The Universe was crawling with treasure hunters, aka “smugglers”, aka “the trash of the galaxy.” Nebulas were “goldmines” for these rouges. High density metals for building starships, radioactive rocks for fuel, plasma gathering from dying stars and whatever else that turned a profit. They had their own moral ethics that they followed, and no one was more important than themselves.

These large clouds of dust also served the explorers of the Universe. “Science freaks” that were looking for events like the next white dwarf star, or the biggest supernova or a dead planet that told an astounding story; they searched these places with impunity. The collection of data or the discovery of rare events was more important than life itself.

Most Nebulas were invisible to the naked eye. Only certain scanners found these “pockets of treasure.” Other nebulas were much denser. Searching these clouds of gas and dust were extremely dangerous. Many compared it to searching caves stretched deep under giant mountains or exploring the ocean floors of seas that were deeper than the tallest mountain. Becoming lost and out of power was certainly the largest risk. For those where this risk struck, these poor souls had to choose between suffering the excruciating pain of starvation along with hypothermia or suffering the terrifying mental anguish just before committing suicide. But even with the danger, the prize was too enticing to pass up.

The Skonis Nebula was the ultimate challenge because it brought the greatest treasures. The most well-known characters from everywhere in the Universe came to search this ginormous gas filled cloud. Thousands of stories told of escapades that journeyed deep within this infamous nebula, only to end with tragedy. Hundreds of starships had been foundwith frozen bodies floating helplessly in the cargo hold. These large vessels began with cargo bays filled with resources. Years of planning and readiness done so that they were prepared for any obstacle. Now, these prized starships, were floating scrap metal. “Death” was the main theme found when the logs of the crew were finally read. “Lost” and “no power” were a close second.

A small number of the stories had happier endings. Starships returning with their loading docks filled with precious stones and containers filled with “profit.” Only a few hundred lives lost, but the “riches will take away the loss.” Others spoke of witnessing the most glorious “visions” that anyone has seen. Stars glowing like an ember and then, suddenly, the space around it would be ablaze as intensifying colors rolled across space. A large wave of energy extended from the blast, traveling millions of miles, and affecting everything in its path. At that same moment, thousands upon thousands of glimmers of light would appear showing the beginning of “giant furnaces in the sky” that would burn for millions of years to come. Beholding these patterns of color and light moving freely on the backdrop of space were more breathtaking than what any artist or sculpture could create.

The discovery of ancient ruins was also found in these stories. Planets and moons, that were now asteroid fields, told of the great life that once was there. Millions upon millions of lifeforms living their life like on the many thousands of planets in this Universe, now gone in minutes. The star that gave their planet warmth, exploded and their home was now rocks floating in space.

Volumes upon volumes of books were written of “…an ever-changing world found within, filled with treasure, knowledge, and destruction.” Even after thousands of journeys into this infamous nebula, there were still billions of acres to map and explore, and no one knew how far it reached.

The two large transparent eyes of the amphibian creature continued to look forward. His thin lips curled into a sly smile. He thought he saw a face that he had never seen before and for some odd reason, he knew it to be of a friend. A small warm feeling burned inside his chest and hope looked brighter. Another laser blast from the enemy ship sent shockwaves throughout the vessel.

“Igetis!” shouted the eagle looking creature with a shriek that could break glass. “What are you doing!? You need to dodge the incoming fire!”

“Sorry, Tharros,” Igetis said while shaking his head. “I thought I saw something.” He grabbed the ships control and began to maneuver the ship left to right, making them a harder target. He then unexpectedly, pushed buttons on the console under the navigational system.

“You changed coordinates to take us into the nebula?!” shouted Tharros. Gasps were heard throughout the bridge. “We go in there…will not come out!”

“We have no choice,” said Igetis patiently as he tilted the controls farther to the right. “We need to escape.” Laser blasts flew by the ship, shaking the space vessel once again.

Igetis heard another voice from behind. “Are you sure that’s the best idea?” asked the lizard looking creature from his chair seated behind. His skin showed he was nervous as it changed from a light green to a dark red. “The stories I have heard about that wretched place!”

“Filos, my friend,” responded Igetis. “We will be blown to pieces if we don’t. The Kraken are closing in.”

Tharros’s eyes widen as she looked at the screen on her console. “Another torpedo coming in!” An explosion ignited in the cargo area which violently shook the ship. The lights of the bridge went out and darkness enveloped everything. Igetis saw the large yellow eyes of Tharros glowing as she hung tight to her seat. The rest of the crew did the same. Emergency lights then lit calming a bit the fears of the crew.

