Explorer One

By Jennifer Andersson, Dawn DeBraal, Scott Chaddon and 9 more

Explorer One is a collection of fourteen short tales told the alien's point of view, written by twelve up-and-coming new writers.

Which will be your favorite?

Featured Contributors:

Jennifer Andersson

Dawn DeBraal

Scott Chaddon

E. W. Farnsworth

Bruce Markuson

Edwardo Perez

Bob Price

Lincoln Reed

Taylor Rigsby

Todd Salvia

H. R. Schwartz

and Katie Stairs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zimbell House Publishing
• Release date: Feb 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781643901503

Book preview

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. All characters appearing in this work are the product of the individual author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the written permission of the publisher.

For permission requests, write to the publisher:

Attention: Permissions Coordinator

Zimbell House Publishing

PO Box 1172

Union Lake, Michigan 48387

mail to: [e-mail]

© 2020 Zimbell House Publishing, et al.

Published in the United States by Zimbell House Publishing

All Rights Reserved

Trade Paper ISBN: 978-1-64390-148-0

.mobi ISBN: 978-1-64390-149-7

ePub ISBN: 978-1-64390-150-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020931506

First Edition: February 2020

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Zimbell House Publishing

Union Lake

Acknowledgments

ZIMBELL HOUSE PUBLISHING would like to thank all those that contributed to this anthology. We chose to showcase twelve new voices that best represented our vision for this work.

We would also like to thank our Zimbell House team for all their hard work and dedication to these projects.

A Whole New World

Katie Stairs

The constant whirring of the ship’s engine fills the cabin. However, it’s drowned out by the drum of my fingers against the dash, mimicking the furious buzz of my com pad. Tugging at a strand of damp, green hair, I gaze over at the dim screen when it quiets.

6 Missed Calls from Dad

As always, he’s upset. It’s only been an hour, and he still doesn’t think I’m capable of handling myself. Sure it’s quiet—lonely even, but this really isn’t a big deal. Sure, I may be farther away from our home galaxy, but this is one of the best ships in the solar system. I should be fine. Sucking in a deep breath, I trace the blue freckles that litter my skin, connecting the dots and drawing constellations. He really should trust me by now. I’ve done missions like this before. Retrieve all the planet’s water and return home. Easy peasy. At least it would be if I was left alone.

"Be safe, Dewdrop, don’t get into trouble. You know how important this mission is." His voice echoes in my mind, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. Hearing another buzz, I grumble and swipe my finger against the screen. The hologram of my old man appears, his long, mossy beard in utter disarray as deep green eyes drill into me from his blue, sunken in face.

What is it?

Atlantica, for the last time, status report?

I groan and rest my cheek against my hand. I’m just now passing the seventh planet in the third galaxy, I mumble, flexing my webbed fingers, Can you please trust me? I’m fine. The mission’s going smoothly.

There’s a long pause before he gives a long sigh and clears his throat. All right, Dewdrop. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

You don’t have to worry. If I get into any trouble, I’ll let you know. He’s silent again, and for a moment, I focus on the burbling of water of his treatment spa. Now, go back to your salt soak.

All right, sweetie, he says in a low voice. I love you.

I love you too. With a tap of my finger, the call ends, and his image evaporates. The sounds of the engine fill my ears once more. He seriously needs to stop stressing.

I rest my hand on the control panel and bring up the main holoscreen. Pictures of planets and stars paint my view. Closing out of the gallery, I check the systems of my ship—most importantly, the fuel—then turn my focus on the scanner. No water nearby. I can’t help but groan and spin around in my chair.

"Okay, Atlantica, this might be unnecessarily long, but after this, you won’t have to come back here ever again." Even after that bit of reassurance, I still don’t feel any better.

You really should listen to your father, Lana.

A certain small purple blob forms near my elbow. Two little eyes stare up at me, annoyed.

Not you too, Blobert! You, out of anyone, should know he gets on my case way too much.

He can’t help it, you remember what happened after Elina, rest her spirit, died—

Don’t bring mother into this, I stop him, brushing him off with a hand.

