Camping on Other Planets

By Clark Nielsen

What was supposed to be a fun weekend camping trip turns into a dangerous hike across another planet when three teenage boys are abducted from Earth. Their only hope of ever returning home is to escape from the laboratory that captured them and make their way across the alien deserts, oceans, and mountains. But while their journey is full of monsters all eager to attack the boys, it is their friendship and personal beliefs that are ultimately pushed to their limits.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clark Nielsen
• Release date: Oct 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310530883

Clark Nielsen

Clark Nielsen is an American-born author, teacher, and web/game developer who's been writing stories since he was six years old. On the non-fiction side, his influences include David Sedaris and Bill Bryson. But when he's writing sci-fi or fantasy, he turns to Jack Vance and Eiichiro Oda.

Book preview

CAMPING ON OTHER PLANETS

by

Clark Nielsen

Copyright 2014 Clark Nielsen

Cover illustration by bloodyhorsey.blogspot.com

Smashwords Edition

PROLOGUE

An all-out war was imminent. The two dominant species of this distant, secluded planet had pushed tensions to their limit, and now… both sides were lined up on the desert battlefield, armed and armored, ready to fight to the death if their leaders couldn’t work out one last agreement. Not that a truce was likely at this point; they hated each other too much for that.

To the north stood the Tannoite army. They were upright creatures, a combination of human and animal characteristics, with heads resembling that of an angry antelope. Their gray, rough skin baked under the rays of the planet’s large, uncomfortably close sun, causing sweat to pool around the base of their horns and drip into their glassy, orange eyes. The Tannoites were fitted with thick, forest green armor divided into separate pieces, each piece covering the chest, pelvis, wrists, and ankles. Some bore a mechanical claw instead of a left hand, the sign of a true warrior.

The long, mortal enemy of the Tannoites, the Gillopeds, lined up against the south. They, too, were human-like but looked more akin to brightly green, tailless geckos. Their eyes were red, their skin porous, their faces pointed. Coincidentally, they had designed the same armor as their rivals: blue plates that covered sections of their torsos, arms, and legs. The two species were not that different, it would seem.

The Gillopeds were not normally violent creatures, either. In a last effort to avoid war, they sent their leader out into the center of the battlefield to negotiate with the opposing general. The two met face-to-face, each with a red, silky cape draped about them like a chrysalis.

The Tannoite spoke first, shouting over the wind, Any words you have to say are useless at this point! You’ve been doing this to us for as long as I can remember. Always trying to make peace, always trying to ‘work things out.’ But it doesn’t work out. It can’t work out. Let’s stop pretending. Let’s stop prolonging what we have waited so long to finish. Get back in line and fight!

Brother, the Gilloped began, licking his lips with his slithery tongue, we have shared this land as far back as our ancestors have recorded, and further even then. This ultimatum is not necessary. There is still hope to live in harmony. Isn’t the preservation of our homes and the lives of our soldiers worth anything? Look how many families we might destroy today!

There you go again, always trying to back out of a confrontation! This world can’t support both of us. It was never meant to! One of us must go.

The Gilloped didn’t budge. We can come to some agreement.

I don’t think that’s ever going to happen, the Tannoite said coldly, swinging back his cape and withdrawing a large saber. Before anything could be said or done, the blade was thrust into the stomach of the Gilloped. "You are a fool. You are all fools," the Tannoite sneered, watching his foe slowly sink to the ground.

The Tannoite expected this to put a damper on the enemy’s morale, but it did just the opposite. The Gilloped army was quick to act on the death of their leader and rushed forward with such fury, the Tannoite hadn’t enough time to move away before he was slaughtered by a hundred swords. With both leaders now slain, the battle could finally begin. The Tannoites bounded forward, racing to their gruesome destinies.

The desert became a disgusting wrestle, a barrage of swords piercing flesh, fists flying and then being cut off, cries of agony and of death. One would fall by the hand of another who fell shortly after. Hundreds were stabbed, beaten, strangled, trampled, pummeled, until the corpses began to interfere with those still persisting, and the struggle only thickened as the crowds squeezed closer together, breathing hatred down each other’s throats.

