“Do I know you?” Lubic asked, looking the woman over. She seemed somehow familiar, but he was certain he’d never met her before in his life.
“My name is Mikala. I just need a moment of your time.”
Lubic looked helplessly at his brother. He knew their grandmother would be upset if they were late, especially if they were talking to a blonde; Mary absolutely hated blonde women. She had been a bitter woman since their father had died decades earlier, and was only happy when things went her way. Ryan nodded to Lubic and excused himself. He understood and would head to Lubic’s house and make some excuses for his younger brother.
Mikala guided Lubic over to a booth in the corner of the bar. She lowered herself gracefully into the booth, back to the wall, her green eyes scanning the other patrons. If anyone seemed interested in their talk, she would make it more private, but for now she was content to leave things as they were.
Lubic glanced around before he sat down opposite her. He heard a lone man, clad much as his brother had been in a suit with loosened tie, order a Mai Tai from the bar. He could also hear a couple giggling from a gaudy orange booth near the front door. The Troll and Harpy was depressingly empty right around dinner time, when many of the patrons cleared out to spend some time with their families. Just like where I should be, he thought.
He heard a brief commotion from the back room behind the bar. No doubt the owner was getting another earful from his wife. Lubic and Ryan had spent many a night at their table, another of the gaudy orange booths, debating how the bar had gotten its name; Lubic was convinced that it was named after the owner’s wife, who had a voice like a banshee, and nagged her husband all day every day. He was also reasonably sure she was responsible for the colour scheme that ran throughout the building.
“I’ve heard that you recently made detective,” Mikala began, by way of breaking the ice. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Lubic replied. “So now, would you mind telling me who you are and how the heck you know me?”
“This may seem somewhat strange to you, but I swear that everything I say is true. I will try to speed things up, and just tell you what is relevant to you right now. There is time for the rest later.”
“I’m waiting.”
“About thirty years ago, a man died. But he wasn’t just any man: he was the Starlord of humanity. It was his job to watch over the humans, and to –”
“Look lady, I’m sort of in a hurry and I don’t have time for this nonsense. I’m sure that guy,” Lubic pointed at the gentleman seated at the bar, “would love to hear your sob story about some ‘master of humanity’ dying. Good luck with that.”
And Lubic got up and walked out of the Troll and Harpy.
Oh dear, thought Mikala, that went a whole lot worse than I thought it would.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Lubic
Lubic was counting down the seconds until he was off work. His first official day as a detective had been full of mainly paperwork and he was eager to be out of there. He rubbed a hand over his close-cropped hair, smiling to himself when he thought of how his sister-in-law always begged him to reconsider growing it a little bit to better show off the natural blonde colour. He always replied that blonde hair makes you more of a target, and so insisted on shaving it all off as often as he could. His best friend and fellow officer, Joseph Stevens, always joked that Lubic just shaved his head to camouflage any bald spots.
In fact, as Lubic was racing out of the station to meet his brother for a drink, who should appear but Stevens. Along with teasing Lubic about his hair, the dark-but-balding officer always teased Lubic about being so close to his family, even though the two officers would usually head out for a night of drinking or cards every Saturday.
“Oh, look Lubic,” Stevens said as Lubic raced past him, a twinkle in his grey eyes as he made a point of checking his watch, “you’re already late for supper!”
“You’re just jealous, Stevens!” Lubic retorted as he raced on past.
A Friday night drink before dinner had been Lubic’s and Ryan’s tradition for years now, ever since Lubic had gotten his job with the force. After their drink, the brothers would head to Lubic’s house for a family dinner. As usual, Lubic located his brother’s car in the parking lot of the Troll and Harpy, the bar they always went to on Friday nights. Of course, it was never difficult, as the green Del Sol stood out like a lion amidst the lowly minivans and economy cars of the working classes.
And sure enough, as Lubic entered he saw his older brother Ryan in their usual table, tie loosened and beer in hand. Lubic didn’t bother looking around as he headed to their table. A second beer was sitting opposite Ryan, which Lubic gladly took a swig from as he lowered himself into the chair facing his brother.
“So, how’s the all-important detective?” his brother asked with a grin.
“By the looks of things, about the same as the high and mighty banker!” Lubic replied, matching his brother’s grin.
Where Lubic had light hair, his brother’s was darker, like their father’s. Lubic was slimmer, which of course led to all kinds of teasing from his larger, more powerfully built brother. In highschool, Ryan had been a hockey player, and he still believed in keeping in shape; he regularly went to the gym and it showed. Lubic had been lucky thus far that his job had kept him somewhat active; he didn’t believe in the gym. But aside from their different physiques and attitudes about exercising, the brothers had the same mocking grins, as well as the same sea-green eyes; it was easy to see they were related.
And so they chatted about their respective jobs, not really having a whole lot to say since they had seen each other the previous night for the birthday celebrations. They lingered over their drinks for an hour, and were just getting ready to head to Lubic’s for dinner when a woman with pale gold hair and eyes the colour of the sea stopped them.
