Wanted: hero

Wanted: hero

by

Paul Kater

Published by the author as a member of the

Alexandria Publishing Group

Wanted: hero - © Copyright 2015, Paul Kater

Cover art by Renée Barratt / The Cover Counts - http://www.thecovercounts.com

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from author.

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This is a work of fiction, and as a work of fiction, any resemblance to people, places or things is entirely accidental. The creation of certain buildings and locations is entirely the work of the author to avoid conflict and comparison with existing structures

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Jump to the Table of Contents

1. The not so good life

The ominous sound of the mail that hit the ground in the hall yanked Sebastian from his book. The flap over the mail slit seemed to make more noise every day, as if the mailman had some mean streak in him. What misery would there be waiting for him this time? Was he going to be thrown out of his house today? More bills? Maybe even another letter from his ex-wife's lawyer who wanted to see more money for her.

Sebastian closed his eyes, took a deep breath and was back inside his book, with the story he enjoyed so much. Not now, world, not now. First there was a princess to be rescued by a dragon rider and that was more important than a bill or court order. Unfortunately the princess was saved very quickly and the end of the book wasn't so brilliant. Sebastian closed the book with a snap and while uttering a sigh he put it on the wobbly table next to his slightly worn but ever so comfortable chair. Then he went to fetch the mail. The inevitable had its name for a reason. In the draughty hall he checked the envelopes. Tax Office. Always a welcome change. The envelope fell to the ground. Lawyer. How could he have guessed that! Advertising. As if he still had any money to spend on things like that. Well, that wasn't too bad, Sebastian told himself as he returned to his chair. They could have fired me with a telegram.

Before he had opened the next book, a loud bang ripped him from his pondering. That had to be the window of the guest room. He hoisted himself up and went up the stairs as the wind howled around the house. The noise came from the guest room indeed. The hard wind gave him quite a fight to get the window closed, and when he'd finally managed it Sebastian was ready for dry clothes; the storm outside had used the pouring rain to drench him. Marvellous, he muttered as he saw the puddle on the floor. Half an hour later that was cleaned up and then he thought it enough for the night. He went to bed. After reading for half an hour more he fell asleep to prepare for tomorrow's new day.

***

Hey, Sebaccio! Cornelius Baker always welcomed Sebastian that way upon coming in.

Hi, Cornelia, Sebastian grinned. Cornelius hated that, he knew.

Oh, are we in such a mood? Then you go get your own coffee. Cornelius looked annoyed for a while but that never lasted long with him. How come you're actually on time today?

Wind and rain at my back, that's a big help, Sebastian explained as he took off the wet rain gear he'd worn on his bike. He had sold the car a long time ago because of all the cuts in his life, but this way he had a good way to stay fit. I'll get the coffee. Regular for you?

Yes. Double sugar and extra brandy. Cornelius patted a big folder. I'm going to need that today. When Sebastian returned with the coffee, Cornelius was already tapping away furiously at his computer. Any news of your stripper?

Huh? What stripper?

Do you have more than one? I'm referring to your ex, the bitch that's stripping you clean. Did she buy a new horse from your alimony by now?

For god's sake, don't mention her. I had another envelope. And taxes. I wish they would hand back what I'm running short every week. Sebastian's ex had been crazy with horse riding, everyone at work knew that. Together they'd taken some lessons and that had been great fun, until suddenly serious fights had flushed their fun down the drain. She started to blame him that his career wasn't on the level that she wanted it to be, and after that there suddenly was a lot of misery in the form of a divorce that she had started without much discussion. The whole thing had shocked and surprised him, and he had simply signed the papers because he'd been sick and tired of the fighting and yelling. Talking was no longer an option, there was nothing they could nor wanted to save any more. Especially the last six months had taken their toll on Sebastian, and the prospects were like the autumn weather: grey and sombre.

I know what you mean, said Cornelius, I'm looking for a sponsor as well.

A sponsor for what? Frank Jones, a colleague who shared the office, had only caught the last sentence. As he passed behind Sebastian's chair Frank grabbed Sebastian by the arms and tried to keep him pinned into the chair. Sebastian reacted immediately: he used one leg to push himself away from the desk. That threw Frank off balance and against the wall which he now was effectively pinned against. Sebastian slipped off the chair, pushed that aside and took Frank in an arm-lock.

