The Sword of Aeschylean: A Minerva Novel

By William G. Howard

Kasidy Vulkner has fallen through a celestial hole in space and time that has brought her into an alternate dimension where she has an unexpected reunion with an old friend, but also encounters an old enemy.

The Venusian Galaxy’s favorite rogue—The Abominable Hotfire, currently an inmate in the Bokhun Planetary Asylum for the Criminally Insane—is not living his best life.
He claims that the worst warlord in the galaxy, Diabolix, is very much alive when the everyone is convinced he’s quite dead.

Meanwhile, Empress Yellowtail’s only heir, Jellina, has designs on conquering the galaxy. Key to this plan of universal domination is locating the ancient device the Sword of Aeschylean, which will enable Jellina to enslave the universe. And the only being that might be able to stop her is an Abomination.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Nov 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781665753067

William G. Howard

William Howard grew up in historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he often walked in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers. Much like the Founders, William has always had a fascination and penchant for the written word. William began writing short stories when he was in high school, often contributing submissions to the school newspaper and literary magazine. Despite his love of writing, Mr. Howard ended up teaching for the School District of Philadelphia for twenty years before retiring in 2012 to devoting more time to writing. William Howard has gone on to write three sci-fi novels and is beginning work on a fourth novel, which will be a sequel to the Sword of Aeschylean, as well as a new original novel outside the Minerva-verse. He often participates in meetings with fellow writers in a number of writer groups. When William is not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with his wife, Bonnie.

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Copyright © 2023 William G. Howard.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-6657-5305-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-5306-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023921570

Archway Publishing rev. date: 11/30/2023

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1Hotfire

Chapter 2Kasidy Vulkner

Chapter 3The Grand Empress of the Polistine

Chapter 4Agent Honey-Runner

Chapter 5The Harvest of the M’Cha

Chapter 6An Alliance of Convenience

Chapter 7Exodus from Meditaplassen

Chapter 8The Invasion of the Beetleguise

Chapter 9The Hospitality of the Triceratopian

Chapter 10Pausing in Place

Chapter 11The Sword of Aeschylean

Chapter 12An Irresistible Prize

Chapter 13The Warden of Minerva Penitentiary

Chapter 14Conglomerate’s End

Chapter 15The Avatars

Chapter 16Hathor seeks the Aquintsí

Chapter 17A Needle in a Galactic Haystack

Chapter 18The Supremevivens Alpha

Chapter 19The Battle of Persephoni

Chapter 20Diabolix’s Reluctant Protégé

Chapter 21The Repose of Solace

Chapter 22The Reluctant Stowaway

Chapter 23The Attack of the Triceratopian

Chapter 24Raiders of the Minerva Penitentiary

Chapter 25The Pit and the Ganthem

Chapter 26Smoke of Emerald and Gold

Chapter 27The Aquintsí Keepers

Chapter 28Kasidy Vulkner’s Tiny Dilemma

Chapter 29The Tiny Hominoid in the Hourglass

Chapter 30A Hostile Encounter

Chapter 31The Revenge of the Hawkings

Chapter 32Ganthem Conquers the Galaxy

Chapter 33The Fate of Kasidy Vulkner

Chapter 34Diabolix Becomes Aeschylean

Also, by William G. Howard

The Eye of Hermes: A Minerva Novel

The Sword of Aeschylean: A Minerva Novel

Marigold

For my favorite fan girl, Shari

There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid.

– Frank L. Baum.

"If you don’t control your mind, someone

else will."

– John Alston

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are many people who are near and dear to my heart who helped me either directly or indirectly in the completion of this novel. First and foremost, it is absolutely essential to thank my wonderful soulmate, Bonnie, who without her love, compassion and support this work would have never become a reality. She is the person who gives up her weekends throughout the year, after working with Alzheimer’s patients all week long, to accompany me to author events, and science fiction conventions. As she hears me describe fantastical aliens, far off worlds and improbable adventures, Bonnie acknowledges the narrative with the utmost respect and seriousness, as well as giving a loving but honest critique of the story.

However, the words upon the pages within would be far less dynamic and polished if it weren’t for my amazing editor, Patti O’ Brien, whom I have entrusted my fantastical visions of far-futures and amazing universes for three novels and counting. I am so truly blessed to have Patti as a friend and an editor because she elevates my work to another level entirely.

Far and above, the person who has been most supportive of my work from the earliest time that I put pen to paper is my sister, Shari. Throughout our childhood, we spent countless hours making up stories, loosely based on Star Wars and Star Trek. She has always been the one who I call when I want to talk fandom and when I need a cheerleader to boost my spirits after a hard day of work, or just bring a smile to my face.

