Chapter 13
Both human and Neanderthal are subjected to trials by the Blue Zetans, all in preparation for War Games.
Previously: Mokvel wonders what will become of Humanity after the Zetans are done ravaging their world. Elsewhere the Sapien reflects on on his capture and later is spoken to by Mokvel, hitting at some regret for what has come to pass so far.
A sharp pain twinged in the back of his neck and suddenly he could see once more. The metal door ahead of him slid open and the mech warrior gave him a hard shove into the narrow corridor. The door then shut before he could fully regain his bearings. He followed a short, dimly lit corridor until he reached another door. A few minutes passed before it also opened and this time he was able to enter an area that had actual lighting. It was circular and to his left at a height and almost out of sight was a viewing box wherein he could make out some faces, mostly blue and one grey. Just what do they have in store for me?
He walked forward until he was in the centre of the room. Opposite him, the other door opened and from that darkness emerged something far larger than he was. A creature built on muscle, its relatively small head had a mohawk of hair that travelled down its back. Its teeth were jagged and sharp and the two canines on the bottom of the mouth were large enough to protrude like small tusks. Not only that, but the massive upper body had four bulging arms that he didn’t fancy grappling with.
“Terran. Ragjoran. We bring you both here to test your strength. The winner will be the one left standing,” said the booming voice over the speakers.
The Sapien and the Ragjoran got closer to one another, but neither seemed eager to make the first move. The alien began talking but naturally, the Sapien couldn’t understand him, so he said nothing. He would let them attack first if anything and hit them on the counter.
The alien appeared to sense his hesitation because they launched forward with two punches that the Sapien barely had time to block. The first from the upper arm hit his cheek and the lower arm hit his gut. This sent him spinning backwards and also spitting out a tooth. He looked behind him to see the attack being pressed and a large and hairy barefoot threatened to keep him down. The Sapien, on instinct, rolled to his right and the now grinning alien was almost upon him. He had to try something to get the upper hand. He waited till the alien got close enough and, keeping low, he threw his own punch, aiming for the crotch, hoping that these Ragjorans shared the same vulnerability he had.
Their reaction was all he needed to see. The alien recoiled backwards and began shouting in their own language. The Sapien took advantage of this and delivered a sudden uppercut, catching the alien’s jaw. They staggered back and off balance landed on their back. The Sapien prepared to finish things when a blaring noise got his attention.
“Well played, Terran. Underhanded, but effective.”
When he next awoke, it was humid and hot. The sounds of jungle filled his ears and looking at the thick forest that surrounded him. He was almost ecstatic at the prospect of being back on Earth, but then he remembered all that had come to pass so far. Young knew better than to think he was anywhere but the spaceship. For one, the trees that surrounded him were much higher than the ones he came across back home. It was also never this hot and humid. Even just being here for a few minutes dried his throat out. He’d need to find water, and fast. He tentatively made his way forward, pushing past the large fauna that also surrounded him. The noises of the forest hinted at all kinds existing here. He would have to tread carefully.
He kept walking and only stopped when he wondered just what they were trying to learn about him here, that under certain conditions he would sweat profusely. Whatever else was here had also been biting at him every chance it got, leaving him constantly scratching at his shoulders. He kept pushing forward until he heard a familiar sound that made him run towards it, throwing all caution to the wind. That gentle sound was one a stream would make. He stopped at where it cut through the undergrowth and knelt to begin scooping it into his mouth. He was so thirsty he didn’t even care if it poisoned him. He just needed to taste some water on his lips again. A rustling behind him brought him back to the here and now. It had come from behind him, so he looked back over his shoulder. He dared not make any sudden movements or sounds. Is someone hunting me? Back home, he had encountered others like him, but they had been met with distrust and scepticism. Or could this be a larger hunter, a predator native to this jungle?
The rustling ceased, and he let out a sigh while standing back up. From the undergrowth, it launched itself at him. A bug-like monstrosity with a triangular head and bulb-shaped eyes. It attempted to overwhelm him, trapping him between its hooked forelegs while trying to bite through parts of his head. His arms were still free, even if they bled. He punched it a series of times, first in what appeared its head and then its body. This, for a brief moment, gave him some release and another burst of adrenaline. He attacked its thin legs and forced it to the ground. As its hooks tried to latch on, he moved around to its small head and drove his bare foot down, feeling it squelch beneath him. The bug ceased moving and, to his shock, his surroundings, except for the bug, became transparent. It all faded away, and he looked to see a door slide open. He staggered for it, but the amount of blood loss forced him down to one knee. If none of that was real, then was that bug a mutant - or alien? It was like nothing he had seen before. Its thorns had almost skinned him alive. Familiar Blue aliens surrounded him. He let them do what was needed. He was too weak to antagonise them at this point.
The dark room had a single large circular table in it, but he was alone, the other chairs empty. He took a seat in his chair and the room lit up. In each chair, a holographic form appeared. Somewhere like him, Zeta, others were aliens they had formed alliances with or had through trial earned the chance to sit at the table. The Blue Zetan Chieftain looked from one to the next and wondered what they each brought to the table.
“So we each have our tributes for the War Games,” he said.
“We do, Chieftain Helvos,” said one image that looked like a bundle of tentacles. “You seem more assured this time. Have you found a strong race to sponsor?”
The Chieftain did not need to be asked twice and began typing at the holo-keyboard in front of him. The footage he projected showed both the Sapien and the Neanderthal in combat. He even included footage of Young making his way through the Grey Zetan ship. This led to gasps from Greys at the table. “As you can see, the Hominin is not only durable, but incredibly brave to face down any opponent. They can exist in almost any climate and overcome any obstacle. They are the perfect predator. Capable of being weapons and wielding one. Any questions?”
“You seem confident, Chieftain, but I have to question, after seeing what one did to my fellow Zetan. Are you sure you’re in control of them?”
“Absolutely, unlike the Greys. Us Blues know how to handle enemies that are bigger and sometimes stronger than us. We understand caution better than most. Urlak threw his caution aside and paid the ultimate price. I assure you, that will not happen to us. We are in control, and we will make sure to keep it that way.”
The description of the monstrosities that attacked our favorite Terran were terrific, especially the first creature, and the battles were exciting. It will be interesting to see how the aliens decide to proceed.