Alpha Centauri

Nineteen - Nathan

 I whirl around so fast that I almost lose my footing.

A figure stands in the clearing, silhouetted by the sunlight. I'm sure what to expect after all that's happened, but my instincts are still intact.

I scream.

The figure lunges for me. I'm sure I'm dead at this point, but all I feel is a hand scratch my face, clamping over my mouth, muffling my cry.

I stop screaming, but I don't relax. I slap the hand away and stumble back, my hands guarding my face like I did when one of my foster parents forced me to take tae kwon do lessons.

After a moment, nothing happens, and I tentatively lower my hands.

I see a humanoid thing with its arms raised like my own had been. It has spiky, pure black hair, pale skin, and blood red, pupil-less eyes.

"Oh my God! Please don't kill me!" I beg.

"Okay," it says. "So I'm getting the feeling this isn't how humans greet each other."

I dare another peek at the alien. It has four arms, the extras equipped with deadly claws. It's wearing all-black clothing, covered in straps for securing weapons. Sleeves cover up its normal arms, and the clawed ones are left bare, exposing the paleness and muscle of them.

"Julian and Jaden aren't here," I brave. "Keep looking, bastard." I'm satisfied with those last words.

The monster hisses, which sounds a lot like laughter.

"Not that I'm complaining, but why aren't you trying to kill me?"

"Here's the thing, buddy," the alien says, taking a seat on the ground, propping himself up with two arms and hugging its knees to its chest with the others. "I've gone AWOL. I've betrayed my own kind. My hunt for the premature king and queen is over."

"Really? How do I know you're not making this up so you can get information from me about the twins and slaughter me in my sleep?"

"Scriosians don't work that way, man. We're more kill-on-sight."

"Uh-huh. Still not convinced."

"You've seen the other scouts. They're all kill-crazy lunatics."

I can't argue with that. Besides, I kind of need someone to talk to. "Fair point." I sit on the ground next to the alien.

"I'm Raev, by the way," the alien says.

"Nathan." I look the alien up and down. Ray-ev. Despite the red, pupil-less eyes and vampire-like teeth, the alien very closely resembles a normal teenage guy. In fact, he's even sort of good-looking. If it even is a he.

"So..." I start off awkwardly. "I'm not very familiar with your species, so...are you male or female?"

"Seriously, bro. My planet is just like yours. The females stay home and make dinner while the males frolic around killing to-be kings and queens. And look at me. I'm obviously a dude."

"Right, right. So, how are you speaking English right now?"

"So that's what your language is called. I've got this magical device in my ear that does it all for me. Everyone who travels around the galaxy gets one. It's not just exclusive to the Crenalans. Despite their awesomeness, they are pretty stuck up."

I grin. "Trust me, I know. So, you say you can help me fix the ship?"

Raev examines the vessel. "I believe I can. I was totally into spacecraft engineering back on Scrios." The beastly boy stands and walks around the ship. He stops at the breach in the hull.