“You have been chosen Navigator—you are honoured—you will be bathed in glorious terror.” I stood before Malkius, his face so irresistibly macabre that I couldn’t look away. His skin crawled and pulsed. Those eyes were a concentrated yellow with small black pupils.

He took my chin in his skeletal hand and embedded his fingernails in my jaw. I felt my head impelled backwards. I squeezed my eyelids together, glued there by the infernal terror. “Open your eyes, Navigator—embrace your mother.”

My eyelids crept open to receive an inexplicable image. A demented infestation of torture. Wails of in-humanity echoed disturbingly from outside in and inside out. The cries of children cut deepest.

A wretched tendril forced into my opened mouth. The nauseating spinal flesh dragged against my oesophagus and I choked as its infinite mass washed over me like molten ice.

A piercing screech rattled my skull. My surroundings were illuminated by an agonising light, brighter than a trillion suns. I screamed and waved my arms about in front of me as if I was fighting a swarm of enraged wasps.

The light soon dimmed, offering me respite. A repugnant slag crawled around my legs; lumpy, oozing and alive. I was in a sea of corpses—mangled and slopped. The sea stretched out in all directions, further than the eye could see. An eternal genocide committed by something with an uncurable hunger.

I could hear the echo of a whale beneath me. The whale's pallid form breached. The whale’s skin hung free in patches, flapping about grotesquely. It opened its mouth to display a line of teeth, each one like a shard of broken china. Its spout ejected lashings of filth upwards before it pushed down into the seething mess. The aftermath of this showered over me as it slapped against the surface of the blooded ocean.

The piercing sound returned; louder, more aggressive and more violent. My eardrums rattled and pulsed threateningly at the verge of exploding. My eyes fought to stay closed. I could smell it, inches from my face. I didn’t want to look but I was compelled to deny myself a moment longer of darkness. I opened my eyes.

I looked around from the Sky Tram platform bench I was sprawled on. The tram had just screeched to a halt and the platform auto announcer was calling the destinations. I wiped the sweat from my brow and forced myself onto my feet; staggering forward to board as I was still coming to. It was hard to remember how I got on the station floor from Remsher’s.

I admired cities' digital map, it made the city seem more...loved. Endless grids and numbers, and the trams ran through them all like rats in a maze. They hung from rails that ran between buildings. I almost felt guilty as the cart battered down the aisles and rattled the poor bastards in their beds. Then again, if I was awake then they could get up too. The interior was the bare minimum, unfinished metal—not a lick of paint or kiss of craftsmanship. Crappy thin steel benches ran down each side of the cars, torture for the arse.

“State your business.”

I glanced up at the guard who interrupted my in-depth shoe study. “Waiting to see if this stops at the Royal complex.” I offered the guard a wry smirk. Just another fool with a gun and a trench coat.

“They don’t stop there—ever.” His voice modulated through that flat steel mask.

“Yes, I know, it was a joke.” I had already taken out my pass to offer it to him

“Very good.” He walked off, to accost more people.

I stood for a moment to hold the cabin handles; staring silently through the yellowed acrylic windows. We passed the central point of the city. I fixed my gaze on a circular, featureless disc; it had a five-mile radius. People would postulate its reason for existence—further intrigue was incited by the guards that surrounded it to prevent plebs from using it as a playground. The mythos that circulated its creation was creative, to say the least. The contents beneath that ultra-white disc would only come to fruition when it was too late for them to contemplate their own ignorance…I smiled at that.

People had set up stores and were sleeping around the edge. Citizens loved it. It was emotionless, yet a welcome break from the oppressive monotony of the prefabs. To see that open space must have been liberating. All the more ironic they were forbidden from enjoying its surface.

The Tram arrived. Its juddering action felt as if I had offended it—forcing me to steady myself lest I be tossed down the lane. I walked through the replicated station and down into the replicated streets. It was as if I’d not moved an inch.

I felt nostalgic as I trod the streets. I missed Leena walking in front of me and dragging her hand over the walls already. I reached out to feel the wall to ape Leena. The rough texture tingled my fingers. The warm concrete felt nice, I could see why she liked it.

The heat became oppressive as the day moved into its teenage years. The warmth amplified more offensive smells of rotten meat and piss. Every time I passed over a grate, I held my breath.

I banged on Skarlet’s door with the side of my fist. My legs were thankful it was on the bottom floor. Hunger had rendered my body jelly. I was looking forward to seeing her again. The door began to open and I put my hands behind my back in anticipation.

Disappointment ensued, this must be “Ratshit.” I had forgotten about him. Or probably willed him out of my conscience. His square face angled down at me in contempt. His monstrous body filled the door frame.

