'LIFEFORM.'� Captain Tyler saw a flashing red signal peripherally. With his breath held he prayed it was only some trick of the eye, but as he took a direct look at his digiscreen. 'LIFEFORM.'� Undoubtedly the most terrifying alert a space fairer can encounter. Imagining radioactive swarms, acidic plasma, and glowing fangs, Tyler began to sweat. While horrors quickly passed through his mind's eye, a lump developed in his throat as he contemplated his worst fear, a face sucker. An array of symbiotic species ripped through his head, all highly aggressive, terminal to their host and desperate to violently enter the first available orifice. Before he could summon the copilot's attention, he was awakened from his sleepless nightmare by a chirping voice.
'LIFEFORM. Oh goodness this is upsetting. How long has this been up there?'�
'Ummh. Just came up.'� Tyler stuttered regaining some of his focus. 'ShipMind. Identify, Locate, Contain, Advise, on detected lifeform.'� Silence swallowed the room.
'Unidentifiable, Unlocated, uncontainable, Recommend standard sterilization.'� Though ShipMind was never wrong, it was on rare occasion cryptic. Sentient Floating Vapors were reported throughout the universe and were never categorized. If it was a Vapor, the ordeal would be quick and painless. Unless it possessed him and forced him to commit unspeakable acts that his conscious brain could not prevent his usurped body from performing. Before finishing his silent effort in justified paranoia, Tyler considered the possibility that Captain Hanamoyn was already under control by an invisible force. Suddenly he was startled by the Chesdorian glaring with burning orange eyes that could have only been lusting for murder, or consumption. Secretion began to drip down from the Chesdorian's five nasal passages in salivating globs. Tyler understood his shipmate's wicked intentions immediately. Subsequently, he remembered that Chesdorians all have orange eyes and must constantly secrete mucous in order to breathe the oxygen pumped into the cabin for Tyler's sake. When breathing carbon dioxide, they are quite dry.
'I hope it's not a face sucker.'� With antennae wiggling nervously, the Chesdorian began to stand, its pigments changing subtly as it fidgeted with its armory compartment.
'Wait, you're not immune to face suckers?'� Shamefully, Tyler was relieved.
'Of course not. Didn't you read my biocompatibility sheet?'� Though thorough, Tyler tended to pass over sheets as long as the bold print stated 'No contamination threat', but not wanting to lose the faith of an already nervous shipmate he lied.
'Of course, of course, but I read so many you know.'� Captain Hanamoyn clucked his beak twice. Unbeknownst to Tyler this was a signal of agreement. To the immediate left of Tyler's chair was the Cryocannon and to the immediate right of Hanamoyn's was Thermorepeater. Both were fully charged and operational.
'Standard Sterilization' was the official term for elimination of a lifeform. In theory, the vast majority of organisms will be vulnerable to extreme heat and extreme cold, or one of the two depending on density and molecular makeup. It is upon the discretion of the Captains as to which method of sterilization to attempt first. Practical application dictates that even non-organic matter such as machinery or robotics, will suffer molecular damage by the extreme temperature change. Thus, worst case scenario instructions recommend first saturating a troublesome lifeform with molten plasma, and then subzero freezing it as a hypothermic measure. The final step is to file a report immediately with the proper authorities, which is a trivial formality, because all alerts are immediately sent to the departure and arrival docks of the cargo shipment concerned. Quarantine is enacted upon arrival. If need be the vessel and contents are expendable.
Neither one wanted to be first to approach the sliding entrance to the rear of the ship. Both halted three meters short of the dull metallic door and stared vacantly. Rechecking their armaments, which both knew to be in perfect working order, pathetically, both tried to pretend they hadn't been standing still for thirty seconds.
'You are aware that I am not a female Captain Tyler?'� The simian was perplexed.
