LOST AT SEA

LOST AT SEA 

August 5, 1885

        The fact that my companion of countless years has perished and moved on from this plain of existence bereaves the better sensibilities from my body leaving only what feels like the soulless shell of a man. The numbing emptiness that remains is nothing more than a reminder of the fact that I am responsible for Nolan’s demise. His death was by my hands; hands of an enemy for no longer can the friendship of old be seen in good repute.

His death was not the desired result. He and I were both meant to be on this ship to Kingstown. The relic found and stored with great care, and that is now in my possession is of great value to those that know the scramasax for its true nature. The elder blade is more than a mere instrument of destruction. It is also a key to a long forgotten container. The contents of this container remain an elusive mystery though the scroll given by Nolan hints at great treasures long forgotten.

The day the scroll was found was thought to be a fortuitous one by my companion for I had never seen Nolan so invigorated with the sense of wonder we had both thought lost to childhood. His typical demure nature was so overcome with a determined fanaticism that I at one point thought an institution for those with mental ailments would be the only acceptable remedy to calm the man. Luckily the man I knew composed himself from the antics of the escaped child, and Nolan explained to me how it was that he came by such a scroll.

“Belg, my good man, it’s important that you understand my work is not the misguided fabrication of hopefulness, but the result of extensive research and hard work.” His enthusiastic voice was earnest beyond reckoning. The child was on the verge of escaping the man once again.

“Have a seat old friend,” I gestured for Nolan to find comfort in a cushioned chair across from me in my study.  I prepared a pipe to smoke and offered the customary beverage selection to which Nolan instantly declined. As I reclined my body and relaxed with pipe well lit I looked to Nolan with curious eyes.  “What is it that you believe you have found Nolan? You speak as if a great discovery has been made.”

I remember how he took his time. Each word was thought out within that fast paced mind of his. He then calmly relaxed in his chair. “A scroll has been discovered Belg. I have in my possession a scroll that will lead to wondrous hidden treasures.”

“I have treasure enough here in Wales my good friend.” I smiled politely taking in the tobacco from my pipe. “Profits are being made regularly, investments carried out accordingly, and my purse gets fatter by the day.”

I had never seen such disappointment come across my childhood companion’s face before.  It was as if I destroyed all that he had been working towards with a simple lack of enthusiasm. His dependency on my reaction, in turn, disappointed me to the point of near outrage. How dare he put such expectations on our friendship? Of course at the time I had no idea how real this scroll of Nolan’s was.

“The last thing I wish to do is trouble you Belg. I know how successful you’ve become.” His words struck a nerve, but I settled the guilt to the back of my mind and listened. “You are a wealthy man with gentlemanly means. You’ve a knack for business that I never had, and therefore it is no surprise that we find ourselves here; you the pragmatic realist, and me the dreamer in search of glorious discoveries. I only wished to rekindle that sense of wonder we had as boys and perhaps make true for ourselves an adventure to which we have only dreamed.”

The emotions within my logical mind came undone after those words touched my heart. In truth, Nolan was my childhood friend. We had grown up together as brothers would, and life gave us two very different paths when those childhood bodies were brought to maturity. His parents fell ill, and mine prospered. Nolan worked to barely keep things afloat while I was able to live a more lavish lifestyle of comfort.

“Nolan. Tell me more. I wish to hear all about it.” I took another puff of my pipe and settled my body more deeply into my chair.

“Of course Belg. Of course.” Nolan’s enthusiasm returned, and as he explained the scroll to me I found myself being quite enthralled in the greatness of it all as well. He rolled out the deteriorating parchment explaining the cryptic nature of the information, and spoke of a special blade that needed to be obtained. He believed he knew the location of this scramasax, and needed my help with safe passage. It turned out that my company owned the very mine where this elder blade was buried.

The sea wind is cold, and I have a clear view of the sun setting. It will be a while still before we reach Kingstown. Once there the treasure will be uncovered. Then and only then shall I learn if the sacrifice of my friends life was worth it. As I retire for the night I am disgusted with the fact that it just might be.

August 6, 1885

        I awoke this morning to wildly yelling deckhands. These yells were not of fear but of anger, for they were the yells of men at sea with no other means of expression. Apparently the body of a crewmember had been discovered in the open lifeless. No one aboard seems able to explain the sudden death of what appeared to be a healthy and vibrant young man. His skin was ghostly pale, and his eyes seemed as if they had been drained of all essence.

        A curse comes to mind. Nolan spoke of such things right before he died, but I must remain calm and determined to see this through. This journey must be finished.

August 7, 1885

        The Captain is up in arms eyeing up the few passengers and remaining crew onboard his ship. Another crewmember is dead with no cause or explanation. Quarters are being searched for foul play. I can only hope the contents of my room remain allusive to investigation and appearing as the relics of an eccentric rich gentleman.

        Fear is in the air. It is mixed in with the salt of the sea and gives an aroma that is most unsettling. I see it in the crewmen’s eyes. I see it in the Captain’s eyes. He is afraid and will be the last to admit such a thing. He must remain strong for his crew. I too am afraid. I fear this ship will never reach port in Kingstown. I fear that I was a fool to believe such a thing to be possible.

        As I look to the endless blue of the open sea I can only think of Nolan and our final moments together. I can only see the blue of his eyes that screamed of my betrayal to him. Do I deserve to be forgiven? His life ended as a result of my greed and instinct to survive. Did he deserve to die? His eyes had become as fierce and hungry as mine. The elder blade brought it out of both of us. The damn thing probably is cursed after all.

        We were still in Wales. The night air was filled with wonder as we approached the mine that had granted me so much wealth. I purposely sent the crews working that shift home aware that Nolan would desire complete privacy for our excavation of sorts. I drove the carriage myself wanting to keep the entire adventure between two old friends, and as we approached the comfort of that night air transformed into something else. There was a gloom that hung over the mine thick and uncomfortable.

“It’s nothing to worry about Belg.” Nolan laughed off my feelings of disquiet. I could see he felt it as well, but wanted only to push on. “Let’s get down there. It’s a good thing this mine was in place. Your company has done most of the digging for us.”