You just have to keep trying, don't you? Sebastian grinned as he applied a little more pressure to Frank who had to kneel down. Three weeks of taekwondo is not the same as six years of Budo training, Frankie. Then he helped his colleague to his feet again. And you have to get your own coffee.

Damn it, Sebastian, one day you'll accidentally kill me! Frank was very shocked by this sudden rough action.

Sebastian sat down again. "Don't worry, boy, things like that won't happen by accident. It's been a while since I had lessons, but I still train by myself regularly."

I can tell, said Frank who stood rubbing his shoulder. Can't you teach me some of those tricks?

I can do that, but since I'm not a sensei, a teacher, I won't do that. Sebastian shook his head. He hoped that Frank had learnt his lesson now. He didn't want to hurt the young man but ever since Frank had taken up his taekwondo lessons he'd become intolerable.

The day crawled by. One annoying job wasn't done or another department started complaining about his latest reports. As a business consultant he wasn't the most popular person, and when he brought up evident mistakes here and there, people tended to turn those into personal dramas. A few times Sebastian used his internet banking to check what he still had in the bank. That wasn't something to cheer a person up but he wanted to keep an eye on the situation. His ex's lawyer had somehow managed to trick Sebastian into signing a paper that the lawyer could transfer the alimony money from his account. The sum was entirely over the top, and today was the day to wave goodbye to his money again. He'd tried to get out of this wrong deal, but he had signed the papers and thus he didn't have a leg to stand on. At least he still had the house. Okay, it was an old place he rented but it kept the autumn storm at bay. Sebastian could at least barely live, even if the situation was difficult.

Money's tight again, Sebaccio? Cornelius never took banking privacy very seriously and often looked at the accounts with him.

"What do you mean again? That's the normal state of things for me these days."

You should get yourself a lawyer and sue the crap out of your ex.

Cornelia, do you have any idea how much that costs?

There is an insurance for that, boy, it works miracles.

Sebastian laughed. And how should I pay that? He pointed at the monitor. No insurance will fall for that.

Perhaps you should sell the boat then, Cornelius suggested. Boats are no good in this bad weather anyway.

If only I had a boat to sell. Sebastian had never owned a boat as his ex had already claimed to be sea-sick if he moved a glass of water too quickly. The thought of his ex made him feel sea-sick at the moment. Quickly he closed the banking website when Frank came back into the office. Frank was far less understanding towards Sebastian's situation. At home Sebastian no longer had an Internet connection as he simply couldn't afford that any more. That was why he had to do his sparse online affairs here at work. Luckily that wasn't a problem here, but Frank still nagged about that and Sebastian was not in the mood for that.

Towards the end of the work day Frank was the first one to leave. Fighting lesson, he said with a look that was supposed to convey readiness for battle. He took care to keep a safe distance to Sebastian. Tomorrow I'm going to tie everyone in a knot. See ya!

Sebastian shook his head. He's not going to last long. Oh, you're leaving too? Cornelius also had his coat on already.

Yes. Groceries and such. The man regarded Sebastian. Is there anything I can bring for you, Sebastian?

From the chair in which he planned to do some overtime Sebastian looked at his colleague. The man offered this regularly. That would be great, Cornelius.

I'll bring you veggies tomorrow, Cornelius decided. Good luck and don't forget to go home, boy.

I'll be fine. Don't get wet, Sebastian laughed. And thank you. This confrontation with his current state of life made him feel bad again.

It was already past seven when the guard came walking through the offices. Mr Fowler, sir, you really need to leave now. We're switching on the alarm soon. Sebastian thanked the man. He always gave Sebastian a little extra time to work. Quickly he put on his rain gear and left the building. Fortunately the storm had become less strong, but that didn't hinder the rain from coming down with vigour.

Back home again Sebastian made something simple for dinner. What a difference compared to the wonderful meals of days gone by, he thought as he sat at the kitchen table with his plate. In the past, when things between Madelon and him had still been great, when they'd made plans for a house in the country. When they had taken his parents for little trips, or when her parents invited them for crazy parties.