“Excuse me, but are you Lubic?”
In fact, as Lubic was racing out of the station to meet his brother for a drink, who should appear but Stevens. Along with teasing Lubic about his hair, the dark-but-balding officer always teased Lubic about being so close to his family, even though the two officers would usually head out for a night of drinking or cards every Saturday.
“Oh, look Lubic,” Stevens said as Lubic raced past him, a twinkle in his grey eyes as he made a point of checking his watch, “you’re already late for supper!”
“You’re just jealous, Stevens!” Lubic retorted as he raced on past.
A Friday night drink before dinner had been Lubic’s and Ryan’s tradition for years now, ever since Lubic had gotten his job with the force. After their drink, the brothers would head to Lubic’s house for a family dinner. As usual, Lubic located his brother’s car in the parking lot of the Troll and Harpy, the bar they always went to on Friday nights. Of course, it was never difficult, as the green Del Sol stood out like a lion amidst the lowly minivans and economy cars of the working classes.
And sure enough, as Lubic entered he saw his older brother Ryan in their usual table, tie loosened and beer in hand. Lubic didn’t bother looking around as he headed to their table. A second beer was sitting opposite Ryan, which Lubic gladly took a swig from as he lowered himself into the chair facing his brother.
“So, how’s the all-important detective?” his brother asked with a grin.
“By the looks of things, about the same as the high and mighty banker!” Lubic replied, matching his brother’s grin.
Where Lubic had light hair, his brother’s was darker, like their father’s. Lubic was slimmer, which of course led to all kinds of teasing from his larger, more powerfully built brother. In highschool, Ryan had been a hockey player, and he still believed in keeping in shape; he regularly went to the gym and it showed. Lubic had been lucky thus far that his job had kept him somewhat active; he didn’t believe in the gym. But aside from their different physiques and attitudes about exercising, the brothers had the same mocking grins, as well as the same sea-green eyes; it was easy to see they were related.
And so they chatted about their respective jobs, not really having a whole lot to say since they had seen each other the previous night for the birthday celebrations. They lingered over their drinks for an hour, and were just getting ready to head to Lubic’s for dinner when a woman with pale gold hair and eyes the colour of the sea stopped them.
“Excuse me, but are you Lubic?”
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Meeting
Mikala had been in a meeting with her fellow Spacelord, Ba’laironshantinlavydalar, at the Timekeeper’s palace. The palace was a neutral place where Spacelords and Starlords could meet to discuss whatever they needed to. The Timekeeper is an ancient being who records the history of the Universe and keeps time travelling as it should. He also exists as an impassive judge to any feuds that Spacelords and Starlords may have with one another.
The Timekeeper’s palace is a strange sort of place as it never looks the same: its shape seems to evolve as though the palace were alive. The reason for this fluidity of its structure is that the palace may be called on to host any number and any manner of creatures.
For Mikala’s meeting with Ba’laironshantinlavydalar, the palace was shaped like a large garden with a spectacular view of the stars; this seemed a strange choice to Mikala, as although this form could quite easily house Ba’laironshantinlavydalar’s bulk, it was quite clearly at odds with his body shape. For Ba’laironshantinlavydalar was a Lavydalar, a being with a body much like an elasmosaurus and the head of a dragon. His scales glinted silver in the starlight as he attempted to pull himself forward with his powerful pectoral fins; he gave up after a moment, preferring to settle into place on the path. The gravity of the palace, while perfect for Mikala, was too strong for the large swimmer to move about comfortably.
To Ba’laironshantinlavydalar’s eyes, Mikala appeard to also be a Lavydalar, with pale gold scales and beautiful eyes whose colour reminded him of the sea on his world. But he knew that Mikala was not of his race, as there can be only one Starlord or Spacelord per race.
A Starlord is an immortal being who is responsible for his or her race’s survival. The Starlord is bound to the planet his or her race exists on; he or she can alter their planet with but a thought and a command, called a Rule.
A Spacelord, on the other hand, is an immortal being whose race has found a way to travel the stars. A Spacelord is therefore not bound to one particular planet, and their Rules can affect the entire Universe.
“I think the more important question, Mikala, is why do the humans have a Spacelord?” Ba’laironshantinlavydalar rumbled. His tail flicked, the only sign of his agitation, but he was able to stop the shark-like fins from damaging the flower bed beside the path they were standing on. “I thought the humans only had a Starlord, as they have not yet travelled the stars.”
“So did I!” Mikala snapped, realizing she was the source of the other Spacelord’s agitation. “The humans have had a Starlord for over two thousand years. How was I to know that after the old one died they would get a Spacelord?”
The two were silent for a moment, out of respect for the dead. Starlords and Spacelords, being immortal, do not just die.
“Well,” Ba’laironshantinlavydalar finally rumbled, breaking the akward silence, “we now have a problem. The Earth has an untrained Spacelord. Had we known, the Spacelords of the galaxy could have taught him about his future role, and prepared him. But now he has been subjected to thirty years of humankind’s heathenism.”