At the rear of the Gilloped army stood a young disciple named Gyle. He did not take up immediate arms with the rest of his friends. Gyle, it seemed, had mistakenly gotten involved in the wrong war. Though his hatred towards Tannoites was deeply ingrained, he was not a fighter. This was not where he wanted to be at all. But he knew it was his duty to contribute; to do nothing meant caring nothing for his race’s survival.

Gyle then noticed a subdued Tannoite kneeling in the dirt off from the main fight. The Tannoite was badly wounded, clutching his bleeding arm and trying not to pass out. Gyle was sickened by the thought of killing someone who no longer posed a threat, but fear and pity led him to the fallen creature, anyway. Gyle snuck up behind the Tannoite and drew his sword above the oblivious victim. But just as he was about to let the sword fall, it was gone. The sword was gone, the Tannoite was gone, Gyle was gone. The entire small radius the two had been occupying disappeared. Vanished. Only a crater remained where they once were. If anybody had been watching, they would have seen a large beam of light fall from the sky and surround Gyle and his prey, only to return to the sky a moment later with them in it. Like a pin dropping in a concert hall, though, this sudden, strange event went unnoticed as the battle continued on.

CHAPTER ONE

We got everything, right? Todd asked as he marched with his three friends along a dirt road.

They were already a few hours out of town, hiking into the nearby hills, each carrying a large backpack and drinking profusely from a water bottle to stave off the heat.

"Oh, now’s a good time to ask," Alex said lightly.

Did anyone bring a can opener? Todd continued, adjusting his sweat-drenched hat.

No, I had to take it out to make room for the Xbox, Eric answered jokingly.

Alex smirked, You’d do that, wouldn’t you. Then he hollered to their other friend, Nathan, who was walking several feet up ahead, Nathan! Would you slow down?!

Nathan turned around and replied, I gotta take a leak, but you guys keep followin’ me!

They laughed, then sat down on the side of the road and watched Nathan slip out of sight. The friends were teenagers, thin and mostly fit, their skin ranging from pale to tan and their short haircuts blonde to brown. Behind them, their small hometown had become a distant cluster of glistening specks in the middle of the rural landscape. The path ahead brought more hills, more rocks, more sagebrush, the occasional scraggly tree, and nothing else.

There’s a good spot over this next hill, Nathan said, coming back into view and pointing over his shoulder.

What, we’re quitting already? Alex scoffed.

Nathan grew defensive, Hey, if you wanna keep goin’, that’s fine. I was just sayin’ there’s a good spot over this next hill.

All right, let’s see this campsite of yours, Todd said, slowly getting to his feet.

The four carried on up the road, quickly—but tiredly—reaching the top of the hill, only to lay eyes on a gully filled with sharp, pointed bushes.

Great campsite, Eric said sarcastically.

Uh… Nathan began, it must be over that next hill. He pointed to the peak of the next incline, a good thirty minutes away, at least. Yeah, I think that’s it.

For the remainder of the trek, It’s just over this next hill, became Nathan’s anthem. Unfortunately, that hill never came, and the wonderful campground they were promised never showed. After several hours and well into the evening, their energy and faith in Nathan finally gave up, forcing them to take refuge at the next opening under a group of decaying trees. Alex immediately began setting up the tent while the other three put together the kitchen. Eric took out and lit a small propane stove while Nathan and Todd huddled around eagerly.

What’s for dinner? Todd asked.

Rocks… grass… maybe a lizard, Eric replied.

No, seriously… did you bring the hot dogs?

Dude, are you gonna ask me if I brought every single thing?!

I got the dogs, Nathan said, revealing a plastic bag.

Eric placed a pot on the miniature stove and filled it with distilled water. Nathan carefully and dramatically plopped the hot dogs in one by one. Squatting around the small flame, they impatiently watched the hot dogs swim with the bubbles. As the water turned to a boil, the steam whisked the boys’ noses and tantalized their appetites.

However, Alex soon rushed over and interrupted, What are you doing?! You can’t boil hot dogs! You’ll ruin them!

It’s too late, man. What’s done is done, Nathan said.

I thought we were going to roast them, Alex complained.

"It’ll take too long to get the fire ready. I’m hungry now," Nathan retaliated.

Fine. Whatever.