“Who the fuck are you, mate?” His voice was a low growl.

“I’m...”

“Banging like a Royal type—we dun have nowt for you.” Ratshit leaned over me. His muscular arm was outstretched to press against the door frame. Skarlet picked a winner here.

“I’m Den.” I looked up at him.

“Skars ex is it?”

“That’s me—I am here to speak to Skarlet about…a job.” It was best to start by being open and honest, that’s the basis of all good relationships.

Ratshit gripped my throat. My fingers instinctively coiled around his wrist like a vine, to wrench at his arm in protest. “You like to hit women, eh?” He pulled his elbow back and pistoned an accurate shot to my liver. I heaved and clasped my side, resisting the urge to vomit. I had lowered down to a single knee to recover. It was like someone had squeezed me with a giant pair of nutcrackers.

“Thanks, Ratshit.” Why did I say that? Thanks a lot, Ray.

“What the fuck did you just call me?” He stepped towards me. Probably to kick me into space and finish the job. I might get lucky and land on Yunar.

“Radzick!”

He was halted by a shrill call from inside the house. Radzick looked back, the voice was Skarlet’s. It had a nasal growl thanks to her cleft palate surgery. She had that unapologetic rhythm to her gait. Everything she said she meant and everything she meant was usually poorly received. She didn’t care though. At least she didn’t show it.

Skarlet barged past Radzick and stood over me. Her skin-tight pants hugged her thick legs. The busty chest contained within a hooped black and white sweater was always a welcome sight. Her sweater hid the tummy I knew she had under it. I still liked it though. She blew a lock of her frizzy brunette hair that dangled in front of her petite face. Cute woman—if only to look at.

“What the heck are you doing here?” Her voice rattled through me. I had forgotten how loud she could be.

I managed to stand, looking down at her. Radzick seethed behind her—like a penned-in bull, ready to break out and show me his horns.

“I came to offer you a job.”

“A job? You said you didn’t need an engineer because all you do is local shit.”

“Well, this isn’t loca—”

Skarlet shut me down. “But I was good when we were fucking, eh?” Her foot tapped against the doorstep.

“We are going off-planet…to Yunar. I need an engineer who can run a jump.” I dusted myself off and wiped the froth from my lips.

“So you’re retarded like your sister now?” Her eyes widened in fury.

I frowned at Skarlet, capturing her in a moment of regret. I was engaging her in an emotional joust, she was a better rider though. Skarlet apologised—not with her words—but with her softened features and relaxed posture. I’d take it. “Everything is set, we’ll be back before you know it.”

“Do you want me to batter this prick or what, Skarlet?” Radzick’s head hovered over her shoulder like an ugly boil. He waited patiently like a good dog for Skarlet’s approval, which I was certain she’d give.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“No, Radzick, just go inside.” Skarlet closed the door behind her.

“Thanks.” I nodded with sincerity at her moment of mercy. A kind gesture I’m sure would be followed by a price to pay.

“If you think I’m going to Yunar with you, you can piss off.” Skarlet prodded at my chest. Irksome, little pixie.

“Skars…look.”

“Don’t you call me that!” She pushed me backwards with her palm. I yielded, she clearly needed the space.

“The pay is fourteen thousand bonds.” Skarlet reigned in her incessant desire to snap back and traded it in for a moment of pause. That amount moves anyone on this planet. Even if they were too foolish to realise they’d never enjoy it.

“You're full of shit.”

Hard to believe that she’d never owe Delph a single day's work in the factory again. Then again, what else would there be to do? “I’m not, he’s given us the job. It’s the last one, then I’m gone…I won’t bother you ever again.”

Skarlet’s face turned to offer a reddened cheek. Had I said something wrong?

“That’s what you’d want? Never to see me again?” Skarlet’s green eyes studied mine. I followed them but they gave me no clues.

“Well—no, I mean…”

“You just talk out of your arse all the time, don’t you?” Skarlet loved laying these traps, she was so good at them. I fell into every one of them. She always asked why she had no friends. I’d never tell her the truth.

“I can find another Engineer. I just thought of you first because, well you know.” A cheap emotional ploy. I was naive to think Skarlet would buy into it.

“Don’t treat me like a kid, I’m the only Engineer you know. I bet you’re not even ready to go.”

My mouth closed into a smug smile. “I am ready, you’re the last person I need.”

Skarlet leaned against the wall with folded arms. A Tram ran overhead, its roar followed by a welcomed breeze chasing after it that kicked up dust and dirt, coating the side of my face. “Yeah? Got a ship and a pilot?"

