Aliens That Walk Among Us (1/2)
By Janice Mayer
I sit here, watching. Waiting. I am alone. The sadness that I hold is a tragic remembrance of a past I long to forget. But the memories come back, and will not leave. Oh how I wish they would leave me in this peace I call terror. For every waking moment uncovers another mystery, another sadness about the Aliens that walk among us. I am all alone on this world, and no one can help me overcome this. I have been betrayed by those whom I love. They refuse to accept who I was, and so they have left me to die on this unforgiving planet. I wish I could let go of my worthless life. But I am still here. Still haunted by my unforgettable past. The past that haunts me to this day...
***
The young girl squinted into the darkness, desperately trying to seek out the movement she had sighted moments before. Her eyes flicked from side to side, not really looking any longer. She knew she was not imagining things. She was sure of herself. Far more sure than she was a few nights ago, as wasn't the first time she had seen one of these "aliens". She shivered as the icy wind rushed through the tent, causing the light to flicker dangerously. Her thoughts whirled, trying to figure out whether to scream in fright or run to her father for comfort.
It made her worry that they had lived on this planet for so long without sighting one. Humans were smart creatures, but she knew in her heart that the beasts out there were smarter. Again she saw the glimmer of yellow eyes in the darkness beyond the tent. For once the harsh, yet calming moonlight did not fall across the land that was so foreign to them. The two moons that the sky usually held was the only thing that they were sure of in this new world.
And now the pair of shining eyes that forever looked over them were hidden from the truth. Hidden from the night. She knew a wild storm was brewing, and she could smell the fear in the air. The wind sliced through the tent, sending a shiver down her spine. She looked around her and half expected to see the yellow slits towering over her. Then she heard it again. What had captivated her mind the first night of her discovery. The unmistakable howl of a Terrendler.
That's what she called them. Half Terrian, half Grendler. It had a Terrian's body, only it walked on four legs instead of two, with the wide mouth of a Grendler. And yellow shining eyes. So far only she had sighted them. Unless they were hiding the truth from her, after all, she was only a child. She squeezed her arms around her waist, hugging herself. The wind was fast and chilly that night. Again she saw the movement. Then the eyes that looked deep into her own. She was afraid, wanting to turn away. But she could not help looking at the magnificent beast.
The wind tugged at her golden hair. Her eyes widened. She saw the white fangs light up in the darkness. She felt the shadows draw into a tight circle around her. The tent door flapped. The Terrendler howled. Rain broke loose from the clouds above. This time the cry of the Terrendler was disguised by that of the wind and rain. The light flickered. She squeezed her eyes shut. The Terrendler dashed away. The light suddenly went out. Her scream of terror was heard only by the Terrendler as lightning struck nearby.
Again and again her shrill cry echoed throughout the campsite. A few figures darted out of tents, into the sudden rain, all heading towards the same destination. Immediately light spilled throughout the room and familiar faces swarmed around the frightened girl. Two strong arms caught her in a tight hug, as if trying to force the shaking out of her.
"It was here...It's eyes are terrible...I hate the Terrendlers..." Her words were jumbled and consistent, somewhat slurred. No one really believed the words she was saying.
"True, darling, it's going to be okay now," the man whispered into her ear. Tears began to roll steadily down her rosy cheeks.
"Someone let Julia through!" His voice had changed from soothing to a rather hoarse command. The worried faces parted to reveal a female. She pulled out a syringe and silently injected the girl with the substance. True sank back into her fathers arms, asleep. "She won't wake until morning," was the only comment as the group left the family alone. Father and daughter.
***
Julia walked away from the tent, glancing up at the clouds that dropped light rain on her. Her hands in her pockets, she wandered around, waiting for the colony to once again settle. She noticed that the storm was receding. They didn't often come across storms, and it was a horror to all. Most of the Eden Advance team had grown up on the stations, and before landing on G889 hadn't even been in a rain shower. But the storms, they were the most terrifying.
They came so unexpectedly, then disappeared again. Julia chanced to look at the sky. Patches of black with twinkling stars happened to shine through. She sighed, and wandered around the back of a tent. She saw the scorched earth, and could guess that was where the lightning had struck. It was a miracle that it hadn't landed on any tents, or struck a tree. But then again, this new world was full of surprises.
A gasp formed on Julia's lips as she saw the figure. A once magnificent beast, it had been brought to its knees. The creature lay, slumped on its stomach, a brutal hole ripped in its back. Its head was hidden from her view. Without another thought, Julia strode over to the animal, and checked for life signs. Upon finding none, she glanced around her and took the empty syringe from her pocket. It glimmered as she held it to the light, and then Julia plunged it into the animal's flesh. Grimacing, she withdrew the blood and quietly walked away.
***
The darkness hung heavily like a blanket that refused to lift. Stars, so distant, but still close, twinkled kindly. The twin moons had decided to show their faces. None of this mattered to the figure that darted in and out of the thick forest of trees. She noticed nothing. All she wanted to do was escape...but they refused to let her. The Terrendlers wanted her to be one with them. They would not leave her alone.