“I am not getting much response from the controls,” said Igetis in his usual monotone voice. “Appears we’re losing power everywhere.”

“You’re right!” screamed Tharros. “Shields are weakening! Power fluctuations everywhere!” More laser blasts smashed against the ship. Another violent shockwave. “We need to do something now…or we’re dead!”

Igetis pushed more buttons on the console and then grabbed the throttle. He slammed it forward to full power. Large blue flames from the massive thrusters ignited. The ship went to twice the speed of light in an instant as everyone on board flew back into their seats. A tunnel appeared around the vessel as it pushed through space. Small pieces of the ship could be seen ripping away from the hull. Sparks exploded across the bridge followed by screams of terror from most of the crew. Igetis then quickly pulled the throttle downward to the lowest position. The engines went silent. He then clicked a few buttons on his console, and everyone could hear all the moving parts and instruments that make a ship function, slowly cease. Eerie silence came across the bridge as their spaceship floated helplessly in the middle of the Skonis nebula.

A small timid voice was heard from the upper left corner of the bridge, “Are we…dead?”

Everyone began to look around. Igetis could see that no one dared answer. Then Igetis heard a voice that sounded more like a hiss, “Makarios…sssss…you are dead…ssss…and your punishment is to spend the eternities with us…ssss” The snake-like creature then gave her laugh that was intoxicating. Her large round green eyes seem to swirl.

The large spider-like creature named Makarios, slowly shook his head. “Can’t think of a worser punishment then spending more than one minute with Gelio.” Makarios gave a shy laugh. “The rest of you…I can learn to stand you.”

Gelio gave her laugh again. “Why you evil giant spi…”

“Quiet!” roared the Lykos, Igetis saw everyone jump. Then the wolf-like creature met the eyes of Igetis. The Lykos’s stare was piercing. His eyes glowed green. “What the hell were you thinking?” His tone was deep. Igetis’s jaw tensed. “You could have killed us! The reactor could have ignited the gas in this nebula! We could have smashed into any number of rocks or smashed up planets floating in this gas filled giant!”

Igetis gave a sly smile, which was quickly becoming his known trait. “Sorry, Dyamion,” His tone was calm and clear. “If we’d stayed and fought the Kraken, our ship would be in pieces and us with it. I weighed all the options and made the best choice…and because of my great intellect, we are alive.”

The wolf-like creature rubbed his chin and grind his teeth. “I would say it was pure luck that we still breathe. It had nothing to do with your intellect.” He shook his head and clenched his fists. “You are reckless!”

Igetis gave a shrug

The lizard-looking creature rose from his chair. His four-foot height stared at the Lykos. His skin stayed a permanent green. “Why are you complaining?” Filos shook his head. “We are alive.”

The Lykos stood slowly from his chair which made Filos’s eyes grow. The wolf-like creature towered over him with his more than six-feet height. His green eyes glowed brighter. He slowly raised his hand and inspected his long claws extending from all five fingers. Igetis rolled his eyes knowing Dyamion’s arrogance. Filos did not move. “For now, we are alive. We are floating wreckage and have no power. And now we are lost in this infamous nebula.”

“Dyamion is right,” said the tiger-like creature. She stood from her chair and gave a quick glance to Filos with her magnificent golden eyes. Then she approached Igetis and lowered her head, so she was inches from his face. “If I was piloting, I would have taken the Kraken head on.” She gave Igetis a tiny grin. “The only thing that those ruthless creatures understand is power. I would have fired everything that we had and then if that did not work…” She slammed her fist into her palm. “I never surrender.”

“Probably a good thing that Igetis was pilot…” said Filos as the tiger-like creature turned and met his gaze. He immediately looked down and his skin was changing all different colors.

“Atromitos,” said Igetis calmly. She turned and gave him her grin. “Survival is what is important. Not winning one battle.” She stepped back and folded her arms. “You truly have the Mati courage, but we need…” Igetis gave a shrug, “calmer heads to lead us.”

Atromitos shook her head as she looked towards Dyamion and then back to Igetis. Anger was boiling within her. “It would have been better to die in battle then suffocating in this gas giant!” She vented her anger with a sigh. “I want the stories to tell of our great bravery and not our…cowardly retreat and then dying because… ‘the talking fish’ got us lost in a giant nebula.”

Dyamion gave a laugh.

Filos pierced Atromitos with his gaze.

