Reality Challenged: The Other Universes, #1

Reality Challenged

Book 1 of The Other Universes

Ubiquitous Bubba

Copyright © 2012 Ubiquitous Bubba

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 9781301948628

Ubiquitous Edition

Ubiquitous Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Bubba Books

Short Stories:

The Imaginary Invasion - ubiquitousbubba.wordpress.com/the-imaginary-invasion/

Humanity Was Delicious - ubiquitousbubba.wordpress.com/humanity-was-delicious/

The Other Universes Series:

Reality Challenged - ubiquitousbubba.wordpress.com/reality-challenged/

Blithering Genius - ubiquitousbubba.wordpress.com/blithering-genius/

CHAPTER ONE

Xorian leaned back and turned off his translator. That was easier than beating the four ton, scaly, four-armed lump of a Krazhdj into silence. Of course, anything would be easier than that. The brown heap didn't even notice. It kept waving Its arms and rumbling what the Krazhdj referred to as Poetry. As far as Xorian knew, no one had ever understood a Krazhdji poem. With a sigh, he shut his eyes and tried to forget that he was riding a thin ribbon of energy several kilometers above solid ground.

RJQ-74963 was an ugly little chunk of a planet. Every day, a little more of its ugliness was chipped off and shipped away for use by other, more deserving worlds. A network of high-altitude transfer points, ports, and communication centers were connected by high speed energy beams used to transport materials and the occasional lunatic.

"VELVET:

BIRDS IN SILK WITH SEISMIC LIPS

EXCRUTIATE THE SCENT OF GREASE

ETHNIC HO-HO-HO’S SCRIBBLE

BUTTER"

Xorian's eyes flew open. The Krazhdj had switched his translator back on. It hated a sleeping audience. Maybe One will let human runt sleep beyond next jump point. Go to sleep, little one. Float away in the clouds. Maybe One will take One's pet's ship for Oneself. The Krazhdj slowly turned away as if hurt.

Of course, that was virtually impossible. Never in recorded history had a Krazhdj ever experienced hurt feelings. Xorian often wished he could see this one be the first. When's the next jump, Tinkerbelle? The literary reference was lost on the alien.

Relax, One has granted One's pet at least 30 seconds to wake up, It replied. Xorian grabbed his gear and jumped to his feet. The Krazhdj just rumbled softly.

Next time let's have a little more notice, Lumpy.

Awww. Little pansy human is cranky this morning. Five seconds.

Xorian swallowed hard. He hated these jumps. There was a time when they had seemed thrilling. That was before he had missed.

Now! thundered the Krazhdj as It rolled over the side. Xorian shut his eyes and jumped. Wind screamed in his ears. Opening his eyes, Xorian searched wildly for the next ribbon. Angling his cloak to ride the wind, he steered towards the sliver of energy below. A small portion of his mind was aware of the Krazhdj's huge winged cloak, billowing in the wind. An even smaller part cringed at the sound of alien poetry. The Krazhdj loved to recite when gliding. He focused on his target and everything else vanished from sight. Only a kilometer away now, the energy ribbon seemed larger. He lined up and dropped fast. Pulling up at the last minute, he touched down lightly and folded his cloak. So squishy little human finally decided to join Exalted One? Xorian flopped down on the ribbon and tried to stop his stomach from rolling.

That was a bad transfer, Scaly. Next time, try to pick one with a lower kinetic differential. He rolled over on his back and waited for his head to stop spinning. How much time do we have to rest before the next jump?

"If that ugly sack of a body can take it, we jump in one hour. That gives One's pet plenty of time to learn, 'ESSENCE OF BUNNYHOOD WITH BEANS'. It's always been one of One's favorites." The three meter tall lump cavorted wildly, chanting at full volume. Xorian groaned and turned down his translator.