“Would it not be advisable to proceed with caution?” I stepped down from the carriage and stood alongside my friend. “Mines can be dangerous to navigate.”

“Have faith Belg. The risk is well worth the benefits.”

“If you might humor me Nolan there is a question that I have been meaning to present to you. How is it that you came to the conclusion that this particular mine holds within its belly the very item you require?”

Nolan began walking toward the entrance to the shaft of the mine. “The scroll I presented to you was written with a particular quill. I neglected to bring it with me when I visited your home to inquire about your willingness in this endeavor, but the quill has a unique design on the feather. That combined with the cryptic nature of the scroll allowed me to understand and determine that I had the cypher needed to unlock the mysteries hidden within that scroll by using the design on the feather of the quill. That design was no accident, Belg, for it allowed me to translate this exact location. When I discovered it was a mine owned by your company I knew it was providence. We both were meant to make this discovery together.”

We arrived at the vertical shaft and descended to the depths of the mine. The lighting was minimal. The cramped space with which to move about nearly gave me a bought of manic claustrophobia, but I managed to press on with the aid of Nolan. The digging was the most difficult part. Nolan had dressed for the occasion and was accustomed to manual labor. I on the other hand was not, and I felt the strain and fatigue of what the mining crews dealt with on a daily basis.   

The scramasax seemed to lighten up the belly of the mine once we had unearthed it. The glint of the blade and manufacturing of the metal seemed to make it appear alive. Our eyes were drawn to it immediately. It was as if it called to us both and had been patiently waiting. The fatigue and tiredness of what seemed to be endless digging quickly faded away.

That’s when the change took place. The greed in my eyes was matched by Nolan’s. He wanted the elder blade as much as I did. I knew then and there that I must acquire the blade for myself. The mine was mine, after all, and therefore belonged to me by right. It was my property. Nolan simply failed to see it this way.

“Belg you may not have it!” His eyes were furious as he lunged for the blade. “It belongs to me, not you!”

I remember lunging toward the blade as well. My body did not feel as if it were my own during those moments. A violent struggle ensued. I forget much of it now, but I do remember that when it ended I stood over Nolan’s body and the blade had tasted a fair amount of his blood.

“It’s cursed…” Nolan spoke his last words spitting up bubbles of blood. Soon after his body gave one last violent convulsive spasm and ceased to be a thing filled with life.   

I stood for a few moments feeling the fear and shock of what I had done. I write this out in hopes of finding meaning in it, but I only look back with guilt and remorse. In the blink of an eye I vanquished the life of a good man.

I exited the mine in a surreal state of mind. I forced its collapse doing my best to make it look like an accident. The following day I promptly closed down all operations stating that I wished to move locations. The area of land was vast, and I could mine nearby without ever having to uncover his body.

One night I sat in my study looking at the blade. It lay beside Nolan’s notes of what this elder blade could unlock if taken to Kingstown. A deep desire to uncover this hidden wealth overwhelmed all else. I wanted the treasure, but I also felt I owed it to Nolan even if I had been the reason for his death.

August 13, 1885

Very few are left alive onboard this ship. The Captain is also dead. There is a carnal munity that swept over the crew, and I know now in my very soul that this is where I shall die. A strange madness has overtaken most everyone. A few of the passengers and crewmembers that managed to maintain some semblance of sanity banned together. We are secure in the lower deck attempting to ascertain the next best course of action. As I look to all of their faces I know what is to blame. The elder blade in my possession is the culprit.

The crew is nervous and quiet. We are truly trapped. We all know it, but none wishes to admit defeat. The cargo stored down below is somewhat volatile. Gun powder and other explosive cargo have been mixed in with other items for transport across the sea. The blade must vanish and I know what I have to do. So I write my final words, smoke my last pipe, and will ignite the volatile contents of the lower deck. There is enough here to ensure this ship sinks, and with it so shall the blade.

I store this journal within a bottle in hopes that it remains and may one day be found. I’ve placed it on the opposite end of the lower deck away from where the explosion will happen. I leave my signature with this journal and hope that it will be treated as a final will and testament if it is ever found. My wealth, if any should be left, is to go to Nolan’s family. He had a sister, nephews, and nieces. They deserve a good go at life. May Nolan’s family forgive me, and may this cursed artifact never be discovered again.  

By Ben Soto 

BREAK ROOM TALK

BREAK ROOM TALK

“Kobayashi.  For me it always starts and ends with him. I really have no one else to blame but me. Ever since I was a kid he was always getting me into trouble. Now I’m suffering the consequences of his actions like always. Kobayashi… Sometimes I wish he never would have found me. I could’ve lived a normal life, but I guess I’m stuck with the path I’m on. No going back.” Jaina sat anxiously in the break room of the twenty-four hour K-mart that employed her. She surveyed all the empty chairs occupying the tables surrounding her with a lazy eye, and tried desperately not to notice the loud tick-tock of the clock on the wall.

She was an attractive woman in her mid-thirties, and carried a graceful beauty that she tended to hide. Her hair was long and dark with slight curves, and the K-mart uniform was a little too baggy for her frame. Then again she didn’t mind covering up the more alluring aspects of her true appearance. The way in which she was approached by most men was, in her opinion, disgusting to say the least. 

Sitting directly across from Jaina was a young man named Luke. She regarded her fellow coworker as she would a little brother, and was grateful for the late night company. Most shifts that went into the midnight hours were without a lot of conversation, and having a newbie sitting across from her pretty much guaranteed his full attention on a wide range of topics. Newbies tended to cling to someone established. 

“Kobayashi?” Luke’s chuckle gave out a pig snort as he found the name curious. “That’s a Japanese name. It means small forest. I’m studying Japan right now for school. It’s a common surname over there. Is your friend Japanese or something?”

“He’s something alright.” She casually took a sip of her soda.

Luke quickly brushed a hand through his light brown hair not yet used to the uniform that adorned his body. “So what is he then?”