True moved swiftly, panting heavily as she ran. She didn't look back. Never again did she want to return to where they could find her. She needed to escape, yet she knew that was impossible. They would find her -- wherever she went, they would still find her. They knew the land better than her. They could hear her feet pounding against the ground. They could hear her laboured breathing echo throughout the caverns that were their home.
She pressed against a tree, gasping for air. Then she began to run again. Disorientated from the sleeping sedative, her arms moved at her side as she ran incoherently. Her cry of terror was heard by no one as she was inescapably sucked into the ground. Finally, she could rest.
***
Julia walked quietly amongst the trees, the moonlight casting eerie shadows around her. She walked almost aimlessly, one would say she was unaware of her surroundings. A snapping twig brought her to reality. "What the hell..?" Julia whispered as she realised where she was...Or wasn't. A cave loomed before her, and a frown crossed her face. Her hands shook as she brushed a strand of hair away from her face. She inched closer to the opening, an indescribable force pulling her toward the cave.
Fear flashed in her eyes as she stepped into the cave and descended into the darkness. She felt her way along the wall, tripping on a sudden step. A thump echoed throughout the tunnel as she landed, a sure sign of an intruder. "Hello?" she said softly, watching shadows move around her. She rose, and emitted a cry of alarm as she suddenly stepped into a cavernous world. Where am I? she thought, wondering what she was doing there.
Then she saw the figure approaching her. "We have been waiting," said a gruff voice. Julia squinted in the darkness, wanting to get a better look at what was talking to her. But the animal moved out of sight, in and out of the shadows. It was like it was stalking her.
"W--What do you want?" Julia stammered, loosing her calm nature. "Why did you bring me here?"
"You have no idea, do you? Do not fear us, all will be revealed in time. You will come to understand us with time. Time is the important factor here, Julia. Each second that passes brings you closer to the day you leave your life," came the voice again, a humorous tone mixing with its sternness.
"Are you threatening me?" Julia asked, obviously nervous. "No, Julia. We do not wish to harm you," he paused. "Do you wish to harm us?"
"I don't even know who you are. Why do you know my language?" "Others of your kind call us Bromaggs. We are masters of all things," he said, his head looking to the side. "Hurry now, you must leave!" he commanded.
Julia saw the fear flash in its eyes as she turned and ran, her mind blank. She would remember little.
***
The visions moved quickly around her. Her sight was clouded and unclear. Wherever she turned, True could sight no one. The darkness of the night was no longer swirling around her for the caverns in which she stood were dimly lit; and she was surrounded by shadows. She had never seen this place before. There was something...hostile about the tunnels that broke off the empty cave in which she stood. She had heard of this place, but her friends' description was far from what she was seeing now.
The darkness seemed to grow more intense. She noted the shadows shifting around her. None of them brave enough to face the first human who had trespassed on their sacred land. Then she saw one again. A Terrendler. It looked at her, almost in a sad way as others of its kind advanced. A menacing look was matched on each of the faces. Their jaws set with determination, revealing a row of jagged teeth. She turned, only to find more of them closing in on her.
She tried to speak. She could hear her voice echo throughout the dream-like land. None of the creatures responded to her plea. She turned around and around, but not at her will. She felt like an ancient Earth dancer -a ballerina they called them- spinning out of control. The difference in the shadows and light slowly dispersed as they melded slowly into one, the colours appearing and disappearing at will.
The face of a lone Terrendler danced in her mind - they all now looked upon her as a trespasser. Steam misted her vision as she was lowered to the ground. They held her in their grip. She was restrained. "Help me, please..." came her soft whisper as all colour faded to black.
***
Julia squinted through the eyepiece of her microscope. She sat back, and rubbed her distant eyes.
"You sleepy, Doc?" came a voice from the door of the tent. Julia turned, to see Alonzo standing in the doorway.
"Not really. Actually, I can't sleep... I keep thinking about what True was saying about her `Terrendlers'..." she replied.
"True? For all we know, she was probably having a nightmare." "But didn't you notice her undisturbed bed? She was not in her night clothes, either. It makes me wonder if there really are things out there..." Julia mused. "Do you want something?"
He paused before answering. "Not much, though I could do with a sleeping sedative."
"Sure thing. But you've been having a lot of them lately, haven't you? Can't you sleep?"
"I can't sleep," he confirmed. "Ever since we came across these woods the Terrians have been contacting me constantly. It wears me out," he paused, running his hand through his tousled black hair. "I think things would run a lot smoother if Devon was still here..."
Julia busied herself with the various bottles displayed on her shelf. She chose one, and undid the cap.
"Life's like that. We all must move, we must accept *who* and *what* we are. Hell, we'll all die some day. To delay would be resisting fate." She handed Alonzo a small package. "I suggest you only take it when you are lying down. It's pretty potent."
Alonzo nodded, and headed toward the door. He paused before exiting. "Thanks, Julia. Get some rest, we move off tomorrow. See you in the morning."
