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2022-03-02 03:36:10Boppa lit the torches within her cave. The golden light wiped away the shadows around their feet. Shayla followed the slumped shadow on the wall until she saw Boppa sitting at a little wooden table.
“You’ll be pleased to know that I intend to offer every hospitality.” Boppa poured a green liquid into four glasses. "Including my Photosynthesis Wine."
Keeping one glass for herself, the chieftain pushed the other three across the table. Looking at C1313, she said, "I suppose you don't drink."
“Your assumption is correct,” C1313 replied, remaining in place as Hanga approached the table.
Tejeda came next to the Valerian and grabbed his arm as he raised the glass to his lips. "You first." He glanced at Boppa, his gaze now devoid of fear.
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The Space Spoon 60. On a Sand Ship
People on Larva 5 traveled at night utilizing the energy they had accumulated throughout the day. They had developed improved power cells capable of capturing more solar energy. No chieftain would go on a journey without a sand ship. Tejeda's knowledge prompted him to bargain with the fearsome Chieftain Boppa for a mode of conveyance. Three droids gave them the means to see clearly. One at the bow, lighting their path as the sand waved around on its left and right. The second droid hung high on the mast, shedding light on the deck. The third one at the stern where Hanga used the rudimentary helm to control the vessel. As the ship's solar cell engine powered up, a low rumbling echoed over the deck. In a tightening grip on the wheel, Hanga steered the ship southward, accelerating more rapidly. “How long until reach
The Space Spoon 61. Energy Low
The group entered the cave that would serve as their final night's refuge before arriving at their destination. As they climbed further into the mountains, the caverns became larger and higher, and the nights grew colder.After everyone tucked away in their thermal blankets, C1313 rose and tried to sneak outside.A close-eyed Tejeda whispered, “Where are you going?”She turned and for a moment, she thought she had imagined things. He wasn’t moving an inch, except for his chest steadily going up and down as he breathed in and out.C1313 had almost reached the cave’s entrance by the time she heard his voice again.“We don’t know if you can withstand the heat outside. Why do you want to risk i
The Space Spoon 62. X Marks the Spot
At first sight, the high-altitude winds seemed to have grazed, or more accurately, swiped, clawed, and gouged their way across the mountain valley, carving out distinct alcoves in the steep slopes. As though polished, large and varying stones emerged under their feet. They twinkled pink and silver beneath the rising moon, Zeounny. Lak, the second moon, glided across the sky beyond the mountain range.Trying to keep a steady pace that was neither too sluggish to waste time nor too fast to miss anything, Tejeda strode ahead of the group. C1313 didn't show up, and he barely persuaded Hanga to wait until dusk.He had tried to contact the ship and scarcely managed to get a hold of E00. The trackers embedded in their suits weren’t working properly, and the life signs were meaningless when it came to C1313. They didn’t know exactly how to calibrate them fo
The Space Spoon 63. Swallowed
Mushy organic material accumulated on the ceiling, towering over its maker. Kirian let it encircle him, gradually grabbing hold of his lifted arms and black hair. It seemed as though the scientist had consented to dress, and an enormous, slimy sweater was slowly lowering to accommodate his wish.“Don’t be a fool!” Tejeda yelled. “It will devour you too.”“Kirian’s long gone, dear officer. I did devour him long ago. Then copied his body and took hold of his knowledge.” Now the crimson goo completely engulfed its maker. “I’m both Kirian and the bacteria he created. I’m Fresh Flesh.”After all the layers of mushy material came off the walls and ceiling, a large, meaty creature stood tall and wide where Kirian once stood. The top part took on a sphe
The Space Spoon 64. Eat Me!
Shayla cursed internally at this entire situation. If the plan of burning the ugly piece of shit wouldn’t work, then she wasted this fine cigarette for nothing. It was the last thing her mother gave her before she died.She humphed and took a last lungful of smoke. She could bet anyone would laugh at the thought that a queen could gift her daughter a cigarette as the last token of love. The crackling sound of the dry weeds burning up brought her mind back to the present.New, not yet fully formed limbs broke out of Fresh Flesh's body, charging forward past the rocks and over the liquid. A grunt came out through his upside-down lips as its meat ran between the falling match and the thin stream of fluid. The stamped-out match flew upward and landed between two rocks. A dark coating appeared on the limb as it stretched further toward Shayla.