And with his age, he continues, but I shake my head.

I know that he’s getting older, and I know that I should have more patience, but I can’t help it.

The blob shakes his head at me and I sink deeper into my seat. However, my muscles tense when the scanner suddenly beeps.

"Well, what do you know, there is water in this galaxy." Blobert looks up at me amused, his gel-like form morphing into a hand so he can zoom in on the screen.

It’s probably not pure. It must be all frozen or acidic, I retort, yet a blue and green planet comes into view. Woah ... it almost looks like home.

A blinding light soon cuts into my vision and I instantly lift up my hand. The gills on my neck shrivel a bit from the incoming heat, but, sucking in a firm breath, I manage to shake off the feeling.

It does ... He pauses before his two beady eyes widen. Look at that!

I check my scanner. Bursting bubbles! The scanner is going crazy. There are so many blue dots that they are pressed together into blobs. My heartbeat drowns out the noise and I start to taste salt in my mouth. There are so many green things—and look at those large pointy sea cliffs covere

d in salt!

Atlantica! Blobert cries before the blaring of an alarm breaks the silence.

My stomach plummets to my feet when sharp heat digs into my skin. Now that I think about it, I probably shouldn’t be seeing this much detail ...

Oh, no, no, no! I run my fingers along the panel and yank hard on the brake handle. A parachute deploys but burns up in the atmosphere. Great sea gods! Everything’s a blur before my ship collides with the ground, ripping out stalky, wilting weeds from their place. My body tenses when the windshield cracks. Heaving in deep breaths, my heart races as the cabin cools off. A cold chill soon shudders down my spine as I hold myself together.

"Okay, Atlantica, everything’s okay. You’re okay. Just landed—er—well, crashed into a planet. It’s fine," I say, and Blobert forms by my elbow on the crooked panel. His eyes are as wide as the moons back home.

Let’s get out of here, buddy, I tell him before standing up, my legs just as wobbly as a guppy. Opening the hatch, I fall forward, and I’m greeted with a face full of dirt. Pain etches my nerves and I look at my arm to see dark green blood seeping through the fabric of my suit. "Great," I hiss before pulling out my com pad and scanning my surroundings. Blue dots appear everywhere, like a swarm of Luminaeels.

Bursting bubbles! The screen flickers as my adapter switches on. I let out a soft sigh but tense at the change of my voice. Oh? There must be inhabitants. I hold my small friend close. I sound all cutesy in this language.

You sound the same to me, Blobert grumbles, and I can’t help but giggle at his higher-pitched voice.

I wince, however, when my arm aches, and I pull up my sleeve to find many small cuts littering my skin, spilling drops of blood that dissolve once they hit the ground. Not good, I mumble before ripping my sleeve and wrapping the injury.

The scanner beeps, snapping my attention back to it. When I check the device, my jaw drops at how many dots there are around me. Jumping a bit, I look around in every direction and fumble the device in my hands.

I don’t see it, I murmur, and Blobert shakes at me. How about you? Do you see it?

No. It’s strange, but I can feel it. The water must not be far.

I look back at my com pad with a furrowed brow and grip it tighter. But where in the system is it? I stomp my foot as I start to pace. However, my muscles tense when I suddenly feel something firm yet squishy beneath my boot. With a sharp gasp, I look down.

Laying in front of me is an organic with its teeth clenched together. I place a hand on its chest and feel a faint heartbeat. It fights to breathe. Its short black hair is a mess, and some type of ripped material covers its chest. I rub my hand against its head and notice shards of glass in its hair.

It must have gotten caught up in the crash. I rub my hand against its face, the tan-colored skin hot beneath my fingers. Such a strange beast, I murmur. It doesn’t have long. Its breathing is growing weaker by the minute.

Atlantica, don’t ... Blobert warns me.

But it’s dying! I can’t just let this happen.

Yes, you can, he says with a sharp tone. This life form isn’t your problem. Let’s just focus on what we came here to do.