The next jump was a disaster. Once again, the Krazhdj failed to give more than a one minute warning. Xorian felt that something was wrong when he jumped. A moment later, he saw them. Three armed troopers wearing anti-grav belts were closing in fast. Their first several shots were wild, but soon they would intercept him. He banked hard, desperately trying to line up with the energy road. Two of them concentrated their fire on the Krazhdj. Xorian blocked the third one out of his mind and concentrated on the path. Once on both feet, he could put up a fight.

Suddenly he spun wildly. He glanced to his right and saw a large hole in his cloak. Slowly he regained a little control and positioned himself above the beam. One trooper was already there, waiting for the perfect shot. The other two were landing behind him. Briefly, Xorian considered forsaking the road and dropping past them. With a shudder he rejected that idea. Some mistakes you don't make twice. Well, at least it can't get any worse.

Wrong. At that moment everything went black. Frantically, Xorian fired his gun, hoping to see some reflection of the energy beam. Nothing. No light of any kind. Before the terror could set in, he found the surface with his face. As suddenly as it had vanished, light returned. The Krazhdj got off the first shot. One trooper went down writhing as his nerves overloaded. Xorian scrambled madly, searching for his gun as two shots missed him. Finally, he spotted it a few feet behind the Krazhdj. He would have reached it if he hadn't tripped over a body.

The Krazhdj erased the last two troopers and roared in triumph. Xorian sat up grumbling something about obnoxious aliens. Surveying the damage, he noticed that there were four bodies littering the energy ribbon. The three troopers were out of commission, twitching in agony, but the fourth seemed unhurt. Quickly, Xorian searched through pockets, hoping to find weapons or cash, but found nothing. He rolled the still form over and it groaned. He jumped back and snatched his gun. Slowly, royal green eyes opened.

What is that noise? she said, sitting up. She was young, perhaps 13 or 14, with deep blue hair. She pointed at the alien. What is that thing?

That is a Krazhdj, Xorian answered. I suggest you watch what you say around him. He gets awfully obnoxious when he thinks he's the center of attention. Now, who are you and what are you doing here?

I'm Psychann. I don't know where I am or what's going on. Who are you and why are you pointing that gun at me? Slowly she stood up. She looked over the side of the road and promptly dropped to her knees. Where are we? she yelled. What are we doing up here?

Do you expect me to believe that you didn't know you were coasting on an energy beam way up in the sky? Where did you come from?

I was in a room with other people and they put me in a box and then there was a bright light and I woke up here with that thing making hideous noises. She took another peek over the edge. Why are we up here again?

Never mind that, Xorian replied, holstering the gun. Hey, big and ugly, he called to the Krazhdj. We need to repair these cloaks before another jump. Where will this one take us?

One hopes that One is not expected to take on another spineless, gutless, pampered, soft, ignorant human. One must limit the number of One's pets. It shifted Its massive bulk and rumbled softly. This path leads to Quoth. We haven't been there in a long time. One does not relish the idea of staying there. One's pets had better not stay long either.

Are you talking to It? the girl interrupted.

Unfortunately, yes. Xorian pointed to his translator. This forces me to listen to that drivel It calls poetry. It has a similar device that allows It to understand what I'm saying; not that It listens, of course.

If and when insignificant runt says anything worth hearing, One will consider it. The Krazhdj pointed ahead. If skinny Wonder-Pig can understand this, Quoth is in sight. Xorian squinted, but couldn't see anything yet. Typically, Krazhdji vision was superior to humans'. One is reminded of a poem. Xorian promptly shut off his translator and turned back to the girl.

It's going off on some idiotic poem right now. Don't pay any attention to It. It's horrible when It thinks It has an audience. Do you know anyone in Quoth?

I don't think I know anyone anywhere. I don't remember ever hearing about a place like this. I know I've never seen anything like that, either. At this, the Krazhdj rolled and rumbled louder than before. What am I doing here?

You're about to find a new home in Quoth and stay there. Xorian started packing up his things. We won't be staying, and you can't come with us. Don't worry. I'll introduce you to a few people. They’re not very nice, but they'll take you in.