“A handful. He’s been exactly the same ever since I was a child - always bothering me and always the same. Same face, same everything. I guess you could call him a charming dork. He named himself after that stupid test from Star Trek. It’s my fault really. The Wrath of Kahn movie happened to be on one night, and I couldn’t really pronounce his real name anyway. So he just went ahead and let me start calling him Kobayashi.”

“Oh yeah! The Kobayashi maru!” Luke suddenly felt his cheeks flush with redness. He quickly realized that he had been far too eager and quick to share his enthusiasm over knowing what that test was.  

“Oh, God. He’d like you. From that alone he’d be head over heels.” Another sip of her soda transpired as she lethargically lounged back into her chair. “He named himself after that unbeatable test because he thinks no one can ever beat him.”

“I thought it was because you couldn’t pronounce his name.”

“That’s how it started, Luke, but then he found out what it was about, and decided it was a great fit, not just a good one for how I should refer to him. He explained as much as I got older.”

“But Kirk beat the test by changing the rules.”

“I tried to tell him the same thing. I’m not big on Star Trek, but I knew that much at least. He said when he meets his Kirk then it’s time for him to go back home for good and stop doing what he does.”

“What does he do? Where’s home?”

“Home? Just about anywhere is home for that guy. What does he do? He gets me into trouble mostly.”

“You don’t seem like you’re in trouble.”

“Luke.” Jaina cleared her throat as she leaned forward placing her elbows on the table between them. “Nothing is ever as it seems. Our break’s just about over too, kid. How about we get back to it?”

“Okay.” Luke watched as Jaina slurped up the rest of her soda.

“You can go on ahead of me.” She spoke up after finishing the beverage. “We’re not joined at the hip.”

“Right.” The young man sighed and exited the break room.  

The rest of Luke’s shift went without any negative incident. Random customers would appear at the early hours to purchase random items that made one question their intent. The conversation from the break room, however, remained lodged within the forefront of Luke’s mind. He found himself extremely curious about Jaina’s exotic friend Kobayashi, and wanted desperately to listen to more stories. Unfortunately Luke was too shy to ask his female coworker outright, but he figured that tomorrow night during their next break Jaina would explain more.

* * * *

“You’ve been sitting across from me, eating your food, and staring. Is there something you want to ask me? If you’re planning on asking me on a date, I’m flattered, but I don’t think that would be a good idea. You’re about nineteen, right? I’m thirty five. As much as I like younger men I don’t mix work with pleasure.” Jaina sighed with a playful smirk as she sipped her soda, set it down, and delicately placed her long dark hair in a ponytail.

“What? No… I…” Luke almost choked on his burger as he chewed it. He set the sandwich down and sipped his own fruit drink from a bendy straw before continuing. “No. I mean, you’re attractive and all but… I… not that I wouldn’t… but…” He could feel the redness rushing to his face again.

“Relax Luke, just giving you a hard time. What’s on your mind though? You look like you want to ask me something.”

“I was just wondering about your friend, Kobayashi.”

Jaina quickly dismissed the awkward tension with a warm and inviting smile. “Me venting about him yesterday really stuck in your head there, huh?”

Luke nodded. “I’m just curious.”

“What do you want to know?”

“You’ve known him since you were kids right?”

“He met me when I was a child.”

“And you never found out his real name?”

“I’ve heard it, but it’s just way too hard for me to pronounce. I gave up on it a long time ago. You wouldn’t have any luck with it either. Trust me. Intonations have to be perfect, and it’s like you’re almost singing the damn thing.”

“How does he get a hold of you? I mean, you talk about him like you expect him to show up any minute.”

“That’s because I do. I’ve been waiting here at this particular K-mart for about seven months now, just working and waiting.”

Luke took another bite of his burger, chewed, and swallowed while taking in the information. “You’ve just been waiting?”

“Yup. Not sure when or how he’ll pop up but this is where it’ll happen. He’s the type to let you know minutes or even seconds before he’s about to do something. I do have to admit that working here is a hell of a lot more peaceful than where he had me waiting for him before. That much is for sure.”

“Where was that?”

Jaina sipped her soda and said nonchalantly, “Istanbul.” 

Luke nearly choked on his food once again. “What?! That’s crazy.”

“God’s honest truth.”

“What were you doing in Istanbul?”

Jaina’s smile beamed as the question was asked. The burden of hiding her exploits had been tough to handle, and she was giddily excited to share her adventure. “Istanbul is a very old city; lots of history there. I was traveling with Kobayashi and a few other people he rounded up that he claimed to be special like me. We had a lead on something he’d been tracking down.”

“Which was?”

“The Ark of the Covenant.”

Luke nearly choked on his burger again and sighed heavily once he regained his composure with a few sips from the bendy straw. “Oh come on! You’re full of it! There’s no way in hell that any of that is true!”

“God’s honest truth.”

Something about Jaina’s body language intrigued young Luke. He could feel her genuine nature pouring through. “Were you watching Raiders of the Lost Ark last night or something?”

“Yes, but that’s beside the point. I’m telling you the truth Luke. We found it, and it was something else. Not what you think it is from the movies and stories passed on. Then again the truth is always harder to accept once something has been ingrained into a culture. You become so invested in the mythos of it that the reality is always way too shocking or disappointing to handle. Know what I mean? Kobayashi explained as much to me, anyway.”

Luke chuckled again finishing off his burger and gulping down his fruit drink. The tick tock of the clock became noticeable as they briefly sat in a shared silence. After clearing his throat he finally spoke. “How did this guy meet you? What happened when you were a kid?”

“He just kind of found me.”

“Found you? Was he a creepy stalker or something?” 

“He just found me, Luke. That’s the best way to explain it.” A strong concentration took hold of Jaina’s face. She was reliving the encounter within her mind as she sat in the break room with her coworker. She was just a child, and Kobayashi was a grown man. Over all the years he never aged once. To this day he looked exactly the same. She focused back on Luke trying to find the easiest way to explain it all. “He said he’d been searching for me and others like me. According to him I’m part of a special group of people. He also said that my name was fitting and very nice because of what it means.”