The rain lashed the windows and that made him feel very down. All the plans they had made, all those dreams... everything down the drain in one fell stroke when someone else had gotten that promotion. Madelon had blamed him personally for that, as if he'd planned that. After that first fight she'd run out and spent the night with her parents. Shaking his head Sebastian stabbed his food that had gone cold. He glanced at the microwave. Heat it up? Immediately he considered the electricity bill, but on the other hand he had to eat well to stay healthy, so heating up the food it was.

After dinner and washing the dishes he moved to his chair again and buried himself in one of the many books he still had. Madelon had never liked reading, she had always watched television. At least that was a good thing of the divorce: he no longer had to listen to those endless stories about fake celebrities and plastic heroes.

2. More storm

With the new day came the old storm, so again Sebastian arrived at work dripping from every part of his rain gear. Cornelius was already at work, and on Sebastian's chair was a big bag with vegetables. Thank you, Cornelius.

Don't mention it, Sebaccio, you'd do the same for me. The man winked. Oh dear, look at what comes hobbling towards us. Sebastian turned and through the window he saw Frank approach. The young man walked like a disabled elderly person.

I doubt that someone will be tied in a knot today, said Sebastian as he sat down. Cornelius just grinned.

Morning, was all that Frank said as he entered the office. With a few deep sighs he took off his coat and with a moan he then sat down.

Did you have a rough night, boy? Cornelius asked.

Frank made a rude sound. No. But I'm not going to taekwondo again. These people try to kill you.

Sebastian wanted to make a remark but at that moment his phone rang. He recognised the number of Elly, the department secretary. Hi de hi, Sebastian, she chimed in his ear, Mr Harris wants to speak with you.

Hi, Elly, good morning to you. Which of the two? The old one or the young one? The owners of Harris Inc. were father and son, and no one ever knew immediately which of the two was meant. Elly told him it was Harris junior. Okay, thank you. I'll see him in a minute. Sebastian first took the time to finish his coffee because the wind had been very cold. After that he walked up the stairs to the floor where the managers and bosses had their offices, and knocked on young Harris's door.

Enter.

Short as always, it almost sounded like a bark, Sebastian thought. Good morning, Mr Harris, he said as he came in.

Ah. Fowler. Sit down. The young man who had already lost most of his hair barely looked up and rummaged through the mountain of papers on his desk. The man was clearly his father's son, old Mr Harris also only was alive if his desk almost collapsed under a mountain of paperwork. Finally the young man was done with whatever he'd been busy with. Right, he said as he looked Sebastian in the eye. The way he said right didn't sound very right. Fowler, the company has problems.

I understand, sir. The economical situation- Sebastian began, but the man promptly interrupted him. As usual.

Exactly. So we have to make cuts. Yesterday we had long discussions and we decided that we have to let a number of people go. We were he and his Dad, that was clear. Sebastian's gut started acting up. As you may have understood by now you're one of those people.

It felt like a physical blow to the face. But sir-

No buts about it, Fowler. Finish what you can this week, and hand over your other things to Baker. We're going to be very generous and pay you for three full months, and you'll also be compensated for your leave days and such.

The consultant looked at his boss. Why me?

You're not in the inner loop to make profits, Fowler, and there are a few more like you. Not even unfortunately a few more. Sebastian wondered if the man opposite him was actually human, or just a machine that was programmed to fire people without emotion. He asked something about the procedures of letting someone go, but all that 'was taken care off'. It was obvious that this had been arranged and organised longer than the day before.

Good. If that's all then you can go now, Fowler.

Sebastian needed to take a deep breath. He was completely dumbfounded and left the office without another word. He'd just been fired, just like that. Without any announcement or indication. He could just pack up and take a hike. Right at the moment that he could make ends meet by putting in the overtime he was losing his job. Even with three months pay coming, the future looked very bleak now.

As he returned to his desk his colleagues asked what had happened. Before he had finished talking, Frank's phone rang. It was Elly, and because of that Sebastian already knew what Frank's future would look like. He wished the limping man luck. Frank laughed when he left, but upon his return he looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Even before he'd reached his chair he stared a rant about immoral behaviour and permeated that with lots of polite offences at the address of the Harris family. They tried to calm Frank down but that proved impossible so they just let him blow off steam. Then Sebastian surprised everyone by taking the rest of the day off. I have to think, put things in order, and I can't do that here. For a moment he wondered if he should take the rest of the week off and let things rot here, but that was beyond his integrity as a colleague. These people had nothing to do with it, he told himself in a wave of realism.