Why can't I come with you? Where are you going?

Because you can't and it doesn't matter. First thing we do when we arrive is to fade into the crowds. We make contact with some old friends. You shake hands. I leave. You stay. It's that simple. You don't talk to anyone else. You never mention that you met a Krazhdj, or me either for that matter. You don't ask where we're going or even who we are. You forget us as soon as we leave. Do you understand me?

No. Where are you going?

I just told you not to ask that, didn't I? Xorian yelled. Trust me, you don't want to know.

You're on the run, aren't you? She smiled slyly. You're leaving this system. Where's your ship? Is that thing your pilot?

What makes you think that?

The three guys you neuralized. They want you for some reason, and you don't want to be found. Don't you think you should get rid of the evidence?

The Krazhdj reached out a long arm and flicked on Xorian's translator. Mud-brained little maggot needs to listen to the youngling. Quoth exit path in five minutes. Xorian grabbed the nearest trooper and heaved him over the side. Psychann pushed another one while the Krazhdj hefted the last body in a long arc. Maybe One will keep this one to look after One's pet, It said. Xorian's eyes flashed daggers. Maybe the little one will replace the cranky one. What does One's pet think?

Shut up, Lumpy.

What witty repartee! Really, One must stand in awe of such brilliance.

What did It say? asked Psychann, tossing the hair out of her eyes. Was it about me? How big is your ship? Do you have a crew? Are you a pirate?

No! Xorian snapped. No more questions. Soon we'll come to the exit path. When I say 'Jump', you'll jump on it with me. Until then, please no more questions. Restlessly, he stared in the distance. Here it comes! Do you see it? Wordlessly, she nodded. Get ready. He tensed for the leap. JUMP! He grabbed her hand and pulled her over the edge.

The fall was not a long one, so she landed on her feet. Xorian dragged her behind a large, metallic crate. We've got to stay out of sight for a little while. Don't move and don't make any noise.

Where's the big guy? she whispered.

First of all, It's not male or female, Xorian answered. Secondly, It's going to meet me on the other side of this port when I leave. You can't hide something that big and obnoxious. OK, no more talking. He peered around the crate and waited. Psychann sat as quietly as a rock.

When I say, 'Now', I want you to run around your side of the crate to the front as fast as you can, Xorian hissed. I'm going to create a diversion. She crouched, ready to spring. Xorian holstered his neuralizer gun and pulled a long thin rifle out of the folds of his cape. He silently slipped a scope on top of the barrel and checked it one last time. The energy beam beneath them suddenly slowed down. She noticed for the first time that they were now riding through a huge building. Crates of all shapes and sizes lined the edges of the path. Xorian aimed at a support beam for an upper deck. Silently, the laser sliced through the structure and brought down crates, tables and clerks in a huge crash.

NOW! he yelled. She sprinted around the side of the crate and saw a trooper immediately in front of her on the dock. She paused, but his attention was focused on the mess beyond her. With her heart in her throat, she dashed to the front of the crate and huddled in a ball on the other side. Xorian was there already. Works every time, he whispered.

Soon they rode out of the warehouse and into a tunnel. We're getting off in a moment, he said, standing up. Get ready. She squinted into the darkness, but couldn't see what he was looking for. He grabbed her arm and pulled her over the edge again. This time she felt solid ground under her feet immediately. He led her to a dimly lit doorway and grinned. That wasn't so bad, was it? She was still panting too hard to answer. He touched a keypad on the side of the door and, reluctantly, it opened. Welcome to Quoth, more or less, he said as he led her inside.

She ducked to avoid a large, dark, flying thing. It swooped down to snatch a rat out of a corner. Slowly, the bat lifted its kill and flew away. The door groaned shut behind her. Suddenly, she had a deep interest in her surroundings. Through the dim, wet, haze she could see rusting heaps of old machinery. The floor stuck to her shoes and oozed around her feet. Something smelled very dead. Xorian turned toward her and said, You wouldn't expect the most violent smugglers and thieves in this system to clean house, would you? He grinned. Besides, they've probably forgotten that I installed this door for them five years ago. He turned and guided her through the muck to an ancient ladder. It's stronger than it looks, trust me.

