Heart of the Galaxy

Chapter 1: Lila

Boom! The dull sound of an explosion echoed through the ship as the dim lighting flickered. Shuddering I pulled my knees to my chest and cowered away from the holowall that had held me here for so long. Another boom resonated a bit louder and I could feel the vibrations intensify underneath me. The lights flickered, once, twice, and then went out and stayed out leaving me along with hundreds of other prisoners in the dark. Suddenly the room was filled with the confused chatter of those who were lucky enough to have cell mates. Unused to the noise I cowered and covered my ears. Shaking mildly, I realized what this might mean. The holowalls were soundproof, and if I could hear others conversations that must mean they were no longer working. Creeping slowly towards where I believed the holowall to be I heard a shout followed by running footsteps confirming my suspicions. As much as I wanted to escape, how could I be sure this wasn't a trap. I wouldn't put it past the Kquoth, after all just last week they murdered an Elonesian child to make an example to those who disobeyed. I sat there, crouched and debating until all the footsteps had died away and only then did I illuminate the room with my hand. Holding up my hand I watched as my pale blue skin slowly began to glow filling me with a warm sensation I hadn't experienced in about 1,000 years. Creeping slowly out of my cage I looked around to see the jail empty, save for me of course. Slowly walking to the exit I followed the trail of footprints left by the prisoners in the dust. As made my way up the dull grey stairs I was met with a peculiar smell. It smelled Ezruik fuel. I slowly began to believe that perhaps this wasn't just a test, in fact something seemed seriously wrong. The guards were suspiciously absent from their posts, all of the energy was no longer functioning, the smell of fuel was steadily growing stronger, and there was a strange whistling noise that was steadily getting louder. I stopped to listen to the sound and suddenly horror dawned on me. It sounded just like... a ship. I dove up the next flight of stairs just as there was a tremendous screeching noise and a sudden crack from below and I looked down to see a sharp green piece of metal protruding from the wall, the opening it had created steadily growing larger. Fueled by adrenaline I scurried up the remaining flight of stairs to find myself on the launching deck. I was greeted with a multitude of squabbling Prisoners as they all fought to fit in the only remaining ship. That meant that by this point there were no Kquoth guards left to stop me so I ran, my misused legs trembling and my lungs burning until I reached the deck. Looking at the clear roof I saw the stars for the first time and was met with immediate fear. What was I supposed to do? Jump into open space with the hopes of drifting to a nearby planet before I starved? Somehow my addled brain decided that was exactly what I was going to do and I was balancing precariously on top of some crates when I heard voices.

"But sir, with all due respect, there's still life forms aboard, we have to at least try to save them!" I saw a dark haired human protest. My curiosity soon got the better of me and I began to slowly creep closer to the edge of my box.

"Cadet, our meters have been acting up ever since the Lorideth system we have no evidence- "the white haired man said heatedly and I slipped from my position tumbling to the ground with the crates clattering around me. The white haired man walked towards me and I backed into a corner growling. He reached out toward me and I lunged scratching the side of his face instinctively.

"You little- "he drew out a gun and aimed it at me, but before he could shoot the dark haired male was in front of me.

"Don't hurt it...her...whatever! She- "he looked at me for recognition and I nodded impulsively, still wary of the humans.

"She's just scared; wouldn't you be?" he said drawing his own gun.

"Son, she tried to attack me, now you can either finish her off right now and come back with me or you can stay and die with this ship. So, what'll it be?" the white haired man said looking around angrily.

"I'm staying." He stated plainly

"What?!" The white haired man shrieked.

"I said, I'm staying."