The hot dogs were cooked and happily consumed, though Alex let everyone know his hot dogs were too bloated from the water. After dinner, he got his campfire, anyway. Nathan took charge of building it. It was a poor sight to look at—a few sticks propped up against each other—but it would serve its purpose, allowing the friends to sit back, talk, and roast marshmallows under a perfect, starry night sky.

"Has anyone started reading Les Miserables yet?" Todd asked, trance-like, mesmerized by the glow of marshmallows in the fire.

I did, Alex said. I even brought my copy with me.

Oh, boy, let’s read it right now! Eric mocked.

It’s really not a bad book once you get into it, Alex said.

Guys, come on… no school talk, Nathan declared.

It’s not school talk; it’s book talk, Alex corrected.

I’m gonna have to fake my way through it with SparkNotes, Eric said. I don’t have time to read it. I’ve been too busy studying for Calculus.

Studyin’ for Calculus! Nathan heckled. What’s to study?!

"Well, some of us actually do our homework," Eric replied.

"I do my homework," Alex said assertively.

Thank you, Alex.

Nathan continued, Well, what’s the point in doin’ homework if I already know how to do it?! I’ll still pass the test.

He’s got a point, Todd agreed.

Hey, you ditched out on that class, so you don’t get a say in this, Eric said.

Yeah, the grown-ups are talkin’ now, Nathan added.

Todd wasn’t offended. I’m happy in Algebra. Seeing you guys stressed out all the time makes me glad I dropped it.

The fire popped a few times. The conversation went quiet.

Alex suddenly asked, Guess what I did yesterday?

Eric groaned under his breath. He knew what was coming.

I went out with Tiffany last night and… I kissed her.

Silence followed. Eric slowly said, Okay… and… why did you tell us this?

Well, I thought you’d like to know.

No, you only tell us to make us jealous! Nathan accused.

Alex said haughtily, You could have a girl, too, you know.

Nathan snorted. Yeah, right. That’ll never happen.

Because you’re going about it all wrong, Eric blurted out.

Nathan reprimanded him, What’s that supposed to mean!

"Admit it, we’re all going about it wrong. Of course, I don’t really care, but—"

Alex interrupted, You care.

Eric, with nothing to retort with, only glared at him.

Todd asked, "So how do you manage, Alex?"

You talk like I have girls crawling all over me!

Because you do, Nathan said. Look at the smile on his face! That’s the face of a guy who gets major lovin’. I wish I had that face.

Thanks, Nathan, Alex said, forcing a blush. But I’m really just lucky.

Yeah, because, technically, you’re as big of a nerd as we are! Eric chided. "And we all know nerds aren’t supposed to get the girls. Not until college, anyway. I think you and Nathan must have switched places. Nathan’s on the football team. Every guy on the football team has a girlfriend! So where’s his?"

I’m on the tennis team, Alex smugly reminded.

I’m on the tennis team, too, Nathan piped in.

Uh… so am I, Todd added.

They all looked at Eric, who didn’t play any sports, who, consequently, was the scrawniest of the lot.

Yeah, and I play Xbox, he finally said. I fully admit I’ve dug my own grave.

No way. Girls like you, Todd said. "At least you’ve held a girl’s hand before. I haven’t even gotten that far."

Was that the car ride home from Six Flags? Alex asked Eric.

Yep.

With Robyn?

Yep.

Whatever happened with you two?

Dude… I told you not to bring it up anymore, Eric muttered, growing annoyed.

Sometimes I sit by her at church, Todd said. I could ask her what she thinks of you.

If you do that, I will kill you.

Hey, we’re just trying to help, Alex said.

It’s over between us. Well, it was over before it even started. How’s that for relationships?! But there’s seriously no chance of us ever getting together. Seriously, don’t talk to her, and don’t ask me about it again.

All right, all right, sorry, Alex said. In an attempt to avoid any further awkwardness, he stood and announced, Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a bush that I need to claim.

Alex grabbed a flashlight and made his way out into the darkness.

When Alex could no longer be seen, Eric called out, See if you can spell my name!

Todd turned to Nathan and Eric and whispered, We should dump a bunch of sand in the bottom of his sleeping bag.