She climbed up first, through cobwebs, to a trap door. She unlatched it and pushed the door back. Blinking her eyes in the bright light above, she crawled out and found herself face-to-toe with an ugly pair of boots. Hands grabbed her and lifted her off the ground. Someone gagged her mouth and roughly tied a rope around her hands. She shut out the noise and violence and opened her minds' eye. In another space, sitting on a bench, laid a small woodcarving knife with a bone handle. It didn't seem to be of any immediate use where it was, so she Traded.

The mechanics of the Trade were unclear, even to Psychann. Somehow, she knew that if she concentrated, she could Trade the rope around her wrists with the knife, because they were of equal mass. Shutting her eyes, she pictured the knife from every angle. Suddenly, she felt it in her hand. Moving one arm slightly, she found that her hands were free. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw that her captors also had her new friend tied up as well. Three men took turns beating and kicking him. Gradually, she slipped off her gag, took a deep breath, and lunged.

Her attack took them completely by surprise. She stabbed the first one in the middle of his back. Yanking the knife out, she slashed another across his left arm. Wildly, she screamed and attacked the third. He dodged her blow and kicked her feet out from under her. She landed on her back, bounced forward, and stabbed him deep in the ankle. He fell, screaming in pain, as his comrades stared dumbly. She grabbed the knife out, and slashed through her friend's ropes.

The other two started to stagger away, and then froze. An unusually large man held two guns in their faces. He stood about two meters high, but easily weighed 400 pounds. He glanced nervously in her direction. Nice work with the knife, kid. His mouth barely moved. Good to see you again, Xorian. I hope these mutants haven't bothered you. Slowly he stared each of his captives down. Now, he said softly with a slight tremble in his voice. Can someone please tell me, very calmly…? He paused to lick his lips nervously and screamed, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? He pointed both guns at Xorian. DID YOU LEAD THEM HERE? WHERE ARE THEY?

Xorian slowly raised both hands to show they were empty. Zeke, this is Psychann, a friend I met on the road. Quoth is not the kindest of towns to strangers, so I wanted to introduce her to you. Perhaps you could find a place for her here? I wouldn't want to inconvenience you, of course.

Zeke sniffled, holstered his weapons, and pressed both palms against his temples. He talks too much, doesn't he? asked the giant. So you got tied up with some kid and you want to dump her off on me so you can chase after wealth and fame. He shook his head at Xorian's protests. You've got no sense of responsibility; no sense of direction. A companion, other than that obnoxious monstrosity you call a gunner, would do you good. You see, he said to Psychann, he thinks of himself as a loner, but he's really just a jerk. He held out his gigantic hand to her. You can call me Zeke. I'll be glad to take in anyone who can handle a knife the way you did. You may even be of more use to me than your selfish friend.

I think Selfish might be a little harsh, don't you? asked Xorian. Also, I am not dumping her on you. I'm just passing through and I thought I would do something unselfish and kind just once to see if I liked it. Frankly, it doesn't seem like something I'll do again.

Stop pouting, you little baby! roared the giant. What do you want?

I travel all this way to visit you and to bring you a new friend, and you accuse me of having ulterior motives? Xorian acted as outraged as possible. I ask myself, 'Self, when have I ever been So Insulted?' He shook his head. But, as it turns out, I suffered some damage on my way here. Even though I did not intend to ask for anything for myself, for my unselfish act, I want two new winged-cloaks and 100 credits. Personally, I believe that's the least I could ask for my services.

Zeke threw back his head and laughed. His gut rolled violently back and forth. "You still owe me 1,000 mega-credits from that last job, when you unselfishly skipped town with the entire loot from the SPARROWHAWK. Did you think that I would forget that?"