I’d like to thank my eighty-two-year-old mother, Ann — who would stay up late into the night with me as my typist and grammar expert extraordinary during my high school years. She and my late father, Franklin, instilled a love of learning and a passion for books at an early age. Ann ‘gifted’ me my very first manual typewriter after my father bought her an electric one. Now that I have acknowledged the people in my life who supported the writing this novel, the next logical question — as my tenth grade English teacher Mr. Bythewood would ask, is what is the theme of this novel? I must admit that it took me a great deal of time to answer this question during the course of writing this book and depending where I was in the course of writing the book, I would probably have given you an answer varying from family conflict to the rise and fall of civilizations to the desire to seek justice from being wronged to the struggle of the individuals against deities and nature. However, I recently came to the conclusion during the writing of the last few chapters is about a very simple theme; the hero’s journey, or perhaps in Hotfire’s case; anti-hero and the innate desire to return to one’s home. This theme is repeated dozens of times throughout literature, including Frank L. Baum’s Oz series, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. I found the theme repeated several times throughout the writing of this book, which I hope will inspired you to sympathize with my beloved characters and share their passion for returning home.

Lastly, I would like to address the six-hundred-pound salamander in the room by answering the question why did I feel the need to write another Minerva novel. The answer is rather simple. In talking to people who have read the first novel, many of these readers have said that they would love to see the further adventures of the reptile and insect characters that reside in the world of Minerva. Secondly, I hinted in the first book that there was a five-hundred-year- old war occurring but relegated an examination of the conflict to the background. Instead, I focused on the introduction of characters such as Warden Buzz, Hotfire and Kasidy Vulkner. as a In the sequel, The Sword of Aeschylean, I had the opportunity to provide a taste of what the conflict between my two main Insect races looked like and how the war impacted the larger world. In addition, there were many new characters in this book, as well as returning characters, who were flawed and made choices that were influenced by their own self-interest. Given these flaws, I wanted to examine the impact that these choices had on the characters themselves, as well as on those around them. Thank you, dear reader, for choosing to take this exciting, fast- paced literary journey. It is my sincere hope that by immersing yourself in the world of Hotfire, Kasidy Vulkner and their comrades that it will allow you take a break from the everyday and sample a bit of a world where the possibility of extraordinary events exist. I look forward to sharing more adventures from the Venusian galaxy in the not-too-distant future.

1

HOTFIRE

Hotfire swung his legs off his cot and dropped his six-foot-long tail to the floor. Clad in the expandable, one-piece purple-latex prisoner’s uniform of the Bokhun Planetary Asylum and trapped within its walls, he believed himself to be standing beneath an alien sky in a different, yet familiar, dimension: an alternate version of his own world, the planet Scaratutulo. A massive blue wormhole with one eerie eye appeared in front of him. Hotfire shouted into the void, Hello there. Can anyone hear me?

I most certainly can hear you, my abominable friend.

Hotfire watched as a creature emerged — a towering 14-foot-tall figure with glowing gold eyes, a long black tail, and large beetle-style mandibles — twisting his head briefly before he spoke again in a low, reverberating tone.

Disregard the reports of my death. I have returned to claim dominion over all life. And you, Hotfire, shall be the weapon I use to bring about the universe’s demise.

Hotfire looked down to see the sand on which he stood dissolve into an orange circle of light, then fell down a long, cylindrical tunnel that quickly morphed into the powerful jaws of Diabolix, who began ripping him to shreds. As Hotfire possessed the capacity to renew himself after being injured, the process of his dismemberment repeated itself on what seemed an endless loop until he awoke, safely imprisoned in his cell, screaming from his nightmare. Dropping back down onto his compost-stuffed mattress, Hotfire reassured himself that he had recently been through a traumatic event, and that he’d actually been sent to another dimension — against his will — and nearly actually been killed by the criminal warlord, Diabolix. Apparently, these dreams were his brain’s way of dealing with the emotional scars. But as he was ready to dismiss the event as just another bad dream, Diabolix’s voice came through Hotfire’s lips: "I have returned to this dimension to claim my rightful title as Absolute Ruler.

The blood of anyone foolheartedly enough to oppose me shall flow like a raging river."

To his relief, Hotfire felt the presence release him a few seconds later, as he collapsed to the cement floor.

Could you kindly reclaim your eternal throne at a more civilized hour, your highness?

Hotfire got to his feet and looked through the reinforced translucent steeldon door at the neighboring cell’s occupant, an eight-foot-tall turtle-like Cranitian, Horan Tyko.

Hotfire harumphed. How many times do I have to tell you —

I know, I know, Horan interrupted. The Hawking sent you into another dimension with the Methuzarus Rejuvenate, and you brought back something unspeakable, blah, blah, blah.

Yes. Diabolix is back and plans to kill every Insectum, Reptilia and Hominoid in the galaxy who does not submit to his will.