Yeah, that would teach—

Gone. An enormous beam of light shot out of the black sky and encompassed the entire campground. Its intensity threw the boys to the ground, blinding their vision and causing them to squirm under unbearable heat and pressure. It felt like a giant hammer was pounding them into the dirt, tearing apart every individual tissue and cell in their bodies. It was a horrible, unearthly pain, so severe they couldn’t even scream. Their only option was to lie there amongst the ashes, overtaken by light, groping for any root or rock to grab ahold of and squeeze their anguish into. But their grips became weak, flimsy, their hands stretching apart. A deafening roar shook their bones, bruised their ears, and overtook their minds. Their brains, in fact, felt like water at this point. Everything felt like water.

And then it was over. All the painful energy fled in a single moment, the blinding light shutting off completely. Eric, Nathan, and Todd found themselves lying face up on the ground, panting in disbelief. They were somewhere else now. The night sky was gone, but they still had the campground… the now extinguished fire… a single tree. A whole thirty-foot radius of their campsite was still intact, but that was it. The ground cut short as it met the beginning of a curved, white wall. They were in a circular room, the walls wrapping around them and stretching fifty feet above to meet at a quivering, iridescent ceiling. And here was their camp, transported into this unexplainable room.

What… what… what… Nathan gasped repeatedly, unable to breathe steadily enough to say much more or even move.

Eric and Todd had just as hard of a time regaining their composure. They remained still, desperately trying to reorganize their thoughts, inhaling in quick gasps. A few minutes later, a thick, green fog began filling the room. It swirled around like colored drops in a glass of water until it reached the nostrils of the three boys. They had no choice but to breathe it in. A few sharp jerks of their bodies, and they were out.

Sprawled out face down, Eric’s head wobbled feebly from side to side as he tried desperately to pry his eyelids open. The palpitations in his temples beat his mind numb like a truly bad hangover. The world was spinning out of control. He thought he might throw up. Briefly, he was able to open his eyes, only to be bombarded with misarranged strands of light. He quickly shut them again. The nerves in his arms gradually returned to their normal functioning level, but the rest of his body was still overcome by an odd deadness. Making use of his free limbs, he rubbed frantically at his sore eyes. Eric managed to hoist himself up a few inches but soon realized his stomach was not quite up to the challenge yet. He plopped back down, exhausted from using his arms.

Resigned to this lying position, Eric began sifting his fingers through the material underneath his body. It came out in long, thin strands of an incredibly soft, silky substance. Each time he painstakingly shifted his weight, he would sink further into the bedding. He dreamily hugged the comforting fabric closer to his face, smiling. The silk tickled his nose, though, causing him to eventually sneeze. The action rekindled enough of his strength to open his eyes. The objects around him stopped shifting as his eyes grew accustomed to their new surroundings. He made a daring attempt and sat up, resting his back against a wall. He’d been sleeping on what resembled a mesh of light brown cotton. To his immediate left, above, and behind were dark walls. On the right, a bar door was fastened shut, completing the cage.

Eric shook his head, vaguely remembering a white room. How did he go from that to a cage? He carefully slid over to the cage door, peering out into the room. Long, luminous fixtures ran across the length of the ceiling. He could see a line of cages against the far wall, about a hundred feet away. In the middle of the room was another line of cages, with a break in the middle so he could see past them. Each cage was about twenty by twenty feet in size, the same as his own. Each one was empty, also, as far as he could tell.

The only sound, for a very long time, was a mellow humming. But then, after an elongated silence, footsteps interrupted the somewhat peaceful atmosphere. They pranced across the steel, cold floor in his direction. A man and his footsteps quickly brushed by Eric’s cage.

Eric choked out, Hey…

The man stopped abruptly and slowly spun around on the heels of his black, shiny shoes. Eric momentarily flinched at the stranger’s appearance. The man’s skin was a pale gray tone, and his hair, disheveled and sticking out in every direction, was only a slightly darker shade of gray. Dressed in a white lab coat, as well, he looked almost like a black and white photograph. But the truly startling thing about him was his eyes; they were thoroughly black, not a touch of white or any other color to them.

Did you just… the man began, then stopped and approached the cage. He bent down in front of Eric and looked at the boy eye-to-eye.

Eric gulped. Where am I?

The man smiled. Fascinating. In all my years of—

"Where am I? Why am I in a cage?"

It’s… standard procedure.

Standard procedure? What the heck happened?!

The man’s curiosity only increased with Eric’s insistence. Well… you are a specimen, and as a specimen, we can’t have you running around as you please.