“Remsher and his ship.”

“Yeah? you’re using that Omedetha piece of shit?” Skarlet stuck out her bottom lip quizzically.

“Works fine—can do a jump no problem.” Like I had a fucking clue.

Skarlet was nodding and smiling. She was mocking me. I hated it when she did this.

I wanted to just slap her pudgy face. “What’s so funny?”

“Got a medical officer who can run a jump too?”

Skarlet, with an accurate click of her tongue, sent my world into a chaotic vortex of crippling doubt. Prickly heat stabbed every inch of my skin as I became hyper-aware of my futile efforts. I found myself searching Skarlet’s features as if my ignorance would be answered on her forehead. Her disdain was palpable.

“You truly are a stupid, useless, worthless prick.” I doubt it was my lack of ship knowledge that inspired some of those names. Skarlet elaborated as I took the verbal thrashing. “Ray’s ship is from the 3030s. Its jump core is an addition, it has no jump pods. You need a qualified medical officer who can give you pre-jump injections—or you die, painfully.”

My heart sank, and with a face riddled with defeat, I staggered backwards.

“Sorry Den, looks like you’re not getting your break.” Skarlet offered me the first bit of sympathy I’d had in a long time.

“Isn’t your sister a medical officer?” I said. A quiet hope brightened my eyes. Her sympathy was rescinded quickly.

“Prick!”

Shouldn’t have mentioned the sister. The door slammed in my face along with my chances. I raised my hand to knock again, then opened my hand and turned to walk away instead.

I found a bench to eat the street meat I had bought. It tasted flat and unseasoned, like pulped cardboard. It filled a hole like I would be soon if I didn’t solve my crew issue. I watched the miners who’d clocked off returning home. A procession of poverty marched to their square hovels, to eat their square meat, and bed their square wives.

I pressed on through the open-top catacombs of Delph. Defeat had mounted me and had its wicked way. I had to find a medical officer that was qualified to provide these injections, and willing to come on a trip to a planet considered plagued. Time wasn’t on my side.

Jovik’s hermit hole wasn’t far from Skarlet’s. Jovik was who I was relying on to sort out my little I.D problem. I’d need him to make Remsher’s I.D snap compatible with the Beluga and for him to do the same with Beluga’s. One snag though, I didn’t have the Beluga’s I.D snap yet, so it’d take two visits. At least this part of the plan was somewhat under my control. Jovik better come through, or I’d wring his scrawny neck out of pure frustration. Skarlet affected me more than I’d like to admit.

I descended the alcoved steps towards Jovik’s basement to be confronted by another steel door. I reached down to push my hand into the package flap and patted about until I found his hidden doorbell. He had a habit of opening it while my arm was still in there, so I pulled my hand free quickly. I guess he found it funny.

The shutter slid open furiously, and his maddened eyes searched my face. “Yes?” His squawk was muffled from behind the door.

“Good afternoon, Jovik.” My voice crackled like an antique record player. I could feel the dust at the back of my tongue, no amount of swallowing washed it away.

“How do you know if it’s a good afternoon?” His squinting eyes judged me.

I took in a deep breath to help me find the strength to deal with this annoying ferret. “Can I come in?” I cocked my head, it had become a chore to keep upright.

“That depends,” said Jovik.

“On what?” My voice eased through gritted teeth.

“I didn’t order anything.”

“I need your help.” It stung me to say those words. His ego was uncontrollable, like his mouth.

The door swung open—a shifty man roughly my height peered around. His wispy comb-over threatened to scarper with the breeze. His ratty face always looked irked. He filled the space between the partly opened door and the frame. His eyes obsessively scanned behind me.

“Were you followed?”

“No.”

“Come in, quickly now.”

I followed him through as he shut the door hurriedly. Each of his installed locks clanked and pranged as he sealed us in. His neurotic behaviour was like a theatrical play. He had already wandered into the back room to fiddle with something.

Jovik’s den of antiquities was laden with illegal tech. A chorus of hums and whirls chattered discordantly. I stepped over his thin bed in the middle of the room. The room's edges were surrounded by desks that were furiously cluttered by all manner of crap.

Two screens were stacked up in the corner of the room, one playing the news, the other rhyming off unintelligible computer nonsense. Overhead the lights swung on cords gently from left to right as if they’d hanged themselves—good idea.

Blueprints and posters of techno-bollocks hid the walls of his dank dwelling. Stacks of old manuals stood guard at the edge of each desk, daring someone to read the tragic contents within. I couldn’t imagine the impenetrable layers of boredom that lay between those covers.