On the contrary, rejoined Xorian. No one knows the extent of your memory more than I. With a score of troopers on my tail, I fled with the money for your sake. I knew that if I were caught, They might use me to find you. Zeke shuddered at the thought. Xorian continued, I'm sure that you remember that it was in that fire-fight that I received this scar. He raised his shirt to show a half-meter scar across his chest. I was shot down. I fell a few kilometers only to be trapped in the Web and then sentenced to the mines for the past three years. I not only lost time, I missed a very important delivery and I lost the opportunity to guard your back. They got your money. They derailed your plans, but it’s going to be okay. I have a plan.

Zeke shook his head. Your plan will wait. I have a plan of my own. Come with me and I'll factor you in it. He turned and marched off, as if in a hurry. Xorian and Psychann followed and soon found themselves in a dimly lit, low tunnel. Half-stooped, Zeke trudged through the shallow water and mud. Reluctantly, Psychann trailed behind. Every now and then, they came across other passages, which twisted around in a fiendish maze. As the monotony wore on, she gave up keeping track of the turns and twists. Other than the splashing and slurping of their feet, and the rhythm of her breathing, the tunnel was silent. Infrequent yellow lights leaked enough light to find the next few steps, but not much more. Trance-like, she let her thoughts wander to the other places in her mind's eye.

...An old man slowly nuzzled a bowl of stew while gazing vacantly out a window. A soldier ducked behind the remains of a wall, reloaded her rifle, and fired at an unseen enemy. An acidic ocean slowly burned away a dying shoreline. A huge tree swayed gently in a warm breeze. Two boys skipped rocks across a still pond, hardly noticing the time racing by...

With a start, she realized she had been daydreaming again. Anxiously, she peered deep into the shadows. The water grew cold as she listened to the silence. Her throat closed slightly in panic. A dull pounding echoed lightly in her chest. Tracing one hand along a wall, she chose a direction and started off. Dimly she remembered seeing something like this before. But that had been a dream, and it had not gone well.

Shivering slightly, she noticed that the water level was rising gradually. A cold, persistent breeze brushed her hair back and chilled her to the bone. Indecision gripped her like a vice. With all of the determination she could dredge up, she choked down her fear and clung to logic. The wind must be coming from somewhere, she told herself. Wherever that may be, it's better than here. Breathing deeply, she marched forward.

Soon the water was up to her knees. Forcing away fantasies of snakes, rats, eels and Things that Hide in Deep Water, she pushed ahead. She followed the wind down a wider side passage. The air down here had a metallic taste. A thin fog covered the surface of the water. Her feet sank a little deeper into the mud. With ever-increasing effort, she forced her way through. Her hair blew back off of her shoulders as the cold wind grew stronger, but it wasn't the dropping temperatures that sent chills down her spine. Somehow this scene was horrifyingly familiar.

Lost in thought, she screamed when she suddenly dropped half a meter. She regained her composure and felt gently with her foot for more drops. None revealed themselves, so she slowly proceeded. With water over her waist and fog in her face, she found it easier to swim-walk. Soon she found herself moving easier and with less effort than before. Her feet didn't sink as far in the mud and she had stopped shivering. For the first time since finding herself lost, she felt hopeful. Now if only she could remember what had terrified her in her dreams of this place...?

No, it wasn't this tunnel exactly. Made to resemble it. That's what he had said. We've simulated many environments from other universes. She could remember the husky, dark voice, but couldn't remember the face. Some are more hostile than others, but you'll find that out the hard way. Are you scared, little freak?

No, she had lied. The Project Director was a dangerous man, but she couldn't remember why. Her only clear thought, was that he scared her deeper than anything else ever could. He had laughed at her brave lie, and then shoved her into the rushing water. Rushing water… Rushing water...