Igetis gave his smile as he looked around at the rest of the crew. He could see that they were giving each other stares, wondering if they should intervene. Some rolled their eyes knowing this was not the first argument. He then met the golden eyes of Atromitos once again. “Glory is not what I search for.” He emphasized “I”. “To live another day is what I hope for.”

“And that is why you have foolishly hidden us in this nebula so that we may live a few days longer?!” Dyamion shook his head and grind his teeth. “What do we do now?!”

“Enough!” yelled Tharros with a glorious shriek. Everyone covered their ears as they looked at her with wide eyes. The eagle-like creature rose from her seat. Her height equaled that of Dyamion. She stared at the Lykos and then looked down at Atromitos. She then looked at Filos and gave him a smile which made his skin change once again. She then stared at Igetis, and he returned his sly smile. “So…you’ve gotten lost in this nebula…what is your plan to get us out of here?”

Igetis looked at Dyamion, who rolled his eyes and returned to his seat. Atromitos followed. The amphibian-like creature then looked at Tharros with his gigantic eyes. “The generators have limited power. Only enough to give us life support for a few weeks if used wisely.” He sat up in his chair and placed his long fingers over his large mouth. He then eyed Tharros again. “The reactor is damaged and not producing power, but I believe the core is intact. If we find a way to power the reactor, the core should function again and then repair the damage as programmed.”

“We took a lot of massive hits,” said Atromitos. “I would be surprised if the core is still functioning.”

“I believe he is correct,” said Tharros as she picked at her beak. A tell-all sign that she was thinking. “If the core was damaged, we would have radiation leaks. The system gave us no signs.”

“Ok,” said Dyamion as he placed his chin on his massive palm. “But what does the one with great intellect,” Igetis gave a sly smile, “feel we can use to power a reactor.” He gave a smile showing his large teeth. “Did he forget we are in the middle of a giant nebula?”

Igetis looked at Tharros. “The reactor runs on plasma. This is a Kraken vessel. They use plasma to power all their weapons and supplies. I am sure we will find something in the cargo hold that we can use to power the reactor.”

“That is a weak plan,” said Atromitos while shaking her head.

“Well, it is the only plan we have, unless…” Tharros looked at Atromitos, “…you have something better?” The Mati looked down. “I thought not.” Tharros looked at the other crew members. “I will lead the party on searching the cargo hold. Any volunteers to help?”

“I will help,” said a rat-like creature while jumping up on his two little feet. He stood on his chair which made him as tall as Filos. Without the chair, he was two feet shorter.

“I don’t think so, rat,” said Tharros. “We’re not scrounging for left behind food crumbs or other prized rubbish you hope to fine.” The rat-like creature mouth hung open, while the rest of the crew’s eyes widen.

“Tharros,” said Igetis. “Let Gennai help.”

“I have to say,” said Gennai. “That my people are known for building great cities and wonders that shocked anyone that visited our planet. We’re much more then what you think we are.”

“Sorry,” said Tharros. “On my planet you would be considered dinner…well appetizers.”

Most of the crew’s jaws dropped while a few snickers were heard.

Igetis’s eyes narrowed. Tharros shook her head. “Fine. The rat can help. Any other volunteers.”

“I will help,” said Filos. Tharros looked his direction, and his skin immediately changed red.

“I can help.” Everyone turned quickly and saw a Centaur with deep red eyes standing at the back of the bridge. Igetis gave a warm smile.

Tharros gave the Centaur a nod. “Thank you, Dunamis. You’re so quiet, I forgot you were back there. Your help will be much appreciated.” She turned towards Gennai. “Much more appreciated than the rat.” Gennai gave her a scowl. “Us four will search the cargo hold. You, Igetis, will check the reactor and figure out a plan to power the damn thing.”

Igetis nodded. “We will also check the ship’s navigational systems and see if it has any maps that can help us navigate this nebula.”

“Doubtful, but no harm in trying,” said Atromitos. “Kraken were not explorers. They were conquerors.”

Tharros walked towards the double sliding doors that was the exit off the bridge of this cargo vessel. Her eyes narrowed as she approached the doors. She then waved her hands in front of the doors.

“The one with the great intellect shut everything down except emergency power,” said Dyamion with a smile showing all his teeth. Tharros turned with a furrowed brow. Her fists clenched. She saw the Mati shaking her head. “You’ll have to open the doors manually.” He gave a shrug. “I can help?”

“We will help you, Tharros!” said an eagerly Genni who was now standing behind the large eagle-like creature.