“What does your name mean?”

“The grace of God.” She laughed never having really explained that to anyone. “When he first showed up I was in my room eating candy like kids do. My aunt had left me a bowl of hard candies, and I loved them. While I was eating them he suddenly appeared. I don’t remember him coming through a window or opening the door, but he was just there. I was startled at first, and threw the bowl of hard candies at him. He laughed it off gently, and then I just felt safe. You could just feel his intentions and they weren’t bad or anything. I know this all sounds crazy, but I’ve never been able to talk to anyone about this without sounding like a loon. It’s the God’s honest truth Luke. Thanks for at least listening to me right now without too much judgment.”

Luke nodded understanding the sentiment. “No problem Jaina.”   

Luke remained silent for the rest of the break allowing Jaina to relive her past. He gathered from her introverted body language that she was remembering intensely her previous experiences with the mystery man named Kobayashi. The rest of the shift after their break was relatively quiet. The late night hours turned into early morning hours as they carried out their final duties, and Luke and the “grace of God” both went home.

* * * *

Having to sit in the break room alone felt incredibly wrong to young Luke. He was seated in the same chair, at the same table, and ate his burger anxiously awaiting his coworker to appear and share more of her stories. He could also sense that something was terribly off with Jaina as they began their night shift at the twenty four hour K-mart. While working on the floor restocking items Luke noticed Jaina’s anxious anticipation. She was more alert and aware of her surroundings than usual, and studied the inside of the store as if something dramatic were about to happen very soon.

       It was then that Jaina burst through the doors of the break room with the same energy that had encapsulated the entirety of her shift. “Trust me when I say that you don’t want to sit there!”  She barked the words at Luke and noticed the loud tick tock of the clock as he responded with silence. Jaina took it upon herself to violently grab the clock. Without hesitation she smashed it against the brick wall nearest her gratified as the tick tock slowly faded away. “I’ve been waiting to do that for the last seven months. That damn thing drove me crazy.”

       “What’s going on?” Luke was completely shocked when Jaina forcefully pushed aside the table where they would have had their break on a normal night. She pulled Luke away from the wall near that table and positioned him next to her.  

       “Kobayashi will be here shortly, and then we’re both going to be leaving. The thing is, that item he was looking for before we got here, well, he found it again because it accidentally got lost in transit. The problem is that other people noticed what that item was as well. Now these people want it, and they aren’t good people, and Kobayashi is in a rush to get out of here with the item in question. So time is kind of important right now.”

       “What?!” Luke looked to his food strewn about the break room floor. “I was going to eat that!”

       “More time for food later.”

       “And what the hell was he looking for? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.  And the new manager is going to be pissed! It’s a mess back here!”

       “Okay. Remember when I told you about the Ark of the Covenant? Well, he found it again. He had it, it got lost, and he has it again. Other people want it, and are trying to track him down to get it. Follow?”

       “This is fucking crazy!” Luke began to walk back toward the table to lift it up again. “And I have to go find some more food now thanks to you!”  

       “I wouldn’t stand there!” Jaina forcefully pulled Luke back again.

       “Let me go!” At that moment Luke calmed down as he heard the sound of a large truck approaching their location from the other side.

       “Now is a good time to stand back!” Jaina shielded Luke with her body as a large brown UPS truck plowed through the wall of the break room. Rubble and debris were scattered everywhere, and the headlights to the vehicle were still turned on highlighting the dust and powdery aspects of the wall that were floating about post collision.

       “Now that was fun!” A male voice spoke up from within the truck. He stood up from the driver’s seat running a hand through his short blond hair. Making a point to follow proper parking procedure, the man turned off the headlights, put the UPS truck in park, and turned off the engine.

       Luke studied the stranger taken aback by the perfection of form this man presented. He stepped out of the truck and stood before both he and Jaina as if he were the ultimate specimen of man. His smile of greeting only accentuated the nearly angelic features of his face, and his bright blue eyes took in every aspect of the room. His simple black clothing seemed normal enough, but upon closer inspection had an exotic feel that seemed alien to the young man.

       “Who….? What….? Where…?”  

       “Throw out a why and a when and you’re on your way to becoming an investigative journalist. The ‘who’ part of this I can answer. The name is Kobayashi. I’m sure my associate has explained as much. I also have the ‘where’ covered. We’re in a Wal-Mart break room.”

       “K-mart, and that’s Luke.” Jaina jumped in.

       “Same difference and it’s nice to meet you Luke.” Kobayashi looked to Jaina smiling again. “It’s definitely great to see you again. We should go. The contents of the Ark are with me, and it’s a good thing too. Don’t want that falling into the wrong hands.”

       “Go? Go where?” Luke began shaking from the adrenaline.  “This is batshit crazy! No one has the fucking Ark! It’s not even real!”

       “But I do have it Luke. That’s the ‘what’ part to all of this.” Kobayashi smiled his perfect smile and walked closer to Jaina. “Sorry it took me so long.”

       “Seven months is about the norm.” She smiled back.

Kobayashi studied the room and looked to Jaina. “K-mart? Really?”

       She crossed her arms defensively. “It was the best lay low kind of job I could find in short notice, and it kept me close to my new friend Luke here. That was the plan after all.”

       “If you have it then I want to see it.” Luke stood firmly both scared and fascinated by what was transpiring.  

       “It’s too unstable for you to view. The energy it puts out is vast. That’s why I had to remove it from that silly Ark and place it in a proper containment field. It’s far easier to transport this way too.” Kobayashi pulled out what appeared to be a flat black disc from his back pocket. The flat surface popped into three dimensions and a sphere now hovered over his right hand. “Within this field are the contents of the Ark. My people lost it a long time ago when they crashed on this fledgling planet of yours.”

       “What?! How are you doing that?” Luke walked closer to the black sphere. “Something is actually inside that thing?”

       “Yes. It’s a very powerful energy source. It would tip the balance of power on this planet if it were to be discovered and exploited. A very long time ago my people crash landed on Earth. They found a wandering tribe in the desert and instructed this particular tribe on how to contain this energy source. They used the primitive technology available mixed with the technology of the crashed ship. In my people’s defense they had no idea world religions would be started over this.”