The Space Spoon 65. Cry for the Villain
Tejeda pondered his choices after being absorbed inside of Fresh Flesh. He could either wait for the bacteria to consume him or initiate the shift. He had a lot of DNA swimming around him.Only in extremely dire situations did he do this. He hated the perks of his psionic ascension and avoided using these abilities, which he perceived as a curse. Others strived to earn powers, to climb the steps toward an Apex, while he was close enough to reach two of them. The biological one was easy; nature provided for him and he didn’t want to deny his roots. He had never wanted psionic powers but living so long as he did meant learning stuff even if you didn’t want to.He started to take over the meat body, one molecule at a time. His mind melded with Fresh Flesh's, who already had Kirian’s inside. Tejeda could use this to his advantage. He was eag
The Space Spoon 66. Keeping a Promise
On the first night of their journey back toward their shuttle, Tejeda had to share what happened at the others’ behest. He retold the events without revealing much about his abilities or skills. He did not like being looked upon as though he were a god. Well, sometimes it felt good, but not coming from his crew.In the end, Tejeda fumbled with the edges of the matchbox, taking on the role of an incompetent, one he liked to play. “You know, it took me four tries to light a match and burn down the contents of that cave along with any residue of Fresh Flesh. But the rest was easy peasy. The only thing left is Kirian’s body I now wear, but everything belonging to the bacteria is gone.”Hanga directed the droid's light toward the ceiling and dimmed the intensity. "It didn't seem so easy to me."Dr
The Space Spoon 67. Hunting Bananas
Jackeye was hunting... bananas. Don’t you dare laugh at our brave hacker! He needed to practice in order to level up his hunting skills. However, killing animals, even virtual ones, proved to be more challenging than anything else he programmed into his world.Therefore, to practice how to stretch the bow, take aim, and release the arrow, Jackeye found other targets. He would start with bananas, moving up to smaller fruits, maybe increasing distance along the way, until he would be able to hit a blueberry from a hundred steps away.Yeah, that sounded like fun! The problem was this girl following him through the woods. She kept hiding behind the trees, giggling when he missed a target or applauding when he managed to hit a banana. Whatever mischief had gotten into her, it wasn’t his doing either.Latest Chapter
- The Space Spoon
104. Meat Suit Part 2
The door closes after the last man leaves the pub. Tejeda resumes his previous position and finishes his drink. By now, we are both soaking wet, but neither of us seems to care. My reason is the seven beers. I wonder what his is."Apparently, you're not leaving, and we've run out of time," he says as he turns to face me. His purple eyes sparkle. A chill goes down my spine. "These guys aren't going down without a fight. I might have to die to quench their hunger for vengeance. But the crystal I took is far more significant. It must be safeguarded."Tejeda leans forward, his hand reaching over the bar for the knife the bartender uses for the lemons. He sits again in his chair, gripping the handle with both of his hands, the pointy tip toward his stomach. I have seen this stance before in movies when someone performs seppuku.Filling his lungs with air, his chest expands, and he thrusts the knife right into his belly. I cover my mouth with a hand but not my eyes. I need to see what happe
- The Space Spoon
103. Meat Suit Part 1
A/N: A Halloween special side story, Meat Suit shows the events through the eyes of a normal, human nerd. Enjoy!***Halloween, the greatest night of the year. The time when I can go out with friends and be awkward as usual without getting a stare.I look in the mirror and see the dashing vampire I transform into every time I put on this ancient outfit. With extreme care, I place a black handkerchief in my pocket, covering the hole that reveals the lining. This year, I intended to get a new costume, but the latest game in the R****** E*** franchise and H***** 3 prevented me from doing so. They were released this year, and I had to get them, and then some.Sorry for not disclosing their names, but even in my diary, I avoid needless advertising. And don't make fun of me for keeping a diary in my thirties. Many people keep diaries, but they call them journals to appear more sophisticated and mature.The black costume’s collar is up to my ears, letting everyone see the red embroidered int
- The Space Spoon
102. Monster Within Part 2
Rayna followed him through dark alleys, avoiding the city's main thoroughfares and heading for the city's outskirts. There weren't many other people around since it was late and freezing. The two veiled shadows of the night were easy to miss. Illuminated figures appeared randomly through the windows of dimly lit houses.He stopped in front of a derelict house. The sculpted archway stood crooked above the entrance, but he went beneath it without a second thought.Rayna stared at the white structure enveloped in moss to make sure it wouldn’t fall on her head. When the Bralxoid disappeared inside, she swallowed hard and followed him.Doctor Iadfoc invited her into a small, dark room with a single goose-neck lamp illuminating the top of a large table filled with glass vials. He gestured toward a threadbare sofa against the wall. He grabbed a simple wooden chair and sat facing her. For once, someone wasn't looking at her with meaningless pity, for which she was grateful.Iadfoc had a scann
- The Space Spoon
101. Monster Within Part 1
