The Cartographer

By Craig Gaydas

While exploring a cave with his friend, 16-year-old Nathan stumbles upon someone unexpected: Science Officer Satou of The Explorers' League.

Satou is equally surprised, and after Nathan breaks through the security barrier, he does the only thing he can and takes Nathan with him, forever changing the balance of the universe.

Nathan is introduced to the Consortium: an intergalactic league of explorers, scientists, soldiers and diplomats. He also discovers the Universal Map - an ancient artifact locked away long ago by the mysterious Cartographer.

After Nathan accidentally unlocks the Universal Map, a chain of events is set in motion... one that threatens to tear at the very fabric of the universe, and to destroy Earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Next Chapter
• Release date: Feb 24, 2022
• ISBN: 4867518395

Book preview

Acknowledgements

This is my third book so far in my insane quest to release the voices of my mind onto the world. This book, however, would have never been completed had it not been for my friend, Eric Kaufmann who has dispensed invaluable advice and ideas into creating and bringing to life a science fiction adventure novel.

The Day The World Went Away

June 27th, 2012 Carlsbad, New Mexico

I stood at the entrance of the cave, staring into its gloomy depths. The stalactites reminded me of the homeless people I occasionally ran across in downtown Roswell—flashing me crooked smiles that would send the best dentists in the world running for cover. There were no rusted coffee cups or requests for spare change around here, though. The only begging being done here was me begging the cave to cough up its secrets.

Sam, my best friend, finished securing the rope around my waist. After he completed the task, I worked a similar loop around his waist, ensuring it was snug enough that it wouldn't slide off, but loose enough that it wouldn't crush his abdomen.

Come on Nathan, hurry up, he grumbled.

Alright man, hold your horses, I responded, completing my mental checklist. I examined the stability of the rope for the hundredth time, highlighting my anal retentiveness.

Most kids my age preferred doing things like playing Minecraft, sneaking into the Mall Cinema or hanging out at the Carlsbad Mall. Sam and I preferred exploring the unknown, and this cave provided enough adventure to last us the school year. The kids at Carlsbad High School treated us like pariahs because we preferred outdoor adventuring over Creeper smashing.

Sadly, this was our last chance to explore the cave before the summer break. I had qualified for advanced science classes provided by the high school which would absorb most of my time this summer. Sam had been upset about it ever since I broke the news, and seemed to brood nonstop. Sometimes he could be such a downer.

I'm gonna head in now, I called. Make sure to hold on tight.

He clutched the rope tightly and scowled before throwing me a curt nod. I smiled despite his crankiness, and descended the stony outcropping.

I hope this hammer works on that wall, I said and grabbed my rock hammer.

If it doesn't, this will be another short trip, he grumbled.

During our previous trip to the cave, I discovered a collapse which normally would signal the end of our little exploration. Despite my protests, Sam nagged me to investigate further and I had been surprised to discover air wafting in from several cracks in the wall. With renewed persistence, I eventually discovered what appeared to be some sort of path leading further into the cave. With the new discovery, I had been more determined than ever to break through that barrier and see what lay beyond. Images of fame, glory and treasure—gold, diamonds, or perhaps even buried cash—floated in my head.

Let's make this quick, Sam moaned. My mother needs me to run to the grocery store.

I rolled my eyes at him and grabbed the flashlight before sliding the hammer in a belt loop. I flipped on the flashlight and turned to Sam.

Alright, I'm going in.

Heavy rains in the area eroded the entrance during the past week so I found the descent into the cave more difficult due to the smooth surface. Sam held the rope tight and I slid on my rear all the way to the site of the collapse. As soon as I reached the wall, I jammed the flashlight into a nearby crevice. The light played over the wall and fell on a hole which—as soon as I saw it—made me realize that I would no longer need the hammer.

A ten foot high opening had been bored in the rock wall. The hole was approximately ten feet high and about four feet wide but its edges were smooth, like they had been eroded by centuries of running water.

What in the world? I whispered.

I pulled the flashlight from the crevice and created more slack in the rope. Moving through the opening cautiously, I continued another ten feet before coming upon a faint light illuminating the path ahead. The path curved in the distance which concealed the source of the light. Fueled by curiosity and frustration, I plodded ahead. I wasn't about to let someone else steal my glory.