His ventral fins, much like a betta’s except they had evolved a thumb-like appendage and so are capable of fine manipulation, gestured at the other Spacelord.
“I know, it was my responsibility, as the Earth falls under my jurisdiction,” she snapped bitterly. Mikala took a deep breath to calm herself. “It was my responsibility to train this Lubic. So I guess now it is my responsibility to go and try to fix whatever damage has already been done.”
The Timekeeper’s palace is a strange sort of place as it never looks the same: its shape seems to evolve as though the palace were alive. The reason for this fluidity of its structure is that the palace may be called on to host any number and any manner of creatures.
For Mikala’s meeting with Ba’laironshantinlavydalar, the palace was shaped like a large garden with a spectacular view of the stars; this seemed a strange choice to Mikala, as although this form could quite easily house Ba’laironshantinlavydalar’s bulk, it was quite clearly at odds with his body shape. For Ba’laironshantinlavydalar was a Lavydalar, a being with a body much like an elasmosaurus and the head of a dragon. His scales glinted silver in the starlight as he attempted to pull himself forward with his powerful pectoral fins; he gave up after a moment, preferring to settle into place on the path. The gravity of the palace, while perfect for Mikala, was too strong for the large swimmer to move about comfortably.
To Ba’laironshantinlavydalar’s eyes, Mikala appeard to also be a Lavydalar, with pale gold scales and beautiful eyes whose colour reminded him of the sea on his world. But he knew that Mikala was not of his race, as there can be only one Starlord or Spacelord per race.
A Starlord is an immortal being who is responsible for his or her race’s survival. The Starlord is bound to the planet his or her race exists on; he or she can alter their planet with but a thought and a command, called a Rule.
A Spacelord, on the other hand, is an immortal being whose race has found a way to travel the stars. A Spacelord is therefore not bound to one particular planet, and their Rules can affect the entire Universe.
“I think the more important question, Mikala, is why do the humans have a Spacelord?” Ba’laironshantinlavydalar rumbled. His tail flicked, the only sign of his agitation, but he was able to stop the shark-like fins from damaging the flower bed beside the path they were standing on. “I thought the humans only had a Starlord, as they have not yet travelled the stars.”
“So did I!” Mikala snapped, realizing she was the source of the other Spacelord’s agitation. “The humans have had a Starlord for over two thousand years. How was I to know that after the old one died they would get a Spacelord?”
The two were silent for a moment, out of respect for the dead. Starlords and Spacelords, being immortal, do not just die.
“Well,” Ba’laironshantinlavydalar finally rumbled, breaking the akward silence, “we now have a problem. The Earth has an untrained Spacelord. Had we known, the Spacelords of the galaxy could have taught him about his future role, and prepared him. But now he has been subjected to thirty years of humankind’s heathenism.”
His ventral fins, much like a betta’s except they had evolved a thumb-like appendage and so are capable of fine manipulation, gestured at the other Spacelord.
“I know, it was my responsibility, as the Earth falls under my jurisdiction,” she snapped bitterly. Mikala took a deep breath to calm herself. “It was my responsibility to train this Lubic. So I guess now it is my responsibility to go and try to fix whatever damage has already been done.”
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Beginning
For once in his life, Lubic felt that all of his hard work had finally paid off: today he had finally made detective!
After his shift, Lubic and some of his comrades from the force went to celebrate his promotion with a drink. But Lubic could not stay too long, as he could not wait to break the news to his family. Besides, he had promised he would be home early because today was the day that both he and his nephew celebrated their birthdays; and not every day is the day that you celebrate turning thirty and your nephew turning ten.
So Lubic got home and surprised his family with the news of his promotion. Everyone was ecstatic. They had a lovely dinner, just the five of them: Lubic, his grandmother Mary, his brother Ryan, his sister-in-law Alyssa and his nephew Jason, then returned back to the home Lubic shared with his grandmother.
It was while playing a few video games with his nephew that the incident occurred.
*
Throughout the galaxy, all of the other Starlords and Spacelords felt the exact moment when the new rule was written. It was the Spacelord Mikala who expressed everyone’s confusion best: “What does it mean that no one can take ‘pot shots’ at Lubic?”
After his shift, Lubic and some of his comrades from the force went to celebrate his promotion with a drink. But Lubic could not stay too long, as he could not wait to break the news to his family. Besides, he had promised he would be home early because today was the day that both he and his nephew celebrated their birthdays; and not every day is the day that you celebrate turning thirty and your nephew turning ten.
So Lubic got home and surprised his family with the news of his promotion. Everyone was ecstatic. They had a lovely dinner, just the five of them: Lubic, his grandmother Mary, his brother Ryan, his sister-in-law Alyssa and his nephew Jason, then returned back to the home Lubic shared with his grandmother.
It was while playing a few video games with his nephew that the incident occurred.
*
Throughout the galaxy, all of the other Starlords and Spacelords felt the exact moment when the new rule was written. It was the Spacelord Mikala who expressed everyone’s confusion best: “What does it mean that no one can take ‘pot shots’ at Lubic?”
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