I’m a specimen? For what? Did something bad happen? Am I sick?

Eric tried to stand up, but he was still too weak and quickly collapsed on the ground. He turned to the scientist and murmured, Am I dying?

No, of course not. You are still recovering from the gas. Much quicker than most of our other specimens, by the way.

Gas… Eric’s head began spinning again. A disheveled train of thoughts passed through his mind. He seemed to talk more to himself than the scientist on the other side of the bars, The gas… I remember that. We were in a room… No, we were camping, and then this big light came down and… Was there a nuclear bomb? Were we attacked? Is everyone okay?! Where’s everyone else?!

The scientist laughed nervously. I’m sorry. I am ashamed to admit how it strikes my interest to see you so agitated. I don’t know if you will believe me, but to answer your question… you are on another world.

Eric snickered, then grimaced, as his body couldn’t handle laughing just yet. You mean, like, another planet?

Yes.

Is this a joke?

No, this isn’t meant to be funny.

That’s not what I mean. I mean… is this a test? An experiment? Because I don’t remember signing a release form. Can I just go home, please? I really don’t feel well…

The scientist sighed, You cannot go home. Your home is far away now. I will say it again… you are on another world. See, we’ve been taking samples of distant worlds that we find. The sample that we took from your world… happened to have you and your friends on it. Sometimes we get lucky in that regard.

A wave of anxiety shot through Eric’s body. He was unsure what to think of that explanation, but he knew something terribly strange was going on. Another planet, though?

That’s impossible, Eric said.

It seems that way, doesn’t it.

I’d like to believe you, but… seriously, I’m not buying it. Just let me go, already. I don’t want to be a part of this stupid game.

I can’t do that.

So this is a kidnapping? Really? You’re kidnapping me? Eric was becoming both annoyed and scared now. I don’t have any money. My family’s not rich!

I’m sorry. I’ve talked to you for too long as it is. Tomorrow, we will let you outside, and you will see for yourself where you are.

Where’s that? Mexico? Brazil? Russia?

The scientist stood, saying, You will see, before walking off.

Wait, wait! Eric screamed. Please! Come back!

The scientist returned and squatted down in front of Eric again. I could get into trouble if I talk to you for too long.

I really need to get home, Eric pleaded. I’ll give you whatever you want. I work at a restaurant. I don’t make much money. But I’ll make it worth your time.

Eric stared into the man’s creepy, unusual, pitch black eyes. Why would he wear such strange contact lenses? Were those really his eyes? Or was this part of the show?

Before the scientist could say anything, Eric had a slight change of heart, If this really is another world… then how did you get here?

I was born here.

Eric exhaled, reverting back to disbelief, Cool story, Bro. Totally believable.

Do… you think I come from your world? the scientist asked.

Well, duh…

That is what’s so amazing about this discovery! You and your friends look so much like us. Well, the colors of your hair, skin, and eyes are different, which is… quite interesting… but we have, as far as I can see, very similar body structures. Even more remarkable, we have the same language. You and I are talking right now! I don’t want to conclude anything yet, but it would make sense for us to be related somehow! We are all very excited to observe you and learn more about your own world.

Uh… what? Observe us? Wait, my friends are here, too?

Yes, yes. You will be able to see them tomorrow. I must go now.

The man rose to his full height and smiled at Eric as he sauntered off. Eric’s eyes followed him past the rows of empty cages until the man stepped out of sight. Eric remained still, dumbfounded, until the lights above turned off, leaving him in a darkness he had earlier tried so hard to escape from.

This scared him, and he shouted, Come back! Don’t leave me here!

A foreign voice barged in, interrupting Eric’s cries for help. The voice’s carrier spoke loudly and in sharp intervals, Keep— quiet!

Who’s there? Eric asked uneasily, trying to see if there was someone else out in the room.

That is— not important! Some of us are trying— to sleep.

"Where are you? Who are you?"

I— I do not know.

What do you mean you don’t know? What’s your name?

I do not have— a name.

Well… Eric struggled to find the right words. Are you in a cage, too?

Yes. Yes, I am. Now— go to sleep.

I can’t sleep. I just woke up! I need to know what’s happening! What was that scientist talking about?!

"He is right. You are a