"Good night," she muttered, turning back to her work. She paused, True's words echoing in her mind. She whispered them to quietly, almost as if she was trying to convince herself of what True had said.
"It was here..." she said softly. "It's eyes are terrible...I hate the Terrendlers..." What *had* True seen? Was it possibly the same thing that *she* had? Her eyes rested on her microscope, and she removed the glass slide containing her sample from beneath the lens. Julia placed it beside two other glass slides and picked up a pen. She wrote on the first "Uly's DNA." The second held "Julia's DNA." She paused before writing on the last one.
"BromaggTerrendler DNA?"
***
Julia's eyes popped open as the early morning sunlight streamed through her door onto her once sleeping face. She sat up and left her bed. She had a lot to do before they packed up and left. She dressed swiftly and grabbed her carry bag. Then she exited her tent and headed towards the woods, glancing behind her to make sure no one saw her leave.
Once she was safely out of sight, she picked up her pace, the morning sun shining through the trees onto her face. She slowed to a stop, taking in her surroundings. Wherever she looked Julia saw nothing apart from trees, the same, familiar kind. Any amateur roaming the forest would easily get lost.
Once satisfied that she was alone, she reached into her bag and pulled out her Gear. The trees disappeared from around her and she was standing opposite another human. She didn't bother with the her usual hello.
"What the *HELL* did you do to me?" she screamed. Her opponent stared back at her, his face pulled into a tight smile. "Hello to you, too. Where have you been, Julia? We missed you," he said flatly, his hands clasped behind his back.
Julia started to pace. "I asked you a question, Reilly, and I want an answer. What did you do to me? I found them. You thought that they would avoid me, but no. I am smarter than you think I am. I found the Bromaggs. So what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing. How do you know that we did not plan it this way? Besides, you were bound to meet them some day. They called you back because they need you."
Julia stared at him blankly. "How many of us are there? One more? Two? Dammit, is the whole colony part of your little scheme of 'change the humans'?!?"
"No, Julia. You have it all wrong. What would be the point of all this secrecy if the whole colony was one with the Bromaggs? There is only one other."
"One other *WHAT*?! WHAT AM I??? Am I *really* anything that you say I am? And why did you try to blow me up?? WHY DID YOU PUT ME ON THAT SHIP IF YOU WERE GOING TO BLOW IT UP?!?" Julia screamed, wanting to take hold of the man's neck and shake the life out of him. But she knew he was not real. She stood in silence, her mind engulfed with angry flames of hatred.
"You have it all wrong." Reilly said calmly. "It was not the Council that tried to blow you up. It was Blalock. I thought you knew that. When he found out about the links we had with the Bromaggs, he decided if he couldn't have that, no one could. So he tried to stop your departure. When that didn't work, he activated his bomb." He paused. "I'm glad that you escaped."
"What about Wentworth? She sabotaged the ship, Reilly. Was that Blalock's doing as well?" Julia screamed.
"Why yes, I'm glad you know something. Blalock knew that there were Bromaggs at New Pacifica, and he wanted Eden Advance, along with Council's two spies, as far away from them as possible. He also had the hope that you would die in the crash."
"That's *BULL* REILLY!! I bet it was *you* that told Alex to take us down. You knew that there were Bromaggs at New Pacifica, and you also knew that they could protect us from the Council. That's why you can't hurt me anymore!! The Bromaggs are protecting me!"
Reilly looked at her curiously. "Julia, how can you make such accusations? Why would the Council try to hurt you? After all, you are our key player."
"How do I know you are telling the truth? How the *HELL* can I trust you, Reilly? You are nothing other than a deceiving sonofabi--" Her transmission was broken off, and she found herself standing alone amongst the trees. Sighing, she stuffed her Gear in her bag, and continued her wander amongst the trees. She had a lot to think about.
End of Part 1.
Story Notes:
Hello everyone!
It gives me great pleasure to introduce "Aliens That Walk Among Us" by my very own sister, "Junis". After more than a year of reading *my* E2 stories, she has finally completed her own (YAY!). It's an entry for the "Spy on Board" competition - more by default as she already had it half completed when I mentioned the challenge to her.
So I hope you all enjoy the story, and please forward comments to J as I know she would love feedback!
-Nic
NOTE: This is an entry in the 1997 "SPY ON BOARD FANFIC CHALLENGE".
DISCLAIMER: The characters and situations contained within are the property of Universal/Amblin Entertainment. No copyright infringement is intended.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce "Aliens That Walk Among Us" by my very own sister, "Junis". After more than a year of reading *my* E2 stories, she has finally completed her own (YAY!). It's an entry for the "Spy on Board" competition - more by default as she already had it half completed when I mentioned the challenge to her.
So I hope you all enjoy the story, and please forward comments to J as I know she would love feedback!
-Nic
NOTE: This is an entry in the 1997 "SPY ON BOARD FANFIC CHALLENGE".
DISCLAIMER: The characters and situations contained within are the property of Universal/Amblin Entertainment. No copyright infringement is intended.