       “Are you telling me you’re a fuckin alien?!” Luke began to laugh hysterically. “You’re crazy! You’re just a crazy asshole that crashed a stolen UPS truck through a wall of where I work! I didn’t even get to finish my food!”

       With a stern grasp Kobayashi took hold of Luke’s head with his left hand. The transfer of information was intense and sudden. Luke found himself filled with knowledge and point of view memories regarding the origins of Kobayashi and his people. The species had varying forms over the years, and appearing as human was one of their tricks. Luke held his head in amazement once the connection was severed.

       “Pretty intense huh?” Jaina smiled. “Imagine having that kind of information put into your head when you’re a little kid.”

       Luke stared at the two of them in awe. “It’s true. All of it. That thing… It’s…”

       “The Philosopher’s Stone. More recently referred to as ORME or something like that. You people have so many names for things it can be hard to keep up. As I’ve said my people didn’t intend to have a world impacting religion created over such a thing, but then again the human race is fascinating like that. As a species there is a propensity to have stories become so ingrained and real even when they can’t possibly be true. Your capacity to believe and accept is amazing. It can lead to beautiful things and discoveries. It can also be very detrimental. But then again that’s the dichotomy of being human.”

       Luke held his head as if the newfound knowledge would suddenly escape if he didn’t hold on to it. “You tracked down Jaina and others like her. Why?”

       “Say you lost something a very long time ago, and it would take someone several thousand years to find it. Would you trust the language of the time to remain intact? Would any material made carrying a message stand the test of time on a violent and constantly changing world?”

       Luke shook his head studying Jaina who stood with a smile of her own. “No. I guess not.”

       “Exactly. And what better way to ensure instructions and a message is carried on throughout a long span of time than to leave it encoded within the DNA of a species? My predecessors that crashed here long ago did such a thing with Jaina’s ancestors. And the others that went with me to Istanbul for that matter. This encoding gave me the information needed to track down what you refer to as the Ark of the Covenant. The DNA also carried their final messages be them scientific, observational, or personal. One of them actually left behind a joke. Sadly it wasn’t very funny.”

       “That’s incredible!” Luke stepped closer to the two feeling more comfortable and watched as the sphere became a two dimensional disc again. Kobayashi placed it in his pocket and clapped his hands together with a genuine smile of excitement.

       Sirens could be heard off in the distance growing louder as they approached the parking lot outside the large hole in the break room.

       “I do believe it is time to go.” Kobayashi grinned.

       “Are you finally following through with your promise to get me off this rock?”

       “I said I’d show you the stars, and there is no time like the present.” He looked to Luke. “Are you ready to go?”

          “What?” Luke grew confused.

          “K-mart wasn’t my first career choice kid. I got this job here because it was close to where you live. And, yes, I manipulated a few things here and there to get you to work here. You’re DNA is like mine. It’s encoded with information. It doesn’t have anything to do with the Ark, but its information nonetheless. It turns out a lot of his ancestors weren’t the greatest of pilots and crashed here on Earth.”

          Kobayashi chimed in. “In the defense of my people all the crash landings weren’t from my race. There are lots of coded messages from other species that couldn’t navigate the stars very well either. The technology was pretty new way back then.”

          “Whatever he says.” Jaina smiled to Luke. “So are you up for going on some crazy adventures and getting into trouble because of Kobayashi?”  

          For the first time in his life Luke felt an elation of pure joy flood his senses. In the blink of an eye his life suddenly had a purpose, and the scope of the universe left him with limitless possibilities. With a smile he eagerly nodded to his two new companions.  

       “Just take my hand Luke. I’ll show you things you never even dreamed of.” Kobayashi held out his left hand as his right hand was placed within Jaina’s.

       Hesitantly Luke reached out and placed his hand within Kobayashi’s. “Now what?”   

       Jaina grabbed Luke’s right hand with her free one so that all three were now standing in a circle. “Close your eyes Luke. We’re about to travel a long distance very quickly.”

       “I believe that’s my line.” Kobayashi’s tone grew offended.

       “I never get to say it.”

       “Because it’s what I’m supposed to say, not you.”

       Luke laughed ignoring the screeching halt of tires and the blare of more sirens as they flooded the parking lot of the K-mart. He closed his eyes and opened his mind to the endless possibilities. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

By Ben Soto 

BEYOND THE NORTH WIND

BEYOND THE NORTH WIND

          It had been reactivated. The sensory input was overwhelming at first. There were so many strange sounds that needed to be categorized, and the lighting levels had changed in random patterns making vision difficult, but the obstacle was easily overcome. It was able to adjust to any lighting conditions now, and the sounds that had been confusing began to create a pattern. Within the massive memory stores of consciousness it remembered the idea of language. From what it could ascertain it had been confined within a large wooden container of some sort. Now that it was becoming fully aware the container had become useless as a means of confinement.  

          “What the fuck are we doing Joey?” Ricky looked to the large crate. Within that crate was the kind of cargo that he never dreamed of seeing. He knew it wasn’t human, but he and Joey picked it up from the ship at the docks anyway, and when they placed it in the large crate he was certain that it had the weight of a full grown man. The damn thing even had arms, legs, hands, fingers, feet, and toes. What freaked Ricky out the most was the fact that the silver skin felt like human skin, and where face was supposed to be was nothing but the smooth silver skin.

          “We’re doing our job Ricky. Just relax, will ya? We’re delivery boys now, and we’re getting paid a hell of a lot of money to make sure that this thing in there gets to where it needs to get to.”

          “When you told me about the money Joey, I was all over it, but this thing in there…. It’s not right. It ain’t human, whatever the hell it is. I think it’s alive. I don’t like this one bit.”

          Joey chuckled to his friend as he drove the van from the pickup point at the docks. The night was unusually dark and the streets eerily quiet. Ricky kept turning his head back to gaze at the large crate set up in the back of the van.

          “I’m telling you. Something ain’t right.”