“I need your help with something, Jovik.”

“Can’t do it yourself?” he called from the other room. He was sweeping his desk for something with random twists and turns like a rat in a tube. Paper rained behind him as he became visibly frustrated.

“I need to know if you can switch over two IDs for me.” Jovik had stopped listening to me.

“Do you know why you can’t do it yourself?” Seems everyone wanted to snipe at me today.

“I’m not a genius like you.” Perhaps stroking his globulous ego would get this prick to work.

“No, it’s because you don’t apply yourself to anything.” Jovik shook his head, he didn’t even have the decency to look at me while he opened me up.

I picked dirt from my nail while I waited for his prattle to conclude.

Jovik closed the distance between us and adjusted his glasses by pushing up his nose. I backed away to avoid that infamous breath.

“You could be right,” I said.

“Did you know I once hacked a Royalist ship?”

“Sure.” I took a seat on the armchair—may as well get comfy.

“I made it spin—engage weapons—of course, no one got hurt, I'm not a monster.” He waved his arms about frantically. Outlining all the details with rehearsed hand gestures. Jovik’s moral of the story moment came when he explained it was about who really had power or something.

“My issue is much simpler.” I couldn’t have been more monotone. Jovik’s lip curled up at my dismissive tone.

“Can’t you do it yourself then?”

“I think we are past that now.”

“You’re a waste of space, you know that, Den? You can’t do anything, do you wipe your own backside?” His hands found his hips. What a fucking woman. That nerdy little face soured into a ball of disgust.

Sufficiently irked and with ire raised, I sprang from the chair. Another line of communication needed to be opened.

“Don’t hit me!” Jovik raised his arms and stepped back, his weedy frame trembling.

“Do you think I’m going to kick your arse?” I felt a surge of energy from wielding a bit of dominance. It was about time someone showed me some respect, even if I had to take it by force.

“No, but after what you did to Skarlet, who knows?”

I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from swearing. “I didn’t do anything to Skarlet. She’s helping us on this mission, which is going to give us a huge payoff.” I didn’t do anything to Skarlet that she didn’t ask for. People seemed to want to think the worst of me, apart from Leena.

“I don’t need your tacky bonds, I’m all set. Do I look like I work in one of those mines?”

“Then you’ll do it for free?” I held Remshers I.D snap up and waved it in front of his face.

Jovik looked at me before sitting back on the desk, I had his attention.

“How much?” No one refused the bonds. They talk a big game, but they all fall in line.

“Two Thousand,” I said.

“Bloody hell! I could build you a ship for that much.” Jovik shined his desk lamp in my face. “You better not be lying to me, Mr. Den.”

I raised my arm and turned from the glare. “Piss off with that,” I said as I fell back into the armchair. I explained to Jovik what I wanted. Wipe this snap’s information, print the name Beluga on it, and make it universal. All I’d need to do is grab the Beluga’s and drop this one in their ship.

Our attention was stolen by the news stream, the caster spoke about the upcoming arrival of a Royal support ship named Victoria. It had been touted to bring with it high-quality food, water and basic technology.

We both watched in silence, peeled away from our own awkwardness. A slithering tendril of impending doom coiled around my throat. Jovik’s sharp tone cut through the monitors’ volume and sent the tendril slinking into retreat.

“Ha—looks like the Royals are trying to win back some favour by pretending they care.”

“Very cynical of you,” I said.

Jovik made the changes to the I.D imprint while I waited. I pulled at a loose thread on the armchair. I probably could have reduced it to a ball of fibre if I’d continued for the day. Interviews of citizens showed glimmers of hope. They spoke excitedly of what they’d do with their tech, and how long they’d been waiting to eat something that wasn’t a cube of protein. Clueless delusions.

“All right, all done,” said Jovik. “This will work.”

“Thank you.” I didn’t even look at him, I was still fixed on the news. The screen’s colours painted my face and cast shadows on the wall behind me in the dimly lit room.

“It was difficult you know…I had to take branching co-”

“Thank you, Jovik, it’ll do.” Did he want a pat on the head or something?

“I expect my payment.”

“You’ll get it after you do the other I.D. snap,” I said. My body creaked, irritated that I had the gall to stand up from that comfy armchair. “I won’t be long.”

I knew today was going to be tough. My chances were slim but I’d be damned if I was going to make it easy for them.

I stood outside Jovik’s door which had been slammed closed before I could say bye. I was getting used to that now. In the corner of my eye, in a grate, something moved. I felt it watching me. I shuddered. I had to get Leena and go home, something inside told me…or something from the outside.