You know what settles my mind after I have had a bad dream? Horan offered.

What?

Realizing that my nightmares are not as horrific as the reality I am living on a daily basis.

Thanks for reminding me about how crappy my life actually is. I almost forgot for a millisecond, said Hotfire. You’re welcome! Hey, at least breakfast is in a few hours. That’s something to look forward to on this beautiful day in the asylum.

Glad you reminded me; I was about to spoil my appetite by eating one of those Magradot lizards crawling on the ceiling, Hotfire said, looking at a two-foot long, six-legged reptilian with a diamond-shaped torso.

You’re probably better off eating one of those disease-ridden vermin than the steaming hot gruel that the Hawking Brain Beetles try to pass off as cuisine.

A bit of malnutrition might not be the worst thing in the world for me, said Hotfire ruefully, seeing as I am probably never making it out of here alive.

If even half the tall tales about your exploits are true, I honestly believe that you are not long for this place, said Horan.

You mean because I’ll wind up suffering a horrible death, possibly at the hands of one of my fellow inmates? said Hotfire.

No! Because you, my friend, are a survivor.

Hotfire was about to thank Horan for his kind words when he felt another presence taking possession of his mind. He jumped forward and began to pound his fists against the clear steeldon door as a voice rang out: Where in the name of the Great Hive Master am I? I demand to be released from this filthy cell immediately. I am a member of the family Bokhun and deserve to be treated with respect. Whoever is in charge will immediately escort me to your finest accommodations for visiting dignitaries. Do I have anyone’s attention?

Horan whispered: Actually, you might be right about the whole dying horribly thing, after all, Hotfire. He watched as a large, round, bright-red disc formed above the schizophrenic sociopath he’d had as a next-door neighbor for the last month and knew that things were about to get ugly.

In the voice of the former warden of Minerva Penitentiary, Sobek Bokhun, Hotfire demanded: Why has no one come to release me?

Oh, something is about to be released, but it is definitely not you, Hotfire, thought Horan.

Almost on cue, the circular overhead light began to recede into the ceiling. From this newly formed aperture flew three-foot-long mechanical mosquito-like drones known as Gnartur, who commenced an aerial assault. A broad smile came over Hotfire’s face as he became himself again and lifted his tail, aiming it directly at the oncoming Gnartur. If there is one thing that brings me straight back to reality, it’s the chance to beat down your mechanical thoraxes.

Don’t you remember that the Hawking Brain Beetles injected you with a flameatic dampener since you kept trying to burn through your cell door? yelled Horan.

Daggit, I keep forgetting about that little procedure.

Hotfire leapt to the ceiling a second before a drone came hurtling toward him. Before the Gnartur was able to launch another attack run, Hotfire grabbed onto one of the exposed pipes running along the ceiling and whipped his massive tail forward, sending the Gnartur toward a wall. However, to Hotfire’s dismay, it was able to fire its braking thrusts inches before it crashed. Hotfire spun around as he leapt down from the ceiling, followed closely by the Gnartur and another, joining its compatriot in the pursuit. Analyzing their opponent’s current tactics, the Gnartur computed that the most effective plan of attack would be to initiate a cross strike from opposite sides of the cell. However, when they reached the ceiling, the Gnarturs discovered that their prey had somehow managed to disappear—in a six-by-ten-foot cell. While trying to determine where his target had gone, the first Gnartur was struck by a heavy unseen object, sent hurtling into its companion. The force of the impact managed to, momentarily, disable the second Gnartur. But before Hotfire was able to congratulate himself for his ingenuity, it immediately began to reassemble itself, like a Chamyx child putting a favorite puzzle back together.

The malefactor has been determined to possess cloaking technology. Switch scanners to heat-detection mode, said one Gnartur to the other.

Kind of regretting now that I have fire in my veins, bemoaned Hotfire.

Undaunted by the lack of a visible target, the first Gnartur unleashed a barrage of exploding laser darts that pelleted Hotfire’s skin like flying hot coals. He winced in pain as the darts exploded on contact, charring the surrounding skin to a crisp. As he was subjected to this onslaught, Hotfire’s regenerative cycle was barely able to keep ahead of the destruction of his skin cells.

Struggling to push passed this pain, Hotfire uncloaked and dropped to the floor, preparing himself the best he could for the next assault. Looking up to see the Gnarturs flying toward him, he scanned his surroundings in desperation for anything that he could use as a weapon. Spying the porcelain toilet behind him, Hotfire wrapped his massive tail around the urinal, yanked it off the wall and hurtled it toward one of the oncoming Gnartur, which was reduced to large shards of metal.

You’re going to regret that when you’re doing your business into a hole, quipped Horan.