Come on, man. It's serious crap-weather, what can you do? Cornelius asked. Sebastian however switched off his computer, put on his still wet rain clothing and left the department as in another office a phone rang.

Cornelius was right. It was still serious crap-weather, but Sebastian cycled as fast as he could just to get home. Once there he took a hot shower and then he sat down on the couch to think about the future. He'd have to look at job openings, which meant going out to look at newspapers as he had no internet connection at home. And a visit to the employment agencies of course. As he made some coffee he thought about what was coming. This way there wasn't much of a life left, he thought. And so much had disappeared already. Horse riding with his wife. The Budo training-sessions with Buntaro, the small Japanese man with his grumpy face who always had a kind word for everyone. Buntaro was perhaps the person Sebastian missed most. That man was amazing, but he didn't work for nothing either.

That day the rain kept pouring down and nothing happened that could lift his mood. Visiting someone with this weather wasn't a serious alternative. Getting soaked had happened enough for one day. As evening had come, Sebastian was just having dinner, someone banged on the back door. Sebastian! Open up! someone yelled. He recognised the voice of Carlo, his neighbour. What was he doing outside in this weather?

What's up, man? Sebastian asked as he let Carlo and a big puddle of water in.

You should have a look at your cellar, mine's already flooded, said Carlo.

Oh crap, that's not good! With Carlo in his wake Sebastian ran to the door to the cellar, switched on the light and rushed down the stairs. He stopped on the last step because there were at least two inches of water on the floor. And I thought my day couldn't get worse, Sebastian sighed.

Sounds like suck, man, what happened? After that comment Carlo was treated to Sebastian's story of him being let go. They climbed up the stairs. Man, that's bugger. And now what?

Employment agency and all that, Sebastian said. Coffee?

No thanks, I'm going home to the wife and help her with the soggies in the cellar.

Sebastian shook his head. While it's still raining? That's like mopping with the tap wide open, Charly, which is useless.

That's what you say. That old floor won't hold for long I don't think, so you do it your way and I'll deal with the soggies. Carlo clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. Good luck, man. If we can do something for you, just howl, okay?

With Carlo back in the pouring rain Sebastian sighed a thank you. Would it really be so bad in the cellar with all that water? In the hall there was a closet with a pair of oversized boots, his giant sneakers. He could put those on and have a proper look around down there. There was a rack with old audio equipment in the basement; if he could get that up here then at least that was safe. The floor would be a problem for the housing corporation. Sebastian went back into the hall. The light in the cellar was still on, but the moment he wanted to switch that off there was a bright flash from below and it was dark as night there. Super. Now I have to find a flashlight first. He knew there was one somewhere, but that would take a while. His house had lots of places called somewhere.

A new flash lit up the whole hall. The thunderclap that followed told Sebastian that the bad weather wasn't over yet. Let's party! he yelled at another thunderbolt that rolled over the neighbourhood. It was easy to locate his super-sized boots. They were in the hall closet indeed, and they'd been there for the longest time too as they were covered in dust and cobwebs. Sebastian shrugged. He'd first clean them and then look for the flashlight. The worst thing that could happen now was that the world keeled over. In the kitchen he used an old rag to clean out the inside of the insanely large boots and put them on over his shoes. That was why he'd bought them once. Alrighty then. Next stop: lamp. Maybe that's in the same closet. He went back into the hall and saw another flash. Wait, that's not right, he told himself. Lightning flashes usually were white, and this one had been yellow. As he reached the closet he also realised that there hadn't been any thunder after the lightning. That was really odd. Oh well, first he'd need the flashlight.