Tharros heard snickering from the Lykos and the Mati. “That is alright, rat.” Her beak was tense. “I am completely capable.” She found the panel by the door and opened the small emergency hatch. She found the release latch and began to pull. It would not budge. After her third attempt, she heard Gennai beginning to speak. She looked his way, and his head immediately arched.

“Having trouble?” said Dyamion with his chin on his large palm. Atromitos had her hand over her face. Igetis shook his head with a frown.

Tharros took a deep breath and using her full body pulled on the lever and it finally moved. A large mechanical sound was heard, and the doors slightly slid open.

“Great job, Tharros!” yelled Gennai while clapping his hands. More laughs were heard.

Tharros gave a heavy sigh while looking at the rat with narrowed eyes. “I don’t need a cheering section, rat.” She then put her hands with the long talons through the small gap and pushed the doors apart. They moved slowly but eventually there was a wide enough gap for everyone to exit. She then moved to the side and waved the other three through. Tharros gave Igetis a stare which made him return an apologetic gesture. She then eyed Dyamion and he could only shake his head. She then exited the bridge.

She found the other three standing at the doors that led to the lift. Gennai looked at her with her tiny eyes twice their size. The rat then swallowed hard. “How do we get the lift to work?” Filos and Dyamion could only look down.

“We don’t,” said Tharros. “Will have to climb down to the cargo floor using the ladders.”

“But…” said Gennai. Tharros’s eyes narrowed. The rat pointed at the Centaur. “I believe Dunamis is too big.” Dunamis looked at Tharros and quickly looked away.

“He will be fine rat,” said Tharros as she walked towards the emergency exit. “He will just have to squeeze through.” Tharros pulled on the emergency exit door and found that it had been a while since anyone had used these exits. They found that these access points were basically a horizontal tube with old, rusted ladders. Some type of liquid was running down the walls and a large collection of dust and filth was on every rung. Tharros gave a heavy sigh. “I should have stayed on the bridge.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“I will go first, Tharros!” yelled Gennai. He began to move forward, but Tharros grabbed his collar.

“Wait, rat!” Tharros pulled him back. “We need to make sure it is safe.” She grabbed a small device from her belt and gave it a twist and a powerful light shined from it. She examined up and down the small tube and found cobwebs and other disgusting substances dangling from everywhere. She got to her knees and carefully looked as far down the tube as she could. A dark hole showed about two-hundred feet down. “Let’s hope we don’t find anything down there waiting for us.”

Gennai gave another gulp. “What…What might be down there?”

Tharros looked at the rat and then at Filos and Dunamis. All showed the same face. She gave a sigh and rolled her powerful green eyes. “Nothing. I was joking.” She stood up straight and grabbed the first rung on the ladder. “I will go first. Let’s stay close together.” She stepped inside the long horizontal tube by placing her large eagle-like foot on the rung of the ladder. Her talons, wrapped around the rung. She felt something drip onto her foot, which made her swear in her own language. They all spoke the Universal language which has been around for thousands of years, but habit made her express herself in her own lingo. The rat gave her a smile while the others showed no emotion.

“It doesn’t look very sanitary,” said Gennai.

“How ironic.” Tharros said as she lowered her other large foot to the next rung. “The rat is worried about cleanliness.”

“Well…” said Gennai with a frown. “You don’t need to be mean. I was only…”

“Knock it off, rat!” shouted Tharros. “There is no time to worry about your feelings.” She looked up and down the long horizontal tube and gave a heavy sigh. She saw the faces of the other three and could tell no one dared speak. She gave them a small grin. “This is turning out to be harder than I expected.” She eyed the rat. “There is no way you’ll be able to climb down this ladder. Your little rat arms and legs are too short.” She adjusted herself on the ladder. Gennai was about to say something but another look from Tharros, made him stop. “As much fun it would be to see you fall to your death,” All three gave the same surprised look, “I will need to carry you down.” She held out her hand. Long talons extended from all five digits.

Gennai gave another gulp. “Maybe I…”

“Rat,” said Tharros with another grin. “If I wanted to eat you, I would have already.” Gennai stepped back. “Hurry up, rat! We are on a schedule here! If we don’t come back with something to power this ship, we’re all dead!”

Gennai gave a sigh and then slowly grabbed Tharros’s hand. She quickly pulled him towards her and then grabbed his pudgy body. He began to squirm.

“Stop moving or you’ll make us both fall.” She placed Gennai on her shoulder. “Wrap your arms around by neck.” Gennai did so hesitantly. “She looked at Filos and Dunamis. “You two follow. Let’s stay close.”