A/N: Monster Within is a side story taking place about a thousand years or more before the action in the novel. Enjoy!***Rayna sat in front of the mirror, removing her makeup. Who would she discover underneath? Foundation applied in triple layers, contact lenses, even a wig to make certain no one would see her change.Skin patches of different complexions stretched across her face like puzzle pieces jammed together into a chaotic pattern. Some parts of the jigsaw had wrinkles, while others were as smooth as a baby’s skin.Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the mirror. Her heterochromatic eyes were both different colors than before she wore contact lenses. And her hair... Well, the hair looked more like a wig than the one she threw on the floor. Honey-blonde hair tumbled in waves over her right shoulder. Ruby-red hair, spikey like a hedgehog’s, pointed toward the ceiling from the top of her head. Black, curly strands went down to her chin from her left.She was a mo
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100. Sunsetrise Part 4
Time passes differently on Yacleemb. I can’t say it’s the 56 hours days, the peacefulness of the Spreahs, or Lyam’s company. What I do know is that I’ve lost track of time. Every day, he builds things for the village; he’s happy, full of smiles, and I’m drunk with his genuine blissfulness.Unfortunately, I still have memories and can’t help but feel guilty for not contacting our friends. Wanting to know how things are working out for our crew, I stroll through the forest to the shuttle. After it powers up, a small blinking red light appears on the console. A message from E00.“Shayla, I hope you’ve found Tejeda by now. More than two months have passed, and no news from you. In the time you've been gone, things got worse around here.“Since the day you left, Jackeye has been trapped inside his virtual reality. I can’t say if it’s a voluntary decision or not. He cut me off completely.“Cato took a shuttle and left the Space Spoon about a month ago. The Interplanetary Police files show t
- The Space Spoon
99. Sunsetrise Part 3
Shayla Bale's POVOnly Tejeda Hajar is capable of disappearing and leaving me with an ambassador’s corpse. Once again, I had to assume the role of acting captain and evade the Interplanetary Police. We are all renegades once more, as we were before Tejeda found us.The crew needs me to steer the ship in the right direction, but my thoughts are far away, following the faceless Nubilae who left us. I lean against the wall and stare at his empty chair, wishing he will appear there, smiling without giving me any explanation as he always does.“Thinking about him won’t bring him back,” E00’s voice echoes from the ceiling speakers. “If you want him here again, you must go after him.”“Don’t get me wrong, E00, I want to. But it was his choice. He left us. Even if I go after him, he may not come back.”“If there’s anyone who can shake him out of the state he’s in, you’re the one.”“Why must you torment me?” I slump in Tejeda’s chair, rubbing my eyes to forestall crying. The gesture is pointle
- The Space Spoon
98. Sunsetrise Part 2
Reaching out, Carmen’s hand brushes against mine. Even though I’m mad as hell, a rush of electrical discharges takes over my core. That happened every time she touched me since the moment we’d met. Every fiber of my body, carbon and silica alike, crave to have her again by my side.“I tested the spoon. All the results said the same thing: it’s Nubilae. Who was it?”“My sister, Celia.” For the first time, a vein throbs on Carmen’s forehead. But she regains the glazed look. “She died during Iadfoc’s experiment. Many did. The rest went insane. Only I, you, and Rahul remained true Nubilae. Well, now only you and I since you killed Rahul.”“He had multiple run-ins with me and my crew. If I let him continue, surely one of my men would have died. I had to do something.”“No,” Carmen shouts, showing the anger hidden behind her previous blank expression. “I sent him to see how you are and test you. Well, you failed. No Nubilae should value the life of a lesser being over one of his brethren.”
- The Space Spoon
97. Sunsetrise Part 1
A/N: Sunsetrise is a short story I've written before even starting the novel. It holds the ending of the first volume and is made up of 4 parts. The first 2 parts are from Tejeda's POV and the last 2 parts from Shayla's. Enjoy!***Tejeda Hajar's POV“Happy birthday, Shayla!” I invite her to sit on the blanket next to me with a pat.It took me about a week to create a perfect replica of Genoria Prime inside Jackeye's world.Once every two thousand years, Genoria Prime, a water planet with just a few stretches of land covered in sand, is perfectly aligned to get the ultimate romantic view. One of its suns sets while the other rises, a phenomenon called sunsetrise.To recreate it from my memories inside Jackeye's virtual world involved a few setbacks. But that isn't important anymore.Shayla takes one of the glasses of red wine and fixes her dark green eyes on me. “Whose body are you wearing now?”“You know bodies are just meat suits for me.” I give a sly smirk, looking her over. “Well,
- The Space Spoon
96. His Blade
Tejeda's lips moved as though they were not his own. “Who’s she?”Shayla placed a hand on his back, touching for the first time the sludgy skin he had in this form. “Tejeda, stop. He’s dead.”Tejeda lifted his head to look at the sky. He remained like that for a long while before murmuring, “Why did you kill him?”"Sorry! Next time," Shayla murmured, sheathing her scimitar, "I'll kill the other guy after he kills you."“How did you know which one was me?”“Really? Is there another idiot who would risk dying for a spoon?”She observed how he flinched but said nothing. There was something wrong with him. Nonetheless, Shayla didn't believe she had the authority to inquire. In any case, she didn't expect a fair answer from him."Did you bring any DNA for me?" Tejeda asked without turning around. "As you can see, I’m in bad shape."Shayla hurled a vial toward him, and he grabbed it with one of his two remaining tentacles.“This is the last one holding the blood of King Astin. Enjoy!”Tejed
- The Space Spoon