It was well worth the sacrifice, said Hotfire.

You know that all you’ve done is piss off that Gnartur’s little friend.

I’ve got to be wearing them down by now though, right? In response to his question, the porcelain-decimated Gnartur had already begun to reassemble itself while its comrade began to swing around in concentric circles, launching more laser darts at Hotfire, who leapt back up toward the ceiling of the cell.

Place your hands behind your head and prepare yourself for disintegration, Malefactor 1031, also known as Hotfire, said the Gnartur.

I don’t think that I appreciate your tone, my mechanical friend.

Disintegration will commence in less than three seconds, said the first Gnartur. What is that old Meditaplassen expression? asked Hotfire.

My database does not have information on those particular idioms.

It goes like this: the worst enemy that you’ll ever face is yourself, said Hotfire. That does not compute, said the first Gnartur.

Compute this, you daggit piece of titandon, said Hotfire.

Reaching down with his tail, Hotfire wrapped it around the first Gnartur as it continued to launch laser darts at him. Hotfire then flung the Gnartur toward the corner of the cell where the second one was still reassembling itself. Sensing an oncoming threat, the half-assembled Gnartur launched its laser darts towards the oncoming object, realizing only too late that it was firing upon its comrade. When the opposing darts made contact, the Gnarturs were both vaporized. Hotfire, I hear someone coming down the hall, whispered Horan from the next cell. Maybe one of the Gnartur contacted one of their Hawking Beetle Brain masters.

You think one of those overgrown slugs would actually do their own dirty work?

Yeah. It is kind of an unlikely proposition. But I am public enemy number one in their books, seeing as I am the one putting their only regeneration chamber out of commission.

"Those Methuzarus Rejuvenate chambers are kind of hard to find in today’s market. Walking over to his door, Hotfire was greeted by a Gnartur hovering in front of him. For the crime of assaulting a Gnartur, Malefactor 1031, you are sentenced to death."

You are more than welcome to try, but I don’t know how my friend is going to feel.

The Gnartur swung around to find himself facing a large blue-green creature resembling an ancient Pangean raptor, holding a flaming, electronic sword. In the 13,700 Madagascan Prisoner Accords, it directly states that a condemned individual has the right to due process before being executed. But I am guessing that the drafters didn’t intend that to be carried out by mechanical mosquitos, said Yanick DcCullen.

Grasping his flaming sword with both hands, Yanick sliced through the middle of the Gnartur’s metal frame, and watched as it dropped to the floor.

Don’t take what I am about to say the wrong way, Yanick, but exactly what rock did you crawl out from under? asked Hotfire.

Kind of tempted to crawl back under that rock if it spares me from looking at your ugly face, said Yanick.

Nice, said Hotfire. It is good to see you too.

Horan Tyko interjected. "I feel rotten about cutting this lovely reunion short, but you both do realize that there are probably more Gnarturs headed this way.

It is worse than you know, Cranitian. A squadron of Beetleguise are on their way to resolve their Hotfire problem.

Then why are you just standing there, Salamander, said Hotfire. Get us out of here. Hotfire jumped up to the ceiling as Yanick inserted the flaming sword into the lock."

I’ve got one question, Yanick, Hotfire said as he strutted out of the cell. Last time I checked, you were locked up tight in the Minerva Penitentiary.

"That is actually a statement, not a question. However, you are right. I was locked up in Minerva. But apparently the penitentiary is not as impregnable as it once was. I also haven’t forgotten that you are the reason I was sent there in the first place."

Hey, nobody twisted your arm. I could’ve stolen the crown jewels of Insectivore all by myself, so you have no one but yourself to blame. Besides, I got my comeuppance when I got caught trying to blow up the Polistine’s Ministry of Justice.

The forgotten Horan interjected: This is a lovely stroll down memory lane you two, but could somebody please let me out so the three of us can get out of this asylum?

I was actually wondering, Hotfire. Why did the Hawking Beetle Brain put you in an asylum instead of a prison, anyway? Yanick asked, ignoring Horan’s request. He was not answered by Hotfire, however, as Sobek Bokhun reasserted himself into Hotfire’s body and grabbed Yanick’s neck, pressing him against the nearby wall. The Bokhun do not take kindly to having their decisions questioned. Maybe I should just snap your neck for good measure.

What the fuctur is wrong with you, Hotfire? I came all this way to rescue you, you do realize that?

How dare you speak to me that way, Reptilia! exclaimed Sobek-Hotfire.

Just as Hotfire began squeezing Yanick’s neck, he heard the Cranitian across the hall shout: Sobek, you are always telling me that you’ve been wrongly imprisoned. It seems from where I am sitting that this Trionyx is your ticket out of here. Given these factors, do you really want to kill your best chance for escape?