The thin lips of Igetis showed his sly smile. He could see the anger rising in the Lykos. Atromitos was a close second.

“There’s nothing found on this navigational system that will allow us to triangulate our position!” Dyamion stood and put his enormous paw through his thick grey fur atop his head. “We escaped in a useless piece of junk! Systems are older than me!”

“Hence the reason we were able to ssss…steal it,” said Gelio. She gave her laugh once again. The Lykos turned and eyed her. Igetis reached out and patted the snake-like creature on the head. “Sssorry.” Gelio shrugged as she looked at Igetis. “What did he expect? We’re able to steal this ship was because it wasn’t well guarded. It’s a low-class cargo freighter.” She gave her laugh again as she looked at the Lykos. “Only a lunatic would have stolen this ship,” her large smile grew, “hence is why we are here.”

“What I expected, snake, was for us to follow the damn plan that we created after five hellish months of discussion,” Dyamion said with his jaw tense. The Mati nodded her head. Her golden eyes looking from Igetis to Gelio. “The ‘talking fish’ here spoiled that plan when he jumped us into the middle of a nebula.”

“Which saved our lives,” said a timid voice from the corner of the bridge.

Igetis saw Dyamion quickly scanned the room. He finally found the source of the voice. “Why don’t you come down here and argue your point?” Makarios immediately shook his head. Dyamion grinned. “That’s what I thought.”

Igetis nodded towards the spider then he eyed Dyamion. “We did not expect them to be in this quadrant of space.” He gave a shrug. “Someone must have tipped them off. They have many friends.”

“Friends is not the adjective I would use,” said Atromitos as she stood. She walked around the bridge rubbing her face and shaking her head. Igetis could tell that the Mati was now lost in her own world.

“You of all should know,” said Igetis.

Atromitos did not appear to hear then she stopped and looked at Igetis. Her eyes began to glow. “What are you suggesting? Are you saying I had something to do with this?”

“Not you,” said Igetis calmly. “Your world. Your people.”

Her teeth were showing as all heard a small growl. Her eyes glowed brighter. “Matis are not snitches. My people had nothing to do with this.”

“But you did reach out to them,” stated the amphibian. The Mati’s eyes grew, and she immediately turned her head. “I am not saying you intended this to happen, but your hope of help…became the reason they found us.”

Dyamion stood silent, avoiding all eye contact with the Mati.

Atromitos slowly turned and eyed Igetis. Her eyes narrowed, her jaw tense. “You have no proof. They wouldn’t have ratted me out.” She clenched her fists. “How dare you,” Her eyes glisten.

A warm smile appeared across Igetis’s thin lips. “I am not blaming you, Atromitos. You were truly looking for help. There is not one on our team that would suggest otherwise.” Igetis stood and adjusted his long white robe. He walked towards Atromitos, his long flipper-like feet flopped against the floor. He stopped a few feet from her and looked directly at her. “I am not certain what hurts worse.” His head tilted. “The pain that your ask of help led to this or…that you were betrayed.”

Anger rose within the Mati, and it appeared as if she was going to explode. But then, she arched her head and began to shake. She then walked towards the corner of the bridge and fell into a chair. She covered her face, and the tears continued to fall.

Igetis turned and met the glare of the Lykos.

“You have such a way with others,” said Dyamion while shaking his head.

“It is better for her to understand so that she can heal…” began Igetis.

Dyamion waved him off. “I don’t need to hear any of your philosophy crap.” He approached the amphibian. “Tell me how you attend to get us out of this nebula.” His large green eyes narrowed.

The sly smile returned. “Once we have the reactor up and running, will be able to run a full scan of the quadrant…”

Dyamion shook his head. “You truly believe that will be able to power the reactor?!” Igetis tried to talk, but Dyamion continued, “It is damaged. You hooking up some type of blasted power source to it will make it explode!”

Gelio gave a slight laugh.

Makarios curled himself up tighter in the corner of the bridge.

Igetis put up his hands in an apologetic gesture. “That is why we need your expertise, Dyamion.” The Lykos’s eyes narrowed. “You understand starships, yes? You worked on them before, yes?”

Dyamion shrugged his shoulders. “I was a technician on my planet, but I never worked on a freighter like this.”

“I would expect it to be similar,” replied Igetis. “We just need to study this ship’s diagram and figure out a way to power the reactor without…blowing us all up.” Dyamion gave Igetis a side glance. The snake gave another intoxicating laugh. “You are very capable, Dyamion,”

Dyamion sighed. “Fine. But we still don’t know if they will find a power source.”