The search took half an hour. He located the light beneath the bedside table on the other side of the bed. It had been there because his ex had been so quickly scared of strange sounds, and all the time she'd been gone he'd never needed the thing. To his surprise the batteries still worked. On the way down the stairs Sebastian again saw the yellow light, this time right after some lightning and thunder. That's impossible, he told the burning flashlight, the light in the cellar's busted and that never gave off that much light. Without noticing he'd begun talking to himself. He always did that when he was stressed and tired. Wearing his big boots he stomped down the wooden staircase into the cellar. The light from the flashlight pierced the darkness with difficulty. Halfway down there was another bolt of lightning, and he waited for the thunder. That came almost immediately, so the bad weather was right over his head. He walked down and sloshed through the water, to the rack with his old equipment. A bolt of thunder was louder than his curse when he saw that his ancient record player was already submerged. He picked the apparatus from the lowest shelf and carried it upstairs. Perhaps it would work again once it had dried. As the flashlight started to fail a bit he went down again, and once he was near the rack again the impossible happened. From the dark water on the floor, next to the big rack, a pillar of yellow light came up! The entire basement was lit up by it. The light was so bright that he had to keep a hand up not to be blinded by it. From that point on the situation became even more bizarre: inside the pillar of light something appeared to move!

Sebastian pressed himself against the wall next to the rack. Even here the light from the pillar was so bright that he still was blinded by it, so he averted his eyes and raised an arm to cover his eyes. The reflection on the opposite wall now also seemed to move. There really was something going on inside that light, and he was less than seven feet away from it! His tired mind tried to make sense of the situation, but this was something that would happen in his science fiction books, not in his own cellar! Deep inside his survival instincts started to act up. He had to do something. Would he be able to make it to the stairs in a few leaps despite the water? Whatever it was that cast its shadows on the wall, he wasn't eager to find out what it was. The entire moment was insane, bizarre, unreal and frightening, and the thunder that still lashed out overhead didn't help to regain some peace of mind. The light that flooded the basement seemed to dim a little, the shadow on the opposite wall became darker. It was now or never. At the same moment that Sebastian jumped away from the rack something stepped out of the light and into the basement, and Sebastian slammed straight into it.

"Stjenejash!" A powerful, female voice echoed through the cellar. Sebastian's heart almost stopped as he staggered backwards and had to hold on to the rack so as not to fall. What in the name of everything holy was happening here? As the water fought against his boots he tried to jump past the strange apparition but something solid landed on his shoulder and prevented him from reaching the stairs. In a fright-reaction he dropped the flashlight into the water. Sebastian grabbed the thing on his shoulder. It turned out to be a metal glove that squeezed into his shoulder. With a quick swing of his arm and a body-twist Sebastian managed to break free of the hold. It was an escape technique he'd once learnt and it really worked, but before he could take a step the metal hand grabbed his arm and held on like a clamp. The thing was so cold that it shocked Sebastian.

Let me go! he screamed, but the shape that held him was entirely unimpressed by that. Instead, Sebastian was pulled towards the pillar of light. 'What kind of nightmare is this?' he wondered. He tried a few high kicks to the torso of the intruder, but the water and his big boots turned that into a waste of energy more than anything else. With all his strength he then threw himself against the shape and had to fight for breath as he seemed to hit a steel wall. It was as if he was fighting some kind of robot! The shape stopped moving but was certainly not affected by his action.

"Speva, dageni lorto sinako!" said the loud woman's voice while the robot threw both its arms around Sebastian and lifted him from his feet. That rendered him totally helpless, as his arms were now squeezed against his sides, and the big rubber boots were no match for the metal thing that held him.

Help! Help! he screamed, hoping that someone would hear him. It was the only thing that was left for him to do.

"Gharan yepti! the shape called out. A moment later Sebastian was tossed over a shoulder as if he was a feather. The sudden landing pressed all air from his lungs and made that he couldn't say another word, had he been able to think of something. Prerrep skne, gharan yepti!" The creature that had tossed him over its shoulder turned and walked into the pillar of light. The last thing Sebastian heard was a splash as one of his boots fell from his foot and landed into the water.

3. Eelay

Sebastian's stomach and ribs were battered for an amazing length of time. He couldn't see his watch but he suspected the bouncing journey on the metal-covered shoulder took at least ten minutes. It made him realise that the person hauling him had to be very strong to keep this jog up. And the person, judging from the voice, was a woman. If a woman from wherever she came from could do this, then what would men be capable of? Who was she? Where did she come from? And where was she taking him? The yellowish glow was still around them, only beneath the solid boots of his captor he discerned a faint grey path that only seemed to appear when touched by a foot. Hey! he tried to yell, but it came out more as another 'hurph' as he endured one more belly full of shoulder. The woman didn't care or notice, or she was simply too occupied getting both of them to wherever they were going.