'Of course Hanamoyn.'� Actually he wasn't. 'Why do you ask?'�
'A human once told me it was primate tradition for ladies to be first.'�
'Humans! Ignorant savages if you ask me. Earth is better without them.'�
'Always found them quite fascinating myself. Perhaps we should discus this later.'� The simian was actually quite willing to discuss it now. Even though he had no interest in the subject matter, it would avoid the more prominent issue of what was outside the door. Graying brow in a scowl, Tyler dispensed with the quiet politeness.
'You gotta Thermorepeater. Don't want my fur singed, so you should go first.'�
'Mind you sir, I am extremely aqueous. A douse of cryogen will rupture organs.'�
Again at a stand still, Tyler finally conceded. 'Fine you garbage ape. I'll lead.'� Well aware that such a comment to another simian would be extremely insulting, Tyler smiled for the first time since the alert. Hanamoyn took it as a compliment. Inching forward the Silver-backed earthling tightened his grips on the issued armament and the illegal sidearm in his left hind paw. The Chesdorian brought the sights up to his center eye. In the hands of his under-arms were gas and shock grenades, also highly illegal. 'ShipMind.'� Tyler's voice trembled 'Scan outside bridge door and open if clear.'� The doors zipped open. Tyler jolted and Hanamoyn secreted himself with jelly, which although embarrassing among Chesdorians, left a smell fragrant to most mammals. Beyond them, the short corridor to the cargo hold was empty. Phosphorescent, radiated and infrared lights illuminated the corridor, which allowed the Chesdorian to see on all three of his spectrums. Tyler sniffed while inching closer then fired a blast just in case.
'We are clear Tyler. Allow the dust to settle. I will take lead to the next door.'� Tyler gave an impressed nod. Chesdorians were notorious for their fairness, not their courage. Upon entering the next room Hanamoyn shuddered, turned blue the recoiled.
'You alright. Whatizit.'� Taking a moment to reorient itself and regain warmth.
'Cold. As I stated earlier I am extremely delicate to it.'� Its green hue returned.
'You want I should blast some heat.'� With an unfamiliar gesture Hanamoyn continued in. 'ShipMind scan the cargo blast door, Report.'� ShipMind's voice crackled.
'Cargo bay clear. Cargo bay reading obscured. LIFEFORMS detected.'�
'I say Captain I don't care for that report.'� Hanamoyn took up firing position.
'Yep. Somethin ain't right.'� Tyler advanced to establish a support position. 'Well when ever you're ready.'� Hanamoyn armed the grenades, then in a high pitch,
'Open Cargo Blast door.'� An unfamiliar light rushed from the cargo hold simultaneously with the sliding doors. The captains saw the two stowaways immediately, but hesitated firing because the silhouettes seemed to have taken up firing positions themselves. Peripherally scanning the cargo hold they realized something amiss. Tyler reevaluated his earlier wish that the lifeforms were stowaways as opposed to the myriads of other possibilities. The cargo hold was not damaged, but altered. It was larger than it was before, twice as large. Their armaments were already pointing in random directions, not aimed, before they realized that the stowaways had done the same.
'Captain Tyler, those two look familiar. Far too familiar for any explanation.'�
Lowering the Cryocannon and disarming the grenades, Hanamoyn began to move into the cargo hold in a trance. Awed himself, Tyler was frozen inside the doorway. As the Chesdorian approach the cargo cubes at the center of the room, his co-captain noticed one of the silhouettes on the other side doing the same. The simian whispered warning.
'It's comin at you. Hey, you crazy amphibious bastards. Fall back. Please.'� As Hanamoyn approached its antennae raised in coordination with those of the silhouette. A cold realization came over the simian as Hanamoyn stopped short of the seam that divided the impossibly large cargo hold in half. Two Chesdorians stood examining each other less than a meter apart. Differences, subtle and blatant, made it easy for Tyler to ascertain his co-captain was not standing in front of a holo-mirror, but the way they moved, their skin features, and the astonished way they looked at each other implied some familiarity. The furry earthling could not see the minute and most alarming detail.
'The name on the badge, it says Hanamoyn.'� Its voice quivered in a high squeal.
'So it's your relative.'� Tyler wouldn't like the answer to his rhetorical question.