“I know Tharros,” said Igetis with the same sly smile. “I have no doubt that she will come through.”

The small emergency hatch swung open with a mighty bang. Tharros and Gennai came tumbling out. They found themselves sprawled out across the floor. Both were covered in a foul smelling, green ooze. Grime and dirt covered their clothes. Gennai began a cleaning ritual with his hands and tongue. Tharros wiped away the green liquid from her face with her hand.

“This plan is not going to work,” said Tharros angerly as she tried to wipe away dirt off her clothes. “Why did I not just stay on the bridge?”

“We must think positive,” said Gennai as he continued his cleaning ritual. He was now working on both of his three toed feet. “I believe the tough part is over.”

The Centaur was now at the emergency hatch door. He allowed Filos to climb through first. The lizard had hardly a spot of dirt on him. Dunamis began pushing through the small gap. It looked to Tharros as if the emergency hatch was giving birth to a large Centaur. Green liquid dripped from his now matted hair. After one large push, the Centaur was free. He stood and gave a large shake. Green ooze flew everywhere. Tharros slowly wiped off her beak. “Sorry,” said Dunamis with an arch of his head.

Tharros stood and looked around. Her mouth hung open as she scanned the large room. There were crates scattered everywhere. Some were damaged and their inner material was found in piles. Smoke still hung in the air from extinguished fires that ignited after their vessel was bombarded with laser blasts and torpedoes.

“This will take forever to search through,” said Tharros.

“Maybe…it will go quicker once we get started,” responded Gennai with a friendly tone.

Tharros looked at Gennai with narrowed eyes. “Do me a favor, rat.” Gennai nodded. “Stop talking.” Gennai arched his head. Tharros looked around the room once again. “Best we split up and search in different areas. Hopefully that will improve our chances.” Tharros began walking towards the right side of the room. “Me and the Centaur will start over here. Filos. You and the rat start on that side of the room.” She pointed towards the left side and nodded. She turned to Dunamis. “Let’s go.” She began walking away.

Dunamis did not move. Tharros turned and glared at the Centaur. Dunamis looked at Filos and Gennai. He then looked back at Tharros. “Best we split up the muscle.” He gave a shrug. “I will start searching on the other side.”

“I…I will go with you, Tharros,” said Gennai excitedly.

Tharros opened her beak but then stopped as she saw Dunamis and Filos walking away. She then eyed the rat. Gennai gave his small smile. After a moment of Tharros’s face not changing, the smile disappeared. She then shook her head. “Come on then, rat.”

Filos saw Dunamis lift a large metal crate that appeared damaged. It splintered as he lifted, and different objects rolled across the floor. He then gave a sigh and tossed the broken crate across the room as if it was Styrofoam. It smashed against the wall which made Filo’s eyes grow twice their size. The Centaur then began searching through the objects on the ground.

Filos flexed his little arms and then tried to pick up a crate, but it felt as if the box was nailed to the floor. Dunamis gave the lizard a glance then returned to examining the items that fell from the first crate. When he found that an item would have no chance of generating power, he tossed it away as if it was diseased. Filos then tried to open the heavy crate but found that was just as difficult. His little arms quivered as he pulled at the release latch. Dunamis gave a sigh. He then walked over to the crate and with one downward smash with his fist on the handle, the crate door swung open with a shriek.

Filos gave a smile. “Thanks.” Dunamis nodded and returned to his first objective. Filos searched the innards of the metal crate. It was mostly raw materials. Parts used to replace machinery on a starship. He began tossing them over his shoulder as if digging for treasure. A few moments passed and he found himself already losing confidence. He saw Dunamis easily open another large, damaged metal crate. Different objects fell from the large box. He batted the objects away like they were flies. “You, know…I’ve been to your world,” said Filos.

Dunamis stopped and looked around and then turned towards the lizard. “Did you say something?” His tone was timid, but polite.

“Yeah.” Filos gave a shrug. His skin changed a light red. Dunamis continued to stare. His eyes grew as Filos stood still. Finally, the lizard nervously continued, “Yea…I…I said that I’ve been to your…your world.”

“Really?” said Dunamis. “Hopefully not recently. Most of my home has been burnt to dust.” He gave an innocent shrug. “Scraped of all its beauty.”