I switched the flashlight off and continued along the path. My footsteps as well as my heavy breathing ricocheted off the walls, creating an orchestra of sound that made it difficult to be discreet. Before I reached the bend, a faint tapping sound, similar to the rapping of a hammer against sheet metal, broke the silence. My unknown spelunking adversary was still here and working on something.

I crouched low and inched closer. Fortunately I no longer had to worry about being stealthy, because the strange banging drowned out the sounds of my footfalls. I turned the corner just as the rapping stopped, freezing me in place and blanketing the cave in silence. Water dripped off the limestone, and rained tiny droplets on my cheek. I reached up and flicked them away before the silence was broken by an eerie, humming sound.

Around the corner the path widened into a large underground cavern highlighted by a small pool in the corner of the room. The pool reflected the light source, casting off a greenish-blue aura. It reminded me of underground lakes I had read about in textbooks.

The object in the center of the room grabbed my attention. It resembled a buoy similar to those floating in the ocean. One difference, however, was the large television screen mounted on top of the one in front of me. The flat screen was about four inches thick but five feet wide, which would qualify it to be the world's largest iPad.

A figure hunched over the front of the assembly, frantically working on the screen. When he turned to fidget with a valve, his silhouette erased any concerns I had of a rival spelunker stealing all my glory. At first it appeared he was eating something, but I soon realized the food was actually a set of tentacles extending below his chin.

My mouth dropped open in dawning horror while my mind tried to process the scene. It was as if a mad scientist had taken an octopus and placed it on a human body, in some insane experiment to create an aquatic version of Frankenstein. The creature stood over eight feet tall and the three tentacles sat in a way that made it appear as if the creature had some kind of crazy beard. He continued to fidget with the TV screen, unaware of my presence. The hands working the machinery were human-like, but with three fingers on its hands. The skin of the creature, illuminated by the large spotlight in the center of the room, was a denim-blue color like someone with poor blood circulation.

My brain refused to process the images my eyes were trying to force feed it. I was no longer concerned about discovery credit and my focus switched to my personal safety as I backed carefully out of the cavern. Before I could turn to make a run for it a flat rock collapsed beneath my sneaker, sinking into the limestone floor. A high-pitched squealing alarm pierced my skull and reverberated off the cavern walls, causing me to drop to the ground and cover my ears. I fell hard on my rear, swearing silently that I broke my coccyx (sometimes referred to as the butt bone) and had no choice but to stare helplessly at the creature as it swung towards me.

It hissed like a snake and its chin-beard waved menacingly as it approached me. Due to his size and my precarious position, I found myself focused on its legs. They were thick and elephantine all the way to the feet but instead of toes, the alien had small tentacles, allowing the creature to grip the floor as it walked. The revolting, sucking sound of its feet smacking off the limestone floor caused my heart to park in my throat which, looking back, was a good thing because it blocked the bile attempting to escape my gut. Instead of puking on myself, I gagged and watched helplessly as it lumbered over to me and looked down unpleasantly. I hoped his look was anything but hunger.

The creature wore something like a scuba suit without the helmet, and it glistened as if he had just emerged from the pool in the corner. It slipped a three-fingered appendage into the folds of its suit and retrieved something that looked a switchblade. I couldn't see it clearly, though, because his huge frame blocked the light in the room. It pushed a button but instead of a blade, a twelve inch long light extended from it, making a popping sound like a cork from a wine bottle. I would have laughed at the absurdity of it all, but my face was a frozen mask of fear. The creature reached over and sliced through my lifeline with ease.

Hey, the rope gave out. Are you OK? I heard Sam call out. Even though he was no more than forty yards from my location, at that point in time he might as well have been forty miles away. I was too frozen in fear to respond.

The beast looked toward the source of the voice and I prayed that Sam would stay put. The creature grunted and picked me up by the tattered rope ring before I had a chance to react. Its dark, beady eyes bored into my soul and he held me up like a snagged fish. Withdrawing a syringe—one that looked bigger than any I had ever seen—he held it in front of my face. Instead of a vial it contained an empty hour glass, surrounded by a gold-colored metallic sheath. At the end of the hourglass sat a four inch needle point that shimmered like water reflected by moonlight. The beast hesitated briefly and the needle dangled ominously in front of my eyes. I wished more than anything that I could close them but my facial muscles were paralyzed with fear.