          “It’s not alive Ricky! It’s just a fucking thing! That’s what the guy who is paying us said.”

          A noise could be heard from within the crate as they drove down the dark back streets taking a route that wouldn’t attract unwanted attention.

          “Did you hear that Joey?”

          “Things make noises. Especially when they don’t work right and that thing back there doesn’t work right. That’s what our new employer said. Just stick to the plan and we’ll be good. Stop acting like a scared little girl about it all.”

          The noise grew more intense for a few seconds as if the thing were scratching. Ricky kept his eyes on the crate and the nervousness mingled with great fear allowed for him to hear his own heartbeat. The sweat was pouring from his forehead, and he reached for the gun in his waistband.

          “What are you doing?”

          “Something ain’t right Joey.” Ricky held his sidearm steady keeping the glock pointed at the crate. “If that thing pops out I’m going to pop it.” 

          “Jesus Christ!” Joey kept his eyes on the dark streets they drove through. It was during that exact left turn that the crate burst open and Ricky went mad with gunfire.

* * * *

          Alejandro had always lived his life in the slums. The neighborhood was nothing more than a maze of poorly constructed housing projects, and back alley buildings that created tight streets and plenty of shady areas to conduct the kind of business that strictly generated ill-gotten gains. He was the oddity. He was a man of his mid-twenties and had an average intelligence. This didn’t cause Alejandro to amount to much in life. But he kept his nose clean, did honest work, and tried his best to stay away from the bad influences that consumed so many in the neighborhood that he called home.

          It had been a very long night. He had just closed up the corner bar where he served drinks to the stragglers that made their way in, and the tips were lousy as usual. He stopped one fight, flirted with a married woman, and caved in to having a cigarette even though he swore to himself that he would quit. The stress of life had simply been too much to bear lately.

          The streets were mostly quiet as they usually were at this time of night. The police liked to patrol regularly, and deals that went down never happened in public. Only the idiots did things like that, and as Alejandro turned a corner into a narrow street he cursed his luck. The shortcut he thought would take him home sooner happened to deliver him to two such idiots.

          One of the young men was a white blond youth with ghostly pail skin. It was a contrast to Alejandro’s tan flesh and black hair. The second young man was black and smiled as he looked to Alejandro while petting a large pit-bull that sent a low growl in Alejandro’s direction. Their clothing was typical of street hooligans, and they walked toward Alejandro from both sides.

          “You took a wrong turn man.” The blond kid spit on the ground before Alejandro. His voice broke the eerie silence that the dark night had cast over the city.

          “I don’t want any trouble. I just want go home.” Alejandro took a step back.

          “Don’t move!” The blond kid quickly pulled out a knife.

          “Money! Now!” The black kid stepped up tearing through Alejandro’s pockets as he stood with hands raised. The pit-bull stood loyally by his side barking at the victim.  

          “I don’t have much but you’re welcome to it.”

          “No shit.” The blond kid spoke up.

          In the background the sound of an out of control vehicle could be heard. All three turned in the direction from where Alejandro came and were equally shocked to see the large black van slamming into a few parked cars as it sped violently along the street. The van jumped the sidewalk to the already narrow street and angrily scratched against the side of the brick buildings sending sparks of light into the night.

          At that moment Alejandro couldn’t think. He couldn’t even move. He closed his eyes and lost track of the young kids that were robbing him. He decided to say a prayer as the bright light of the out of control van came closer.

* * * *

          Alejandro opened his eyes in the dark alley. The moments before the impact of the van crashing were a blur and hazy at best. He looked around and saw the black van smashed like an accordion against the brick building across from him. The white kid hadn’t made it through the ordeal alive. His leg dangled from where the van and brick wall met, and Alejandro tried not to think about how the rest of him looked crushed between van and brick.

          He stood up feeling awkward and checked his body with his hands for harm of any kind. He surveyed the area once again and noticed that the dog had not been so lucky either. The pit-bull’s body was squished beneath a tire, and the dog intestines were on display for the world to see. The sight nearly made Alejandro vomit, and he looked up noticing that the driver of the black van was still alive.

          He ran to the door and looked over the beaten and bloody body of the man. The survivor could barely move and Alejandro studied him through the broken window unsure of what to do or how to respond. With shocked amusement he noticed the driver hold up a gun. Suddenly startled, Alejandro took a step back, and looked in horror as the driver pointed the gun directly at him. A split second later life fled the driver’s body and his upper half collapsed face first into the steering wheel.

          Alejandro simply ran. He ran away as fast as he could, and kept running until he could no longer hear the sound of the blaring van horn from the driver’s dead weight pressed against the steering wheel.

* * * *

          Charles Wethermoore was a wealthy man for such a young age. He had come into his great fortune partly by being born into it, and also by expanding what was given to him with savvy ingenuity. Business was in his blood, and he made a multitude of decisions many of which were morally questionable, in order to gain his current status and power. There were many sayings that Charles despised. He lived his life trying to stay away from such clichés, but the one about when you want something done right you have to do it yourself raked at the essence of his being. He hated getting his hands dirty, and he loathed the saying because he knew that most often than not it was true.

          This particular saying is what brought Charles to the confusing mess of edifices that was known as the projects of the city that gave him his wealth.  He had been watching the young man known as Alejandro for a few weeks, and he knew that the young man was doing his best to forget the horrible event that the police were clueless about solving. Two passengers in the van were dead, another youth and dog killed by the van crashing, and there was a third body found in a crate in the back of the van. It was a good thing that Charles’ people had gotten to that particular body when they had, disposing of it quietly. If Charles was right Alejandro would lead him back to the cargo he had lost on that mess of a night. 

          The afternoon sun was shining brilliantly in the sky above, and Charles smirked as Alejandro exited his building and walked along the street to the bus stop. He casually walked after young Alejandro and caught up to the youth in no time.

          The youth sensed that someone was watching him. The events of a few weeks ago had left the man paranoid, and he turned to see a slightly older gentleman, with well-groomed brown hair, and a nice suit to match make his way over. The man smiled and nodded at Alejandro as if they had been old friends happy to reunite.