'No captain. That is not the case. I know the spot marking of all my kin. These are very familiar to me though, because they are mine.'� Hanamoyn turned and prepared to explain. Tyler's fur raised in sudden panic, which the Chesdorian read in the primate's face. Spinning to face the doppelganger, the amphibian skin flushed to neon green. Thermorepeater raised the insanely similar creature fired a point blank shot at its head. Tyler and Hanamoyn both screamed as the molten plasma spewed out and disappeared directly were the strange seam had appeared. Stunned and enraged Tyler fired back. Once again the shots stopped at the point were the two cargo holds melded together.
'What the holy hell was that for?'� Rushing over the simian scooped up his co-captain and retreated back to the door way. 'This is shenanigans. You sure it's you.'�
'I'm as sure as I can be. In fact, I would conclude that it is absolutely me. Not a shapeshifter or a clone. There is some kind of field anomaly at the junction there.'�
'So what you're guessing is a time anomaly of some sort. That's very bad.'�
'Worse. A time anomaly would not have different clothes.'� They looked across the bay to confirm that the other two were wearing a blue version of the ShipMind uniforms, while theirs were red. 'Also, the alternated version of me had the Thermorepeater.'� Tyler did not hear the last comment because he had locked eyes with a blonde version of himself. Nodding his head in respect the Silver-back was appalled by his counter part bearing teeth. Which was highly offensive among Earth Primates.
'Don't tell me this is parallel universe crap, because I slept through this part of school.'� Tyler had not broken eye contact with the other ape. It was about dominance.
'Captain, How on Chesdor could you sleep through a class? Highly improper.'�
'Professor told me to. Said it was all hypothetical any ways. Science fiction.'�
'Well it seems he was wrong. Of course, I can't really make grievance over it. I remember the whole lesson and it will not help us. We are in a very unique scenario.'�
'I hope by 'unique', you don't mean bad, because these two look like trouble.'�
Wickedness was painted all over the faces of the doppelgangers as they glowered at the co-captains contemptuously, all the while loading and upgrading their superior weapons. Obviously these alternate versions saw a threat and intended to eliminate it. Considering the quality of their weapons, it was how they often handled such scenarios. Gaze locked on them hatefully, Tyler hoped the alternates were complete opposites, thus dumb and reckless. Of course, on the other hand, they could be just as smart and tough, but entirely malicious.
'We gotta get our dung together, so let's go to the bridge and get an update.'�
'I concur. ShipMind. Place a containment field in front of the cargo blast door.'�
Immediately upon Hanamoyn's command semitransparent energy began to hum as the captains began to back away, eyes never leaving the rapid reflections that were following suit toward their own bridge. 'ShipMind. Contain entire cargo corridor.'�
'Nice call.'� Tyler still had not broken eye contact with the contemptuous counter parts. When the blast doors on the other ship closed, he finally relaxed and addressed his cocaptain directly. 'They shut their doors. I can't see'em and I don't like it at all.'�
'Seemingly they are not as careful as us. Considering their initial reaction to us and the superiority of their fire power they do not need to be.'� Hanamoyn's voice regained strength. 'Hopefully we can use their contentedness against them. ShipMind. Alert arrival and departure immediately of a Parallel Reality Paradox. Keep us posted.'�
'SO, we just gotta sit here. You sure that's wise? Those creeps are the shoot first, shoot later types. Right now they are planning something. We should be planning too.'�
'That is a logical conclusion Captain, but we must remember that they don't seem able to move matter and energy across that strange divide anymore than we can.'�
'Listen, any monkey worth his weight in banana flavored nutrient pellets knows the old adage about sittin in the tree and letting them knock you out with a poison arrow.'�
'I was told 'monkey' was an offensive term to Gorilla-based Earthlings.'�
'It's only offensive if non-primates say it, except humans, those smelly little'�.'�
'REPORT'� Both jumped as ShipMind's static voice interrupted, 'ShipMind collective recommends continuous scanning. Cargo is first priority. Protect at all costs.'� An eerie silence came over the bridge as the Captains futility hope for more transmission.
