Prologue
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Prologue
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The Hidden PeopleThere is a place where the sun never rises. A world in a locked orbit around a red star; one side always baking in the sun’s heat, the other always facing the icy depths of space. Everything was still here; the sun, the sky, the rocks, the little silver pools that dotted the landscape, even the blue and purple glowing fungus. Even the mist was still, like a shroud covering everything. It was as if time had been stopped. Like a tomb... which, in a way, is exactly what it was.
On the border between the light and dark sides, the stillness was about to be violently shaken.
First was the boom of thunder, like the crack of an almighty whip. Then silence. And then, a peculiar whine filled the air as the mists were parted and an oblong shape descended through them. Thick metal stumps seemed to grow from the cylinder, touching the ground ahead of it. Its surface steamed and hissed as it began losing its heat to the mist closing around it again. Solid beams of light suddenly ripped through the shroud, cutting across the dark rocks.
This went on for some time, until a white stripe appeared on one side of the vessel, and a thin rectangular section of it fell away, creating a stairway to the ground. A silhouette appeared and began to descend, heavy boots clanging on the trembling metal steps.
The man was haggard and weary; it had taken him a long time to find this place, and he hadn’t been able to rest. He could not. Not until he had his son back. The air here was breathable, but he wore a mask to filter out any toxins he might encounter. He adjusted his goggles, slung the shotgun over his back, checked his compass and set off into this eternal twilight.
Hours passed, and still nothing really changed in the landscape around him. This world was lying in state. He knew however that he was getting closer; the needle on his compass was beginning to turn. It became highly erratic when he reached a circle of stones; they were like the hand of a giant trying to reach up through the earth. The compass needle was spinning at the centre of stones, although he could see nothing else nearby. There was only one possible explanation; his target was under him.
It was as he was thinking this that the ground beneath him gave way, taking him with it. He found himself sliding through a smooth round tunnel, at what speed he was falling it couldn’t be said; there was nothing to reference it against. But, fast. The tunnel wound round and round in places, before coming to long straight run at the end of which was a light; not a bright light, but even the dimmest flicker was a blinding although welcome sight in the pitch blackness of the tunnel. He was free falling then, and then smashed into the hard stone floor. He lay supine for a minute, before slowly lifting his head.
It was a cavern, of sorts. But the columns holding up the ceiling were... man made? It was possible, although if it was the men who built it had long since departed. At least there was light; the same glowing fungus that illuminated the surface grew here too. He stood slowly, staggering like a drunkard, but his purpose driving him on...
He saw a shadow and spun around, bringing his weapon to bear on the dire, snarling creature leering other him... he paused, just short of pulling the trigger. Just a statue.
Some kind of wild dog or wolf carved in stone, guarding this place. There were several other statues whose outlines he could make out, carrying swords and shields, one of them had wings and another had horns, but they were all clearly human. He wondered who they were; heroes, kings, emperors...
“They were Gods, once,” he was not alone here. A woman appeared, walking seductively up to the wolf; stunned by her brazenness, he watched her. Pale skin, dark hair and eyes, a red dress which clearly wasn’t practical for someone exploring an ancient ruin, and she also had very pointed ears. “People used to come here to worship them. But now?” She broke a piece of the wolf’s claw, which flaked off and crumbled easily in her hands. “Not even I remember their names. Well,” she clapped and rubbed her hands together, “it makes you think, don’t it? Think about how... fragile, your existence is...”
“Alida...” the man growled bitterly.
“Yes, Lee,” her mouth twisted into a child like smile, “after you came all this way to find me, I assumed you’d be pleased I was in.”
He was. It meant he got to kill her. He pulled the trigger, and a football sized section of the statue exploded, but she just danced out of the way. He turned, following her as she skipped through the columns, laughing flirtatiously as the barrel turned, dispensing shot after shot. He could see her clearly, floating through the air like a ballerina and yet somehow all his shots missed like she was always just a split second ahead of them... and then she vanished down another tunnel.
Growling frustratedly, he ran after her while reloading; simply pulling out the empty drum and clipping in a new one. He found he was in a network of ancient corridors and doors leading into small, empty rooms. And then that sound came... that noise. Like a crowd of people all whispering; but what were they saying? Anything at all? He could strain his ears and make out the structure of conversation, but none of the words, except...
This way...
That was coming from the right, he thought. Had he really heard it? Should he follow? The thought of it being some kind of trap did occur to him of course, but frankly he had no other ideas where to go, and so long as it led him to her, and his boy...
Your lives are so fleeting...