“Yeah,” responded Filos in a remorseful tone. His skin turned a dark green. “My home planet is the same.” He looked down. He then looked at Dunamis with his little grin. His skin turned a light shade of orange. “It was years ago that I visited your home. My job took me to your part of the galaxy. Your planet had the toughest material to make pipes.” The lizard nodded and smiled as if he just said something inspiring. Dunamis’s head cocked to the left. Filos shrugged. “You see. My…my planet is mostly desert.” He pointed at himself. “Lizard.” Dunamis continued to stare. “So, our homes are all underground because the surface temperature on our planet is over two-hundred degrees. All our cities are connected by large transparent pipes, and we found that your planet mined rocks that we could use to make the pipes…or big tubes,” he held out his tiny hands hoping that would help, “that could withstand massive heat.” The lizard nodded again with the same grin and with his hands still held out.

The Centaur gave a frown and a shrug. “Magamites.” The lizard returned a confused stare. “That is what we called the rock that you traded with our world.” Dunamis nodded. Filos smiled. “It is found everywhere in our world. We used it to build all sorts of stuff. Quite useful material.”

“Plus, the trees on your planet,” Filos said while pointing at the Centaur. He then nodded and grinned again. The Centaur gave a smile. “They are gigantic and so tall! I remember going into your cities! The buildings were actually trees!” Dunamis nodded. “I mean, it felt like I was walking into a forest, and I was actually walking into your cities! It was most impressive,”

“Yes,” said Dunamis with a shrug. “It was incredible. All our homes and buildings were built within the massive trees.” He stared out at nothing with a small smile on his face. “Well, it is all gone now.” He turned and began looking through another crate.

Filos only stared with his large wide eyes. His skin turned a slight yellow. “Sorry, didn’t mean to bring back bad memories.”

Dunamis waved him off. “I know you didn’t mean any harm.”

“It was…fun going to your world,” said Filos in almost a whisper. “Your species…Centaurs. They were always very kind and respectful.” Dunamis nodded. “And not to mention, strong.” The Centaur smiled again. “I mean, I remember watching a ceremony on your planet that was incredible! I watched Centaurs lift boulders ten times their size and then toss them like they were nothing!” Dunamis’s grin was gigantic. The lizard gave a nod. His skin was his original color. “They were fun memories.”

Dunamis gave a heavy sigh. The lizard only stared. After a few moments, the Centaur began to wring his giant hands. “I…I think it’s neat how you catch insects with your sticky tongue.” The Centaur impersonated the action by grasping at air in front of him with an amusing sound. Filos gave a small shrug. His skin changed a dark red as he arched his head.

Tharros kicked debris to the side with her large eagle-like feet as she created herself a path to a large metal crate. She said a few choice words in her own language as she made her way through the wreckage. Gennai gave a tiny smile as he followed her quietly. When she arrived at the crate, she tapped the display on the door and received an angry sound from the control. Another a few choice words were given. Another smile from the rat. After a few more attempts, the display control finally listed out its contents.

“There looks to be items in this crate that may have power supplies,” said Tharros as she pulled on the door release. The crate door did not open. Tharros yelled out another swear word in her native language. Gennai began to laugh, but immediately stopped when Tharros looked his direction. She tapped on the display control looking to see if the crate had an electronic lock. “Well, it says it is open. The damage it took must have jammed the door.” Tharros grabbed hold of the door release and began to pull. After another four to five more swear words, a large clunk was heard, and another large shriek vibrated around the large cargo hold as the big metal door opened. Large parcels and other objects came tumbling out. One object landed on Tharros’s foot. Another large swear word from her native tongue was sent echoing off the walls. Gennai could not help himself and gave out a large bellowing laugh which sounded like a snicker to Tharros. “You take pleasure in my pain, rat.”

Gennai gave a shrug and arched his head. “Sorry. It’s more the words you are saying that I find funny.”

“You understand Aetos?” said Tharros with her eyes twice their size.

“I…I did medical research with someone from your world. She taught me your language.”

“What?” said Tharros with her beak hanging open. “I don’t know what to believe. That you’re a physician or that you worked with a fellow Aetos without being eaten.”

“Kali and I did a lot of great work together!” shouted Gennai as he walked into the metal crate.

“Kali?” responded Tharros. “Sounds like a southern name. They were big on reaching out to ‘off-worlders’ that needed help. Surprising that she would help a rat—"

He turned and pointed a small finger at the eagle-like creature. “We saved millions of species all over the Universe! And the last thing I need to hear is insults from a ….” Gennai then said a bad word that Tharros and only a Aetos would understand. He then began looking through the crate by smacking things around. Surprisingly large objects smashed against the wall as Gennai pawed at them.