But—

No buts. You know what will happen if your lips touch his, he scolds, and I can’t help but huff.

That’s just an old fish tale. I doubt our hearts would actually be bound, I retort, and before Blobert can protest, I press my lips against the organic’s.

Bubbles pass between our lips and into its body. The being’s chest soon rises and falls, but this time, it’s much stronger. The bond between us breaks, however, when I hear a click.

Git away from my son, ya monster, spits an older organic with some sort of beam gun aimed right at me.

My central nervous system clicks, and the synthetic wires that stick to my skin glow as they help translate the words. I didn’t mean any— I reply, but it cocks the gun.

"I said, git away from him! This one has a curly beard with an old cap cupping the skin of its forehead. Clarence, git up! it barks. Clarence!"

The boy groans, his eyelids twitching. The older being sighs and steps closer, never taking his sand-colored eyes off of me.

I didn’t hurt him ... that bad, I mumble and hold my hands up in the air. But I fixed him. He’s not close to death anymore.

"Close ta death? The creature raises a brow at me. Ya almost killed him?"

Not on purpose. I lost control, and things got a little hectic, but I swear I didn’t mean any harm.

Yer fancy words won’t fool me, monster. You better git on outta here, unless you want to be blown to bits, he hisses.

But I—

Pa?

My shoulders tense, and I tear my eyes away from the older being to the boy.

What ... happened?

C’mere, son! his pa snaps and gestures next to him with the gun. Git over here.

Pushing himself to an upright position, Clarence furrows his brow before he focuses his attention on me. His water blue eyes grow wide. What on Earth—

Clarence! his dad barks, and the boy’s head snaps from me to the older man.

"Earth? Is that what this place is called?" I tilt my head, and a few small, feathered creatures fly above us, making squawking sounds.

Yeah, it is, the boy responds.

Don’t talk to that thing!

His father continues to shout, but I ignore him. The boy’s eyes have sent me spiraling into whirlpools.

But, Pa, Clarence urges, it’s one of them aliens, ya know, from my books.

Don’t mean it’s safe.

Please listen to me. My hands raise a little higher above my head, brushing against the fin portion of my ears.

Why should we? Pa growls, and he raises his gun so that it’s aiming straight at my head. It’s lyin’ like a no-legged dog and it’ll eat us!

Eat you? I furrow my brow.But I don’t—

Shut it!

Let it speak, Pa. Please. Clarence’s words hold a certain gleaming mist to them. It may be like that one book, where the monster was all friendly-like.

"I am ‘all friendly-like,’" I sigh softly, and the old organic lowers his gun.

Why are ya here?

I’m here for most of your planet’s water.

He raises his gun again and I shut my mouth. We barely have ’nuff as it is. We ain’t gonna let ya take it.

It’s not a necessity to you organics. It seems from my scanner that you’re made up of it. Our bodies aren’t, so it’s essential to our survival, I point out.

Like hell, we don’t need it! he shouts, and I watch as his finger moves to the trigger.

Pa, stop! Clarence yells, but the gun fires, and the bullet barely misses my shoulder.

Dang nabbit boy, what?

We can’t just kill ’er. I have an idea.

If ya had an idea, it’d die of loneliness, his pa snaps and Clarence flinches like he’s been slapped.

Please. My planet’s dying, I try to explain, but the organic just shakes his head.

So is my family. He scowls at me, and as he goes to fire again, Clarence knocks the gun from his hold, making the bullet shoot past me.

Please, Pa, let’s hear ’er out, he pleads, but the old organic’s eyes fill with rage.

I’m doing what’s best fer us! He goes to pick up the gun, and my stomach bubbles with panic.

Quickly, I grab my com pad.

She’s going to kill us!

No, wait— The butt of the gun instantly smacks against my head, and my surroundings turn black with specks of white.

DRIPPING. SOMETHING’S dripping. It’s constant like a heartbeat. Feeling the damp ground beneath me, I try to push myself up, but something firm holds my wrists together. Opening my eyes, I try to focus my attention on what’s in front of me. There’s a staircase that leads up to some sort of door. The cool air clings to my skin, causing me to shiver as I look around.