Cranitian, you make an excellent point. I will allow this Reptilia to live for as long as it suits my purposes, said Sobek-Hotfire. Releasing Yanick from his grasp, and dropping him to the floor, Hotfire strolled down the hall to a stone staircase.

My name is Yanick DcCullen, by the way.

I am Horan Tyko. Pleasure to meet, you Mr. DcCullen.

Likewise. I guess that there was a good reason that the Hawking Beetle Brain locked Hotfire up in this asylum.

Yeah. Your buddy, Hotfire, has a few extra occupants in his old cranium these days.

Okay, do I dare ask why they have you in here?

I have something of a temper. Gets me into trouble sometimes, especially with the slugs.

Well, good luck dealing with your temper. I have to catch up with my friend.

Wait, Yanick! I can help you manage Hotfire when he has his little mood swings.

Horan, you seem like a nice Cranitian. Actually, one of my best friends/worst enemies is a Cranitian. However, I feel like my cup is overflowing with problems on this little venture.

I swear to you, on my mother’s life, I will be no trouble at all.

Yanick sighed. Fine. But the first time you go back on that promise, I will kill you.

Understood. However, a word of warning to you. I was dishonorably discharged from the Polistine Infantry. But not before I learned a hundred ways to kill someone with a piece of flatware.

Duly noted. If it comes to blows between us, it should be an interesting fight. For now, though, I suggest we catch up with Hotfire before he gets us all killed. Ninety-thousand miles from the Bokhun Planetary Asylum, a feathered, black-skinned being approximately five-feet tall sat in the command chair of the revamped version of the Dolgthrasir. In what seemed like a millennia ago, the being had captained this ship when he had been known as one of the most feared warlords in the Venusian galaxy. Despite feeling slightly less menacing, the Warlord Diabolix found that his power to make other beings perform his will was in no way diminished. A perfect example was that he had decimated an outlying Cranitian colony and then forced the residents to complete the necessary repairs to the Dolgthrasir to bring the ship to its former flightworthy status.

But Diabolix also knew that it would be quite some time before he returned to feeling like his old self. He may have had the soul of a ruthless tyrant, but he also had the outward appearance of a black Robinator. As Diabolix sat contemplating how he would one day bring the inhabitants of this universe to their knees, he suddenly heard someone timidly clearing their throat, trying to get their master’s attention. A Clonstellar, who had assumed the appearance of a red Quillian, similar to an ancient Pangean crocodile, was standing before Diabolix in an agitated state.

Pex caw tram cor clack cack? Diabolix spoke the language of the Robinators.

I heartedly apologize, I don’t understand you. Querzi, complete a diagnostic and reboot the universal translator, stated the Clonstellar. Ohw reda u turbsid e! Hta o u wnat?

I still don’t understand you, my lord.

Diabolix lifted a clawed foot off the ground and wrapped it around the Clonstellar’s throat, as he forcibly shoved him into a nearby bulkhead. Diabolix leaned in, preparing to slice the Clonstellar’s throat with his massive beak when the Querzi rebooted the universal translator: I asked you again, Enigmus, why you have not brought the Chamyx before me yet?

My lord, your plan is in motion. Your representative has made contact with Hotfire.

You have brought me pleasing news, Enigmus. Therefore, I will allow you to live— for now.

I bathe in my master’s wisdom as I carry out your commands, Lord Diabolix.

Diabolix turned back toward the view screen. The conquest of the universe lays within my grasp, he thought.

2

KASIDY VULKNER

Kasidy Vulkner found herself hurtling through a chaotic vortex in space and time, not sure of the duration of her journey or her final destination. The only thing she did know for sure was her main priority was finding her way home. Traveling alone through this whirlpool, Kasidy’s only companion was the turning and twisting winds. And just when Kasidy believed that this whirlpool would be her singular existence, she spied a small circular light at the tunnel’s end.

Wherever I am headed, it has got to be better than where I am. But as the light grew closer and larger, she realized that there was a small possibility that things could indeed be worse. Before she knew what was happening, Kasidy found herself ejected into an open sky as the vortex closed behind her. Hurtling toward the ground, her arms and legs flailing wildly, Kasidy scrambled to find any means of slowing her descent. All there was before her was the ground rushing toward her. Upon resigning herself to becoming a skid-mark on the alien landscape, Kasidy suddenly saw a large sinkhole developing beneath her and a humongous vine with razor- sharp thorns emerging from the sinkhole. The vine reached up grabbed Kasidy by the waist, no doubt preparing to drag her down into the darkness. As she struggled to free herself, Kasidy remembered an old lesson that her father, Kabul, had taught her. If she ever encountered a wild animal, the easiest solution for making it lose interest in her as a meal was to play dead. So, she pushed her anxiety to the back of her mind and concentrated on making her body go limp. Immediately, she felt the vine loosen its grip around her waist, dropping her harmlessly to the ground. Kasidy quickly unbuckled her proton blaster from its holster, firing three shots at the vine, which had begun to move towards her again, causing it to slithered back down into its hole.

