Captain Gargle

Chapter 1: The Attack on Planet Gargle

The sky above Planet Gargle was a deep, sickly green. It swirled in ominous currents, like a storm brewing over an endless sea. Below, the glittering cities of Gargle hummed with frantic energy, their crystal towers reaching toward the heavens as if grasping for salvation. But salvation would not come—not today. Today, destruction loomed in the form of the Cavities, and they were relentless.

In the heart of the capital city, Commander Floss stood before a grand holographic map, its light casting a blue glow over her face. Her jaw was tight, and her silvery eyes reflected the countless red blips swarming across the map—enemy ships. The Cavities were closing in fast. Commander Floss' tall, lean frame was tense, and her white armor, adorned with a symbol of a shining tooth, barely masked the weight of her worry.

"Status report," she commanded, her voice sharp and precise.

Lieutenant Paste, a young officer with bright eyes and nervous energy, rushed to her side, saluting quickly before speaking. "General Blaguda's fleet has broken through the outer defenses, Commander. They're within striking distance of the capital now."

Floss's hand clenched into a fist, her nails digging into her palm. "What about the shield generators? Are they operational?"

"Not for long, ma'am. The Cavities are using some kind of acid beam to corrode the shield matrix. We've never seen anything like it."

Floss turned away from the map, pacing the length of the war room. Every step felt heavy, the ground beneath her feet vibrating with the distant rumble of explosions. The Cavities weren't just attacking—they were devouring. Their black, tooth-shaped ships cut through the sky like fangs biting into flesh, their acidic beams corroding everything they touched.

She stopped suddenly, her gaze snapping to the young lieutenant. "Get me Dr. Rinse. Now."

Lieutenant Paste nodded and hurried to comply, tapping his comms unit and relaying the order. Moments later, the massive doors to the war room slid open with a hiss, and Dr. Rinse entered. He was a tall, thin man, his white coat trailing behind him as he walked with quick, determined strides. His sharp features were etched with the lines of someone who had lived through countless battles, but his eyes gleamed with hope—or desperation.

"Commander," he said, giving a short nod. "You called for me?"

Floss turned to face him fully, her eyes searching his face. "We're out of time, Rinse. General Blaguda will be here any minute. Do we have the Gargle ready?"

Dr. Rinse's expression faltered for a split second, and Floss's heart sank.

"It's not perfected yet," he admitted, his voice tight with frustration. "The formula is unstable. If we use it now, there's no telling what could happen."

Floss's eyes narrowed. "If we don't use it, there won't be anything left of Planet Gargle. And Earth will be next. We can't let them have it."

Dr. Rinse hesitated, then slowly nodded. "The Gargle is stored in the vault beneath the capital. I'll prepare it for transport."

"Good. Get to it." Floss's voice brooked no argument, and Dr. Rinse turned on his heel, leaving the room as quickly as he had come.

As the door slid shut behind him, Floss allowed herself a moment to breathe. Her mind raced, calculating every possible outcome, every strategy that might slow the Cavities down. But the truth was brutal: Planet Gargle's defenders were outmatched, outgunned, and the enemy was closing in faster than they could regroup.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a crackle in her earpiece.

"Commander, we've got incoming!" a panicked voice shouted over the comms. "Cavity ships are dropping into the lower atmosphere. They're heading straight for the palace!"