What just happened? Pulling myself up into a sitting position, I tug at my bindings. The rough restraint digs into my skin.

Don’t move, monster, a young female voice warns. We don’t take kindly to visitors ’round here.

I’m not a monster. My people are Blenian.

Yer fancy words won’t fool me.

I hear a switch flip, and light suddenly fills the room, causing me to flinch.

What are you?

"I just said what I am. What are you?" I shoot the question back, and the young girl slaps her hands against her hips.

Human.

I furrow my brow at her. A what?

I ask the questions. She holds out my com pad. What’s this gadget do?

Panic sears in my stomach, and I can’t help but pop up onto my feet. My transponder! I need it.

Why? She tilts her head at me, and I hold out my hands the best I can.

That’s the only way I can reach my father. Please give it back.

So? She runs her thumb against the metal frame of the pad.

If he finds out what happened, he’ll come for me and take every ounce of water this planet has. I bite my lip, lowering my head.

I watch as her brown eyes widen and she tosses the device next to my knee.

Thank you, I murmur and grab it. I freeze when a familiar voice cuts in as the door opens.

Ellie, what in tarnation are ya doing down ’ere? Pa says we can’t—

Clarence, I’m just interrogating the prisoner, Ellie says, stopping him before crossing her arms with a pout. My lips grow hot. I guess that isn’t such a fish tale. Especially since my heart is lurching at the sight of him,  his oceanic eyes captivating me.

I’m so glad to see you’re okay. The words pass my lips before I can register them. He has slight scruff on his pale chin, and his hair still sticks out in all sorts of directions. He holds up his hand, clutching a strange-looking book with a picture of a ship on it.

Yer an alien. Aren’t cha?

Alien? I’m a Blenian, from the Bleniaphora galaxy, I try to explain.

Outer space, basically.

Yes, I sigh softly, but a little farther away from where you are.

Why you tryin’ to take our water? Clarence questions as salt bubbles in my eyes.

My home’s drying up. We need it. I lower my head, my ears twitching.

So’s ours, he says, and I suck in a sharp breath.

What do you mean?

Our land’s drying up. We can barely feed ourselves or even survive this drought, he says. Ma’s gone because of it.

My heart freezes in my chest. These organics, they’re suffering just like us ...

I’m so sorry, I say, but he shakes his head. After a moment, I bite my lip and down at my legs. Suddenly, a gasp rips itself from my lungs. Blobert, where’s Blobert? My stomach starts to bubble again.

Who? the two ask in unison, but I ignore them.

Come on, Blobert, please don’t hide. My hands tighten into fists as I try to free them. Can you please take these off? I ask, looking up at Clarence.

I can’t. If Pa even knew we were down here, he’d scold both us something fierce.

Frowning, I let out a frustrated sigh. I don’t get why. I’m not going to hurt you guys.

But you’re different.

That shouldn’t matter. I snort a bit.

It’s not easy with the kind of folk ’round here, he mumbles and scratches his head.

I guess you guys should go then, if I’m that terrible to be around.

That’s not what I mean. You’re not like any of us. He’s scared.

The floors creak underneath me when I shift onto my knees. Digging my teeth into my tongue, I look around for the purple blob. Blobert, please, I need you. Hearing a click, I watch as my chest pocket opens and out slips the purple, boneless mass. Blobert.

What just happened? Where are we?

Clarence and Ellie both look shocked to hear him speak.

We’re on Earth, I tell him, and he blinks.

I didn’t mean the planet, he groans. What are we in?

The basement, Clarence says, still mystified as he straightens his back.

The blob nods his head before melting into a puddle in my legs.

What is that?

This is Blobert, my pet. I smile up at Clarence. He keeps me company on my missions.

Clarence looks even more confused and shakes his head with a sigh. We’ll come back after nightfall. Pa will be home any minute now.

Okay. I nod, though my cheeks flush when my stomach growls.