The chattering went on and on, coming from all around. But then he heard dripping... tiny little droplets falling and spreading on the ground... Not a trap. They wanted to show him something. His crew.
Was it worth it?
They were all hanging by their feet, cut open like pigs in a butcher’s shop...
You did this... you led them across the galaxy to find this place. Made them see things that they should never have seen...
Their eyes... gouged out...
Was it worth it, Lee? Would your wife be proud?
“Don’t you dare speak of her!” He roared, not knowing what he was roaring at.
Spare us your righteous fury. You were the one who abandoned her for glory... excitement. Was it all worth it?
“Where are you?!” His voice echoed through the empty halls.
This way...
He followed the voice, although all the other whispering, chattering continued as well fraying at him. But he was resolved; if he accomplished nothing else, Alida... their Queen... was going to die here.
But there was another reason he had come here... he had nearly forgot. But... there! In that room was definitely an infant crying. Could it be? He put all his energy into a sprint... there was a crib, of sorts. It resembled the ribcage of animal turned inside out. And there was also Alida.
“Hush now, my love,” she cooed, picking up the infant and patting its head against her shoulder.
“My... my son?” Lee rasped, half suspecting this was some sort of cruel trick, and with good reason.
“Mine, now,” Alida informed him, her dark eyes twinkling like the night sky. “Did you think it was easy making you a senator? Heh... or finding all those pots of honey on an ice planet. I can tell you it wasn’t. And I told you I would have to exact a price,” she said, regarding him like a child regarding an insect just before pulling its wings off. “Look, my love... look at daddy!”
The infant turned its head, and looked vaguely at the man. His son... but his eyes... dark as night. Too late... he’d come all this way, and it was too late. Only one thing left to do; he raised the shotgun and aimed it steadily at them both.
“Really, Lee?” Alida chuckled. “You fire that thing, and you’ll kill us both. You should pleased that I have made him immortal,” she sighed, “but they never are, for some reason.”
“I won’t let him become like you,” Lee gritted his teeth, steeling himself.
“Such a shame. Oh well, then... wave to daddy,” she shook the infants little hand from side to side for him. “Say bye-byeee...”
Lee narrowed his eyes; it was a trap. He spun around ninety degrees and fired at the thing approaching him. It wore some kind of mask with big, bug-like eyes and its air-filters shaped like some vulgar grin. I twisted, avoiding most of the shot; the rest just bounced harmlessly off its grey, chitinous armour. So fast it was hard to see; it batted the gun away, while thrusting its other palm forward. The slender frame of the creature belied the incredible strength of the blow; it was like being kicked by a horse. Lee flew back, flattened against the wall and then slid down.
“Hold him!” Alida ordered imperiously. Two more of the grey creatures appeared, securing each of his arms. “You must be thirsty, yes?” She sniggered as she leant over him and ripped his mask off. “Of course you are; you’ve come such a long way. Here,” she grinned, pinching his nose and pressing a twisted green bottle against his lips. “That’s it... drink,” she nodded. The third armoured figure held his mouth shut, so he couldn’t spit out the vile substance that was burning his tongue. He had no choice but to swallow.
“I’m told, that when used on an adult,” she explained coolly, “the serum induces mutation, and madness. Never seen it myself, so this should be interesting.”
“kill... k-kill you...” Lee spluttered. Already his whole body was starting to burn as he convulsed.
“Oh, I doubt you’ll have any recollection of me at all, soon,” Alida laughed. “Still, you’re right; we’d better send you on your way before you wake up again.”
Mind weakening... slipping away... last thing Lee saw before his eyes closed was Alida, their Queen, standing imperiously and triumphantly... stupid smug grin on her face. His boy was still alive, in a manner of speaking. But it was all for nothing...
“You know,” Alida sighed, sadly, “maybe it’s just that three thousand years in stasis have driven me mad, but... I think I’m going to rather miss him.”
“Have you had enough ‘fun’ yet, your majesty?” One of the goblins asked.
“No... never.”
“We wish to hunt, again.”
“Don’t fret, my children,” she sighed again and turned and patted the creature gently on the ‘cheek’. “Soon... soon you have all the chaos and screaming and death your little hearts could desire. But we must tread carefully; I’ve been out there. A lot has changed since we were last awoken.” She started to pace up and down, deep in thought.
“We need to replenish our numbers,” she thought out loud, “and the younglings need some experience... yes... I think a practice run for now. Something to get us warmed up again. I have heard of a little planet called Pheia that seems well out the way of anything, and is still somewhat primitive even by the standards they have now. Yes, yes... we’ll go there. Oooh!” she squealed, rubbing her wrists together. “I’m excited already! Let’s go pack!”