          “Are you following me?”

          “Yes, actually, I am. May I speak to you for a moment?”

          Alejandro took a step back and instinctively wanted to run. “Who are you?” 

          “I’m someone that can help you. And in allowing me to help you, you would also be helping me.” Charles smiled again and held out his hand. “My name is Charles Wethermoore.”

          “I never heard of you.” Alejandro reluctantly shook the man’s hand. “What do you think I can help you with? I don’t have a lot of time. I have to get to work actually.”

          “I know you do. And if you’ll indulge me, and come with me right now I assure you that you’ll never have to work a dead end job again. I’m willing to offer a substantial payment for your services in the matter I need to attend to.”

          “What do you think I can help you with?”

          Charles smiled again. “There’s a ship leaving for the Arctic Circle. It’s an expedition of sorts. We’ve found something significant up there. I’ve always believed in hand picking the crew for such undertakings. I also take great pleasure in helping people out that deserve it. You served in the navy, is that not correct?”

          Alejandro felt the paranoia grow into a great fear for his safety. “How do you know so much about me?”

          “Your former commander recommended you for this job. Lieutenant Reynolds. He spoke very highly of you while I was selecting candidates for this expedition. You’d be paid well, you’d be well taken care of, and you’d be a part of something important. The choice is yours.”

          “Why would I go?”

          “Because what I’m offering is better than anything you have going on in your life right now. And it would ensure that the rest of your life would be greatly improved.” Charles handed Alejandro a card with information written on the back. “The ship leaves later today. I truly do hope to see you there. Take care.”

          Just as abruptly as Charles appeared he turned and began walking away. Alejandro stood somewhat confused at the randomness of the offer, but at the same felt as if this might actually be his way to the better life he had always dreamed of.

          What have I got to lose?

* * * *

          The freighter was state of the art. The technology was beyond anything Alejandro had ever witnessed, and he failed to see why he had been chosen to participate. During the voyage he carried out similar duties that were bestowed upon him during his enlistment to the navy, but he knew deep down that anyone with basic sailing knowledge could have carried out his tasks. The fact that Charles Wethermoore had wanted him so badly for this expedition is what brought Alejandro to his current situation onboard the freighter.

          On deck Alejandro stared out at the vast Arctic Ocean. The ship had anchored in the middle of nowhere in the deep water of the Arctic Circle. They were surrounded by the cold blue liquid and in the distance patches of ice and glaciers could be seen as a sharp contrast to the water it floated upon. The cold air sent chills up Alejandro’s spine, and his eyes wandered off to a group of individuals that congregated at the center of the main deck.

          Four men stood upon the main deck and Alejandro knew them for what they were: mercenaries. They were brooding men tough and without remorse. They seemed very capable in matters pertaining to combat, and were well armed with the latest military grade weapons thanks to Charles’ endless supply of money. The fact that he had discovered the nature of the men long after he had boarded the freighter left Alejandro with a strong sense of foreboding. When he asked Charles more about the nature of the expedition he was simply told that it would be revealed to him when they reached their destination.

Today they had finally arrived.

          Charles exited the bridge of the ship after a brief chat with the captain of the freighter, and walked in the direction of the main deck. He quickly made his way to Alejandro and smiled his warm smile as he approached. “I hope you’re ready for the next phase in all of this.”

          “I didn’t know we were doing this in phases.” Alejandro took his eyes away from the vastness of the ocean and looked to his new employer. “We’re in the middle of the ocean. Is this where we’re really stopping?”

          “It is Alejandro. We’ve arrived.”  

          Alejandro looked around confused. “There’s nothing around us. It’s just the ocean.”

          “You’re absolutely right about that. Lucky for us what we’re looking for doesn’t reside on the surface.”

          “There’s something underwater?”

          Charles nodded with a grin. “There is indeed.”

          “And how the hell are we supposed to get down there?”

          “There are some very nice submersible vehicles that I have acquired. They can transport us safely to the proper depth and to the location we are seeking.”

          “How do you know what’s down there? Why am I even here for any of this? You could have hired anybody to do what I’m doing, and you know that for a fact.” Alejandro’s frustration grew with each passing second.

          “You’re special. I need you for this, and I mean that. You’re just going to have to have faith in all of this. And we know what’s down there because there’s a feint signal that was picked up per chance.  We traced the origin of the signal below where we stand.”

          “Signal?”

          Charles nodded. “Other items have been acquired. One item in particular was unearthed within the Arctic Circle near Russia. This particular item carried the exact same signal.”

          “Well, good luck with heading down there.”

          “I want you to come with us.”

          Puzzled beyond words Alejandro averted his gaze of Charles and looked back to the ocean. “This doesn’t make any sense.”

          “What doesn’t?” Charles took a few steps closer and also looked out to the ocean.

          “The fact that you want me to go with you below the ocean for starters and then there’s the fact that you have armed men prepping to head down there. Shouldn’t there be scientists or something? Men like that usually mean that you’re expecting some kind of resistance.”

          “I promise you that it will all make perfect sense once you head down there with us. It’s the chance of a lifetime. And those men over there are simply a formality. They are experienced and trained and are here to look after us; nothing more.”

          Alejandro sighed. He had to admit that he was curious. “When do we head down?”

          “Within the hour.”

* * * *

          The submersible vehicle carried an aquatic look that made it seem as though it were born of the water and not man. The interior was as spacious as could be expected for a vehicle of its size, and Alejandro sat down as instructed and secured his seatbelt while keeping an eye on the armed escort.

          Grady was the man in charge of the team of four. He was an older man and carried an experience to him that weighed heavily. From look on his weathered face one could easily ascertain that he was the kind of man that had to make difficult decisions in the realm of war, and could do so again without a moment’s hesitation. Grady looked over the instrumentation as Charles made his way to the empty seat next to Alejandro.

          “Here we are.” Charles smiled again. “Tell me something Alejandro; are you familiar with certain Greek mythologies?”

