Vanguards of the Galaxy

P. L. C. Legaspi 6/1999. Modified 9-06.

Originally written in 1993 under the title Xenomorphs, but was not published.

Note: Some words will not be spelled correctly. This is done to create a phonetic (sound) effect when characters are speaking with an accent, dialect or using contractions.

Introduction

A brilliant light streaked across a fading sky as the sun touched a golden-crimson horizon. Playful white clouds danced across the skies impersonating frolicking mythological beings. Suddenly, obscured clouds charged from the West like dark knights, capturing the sun and white clouds as thunder roared, winds howled and rain poured with rage. The brilliant light faded as it reached the now invisible horizon. An enormously bright flash illuminated the dark skies as the deafening crackle of a lightning bolt hid a thunderously earth shaking impact.

I

David grabbed his backpack from his classroom, rushed to the parking lot and rode his hover-cycle through haze towards his favorite hideout - an abandoned building that was an old factory from the golden days of gas vehicles. This place was his escape from those pesky bullies from high school.

He's a bright student, especially in science. But his interests were shared by few friends. Another three years, and he'll be graduating.

He was near the building when he felt the heavy winds and the downpour. Through an open gate, he raced to the building and sought shelter. Deafening thunder followed him and found its way through empty corridors and chambers creating a metamorphosis from the roar of an avalanche to a ghostly, eerie cry.

Lit only by lightning flashes, the dark interiors of the building became unnavigable. He stumbles as he searched for something to light his way. With a portable light, he found his usual spot at the roof and occupied himself with personal treasures from his backpack.

An hour passed. The storm raged on. As lightning lit up the skies, he saw a silhouette in the horizon that seemed to be moving towards his fortress. Strange sparks emanated from its dark visage. An intense lightning flash revealed a strange figure of no man he has ever seen before. Yet the appearance of this large but sluggish enigma seemed anthropomorphic (or human like).

A cold tingling sensation crept up and down his spine. Sweat gushed down from his forehead. His legs became heavy, then frozen, as the figure came nearer. Moments seemed like an eternity. Finally, David took deep breaths and was able to bring himself to forget his fears. He rushed down the stairs in an effort to close all the doors to the building before the fearsome figure enters his domain.

The haze thickened as cold rain continuously touched the warm earth. In the distance, obscured light beams searched the grounds. Three ghostly shadows walked down a hill following strange footprints of the elusive figure. David can barely hear the voices drowned by the storm, but they seemed to be echoing the word "creature".

David continued to inspect all doors, when suddenly, a noise from one of the halls echoed. David's pounding heartbeat almost deafened his ears. Sweat continued to pour down from his forehead as he turned slowly and saw moving lights. Loud voices came near David until the debaters were close enough to recognize the small light David was carrying. Three shadows immediately poised themselves for battle. Objects that looked like old gun barrels pointed at David.

Who..who...who's there? Why are you pointing those things at me?, David nervously uttered. These three looked human, but the guns made David very frightened.

"Hey, Merle. It's a kid!"

"I can see that, Johnny... What ta ya doin here kid. Don't ya know there's a creature walkin round this buildin?" They lowered their weapons.

"Don't scare the kid. Look like he's 'lready scared of us."

"Ah hate to be a sour puss, but we still got us a keerchur to trek down. It's gotta be here somewheres. Dya see it, boy? Oh, mah name's Otis. What's yours?" Said Otis.

"I'm David. Welcome to my castle, and I've seen it. This thing you're looking for. It was walking towards this place, so I tried to lock all the doors until you all came along. Do you know what it is?"

"Probly an 'bomination of nature, that's what ah thinks."

"Probably a big foot or griz!" Said Johnny.

"Wise up you two. Don't you remember the crash? That's why we followed it.", Said Merle.

"How do we really know it walked out of the crash? We saw it 'bout a mile down the road before we followed it.", Said Johnny.

Just then, a audible noise caught their attention. It sounded like sparks. Perhaps the same sparks which emanated from the mysterious creature.

To be continued...

GLOSSARY

'bomination - the actual word is abomination.

abomination - n. a cause of disgust or loathsome or repugnance.   Synonyms are hate, uncleanliness, badness, dislike.

anthropomorphic - n. human like characteristics or behavior.

enigma - n. something puzzling, ambiguous, or inexplicable; a riddle.

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