Suddenly the light changed. No more yellow but blue-white. Also the sound was different, instead of no sound he now heard thuds where his captor's feet hit the ground. The woman who carried him stopped her run and dropped Sebastian from her shoulder without a warning, on a floor that was hard and cold. Sebastian praised himself for having once done Budo training. He broke the fall, turned it into a roll and ended up standing. His whole body hurt from the trip. When he looked up his breath caught in his throat. He counted four people in the space. Two of them stood near a panel that was mounted on a slender pedestal, opposite an oval opening through which a yellow light shone inside. As he watched the opening it disappeared, and all that remained was a smooth, steel-blue wall.

The four people were all dressed in metallic suits but these were nothing like the suits of armour of the old fashioned knights. Instead these things looked thin, light and even flexible. Little dots, like rivets, were all over the suits. Only one of the people, the one who'd abducted him, wore a helmet. The shapes in certain places of the suit clearly gave away that this was the woman. She reached up and took off the helmet, revealing short blond hair. You can walk? the woman asked as she looked at Sebastian.

I can, but- he started, wondering how they could communicate as they clearly were from somewhere else entirely.

No questions. Come. Walk. Fast. In a few long strides she was with him and took his arm. If he wanted to keep that arm it was inevitable that he had to go with her. The other three walked along with them, towards a hole in the wall that turned out to be a passageway into a long corridor. Before leaving the space, one of them turned and took a thin tube from a pocket on his arm. The man aimed at the small console, a spark of light came from the tube, and without noise or explosion the console was reduced to a stack of smouldering metal and plastic.

How'd he do that? Sebastian asked. The answer never came. The woman whose hand was locked around his arm started walking down the long dimly lit corridor. He had no choice but to go along. Five pairs of feet made quite some noise in the corridor that seemed to be covered in metal everywhere, but that did not seem to matter. Sebastian also noticed that the four became more and more in a hurry; at the end of the corridor they were almost running until they reached a closed door.

Stop, the woman hissed as she pulled him to a halt. Silence, she added in a mere whisper. Sebastian wasn't certain if that was only for him, although it would be logical. After all, he was the stranger here and he still didn't know where he was, or why he was here. One of the men did something to a small box near the door which then opened without a sound. The woman stepped through, pulling Sebastian along. In here. Another whisper. The others followed, the door closed and then a light came on. Sebastian had no idea if that was automatic or if someone had done something. His brain had given up trying to find out what was going on until someone added some explanation. He did not have to wait any longer.

One of the men looked at Sebastian. What is your name?

I am Sebastian Fowler, and who are you? And where the hell am I? He didn't get answers, although he did get his arm back.

The woman with the short fair hair handed her helmet to one of the men. She'd kept that under her free arm the whole time. Then she walked into a darker area of the space where they were now. Sebastian heard sounds of a closet being opened, and when she returned she handed him a suit like they all wore. Put it on.

And if I refuse?

One of the men laid a very heavy hand on Sebastian's shoulder. Then we'll give you a hand. Sebastian didn't need any more persuasion. As he put on the suit, with assistance from one of the men, his 'kidnappers' told him their names were Garn, Werin, Hort and Eelay. Eelay was the woman who had taken him from his cellar.

We have to get out of here quickly, said Garn, the burly, bald man who had helped him with the suit. They could discover us at any moment.

Where are we? Sebastian had a few hundred more questions, but this one seemed to be the most important for now. "And who are they?"

This is a research centre, Hort said. Now quiet, we're going. No stopping until we're outside. Sebastianfowler, stay with Eelay. He then looked at Werin. Good thing he can run. With that vague remark the door slid open again and the five stepped outside. Garn immediately took the lead and ran. The rest followed him at high speed. Sebastian noticed that Eelay adjusted her speed to his own. Except for the pounding of their feet the corridor remained silent. Garn turned left, then right, and after that they only had to go a short stretch until they reached an enormous glass door. Sebastian appreciated the break, he was almost at the end of his strength. To his surprise Eelay and the others didn't seem affected at all though.