I started to think he second-guessed his decision to stab me but then he plunged the needle into my arm. Oddly, I felt no pain, only a warm tingling sensation. Slipping through the skin uninhibited, the wet sensation spread across the site of the injection. A clucking sound escaped from the creature's throat as it moved in to look closer.

I started to lose consciousness and tried to call out to Sam, but the only sound that came out was a choked gasp. My tongue became ten times too big for my mouth and my throat felt like I had gargled with sand. Darkness enveloped me as I slipped from consciousness.

This is Nathan Chambers, signing off.

I Have A Dinosaur In My Closet

I opened my eyes and looked around. Everything around me—the walls, the ceiling, the furnishings—was the color of tarnished metal. I tried to stand up but restraints held my arms and legs firmly to the bed. The bonds, securely fastened around my wrists and ankles, were actually living, writhing tentacles pulling at my body. In panicked horror, I pulled with all my might, but slimy appendages held me in place.

HELP ME! I coughed, and it seemed the more I struggled, the tighter they became.

They had no source and were nothing more than alien, disembodied limbs. Despite their lack of a host body, they were very much alive—like a set of slimy eels.

My cries for help echoed off the metallic walls which gave off the impression of being entombed inside a giant lunchbox.

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply in an attempt to calm myself. My composure was the last thing I wanted to lose in this strange place. I failed, however, and couldn't stop the inevitable flow of tears. My eyes burned with them and I turned my head to look for an exit, but the entire room became a blurred mess. My voice cracked from the uncontrollable sobbing and I was afraid I would start hyperventilating.

Help, I croaked. My eyes fell upon a metal door with a wheel, similar to an escape hatch, in the corner of the room. I trembled with fear, wondering what monstrosities lay beyond it.

A loud screech and a thud broke the tomb-like silence of the room. The door slowly swung inward and the monster from the cave entered with a box—no bigger than a briefcase—in his hand. He dropped it at the end of the bed and fixed me with an icy stare. Cold pin pricks poked at the base of my spine and I stiffened with a combination of fear and anticipation at what might be contained inside.

Turning his glossy eyes toward me, his beaky mouth gurgled something that sounded like a baby drowning and stood there with his hands on his hips, waiting for a response.

I shook my head furiously, causing tears to ping-pong off the satin pillow. What do you want from me?

He rolled a small cabinet toward the bed and removed a tiny headset—with microphone attachment—and placed it over his head. The earphones covered the creature's ears, which seemed less like ears and more like gill-covered holes. I started to wonder if I was on some kind of crazy reality show. I have heard about shows that place unsuspecting people in scary situations and video tape their reactions to the delight of audiences worldwide. Before I could figure out which show I had been cast in, he tapped his earphone with a scaly finger. The item glowed with a faint green neon light and he thrust a second set toward me.

To say I had a fondness for technology would have been an understatement. It would have been more accurate to say I had a morbid curiosity for all modern gadgets. Instead of being afraid of the item, I was curious. I had already assumed the device wouldn't hurt me since it didn't seem to cause the alien any type of discomfort, and I did not put up a fight when he placed it on my head. He adjusted it so the earphones fit snugly against my ears.

He held up a finger and made a tapping motion against his left ear, urging me to do the same.

I mimicked him and found a button next to the earphone. When I pressed the button, loud static streamed from the gadget, causing me to wince. It eventually cleared and the ringing in my ears faded. I heard everything around me clearly, as if nothing happened.

The creature spoke again in the drowning-gurgling dialect like before, but this time I understood it.

Do not be afraid, human. The object I placed on your head is called an interstellar translator. My name is Satou and I am the lead engineer aboard this ship.

I was speechless. Instead of a gurgling monstrosity from my worst nightmare speaking gibberish, there was now a gurgling monstrosity from my worst nightmare speaking English.

I apologize for the restraints, but it is for your own safety. He pushed the cabinet out of the way and his eyes bored into me uncomfortably. We don't need you wandering the halls and getting lost.

Did you say I was aboard a ship? I asked.

Satou ignored the question and heaved his chest, as if he struggled to breathe the air around us. His eyes shifted to the corners of the room, searching for something. He reached inside the box at the end of my bed and retrieved a clear plastic squirt bottle which contained a cloudy liquid. He pointed it at me and squeezed the trigger, letting loose a fine mist that formed a thin, wet veil on my face with a taste that reminded me of peppermint.

What the heck, I sputtered.