Once Kasidy was convinced that the predatory vine would not re-emerge, Kasidy ran for her life across the arid plains of this strange new world, making her way toward higher ground. Upon arriving, Kasidy made her first priority seeking out a water source and shelter before nightfall.

Using her Academy survival training — the basic skills she needed in preparation for space exploration, Kasidy used the planet’s sun as a chronometer to determine that it was slightly past midday. As she made her way through this alien desert, she determined that an outcropping just on the other side of a sandy ridge would make the best shelter for now.

As she made her way closer, Kasidy came to an astonishing realization. The vortex had deposited her on the prison planet Bengkulu where she and her mother, Zanesta, had been sentenced to hard labor for ten long years. Neither of them had committed any crime but her father, Kabul, who had been illegally extracting Enhanced Energy Gas from rare ores, did have a warrant out for his arrest. However, before the Hawking Brain Beetle could bring Kabul to justice, he had been murdered by four smugglers—Yanick DcCullen, Buddash Kyo and the Abomination Hotfire and Atlas Bokhun, a Hawking Brain Beetle who had fallen out of favor with the Hawking Omnipotent Council. Given that Kabul was unable to answer for his crimes, the Hawkings ordered that Kasidy, and her mother would serve Kabul’s sentence.

Staring at the familiar mountains of Dreki Buror, Kasidy felt a few wet drops fall onto her face. She instinctively opened her mouth to catch the life-giving water. But as the drops entered Kasidy’s mouth, her throat felt like it had been set on fire. As she spit the water out, burning pellets bombarded her skin as the rain intensified from a light shower to a torrent. Kasidy pulled her jacket over her head and ran blindly towards the mountains. After what seemed like an eternity, she found a small cave at the base of the mountains.

Once inside the cave, Kasidy made a fire by firing three shots from her proton blaster. Removing her uniform top and folding it into a makeshift pillow, Kasidy began contemplating where she had landed. Kasidy came to the conclusion that she was on an alternate version of the planet Bengkulu, located in a parallel universe. As Kasidy slowly drifted off into the void of her own subconscious, she suddenly found herself on the floor of Engineering, onboard her science vessel, the Mjölnir. Swarming all around Kasidy were large black, scarab-like bugs, known as Xeperian, wielding swords and that there was also a sword in her hand, which Kasidy was thrusting forward into the belly of the closest Xeperian. However, as the adult Xeperian expired, dozens of Xeperian’s younglings came pouring out of its corpse, tearing at Kasidy’s flesh with their pinchers and ripping her to shreds.

Just when Kasidy was on the verge of giving up all hope, she looked up to see a giant mustard-yellow colored wasp-like creature with glowing green eyes walking toward her. She recognized the Insectium as Lieutenant Thorn, a reluctant passenger on the Mjölnir’s most recent voyage. In his upper right appendage, Thorn held a large green diamond known as the Eye of Hermes — a gem that had been fashioned into a weapon from the heart of a dying Warlock star tens of millennia ago. The Eye of Hermes was capable of draining the radiation from a dying star, but also possessed an insatiable appetite for energy of any kind, including Enhanced Energy Gas, which powered starships. Thorn looked to the Xeperian, raised the Eye of Hermes above his head, and proclaimed: I am Lord Thorn of Hermes. Your life energy shall be consumed by the Eye of Hermes, allowing us to feast upon your essence. Kasidy watched as the bodies of the younglings were pulled apart, molecules hurtling into the center of the Eye of Hermes. Within moments, each of the Xeperian covering Kasidy’s body had been dissolved and their remains had been consumed by the Eye. Lord Thorn then reached down and placed the gem on Kasidy’s chest. You are connected to the Eye. It is a part of you. And in turn, you are a part of it. Allow the Eye of Hermes’ healing energy to bind your wounds. He thrust the Eye into her sternum; a wave of energy went coursing throughout her body as the radioactive energy from the Eye came rushing in. Kasidy sat up in a paralyzed state — still within the dream, watching in her horror as her body molecules were disassembled and pulled into the Eye of Hermes. Watching her hand dissolve into nothingness before her, Kasidy awoke to the sound of her own screaming. Still in panic mode, Kasidy leapt to her feet and ran to the cave entrance, where she saw the sun rising over the horizon. Staggering backwards, Kasidy dropped down beside the smoldering fire and knelt down on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. After a minute or two, which seemed like an eternity, Kasidy finally felt her pulse begin to slow.