'You gotta be kidding me. I ain't really surprised though. We are expendable.'� Tyler spit at the containment field causing the mucous to sizzle as it deatomized.
'Correct, but usually so is cargo. I would then ascertain.'� Tyler interrupted,
'The cargo has something to do with this.'� The Chesdorian signaled agreement.
'So it would be beneficial to us to assure its safety.'� Hanamoyn activated its wrist scanner. 'ShipMind. Remove containment field immediately.'� The captains rushed down the corridor, over to the cube containing the cargo and began to run tests. 'Incredible energy readings Tyler. All possible signatures are present. Impossible.'�
'So is being hooked on to another ship going the opposite direction while maintaining course and haul integrity, with two mooks just like us on the other end.'�
'I must concur with you on that Tyler. If only we knew what was in the container we could'�'� Suddenly the container lurched forward smashing Hanamoyn in the head. Cursing himself, Tyler dove behind the box covering his co-captain's injured body. How could he allow them to sneak up? Not that it would have made any difference. In an instant, the simian knew the doppelgangers intended the opposite fate for the cargo. By order or in retaliation, the alternates decided they wanted the box destroyed. If only Hanamoyn would have noticed that the box was resting perfectly in the center of the strange seam, it may have deduced that the box was the nexus. Unfortunately, the Chesdorian was injured, making the new knowledge fruitless. Tyler knew the box could take more punishment, but how much? What if it ruptured? Leaning back he saw that the reckless reflections preparing to fire again even though they couldn't get energy past the seam. Utilizing the shielding, Tyler dragged his cocaptain to safety. Yet something about the seam anomaly had changed and the Earthling suspected his time was borrowed.
'ShipMind. Containment field. Cargo blast door.'� Tyler activated the scanner on his wrist and began to evaluate Hanamoyn. Chesdorian physiology was far removed from Earthling, but a head shot was fairly a universal trouble. Breathing a sigh of relief, the simian picked up his co-captain and carried him to the bridge. 'You'll be alright. Just some fluid displacement. Speaking of which, I gotta hit the can.'� Tyler was hesitant to allow the enemy to escape his sight. Across the altered ship, he could see them having a conversation, which seemed to be escalating into an argument. Perhaps they would kill one another and save him the trouble. Suddenly, the blonde ape began to laugh and the darker hued Chesdorian jiggled violently patting the monkey on the back. Damn.
'Tyler.'� The voice was watery and shallow. 'What is that status of the cargo?'�
'Fine. Are you ok?'� Tyler spoke softly in an effort to calm his co-captain. Hanamoyn signaled with his digits. 'That means yes? I'm not Chesdorian ya know?'�
'It means yes.'� Hanamoyn made its humor noise. 'You are an entertaining captain. My apologies for becoming a liability. Under better circumstances, we would have fun.'�
'This is fun to me.'� Both found the retort humorous. 'Anyway the cargo is intact, but it moved when those mooks blasted it. It was the only thing that crossed the seam.'�
'I thought that was what I noticed also. So if it is the nexus and it moved'� Captain please hurry back to the cargo hold and describe the area to me.'� Tyler commanded the containment field down and in one leap cleared the corridor.
'Hanamoyn.'� He yelled, hoping his co-captain could hear him, 'The seam, it's bending toward the container. And their ship seems to be growing. Tyler could tell by the pattern of the metal floor plates. The altered cargo hold was no longer symmetrical.
'ShipMind. Place containment field, ship width, directly in front of cargo.'� The amphibian's voice was faint, but the A.I. instantly responded. Tyler returned in a rush.
'Hey, good idea. Maybe we should put another one up, right in front of the seam. It might stop it from moving any further. Also, I saw'em react. They can hear us now.'�
'Goodness, this is a negative turn of events. We should erect another field.'� The order was given by Tyler and much to the dismay of them both the field evaporated instantly upon contact with the seam. Yet ShipMind still did not detect any anomaly.