Sorry about that, he apologized and returned the bottle to the box. "But I have a small allergy to humans. Nothing serious, mind you, but I find it difficult to breathe around them on occasion. Never fear, the substance I sprayed you with will eliminate most of your scent and has no known detrimental side effects."

The film evaporated from my face and left behind a tacky substance, similar to dried sweat. The peppermint flavor faded and I fixed Satou with a sour look.

At least it tastes good, I muttered.

Satou chittered with laughter. It was odd seeing an octopus laugh and hard to describe but I truly believed that the image would live in my brain forever. I ignored him and smacked my lips together. The mist left me with a dry tongue.

Do you happen to have anything to drink? I asked.

As he bent down to examine me, the tentacles on Satou's chin reached toward me, like they were trying to sense my feelings, and I curled my lip in revulsion. He turned away from me and fumbled with an object that resembled a large microwave with a digital screen angled on top and a sliding door along the side. After pressing several buttons, the door slid open, revealing a clear cup filled with a dark, bubbly liquid. The slimy restraints around my wrists and ankles retracted into the bed. I sat up slowly, rubbing my wrists, while he held the drink out.

I eyeballed the glass in his hand suspiciously. He paused, sensing my apprehension, and placed the drink on the table.

Don't worry, it will not harm you. His beak-like maw formed a small grin. As a matter of fact, I believe you might even like it.

I scrutinized the murky liquid, first tipping the glass to my nose and inhaling. A familiar crisp, caramel scent invaded my sinuses and I slowly lifted the glass to my lips, sipping cautiously. It tasted like Coca Cola, the last thing expected aboard an alien craft.

Coke, I said and held the glass out. You don't seem like a soda drinker.

My suspicion did not recede. I smacked my lips together, trying to detect any hidden poisons.

Fear not, you are safe, he replied.

My thirst overwhelmed me and I tipped the glass back and swallowed the liquid, almost gagging on it. The cold, carbonated beverage provided a welcome sugary rush.

Thank you, I coughed.

His features softened while I finished the drink, although his eyes were a mixture of sympathy and regret. I slowly placed the glass down on the table next to the bed and frowned, wondering if the beverage came with strings attached.

Is something wrong? I asked, glancing nervously at the empty glass.

Satou shifted his feet uncomfortably, the digits of his feet making wet, sucking sounds on the floor.

Your presence aboard this ship is accidental, but I am afraid that gloop bargle gurglity goo—

I held up my hand to stop him. Whoa, slow down. I can't understand you.

A confused look came across his face but he continued to talk. Gloop garble.

I pointed to my headset and spoke methodically, emphasizing each word. "I…do…not…understand…you."

His confusion turned to frustration before he took the headset off and slapped it briskly against his leg before returning it to his head.

Sorry about that! I wish the Consortium would process my requisition and upgrade the antiquated equipment we have aboard this ship. Such a long and tedious process to upgrade the simplest of our equipment!

I chuckled nervously. Yeah, I hate when that happens.

What I was trying to say was that I brought you aboard in a blind panic, I am embarrassed to say. The bluish hue of his face brightened as he looked at the floor and I realized that he blushed. Our activities on Earth have gone virtually undetected for generations, and I would have preferred to keep it that way.

Suddenly fear crept into my heart as I became concerned for my personal safety. From Satou's tone, it sounded like he'd issued a death sentence. Dead kids can't tell their friends about the big bad alien. Then I thought of Sam and became concerned over the whereabouts of my lost spelunking partner.

What did you do to Sam? I asked, anger creeping into my voice. He recognized my unease and he waved his hands frantically.

No, no, remain calm. I assure you that your companion on Earth is safe. He ran into the cave not long after we returned to the ship, lost his balance in the darkness and slammed his head on a rock.

My heart skipped a beat. I thought you said he was safe!

Satou offered a weak smile. Yes, fortunately for him, Madoc was able to slip into the cave unseen and administer aid. He carried your unconscious friend out of the cave and left him outside, safe from harm. Madoc monitored him from the dark recesses of the cave as he regained consciousness and was last seen running off toward your closest town. He has a nasty cut on his head but he will be fine.

What's a Madoc?

A melodic beeping came from the door that reminded me of a cell phone ringtone.

Come in, Satou shouted.

The metal door squealed as it swung inward. I expected another octopus-like being to walk through the door.