With this calmer demeanor came a renewed resolve that if she was to be marooned on this alternate Bengkulu, she should try to explore it. After putting her top back on, Kasidy made her way out of the cave, soon arriving at a small oasis which resembled one on Bengkulu prime known as Stórmenska. On seeing a small pond of water, Kasidy momentarily forgot about the toxic rain shower from the night before. However, she was just as quickly reminded as she came up to the water’s edge and found that there were large plumes of toxic gas emanating from the pond. As she gazed at this nightmarish water source, Kasidy jumped back in surprise as a large two-headed fish came leaping out of the water and then, just as quickly, disappearing beneath the surface. I suppose that I won’t be patronizing this watering hole anytime soon.

That night, Kasidy found the cave floor far less objectionable and passed out cold. Her unconscious mind returned her to the Mjölnir’s Engineering Room where she was once again battling the tenacious Xeperian. This time, however, she was not alone. Standing shoulder-to- shoulder with her were a few of her fellow crewmates, including Defensive Officer Kon, Doctor Tulare, and Ensign Kathjon, blasting their weapons repeatedly at the Xeperian in an attempt to deplete their numbers. As Kasidy and her crewmates continued to fire their weapons, a swirling vortex suddenly appeared behind Doctor Tulare, sucking him in. Kasidy turned to Defensive Officer Kon. We’ve got to try to bring Tulare back!

There is nothing that we can do for him. Besides, we have got to defend the ship.

A moment later, the same vortex opened behind Ensign Kathjon, swallowing her into the energy field. Undaunted, Kasidy continued to fire at the advancing Xeperian. Kon, whatever you do, don’t you abandon me, she yelled.

Don’t worry, Kasidy. I am not planning to go — said Kon as the vortex appeared behind him. Now facing the ever-increasing mass of Xeperian alone, she fired at any black Scarab that came within spitting distance. A moment later, Kasidy found herself being lifted in the air by the Xeperian and carried across the Engineering Room to a waiting blue vortex. Kasidy pleaded: Whatever you do, I am begging you. Please do not throw me in there!

The Xeperian shouted in a mocking tone, as they prepared to throw Kasidy into the event horizon. You heard the Ruddarian. She doesn’t want to go in! before hurling her into the void.

Bolting awake within the safety of the cave on alternate Bengkulu, Kasidy suddenly remembered that it was Lieutenant Lokhra, not Ensign Kathjon, who stood by herself as they had defended the Engineering Room. Kathjon had, in fact, fallen into a vortex when the crew had been forced to make their way to the decontamination section after the ship’s oxygen supply had been cutoff when the Eye of the Hermes absorbed all of the Mjölnir’s energy. The only remaining source of oxygen was contained within the microbe-purging decontamination chamber.

"Wonder why I was dreaming about Kathjon?" Kasidy said aloud.

While she thought about this subconscious choice, Kasidy felt thin rays of sunshine fall upon her face as she stood by the cave door. Mentally gathering her resolve, Kasidy walked out of the cave and began her search anew for a feasible water source, food, and sentient beings.

Kasidy continued her search for food and water day after day, taking several extended hikes— including the briefest of sojourns into the Hafskip Herfva desert, and came to the conclusion, based on the observable evidence that she was alone on this alternate Bengkulu. Sometimes, though, the empirical evidence is not always as evident as it seems.

In a little over a week on alternate Bengkulu, Kasidy had reached the point of exhaustion, as well as extreme dehydration. Limping back to her cave on the ninth night, Kasidy determined that she would use every last ounce of strength to see the new dawn. Passing out on the cave floor though, Kasidy felt her body beginning to succumb to the perfect storm of thirst, exhaustion, and starvation. When sometime in the middle of the night, she truly believed her mind had succumb to delirium-generated hallucination.

Ensign Denai Kathjon — whom Kasidy had watched be consumed by a cosmic wormhole aboard the Mjölnir — was crouched over her, holding a small canteen.

Astral Engineer Vulkner, I thought I was hallucinating when I saw you in the desert.

How are you alive? asked Kasidy in a whisper.

It is a long story, but right now you need to take a drink because you are dying of thirst.

Water on this planet is toxic, Kathjon.

I am aware of that fact.

Then why do you want me to drink toxic water?

"Because I found a source of safe water. I tried to convince three other refugees from the Mjölnir who fell through the wormhole but none of them would listen to me. And now they all are dead. So, if you do not want to join them, you will drink the water from my purifier."

I agree with your deceased colleagues about the water. So, I am sorry but I will not be drinking from your canteen, said Kasidy.