With food. Uh, what do ya eat?

Anything green, I muse and watch as he grabs his sister’s hand before turning and heading up the stairs.

When the door closes, I sigh softly and tug even more at my bindings. Oh, sea gods, I just want everything to be okay.

"We have to get out of here, Lana."

I know, but in this situation, I can’t. I glance at my bindings.

The blob shifts for a moment before going behind my back. My brow furrows when I hear munching. He must be using his acidic form.

Blobert? The rope snaps, and I pull my hands apart, flexing my webbed fingers. In an instant, I scoop up my com pad. The screen is a bit cracked, but it doesn’t seem to be too damaged. I gasp when it buzzes, the screen lighting up with the word Dad.

I bite my lip. Should I answer it? What if he overreacts? He would destroy the planet. Maybe I can explain that to him ... No, I couldn’t possibly. He wouldn’t listen. Maybe, just maybe I can get Clarence and Ellie to help me out here. Then, I could get to my ship and leave. A flutter of hope ignites in my stomach. I hope nightfall isn’t too far away.

THRUMMING MY FINGERS against the ground at an uneven but constant pace, my heart can’t help but race as I wait for them. Salty water expels from my skin the longer the hours become. When the door opens, my heart almost bursts from my chest.

Blenian? His voice is soft.

It’s Atlantica, I say and tug at the strands of hair that drape down my shoulder.

He looks at me and pauses. Why aren’t yer hands tied?

Blobert, I say simply and hold out my hands for the bowl full of food he’s holding.

Eat up, he says after handing the bowl to me.

I can’t help but snatch it from him and heave a handful of crisp, freshly-washed greens into my mouth. We have to leave after this, I manage to say through big mouthfuls.

I know, he whispers. Ellie’s already distracting Pa.

I nod my head and lick some water off my thumbs. When I finish, he grabs my hand, and the strange warmth sends electricity down my spine.

Let’s go. He pulls me along through the door and down through the cornfield.

Clarence? I murmur, my lips starting to ache.

Yes? His eyes soon rest upon mine.

Nevermind. I shake my head. It’s nothing.

Silence surrounds us once more, but when we reach my ship, my com pad starts to vibrate like crazy. I quickly lift it up, swiping my thumb across the screen to listen to the voice message.

Atlantica! my father’s voice thunders. What in the galaxy have you been doing? One moment you’re telling me you’re fine, and the next, you disappear! I’m sending a fleet to your location.

A new sense of panic rumbles through my chest. Bursting bubbles! I start to pace back and forth.

What in the world just happened?

My dad—he’s sending his fleet. They’ll take every last ounce of water here. They’ll destroy you all. My com pad trembles in my hold. I quickly swipe my finger across the screen, calling Dad. Please pick up, please. The pad buzzes for what feels like hours until finally, the hologram of my dad pops up.

Atlantica! What happened? he demands, his brow furrowed.

My ship crashed, I explain, but I’m alright.

Why weren’t you answering my calls?

I was unconscious ... hit my head on the panel, I try to lie, but he gives me a look. Call off the fleet.

No. You obviously couldn’t handle this mission on your own, he says, and my stomach sinks to my feet.

But, Dad! The organics need their water just as much as we do!

To ensure our survival, we need to take the planet’s water at any cost! Our people come first, he snaps.

But, Dad—

Enough of this nonsense. His eyes soften slightly. Gods, you’re just like your mother.

This situation is different. These organics—they’re different! I shout back.

They’re liars, he says, stopping me before I can retort anymore. You’re coming home now.

The call ends and my hands tighten into fists, almost cracking the pad even further. I hear a gulp and look to the side.

Clarence’s face has lost all its color. What can we do to stop it?

We can’t. My voice is quiet as I speak. Bursting bubbles, this can’t be happening! What can I do? What is there to do? It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have gotten so close to this planet! I bite my lip, a million thoughts buzzing around my mind. The screen cracks even more as my grip tightens.

Blobert pokes my cheek, and my eyes meet his. "I hate to say it, but you know