Nine (original) (raw)

There was a slight darkness. No, it was more of a shadow, there, in the atmospheric glare of Xanadu. It was difficult to see though his multi-phase face cover. He hit the keypad and ran through several “screens”; multi-layers and different degrees of “shading”. Eached flashed by, one per second. Each changed the intensity, color, quality, resolution; it was like putting filters on a photographic lens.

There it was again! It seemed almost the shape of a, a woman… or an animal... No, it was metallic, like a space ship, yet it shimmered like a mirage. It appeared to change to the shape of a Hot Air Balloon, and then a black, massive comet... and at times, nothing at all.

"Damn! No more injections. It's effecting my logic and my eyesight!"

While flipping through more filters, and with his concentration on the apparition, (that "thing" that should not, could not be,) he failed to notice that he was drifting away from Pod 17. And he was using "suit time" which soon, would put him close to the point of no-return.

His intercom crackled.

“Groooverrrr?”

It was faint, unfamiliar, feminine and nothing registered on his Heads-Up Display.

“Gro-rev?” she whispered again. “Come closer…”

Closer? Closer to what, he wondered.

He spoke aloud, “Who are you?”

Static.

“Can you hear me? I ask again, who are you?”

Several seconds pasted. He could sware that he heard music, then voices, laughter, birds chirping, several loud rolls of thunder...

He switched off and back on and engaged diagnostic mode. It showed all in prefect working order. Yet there was nothing but silence. Peaceful yet frightening silence. Then this terrifying feeling of total separation turned him cold inside. He switched off and on several times. Ran diagnostics again. Nothing happened. There were no lights or indicators of any kind this time. He turned back, toward Pod 17, but it wasn't there!

He tried all the switch he could. Adrenalin flowed. He called out to Pod 17 -- but no one responded. Not even the faintest of static. Panic in the extreme began to rise. He wanted to rip off his suit and run back to the ship. He drew in breath and started to scream...

Inside his head, he heard: “I am Udanax, Revorg. Don't you remember me? Don't be afraid. Come! Come closer to me. You will be safe here. Trust me..."

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