'The seam is going to bend into the cargo soon. What should we do?'� There was no response. Its skin had faded to green as light as the sea foam on the beaches of Chesdor. Frustrated and holding in a serious amount of stress and fluid Tyler winced. If he didn't relieve himself soon he would explode. Perhaps it wasn't his brightest idea, but a solution presented itself. With a wide smirk Tyler approach the mysterious shield the separated the realities directly in front of the container and began relieving himself. At that point he did not care. Besides, it was worth enraging the monkey across the room from him. Like a young Gorilla he swiveled and giggled as his would-be killers tried repeatedly to disintegrate him. Discharging the weapons made a faint sound, not as loud as if the noise had been in the same room, enough too validate Tyler's earlier conclusion that moving the cargo box had somehow altered the Paradox. Buttoning up his uniform, the primate still flashed teeth with elation, much to the disgust of both doppelgangers, but especially the blonde ape. Obviously, exposing and relieving one self in the face of another was an insult in that reality as well. Tugging at his fur, spiting and even pushing his respective Chesdorian the monkey ranted around the somewhat larger cargo hold. Tyler would have probably laughed forever, until he realized that the seam had crossed over the fluid which now was a puddle in the alternate cargo bay.
His contemptible contemporaries also realized that the room was changing. Awestruck, the three of them watch as the seam creased toward the crate like the tendrils of the venomous, flesh hungry, Venus Humanoid Trap, another regrettable after effect of the ignorant genetic atrocities of Tyler's Earthling counterparts. It was then the Silver-back realized that he could strap a grenade onto the cargo, before the seam reached it, slide it back into the alternative cargo bay and disintegrate his opponents, while leaving himself on the other side of the invisible shield. Realizing that this idea may destroy the cargo, eliminated that as a possibility. Beside the grenade may not make it past the strange shield, thus putting Tyler in the exploding cargo bay.
One thing was for certain, if the doppelgangers continued to push the crate farther into his ship, eventually his craft would cease to exist, or maybe not, or maybe worse. In frustration, the Gorilla grabbed the crate and began moving it sideways. The alternates leapt in dismay at the possible effects, though they had no idea what they were. The seam continued to move toward the crate so Tyler abandoned his frustrated effort. To the best of his calculation, he determined the seam would reach the box in less than thirty seconds. Deciding to expect the worst he braced is back against the box. He knew he was safe from his foes firepower, but he had to assure they did not advance the seam against him. Inching slowly back he tried to gain some momentum, because he was sure they would attempt to push against him.
Not in the least happy about being correct, Tyler felt the rival captains press against him the moment the box crossed the seam. Although a Chesdorian possesses not even a fifth of the torque of a Gorilla, it was enough advantage considering a frighteningly similar ape was on the other side. Fortunately for Tyler, he had established good position and was able to resist his opponent and continue his movement toward their bridge. Within a few seconds though, the strain began to become unbearable. Knowing that he did not have long, the Silver-back gave one last shove. Everything began to spin as the resistance broke. Quick to his feet, Tyler realized he was on the other side of the field. His rivals were sprawled across the floor and the puddle he had made earlier was streaked. Holding back laughter, trying to think quickly, the simian scanned for their weapons. With a quick leap he landed in their cargo corridor and with a roar up triumph picked up the opposing Chesdorian's Neural Strangler. Holding them both at bay, he realized that there was no way he could keep them both covered for long. Meanwhile, the seam crept closer to the crate, this time in the other direction, but it was no longer a simple crease in the metal which resembles riveting. Searing alive with strange energy, it had changed.
The Earthling took hold of the crate and quickly dragged it toward the cargo blast door of the replica ship. The twisted twins instinctively went for their other armaments. Hanamoyn's hellish likeness got off one shot of a Water Igniter, but missed. Tyler ducked into the corridor connecting to their bridge and growled.
