Ideal Comics
Everything Great About Comics
Space, 1951 - An Odyssey (Chapter 9)
17 February, 2010 by chris
Another chapter. I want to apologize. We've been trying to get these up twice a week, and I've been dropping the ball. But, no more. I hereby vow that I will try harder to get a new page up twice a week. (Note: I said TRY :))
Space, 1951 - An Odyssey
by Chris Lawton and Mathew D. Rhys
"You see, Mar, I hate you," the form says, standing over me. I attempt to move my muscles, but nothing happens. The figure continues. "We've never met, but I've seen you. I exist beside time and in all dimensions. I've watched you from the past, and from the future. I've watched versions of you that never left Aquarius to begin with."
I push all effort into my arms, trying to get them to move an inch, but to no avail.
"My life is a cursed one," the wraith continues. "Doomed to exist between worlds, living partially within each and every one of them. But, I desire something more, Mar. I desire a physical body of my own. Or perhaps just oblivion, but no matter."
The figure begins to pace, and it's making me nervous. I glance toward the door, which leads down to the kitchen. Kim. If she comes up, there's no telling what this Space Wraith will do to her. I can only pray that she stays where she is.
"I devised the plan centuries ago," the wraith says. "In my ghostly form, I am but a spirit. But, if I can find a physical form to attach myself to, it will draw me fully into your reality, where I will stay. That is why I've watched you all of this time, Mar. You have been chosen as my vessel."
I hear the sound of Kim's shoes upon the metal floor of the ship, as she walks toward the bridge, and my heart sinks. I try to open my mouth to shout a warning, but it's no use. Like the rest of my body, my jaw is immobile.
She appears in the doorway, and the figure turns toward her. She begins rubbing the back of her neck, and I can tell she is experiencing the same sensations I felt, when the Wraith approached me. Her eyes squint, as she thinks she sees it; and then grow wide as the Wraith begins to move toward her.
"Ah, yes, Kim," the being says. "I've been waiting for you, as well."
She opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. I can tell she's frozen with fright.
"You are an integral part of my plan," the Wraith says. "He cares about you, you know. He cares more about you, than even he realizes. And that is why you're so important. I'm afraid you'll be a sacrifice. But, your death will reduce him to an empty shell. And, then, his body will be mine."
As he approaches her, I can take no more. I attempt to move my legs, but again, I cannot. I concentrate, forcing all of my attention on the most minuscule parts of my body. I begin by vibrating my molecules, sending sub-particles crashing into each other, creating a chain reaction throughout my form. I can feel my strength returning to me, as I force my molecules to collide, and generate energy.
I stagger to my feet, continuing to vibrate every essence of my being. The figure is almost upon her. I notice something else. As I vibrate my molecules, I begin to move between the planes of existence. It is an unintended effect, but a useful one, none the less. The being in front of me begins to shift into the physical, as I enter his world.
He turns to face me, as I dash toward him. He reaches out an arm, the tips of his fingers pulse with electricity. I grab his wrist and twist it to the side. Using all of my being, I throw the being toward the wall of the ship. In his current state, he phases through the hull, and into the space beyond.