Hort worked the controls on the left of the door but the door remained closed. It's not opening, he said, maybe they saw us. Sebastian, panting, looked at the strange box that Hort was pushing buttons on. There were marks on each button, nothing that made any sense.

Hurry, Garn commanded Hort. Werin and Eelay faced the corridor they had just come through, holding similar thin tubes like the one Garn had earlier used to destroy the console. Sebastian, standing free now, had a hunch and pushed three buttons simultaneously. They were the same colour.

Damn you, fool! Hort growled as he yanked Sebastian's hand away from the panel and pressed him against the wall, a metal arm closing off his windpipe. That's no toy!

Hort! Let him go! Look! Garn pulled Hort away from Sebastian and turned the man to the open door. Beginner's luck but it worked. Go go go.

Eelay and Werin slowly walked backwards as they kept their eyes on the corridor. Eelay had her helmet on her head again and grabbed Sebastian by the arm as she stepped outside. Come, was all she said and then the group ran off once again.

Sebastian felt as if he got far too much oxygen in his lungs outside the building, but too much was better than too little. To his right was the building they had just escaped from (at least that was how it felt), a high black thing with no discernible windows. On the left was a flat area limited by what had to be a row of rocky mountains. Garn led the group over the flat area and then climbed the rocks as if he was related to a mountain goat. Also Werin and Hort seemed to fly up the rocks.

Eelay stopped Sebastian and took his left hand. She pointed at one of the rivets. Press this, and press it again when you're up there. And stay behind and close to me. She pressed a similar thing on her own wrist, turned, and jumped up against the rocks as if it took no effort at all. Sebastian pushed the rivet that was a button and jumped. As if he was catapulted, he shot up and landed almost halfway up the at least ninety feet high rock wall. Freaking awesome!

Easy, you idiot! Eelay yelled as she quickly approached him. She then grabbed his wrist and pushed and turned knobs. Up again. She jumped ahead and this time he followed in a far more controlled manner. Effortlessly.

Once on top of the rock he pushed the button again and looked for Eelay. What he saw instead made him step back in fright. Hort grabbed Sebastian's arm before he tipped off the rock. Those are Walkers. Come. They approached five huge animals. They were shaped like rhinos with heavy bone plates on either side of their huge bodies. The animals, brown and grey in colour, were about eight feet high, their heads ridiculously small compared to the rest of them. Two eyes in the forehead, nearly hidden behind a small bush of lashes, looked into the world.

Get up there, Eelay pointed to the saddle on top of the animal closest to Sebastian. He found something like a rope ladder hanging down so he climbed until he somehow managed to get seated on the odd saddle.

Pull up the rope and toss it over, Werin said who was already on one of the remarkable animals.

Why? Sebastian asked. He grew tired of being told what to do all the time.

Do you know how to make it move? Werin asked, his hand extended. Sebastian sighed as he tossed the rope over. Garn took the lead as the group started moving. Eelay and Werin rode to Sebastian's left and right, and Hort brought up the rear. The path they moved over, if one could call it a path at all, had high and unfriendly looking shrubs left and right.

Can someone finally explain what's going on here? Sebastian's initial amazement about everything that had happened was only now wearing off. So far he hadn't even had the time for that. Who are you? Where am I? And I have a few more like that...

Eelay took off her helmet again and looked at Werin, who nodded. Okay. We have some time now, but hold on. Soon we'll go faster. She took a deep breath. We're resistance fighters. To be honest, we don't have a clue where you're from but it was the only place that the tunnel wanted to open to so we had to grab our opportunity while it lasted.

Tunnel? Sebastian interrupted her.

Eelay glanced at him. Dimension tunnel. Never heard of that? Such technology on your end had to exist, otherwise there could never have been a connection, right? It was obvious that she didn't know much of it, or didn't want to talk about it.

Uhm. Dimension tunnel. Is that something like a worm-hole? Sebastian suddenly didn't feel very comfortable. What the hell had happened? And... I'm still on Earth, right?

Earth? What's that, the name of your world? Werin asked.

Sebastian looked at the man. "Yes, of course. The one