'ShipMind containment field cargo blast door and ignore orders except mine.'� To the Silver Back's glee the order worked and he howled with delight as hi sopponents screamed and belted orders to their own ShipMind which processed, but did not respond. Refusing to take his eyes off of them, he pointed to the seam, which drew ever closer to that side of the ship. The opponents began to panic as the possibility of being impacted by the strange shield grew more eminent. Although feigning joy, in order to keep the doppelgangers flustered, the Gorilla began to consider how this all could backfire.
Tyler wanted to believe that possession of the crate would mean something, but he could not be certain. Hanamoyn called to him from the bridge in voice that was stronger than just a few moments earlier. Kneeling next to the pilot seat where Hanamoyn was recovering the gorilla prepared for more bad news. To his delight Hanomoyn was alerting him to a flashing green signal that signified a message from the ShipMind central. ShipMind's cold voice had returned to stable.
'Captains. Urgent Import/Export update . Cargo Unstable. Experimental pocket universe. Anomalies possible. Avoid Overreaction/undereaction. Avoid touching, moving or damaging cargo box. Inform ShipMind central if parameters are disturbed.'�
Tyler looked at Hanamoyn with confusion and guilt. Hanamoyn was able to read the simians expressions. They tried to send silent signals to one another hoping to coordinate a suitable reply, without directly stating that the cargo had been pushed, bashed, blasted, faced an explosion and pushed through urine. Suddenly, ShipMind's voice boomed. Emergency tone was a unique sound no freight hauler could forget.
'Multiple unqualified anomalies detected thorough out ship. Antimatter and chromoton contamination probable. Entire nebula threatened. Level one preventative action imperative.'�
Lifeform was the most terrifying alerts a cargo captain could see, simply because of the variety of excruciating ways one may meet their end. Level one preventative action on the other hand was quite simple, quick and painless. Usually only used when a suspected super nova device was being smuggled for ominous reasons, level one preventative action seemed like over kill. Hanamoyn released some gas in frustration.
'Terrible fate for us. I guess they are hoping that the extreme gravity will crush, or at least neutralize the pocket universe. I say, at least it's not some infection.'� Tyler nodded in agreement, though reluctantly. The silver back was not as composed as Hanamoyn, because being sent into a black hole was still a terrible way to expire.
Unable to change the locked coordinates, the two captains decide to just relax and accept the inevitable. After a great deal of bonding, storytelling and soul searching, there was a strange sound. Hanamoyn decided to check the progress toward their inevitable doom. 'We are no longer at sub-particle acceleration. We haven't moved for a good while. Engines are not responding to checks.'� Hanaomoyn was stumped.
'Maybe those two damaged them.'� Tyler nodded to the rear drawing his weapons. A startling noise broke through. It was a forced communiqué.
'Attention ShipMind cargo vessel. We do not know how the rear portion of your craft has disappeared, but you are now stranded. We are willing to help you, but you will be either forced to join us or be ejected into space. Take a moment to decide.'�
'Pirates. I love pirates.'� Tyler began grabbing his articles and armaments.
'The anomaly field. It somehow drew the line of reality where the box was. The back of their ship was where our cargo door is. When the line moved, we ceased to share a similar chunk of reality. Amazing. Wait, are we joining pirates?'�
'Of course. ShipMind left us to drift. Beside this thing may be worth something.'� Tyler pointed to the crate excitedly.
'Yes but it is problematic. What about our doppelgangers. Do you think they still exist?'�
'I hope not, but who cares. In fact, if you think about it, the next time we are most likely to meet them, we will have a group of pirates on our side.'�
'Your assumption is that our counterparts will be surrounded by a traveling actor's guild or a tourist group.'� Hanamoyn gurgled.
'I hope so, because I wouldn't mind settling something. I don't think you would either.'� Tyler smile at Hanamoyn who had turned a strange green and was up gathering its personal effect.
'Captain, may I have the honor of signaling our new comrades of our decision?'�
'Sure. And don't call me Captain anymore. Name's Tyler.'� Hanamoyn gurgled again as he activated the communications array.

Want to comment on this Short Stories? Sign up to Edit Red and you will be able to comment on Short Stories and get access to: Upload your own stories and poems, get readers and their feedback, promote your work...