maybe this time he could ambush them. The scuttling sound drew nearer and nearer.
“John!” Regalo shouted. The human’s head whipped up to see the Gaoian holding his violin case in his arms. The Hunters had hurriedly turned the corner where the three pulped partners had been and fired on the human.
“GOD FUCKING OW” The human roared as he charged down the hallway a second time, his arms bracing his head once more. He practically flew down the hall, going far faster than he had anticipated, and rammed into the Alpha. The Hunter’s body cushioned his impact with the wall. Without any delay began simply charging and mushing the remaining betas against the walls, killing them.
Regalo placed the violin down tentatively besides what now looked like a Hunter mosh pit gone horribly wrong and followed the new squashed trail the human had left. Regalo gagged at the sight as he saw more mashed hunter remains with the human absolutely doused in purple gore.
John was sitting on the floor with his back to the wall and legs spread out.
“Hey Regalo ya made it” He greeted. His face was free of bruises but the same could not be said for the rest of him. John could already feel some big shiners on his chest and stomach. “I am…. So… Fuck….” He groaned between pants.
Regalo’s jaw dropped. Doe he want to mate? With me? I’m a male! We’re not even the same species! Is this how they heal? Do they mate to help heal? The thoughts kept racing until Regalo timidly asked with a quiver he couldn’t quite keep out. “D-do you want to mate with me?”
John laughed tiredly. “Nah I just never want to ever run this fucking much ever again Regalo.”
Regalo chittered with relief that he would not be subjected to what would have been the most painful mating in the history of Gao. He looked around to the pulped hunters.
“We did it! We defeated the hunters!” He declared happily it seemed the meaning of those words had sunk in after he said it “Great Father Fyu we defeated the Hunters” He mumbled.
John groaned as his the lead pipes he had for legs grudgingly allowed him to get up. “What do you mean we white man.” John chuckled . He looked to his Gaoian friend to see he had taken the comment seriously. “Hey I was joking. If it weren’t for you I’d probably be pissing myself in fear…. Also where is my violin?”
Regalo was confused for a moment before it clicked. “Oh I placed it near the messy pulp of Hunters you pilled up over there down the hall.”
John nodded. “Alright lets head to the command center or I dunno… the bridge or something just wait here while I go get my violin back then we’ll go.” John instructed as he tried to wipe at least some of the gore off his body.
After retrieving the instrument the two wandered about the ship until they happened upon the bridge. It was lucky John’s stomach was still empty from throwing up on the Hunter but Regalo wasn’t so lucky as the Gaoian’s breakfast greeted the floor. Both looked at the gruesome scene of all the crew having been massacred in the bridge then been feasted on by the starved Hunters. “Jesus Mary and Joseph.” John muttered quietly. He simply couldn’t look away from the horror before him. It was like watching a car crash with the bodies still in the cars.
“Just…. Look away John. You’ve done enough, let me handle getting us to civilisation.” Regalo muttered.
John was more than willing to comply before a thought occurred to him. “Wait you said these Hunter things were like the big bad aliens of the galaxy right?” He asked as a thought began to form.
Regalo looked back with his ears raised in uncertainty as to where that question was going. “Yes they were.”
John went silent for a while with his eyebrows knit together as he contemplated something.
“We can’t tell anyone that I defeated the Hunters.” He declared.
Regalo was shocked. How could they not share this? People needed to know that there is a species out there that could easily defeat the Hunters!
“Why? Your species could push back the tide of the Hunters!” He argued. John’s face scrunched up like he had sucked on a lemon as he contemplated his retort.
“Regalo. My species isn’t exactly nicest bunch. Not to say we wouldn’t help, we would, but… What’s to stop us from simply conquering the galaxy after that? We aren’t unified so separate factions could just take over everything. Even if you guys have better tech, the laser guns the Hunters used hurt about as much as a good slap to the face and that’s just me. I’m not even a soldier Regalo I’m just a musician so think about what a trained, fit, soldier could do.” He explained to the Gaoian.
Regalo pondered John’s words. The human made a point. After his species had dispatched the Hunters what would- could stop them from replacing them? John might be right in saying his species should remain unknown to the greater galaxy.
“I see your point but how are we to explain a dead crew? Or do you mean to tell me that your species not only spit acid to defend themselves but can also reanimate the dead.” He asked.
John thought a little bit then smiled grimly. “We just suffered a Hunter attack and we, whilst the crew were killed and whatever it is Hunters do when they’re not eating the crew, hid away in some part of the ship. And for the record my species does not spit acid! If we did that’d be so freaking cool though” He thought out loud as he walked back to the mess of Hunter smush to clean up and leave their remains on the Hunter pack ship
“John! Their ship is probably docked to ours via the airlock! Just keep taking right turns and you’ll make it there!” The Gaoian called out as the human walked away.
Regalo pondered the musician’s words as he set the coordinates for a nearby station and primed the FTL so they were ready to go when John had finished. He still cringed at the sight of the horrid mess the Hunters had made of the Corti and Locayl. Even if the poor crew members had captured them both, they didn’t deserve to go this way. Regalo waited outside the bridge not wanting to spend a second more than necessary with the corpses. In due time John called out he was finished and Regalo walked back into the gory carnage, his eyes downcast and pushed the ship to FTL.