A Blessing in Disguise

Prolouge

Blessing In Disguise

Prologue

“You dropped it?! You dropped it?! How in the universe could you drop it? I told you very specifically that this is an extremely delicate substance, and must, at all times, be handled with the greatest and utmost care and caution. And what do you do? You drop it, you big buffoon!”

The boy looked down, ashamed. “I-I-I’m s-sorry, sir. I-I just felt a movement in the ship and jumped, s-sir. I didn’t mean t-to drop it, sir. I-I’m s-”

“Stop stuttering, boy!” the man yelled. His face was purple and he was spewing saliva from his mouth. Any other time, the boy would’ve found this funny, told his friends, and had a laugh at the old man. But not now.  

“What movement, huh? When was there a movement? Tell me boy, now!” the man questioned furiously.

The boy looked up, eyes wide with fear. “A-A tremor in the surroundings, sir. I-In space. Didn’t you feel it too, sir?”

“Idiot! There’s only tremors in space if another ship arrives from light-jump. And has there been tremors or sightings of other ships? No, you imbecile!”

“But-”

Suddenly a woman rushed in, flushed and breathing hard. “Sir, there’s been-”

The man started on him in a moment. “What are you doing in here?! This is a private conversation! Only in the case of emergency can you come in!”

“Sir, there’s been a sighting of another ship! It’s her! The Majesty, sir!”

The man paled, all colour draining from his previously purple face.

“Wh-What? No, they can’t be. We have an reflection cloak around the ship, and our radars are switched off. How…?”

“I don’t know sir, but we’re awaiting orders.” The man just stood there, dazed.

“From you, sir,” the woman continued deliberately, when the man didn’t answer. “Sir?”

“They’re going to kill us,” the man whispered. A fearful expression took over, and he shook visibly.

“Sir, we need orders-”

She was cut off abruptly. The ship groaned and tilted sideways, sending all three people crashing into the wall. Sirens were blaring, people were yelling and a huge shadow loomed outside the window. Blue lights started to glow, and the man felt shivers down his spine.

Everyone knew what those blue lights meant. Every person who went into space feared those blue lights. Hell, every person alive feared the result of seeing those lights.

Because those blue lights meant certain death for any who crossed its path. And it definitely mean his certain death today.

Another groan, followed by a great smashing sound, tilting them back upright, shook the man out of his reverie. He grabbed the microphone, connected to all the broadcasting speakers located in the ship and yelled into it. “Everybody, assemble in the main foyer! Men in the lower levels, grab all the equipment you can and send it through to Lyca. Higher levels, grab the guns and prepare for-”

His eyes were suddenly drawn to a flash of light. Those blue lights had been fired, and were now zipping towards them. Eyes widening, he babbled into the speaker, “Prepare for-”

He didn’t finish his sentence. Nearby, another smashing noise was heard, and then screams sounded. Dropping the microphone and grabbing the boy and the now unconscious woman, he hurled himself out of the room. Racing down the corridors, he shoved himself through the chaos of people, trying desperately to reach the mess hall. He found spare pairs of breathers in a cabinet on the wall, slid one over his head, and shoved two into the boy’s hands, motioning to him and the woman. Understanding, the boy put one on and placed the other on the woman.

The man was just about to start running again when he saw them. They walked with confidence, armed with huge machine guns, carrying them as if they were nothing. He scrambled back, and heard the boy whimper. The attackers were shooting at all in their path, no mercy in their fire.

“Get up, boy! Get up and run, boy, unless you want to die!” the man whispered urgently, harshly. When he made no move, the man shoved him. "Go! Go to the communications room, and notify the Council. They need to know-” the man stopped abruptly. The boy’s eyes widened in horror as he witnessed as his superior officer was impaled by a chunk of metal that had torn itself off from the wall. He saw the man’s eyes roll back, sputtered blood from his mouth and breathed his breath.

Scrambling up, the boy ran, trying to get the disturbing and frightening images of the man’s death from his mind. Amazingly, he reached the communications room unscathed. Throwing himself onto the desks, he frantically pressed keys. Heart pounding furiously, he found his hands were slippery and wet, making it hard for him to type. But he struggled on, constantly looking over his shoulder and hearing the distant cries of his colleagues. He was nearly there, just a few more buttons…

The boy felt something metallic and cold against the back of his neck.

“Well, hello there. Would you mind ever so much as to stop what you are doing?”

Hello to all! Sorry for the wait, but here it is! The first chapter (well, really prolouge) to 'A Blessing in Disguise'. Thanks to all who read or comment! Both is appreciated a lot. 

Just warning once again, my updates will be all over the place, never at a set time. Sorry if this inconveniences anyone, but it's just how I work. 

Thanks again for reading!