“He is stronger than he looks,” thought Tharros. Her mouth hung open and her eyes widen. For a moment, she did not move, and then she shook her head and laughed. “Not bad, rat. You definitely know my language.” Gennai hopped up on a bigger object and continued searching, seeming not to pay attention to what Tharros said. “I have to admit. I am impressed. I did not know rats could be so smart.” Tharros saw Gennai shake his head. “Ok rat. Ok. Let’s call it a truce.” Gennai looked at her with narrowed eyes. “No more jokes. No more insults.”

Gennai shook his head and then looked at the back of the large metal crate and Tharros knew Gennai saw something. He quickly pushed his way back to the back of the crate and began clicking buttons on a console that was attached to a sealed case. “This symbol on this console means heavy weaponry.” Tharros walked up behind Gennai. “Being a slave to the Kraken for over five years…you learn a couple of things.”

“Nice job, rat,” said Tharros with a pat on the head. Gennai gave her a glance and small eye roll. “’This definitely will have a high-power battery pack.” She pushed on the console and a code input request came up.

“There is no way you will guess the code,” said Gennai.

Tharros put the long talon of her first finger behind the console and easily popped off the front panel of the console. She then detached one long red wire and reached it down to the main motherboard of the console. She placed it against a small chip. With her other hand, she detached one of the many yellow wires and placed it against a small rotating pin that was attached to a moving gear wheel. As the yellow wire came centimeters from the moving pin, a small spark appeared. When the yellow wire touched the pin, more sparks were seen. The rotating pin moved faster along with the gear wheel. Suddenly, a small explosion and the metal case opened. “I’ve learned a couple of things as well, rat.” She gave him a wink.

They both opened the case and they both gave each other the same wretched look. “Now, we know why the lock,” said Tharros. She reached down and pulled out a long rifle with a wide barrel. She placed it aside and then removed a small round case with a flat bottom. She placed the round case into a slot underneath the long rifle. The rifle gave off a green glow. “She’s ready,” said Tharros with a small shrug. “This weapon is one lethal killer.”

“What type of gun is it?” asked Gennai.

“It is a mini-missile launcher,” said Tharros with tears in her eyes. “Fires three-millimeter rounds that explode with a forty feet radius.” Gennai swallowed. “On my planet, I was on the security forces.” She shook her head and more tears ran. Tharros could tell Gennai was shocked. This was very unexpected, even for her. “I am a fraud, rat. I ran when they attacked. I was a coward.”

Gennai gave a shrug. “No one could’ve stop them. They have taken over hundreds of planets. You’re not a coward.”

“My father told me that this was a fight that we could not win,” said Tharros with a heavy sigh. “The last words I said to him…was that he was a coward.” She began to examine the weapon. “I was in the first attack flight when they attacked. I was flying a one-seated starship, fully loaded.” She found a panel on the weapon on the back end of the missile launcher and began to pry it lose with her long talons. “After over half of my battalion were killed in the first fifteen minutes of their attack, I knew there was no stopping them.” She ripped the panel off and wires fell from the hole she created. She reached inside and began working to loosen something from the weapon. “So, I ran. Instead of dying with honor like the rest of my team. I raced back home hoping to find my family still alive.” Her large golden eyes glisten as she continued to try and pry something from the weapon. “As I raced home, I looked below and saw these Kraken bastards firing this exact type of weapon at innocent civilians.” The weapon began to shake as her arm shook, trying to rip a device from the weapon. Tharros saw Gennai swallowed hard again. She knew anger had taken her over. “And of course, I did not stop because I was a coward!” Finally, something came lose with a spark and the weapon’s lights dimmed with a sound slowly dying. She held up a large circular item that fit in the palm of her hand. Gennai’s eyes widen as Tharros twisted the device around in the air. Bright green liquid could be seen moving around as Tharros twisted the device.

“What is that?” asked Gennai. His eyes continued to stare at the object in Tharros’s hand. Tharros could tell that the rat was quite intrigued.

“That rat is the power supply for this vile weapon. A highly advanced plasma battery pack.” Tharros shook her head. “Stolen technology and then upgraded with Kraken’s mighty power. Designed to kill as many as possible.”

“Can we use that to power the reactor?” asked Genni without moving his eyes away.

“I hope so,” said Tharros with sadness dripping from her face. “Let’s just hope the ‘talking fish’ has found a way to power the reactor.” Tharros gave a heavy sigh. “Ironic isn’t it,” she said as she stared at Gennai. A tiny smile appeared across his tiny lips. “A weapon that was designed to kill as many of us as possible…may be what saves us all.”