With a dizzying sense of déjà vu, she found herself being carried by a strong current. The water was deeper here, so she couldn't get her footing. Madly, she struggled against the water, but it dragged her helplessly into the unknown. Unable to fight it, she tried to see ahead, hoping to avoid whatever catastrophe lurked in the darkness. The fog stung her eyes and made it impossible to see more than a few feet. Images tugged at her memory, insistent that she remember something vital. Choking on water, she heard a dull roar. Terror grabbed her as she remembered the next segment in the dream.

Screaming like a banshee, Psychann shot over the edge. The drop was no more than ten meters, but it felt like ten kilometers. On the way down, she saw that she had emerged into a large cavern with a small lagoon at the bottom. As much as the fall scared her, she remembered that more terrors waited below with gaping mouths. Mouths...

In her dream, she had dodged and run from the eaters as fast as possible, but they would wear her down eventually. In the distance, she could see the Project Director watching through a large window. She would have given anything to be able to break the glass and send the eaters after him.

The impact nearly took her breath away. She searched with her mind for eaters, but found none. She broke through the surface and filled her lungs with air. Wiping the water out of her eyes, she saw something that made her heart stop. One entire wall of the cavern was glass. People on the other side put down their drinks and pointed at her. Some motioned for her to look to her right. Reluctantly, she did.

An armor-plated eater sat on a rock about 20 meters to her right. Its simulated reptilian lenses focused on her and it slowly raised itself up on all six legs. With all of her concentration, she searched for its intelligence, but found nothing. In her dream, she had been able to stop them by confusing their minds. It's not real, she heard herself saying. It's not a real eater. Then it opened its mouth for The Call. Razor sharp titanium teeth glittered in the harsh light. A subterranean roar that seemed to shake the cavern poured from its mouth. As she treaded water, she could hear the others answer from all sides. She counted at least four others. In a moment, she knew, they would converge on her. If only she had something to break the glass...

Grabbing the knife out of her pocket, she searched her other places for something to Trade. Jumping from scene to scene, she scanned desperately for an item of equal mass that would be of use. Two boys skipped rocks on a still pond. Suddenly, one of them found himself holding a carving knife...

She threw the rock with all of her might at the nearest pane of glass. Cracks appeared in a spider-web pattern, but it did not shatter. They were getting close now. Metallic monsters, functioning as programmed, as heartless as the animals they were built to imitate, evaluated her defensive capabilities and found that there were none. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Xorian, pounding on the cracked glass. Anger like she had never known before surged through her body. Only one white-hot thought pierced her brain, Take one of these things with you. Teach this lizard a new trick...

An ocean of acid continually ate away at the planet it lived on. It was unnatural, of course, but no less deadly. She saw it clearly in her mind's eye, but could find no object to Trade. Vaguely she remembered the Project Director lecturing her about the relationship between energy and matter...

She ducked under the first artificial eater and grabbed its belly. All six legs clawed her, tearing at her body, but she held on. Focusing all of her will, she Traded the eater for the energy of the chemical reactions found in her artificial ocean. She felt her body hit the bottom of the lagoon hard. Slowly, she rose to the surface and breathed deeply. The Call echoed in her ears. Then she heard the screaming. Pulling herself out of the water, onto the first eater's rock, she saw that the glass wall was completely gone. Eaters, programmed to go after the larger group of prey first, charged the crowd. Alone, half-drowned, and completely exhausted, Psychann collapsed.

* * * * * * * * *

Fuzzy, orange light seeped under her eyelids. Reluctantly, she opened them. Dim, soft lights illuminated a small room with no other furniture than an old rejuvenation chamber. She climbed out, with muscles protesting violently, and looked for her medical display on the foot of the chamber. The display, and the chamber for that matter, both appeared dead. Other than the faint glow of the lamps, she would have assumed the power was out. Stiffly, she stumbled to one of the oblong doors, and pushed it open.

Her eyes lit up as she entered. Cool, obsidian tiles slipped smoothly under her feet as she stepped into a large bathing facility. Wisps of steam curled up from the sunken tub. Cautiously, she tested the water with her toe. Squealing with delight, she slid into the bubbling liquid. She