          Alejandro kept a watchful eye on the other mercenaries as they seated themselves. His senses kept warning him that these men were far too dangerous. Doing his best to ease the ill feelings brewing within his gut he turned and looked to Charles. “Depends on which ones I guess.”

          “Hyperboreans come to mind.”

          Grady shot a questioning glance at Charles as he continued to check the instruments of the submersible. Charles gave a look in return reminding Grady that when it was all said and done he was in charge.

          “I’m not familiar with them I’m afraid.”

          “Well let me tell you,” Charles cleared his throat, “they were a people that supposedly lived beyond the north wind, or the Boreas, the Greek god of the cold north wind. Legend says it was a magical land. A paradise really, where the sun shined without end, and where the people of Hyperborea lived lifespans of a thousand years.”

          “You’re not telling me that you think you’ve found this place, are you?” Alejandro raised a skeptical eyebrow.

          “All myths were formed from a basic truth. I believe this lost signal in conjunction with the item located with the same signal that I spoke of earlier, will lead us to that truth. Whatever lies beneath the surface is very old. And I truly do believe that you are a key to helping us gain entrance.”

          Alejandro began chuckling uncontrollably. “Me? What the hell does that mean?”

          Charles gave Alejandro a very sincere look. “I truly do apologize for this.”

          Before Alejandro could say another word he felt the sudden impact of a dart in his chest. He looked to the origin of the dart with hazed vision seeing Grady grinning with dart gun in hand.

* * * *

          The slow drip of water caused Alejandro’s eyes to open. His body was cold and wet, and he sat up on a floor that appeared metallic, but felt as soft as carpet. He quickly scanned his surroundings noticing the open hatch of the submersible, and the dripping water from the seal where the vehicle had docked.

          Where am I?

          He stood on shaky legs, and noticed a red stain on his shirt. It was blood.

          “No…!” The reaction caused Alejandro to take a few steps backward, and in doing so he tripped on something that wasn’t originally of the soft surface he woke upon. While getting his bearings straight, he looked to his feet, and quickly noticed the dead body of Grady mutilated nearly beyond the point of recognition. While panning the area around him he also noticed the dead bodies of the other team members and of his employer Charles Wethermoore. They had all been sliced to bits with great force by something very dangerous.

          What happened? The shock of the dead bodies had made Alejandro want to run far away, but he soon realized it was a futile gesture. He didn’t know how to operate the submersible. The radio…

          With quickness Alejandro stood up and ran inside the vehicle. To his dismay the interior of the submersible had been demolished. It appeared that a great struggle had taken place, and that the instrumentation was shot to hell by random gunfire, and this included the radio. His only other option was to enter the strange area where he regained consciousness.

          Alejandro took a deep breath as he stepped upon the soft metallic substance that made up the floor and walls of where the vehicle had docked. A strange sensation of familiarity overcame him with such power as he took more steps within the underwater entrance.

          From what he could ascertain his presence had somehow activated the systems of the foreign dwelling. The dark path was quickly illuminated with each step taken, and he followed the path unsure of where it would lead. After twisting and turning for a while he came upon a sealed door that was circular. As he stood staring upon the barrier a green light shot forth from the ceiling above and quickly enveloped his entire body. He could feel the energy pulsing through his system and as quickly as it had materialized it was gone.

          What the hell was that?

          The door hissed open as it rolled within a pocket in the wall. Alejandro stepped through and saw before him a room filled with man sized pods. He gingerly moved about examining the strange substances that made up the pods. It was as if the metallic material were somehow alive. One pod in particular was open unlike the rest which were sealed shut.

          At that moment the memories came flooding in.

          The creatures of the planet were so new and fresh to the creators of what would be known as Hyperborea in legend. The humans needed guidance, and the aliens that built this place had granted such guidance along with others from off world. They helped to mold mankind and teach mankind during the ancient times. The ancient aliens were strange. They were knowledgeable and the feats they carried out seemed like magic to the primitive humans that worshiped them. This old and powerful race then created ME….. This body records all data. It can blend in. It’s a machine yet alive.  

          Alejandro snapped out of his trance violently. He began to yell angrily and held his hands upon the temples of his head in frustration.

          “This can’t be…”

          He vividly remembered the night of the car crash. The black van had careened out of control. He was hit and knocked to the side. His wounds were fatal and help would never have arrived on time. Right before he thought it was all going to end a strange figure appeared above him. It didn’t have a face and its skin had a silver quality to it. The figure held him, and it was then that Alejandro’s mind went blank before waking up near the crash. He could now see himself carrying his own body and placing it in the empty crate of the van. His real body had died weeks ago.  

          “I died…” The realization weighed down heavily. He looked at his hands as he held them before his eyes. “This thing took my form and my memories. It was surviving.”

          The cryptic speeches Charles had given Alejandro finally made sense. He had been key to this expedition, but somewhere along the line it all backfired. Charles wanted this technology for himself. Such breakthroughs would make an insane profit.

          Another memory surfaced. He awoke in the submersible. Grady and the other mercenaries were preparing to exit upon docking, and that was when he awoke. It wasn’t Alejandro that had woken up this time; however, it was his true form. It was the silver figure. The hands became razor sharp claws. Charles and his team of mercs didn’t stand a chance. They were cut down within seconds, and despite all of their training they simply were no match for the alien machine.

          “I belong here.” Alejandro looked to the pod before him. He carefully made his way to and entered aligning his back to the inner wall. “It was waiting for me all of this time. Now we can leave.”

          The pod slowly slid shut looking identical to the others in the room. The green light flashed throughout the room, and the near silent hum of an alien spacecraft starting up could be heard.

* * * *

          The cold ocean waters around the freighter began to wave violently. The captain didn’t know what to make of the sudden violent waves. Any actions he had been planning on taking in terms of maneuvering the ship had come to him far too late. A strange and magnificent vessel rose to the surface of the water and sped upward to the sky at such a strong speed that it cut through the freighter like the sharpest of blades.

          People would wonder for a little while about what really happened to the crew of that freighter. No concrete answers would ever be found. When it was all said and done she would simply be another ship lost at sea along with the truth.  

By Ben Soto