Kathjon leaned her knee onto Kasidy’s abdomen and thrusted the mouth of the canteen into Kasidy’s mouth. You can gladly court-martial me later, Astral Engineer. said Kathjon. She then grabbed the bottom of Kasidy’s jaw and pushed the mouth of the canteen further into the Astral Engineer’s mouth with the other. Kasidy briefly thrashed around in a futile attempt to pull herself free, but within seconds, Kasidy felt the liquid cooling her throat.

Where did you get that water, Ensign?

Trust me, you really don’t want to know.

Out of frustration, Kasidy reached up and pressed her hand against Kathjon’s chest. You have five seconds to tell me where you got it before I pin you down and crush your chest.

Wow! You’ve gotten a little dark. Anyway, what is the first rule of survival that you were taught at the S.T.A.R. Academy? asked Kathjon.

When there no viable source of water evident, you must rely on — Kasidy paused as a look of revulsion came over her face.

Yes, Astral Engineer Kasidy, you have just sampled the piquant flavor of my own bodily fluids. Before you think about spitting it out, it took me six hours of filtration to produce that small amount of ‘clean water.’ I’ve been recycling it every two and a half days.

Where did you find a filtration unit on this rock?

I came across a discarded helmet when I first arrived — thinking that it belonged to some other refugee who landed on this Hive-forsaken rock. I used the mesh in the neck piece as a sieve and let the urine run into the head-piece. Then I placed the helmet, containing the water, upside-down over an open flame to finish the purification process.

You do realize that we will never survive for very long with that method, said Kasidy. It’s funny you should mention that Astral Engineer, said Kathjon.

Kasidy watched as Ensign Kathjon removed a weather-worn scanner from her belt. The temperature on this planet is as hot as the deity Abchali’s armpit on a summer’s day. Given the unbearable heat on this planet, imagine my absolute amazement when I found a source of cold on my ‘scanner’. After several long treks and a bit of cartographic deduction, I managed to pinpoint the source of the ‘cold spot,’ but I have not investigated yet because the location of the ‘cold spot’ is subterranean and I didn’t want to risk getting trapped alone underground.

And you are thinking that where there’s cold, there will probably be ice.

Kathjon responded: And where there’s ice, Astral Engineer, there will be clean water.

My only concern with your plan, Ensign, is that we would be walking into this situation without any reconnaissance or weaponry to defend ourselves. What if there is something down there that wouldn’t take too fondly to two strangers helping themselves to the source of water?

Astral Engineer, the way that I see our current situation, we can keep peeing as much as we can to keep ourselves alive until we are too dehydrated or too revolted by the concept of drinking our own fluids. Alternatively, we can go ‘all in’ and see if there is something down there in this cold spot that might keep us alive until we figure out a way off this rock!

Do I really have anything to lose? asked Kasidy. Feel free to find a soft spot on the cave floor to crash, and we will leave at first light.

The next morning, Kasidy felt herself being jostled awake. Still half asleep, Kasidy did her best to focus as Kathjon knelt by her and used a stick to draw a makeshift map of their route to the ‘cold spot’ in sand that was illuminated by an incoming ray of sunlight. Much to Kasidy’s chagrin, the source of the coldness on the planet lay a short distance away. For the last week and a half, she’d been dying of thirst while there had been a well-spring just a day’s hike away.

Astral Engineer, I took the liberty of performing a topological scan of the mountain’s interior. It appears that there is a mineral vein just over fifteen-hundred feet from our present location. And normally, at least in our universe, the presence of a mineral vein is an indication that erosion has occurred to expose the vein. There are two main ways that erosion occurs, either by wind or rain. Through the process of erosion, an exposed area is created where a fresh water source has formed. Usually, this water source is created from precipitation leaking underground. But after ten months, there is still a chance that the water may be toxic. If the water is toxic then I will just use my filtration system.

Wait! Ten months! exclaimed Kasidy.

"Yes. It’s been ten months since I fell into the wormhole onboard the Mjölnir."

You’ve been surviving off your urine for ten months?

I might have left out a detail or two, namely that I placed myself in a quasi-cryo-state three weeks after I arrived. I just woke up about two weeks ago after a nine-month snooze and that is when I saw you wandering around the Stórmenska oasis.

That is not possible. I just fell into the wormhole a little over a week ago.

But you were most likely bouncing around for close to a year. You should really consider taking a refresher quantum mechanics at the S.T.A.R Academy, if we ever get back home.

Kasidy felt a chill come over her body as her face turned pale. I can’t have been gone that long. Someone would have come looking for me by now.

I guess they assumed you were dead.

Kathjon barely managed to catch Kasidy as she slumped to the floor. "Okay. I probably should have eased into telling you how long you’ve been gone a tiny bit more. But you got to realize that there is no way of telling someone that they are trapped in an alternate universe— where basically every species of sentient being, animal and/or plant is trying to kill you, that is going to make someone feel