The Intergalactic Space Cadet League

By: Jennifer McKenzie

Part One

Prologue

          It is the year 3057.  Earth, the sole pocket of life in its solar system, is cut off from the rest of the galaxy, making it a prime spot for the terrorists of the MURTH squad.  MURTH has taken complete control of Earth, and has destroyed Seriia, a planet just outside the Milky Way.  This destruction has completely wiped out a small aquatic race of people, the Zinioo; except one young survivor.. 

          Quandoia is a planet strongly in opposition to the growing power of MURTH, and has become the base for QAANS, the army against MURTH.  One young individual from Quandoia seems to have the strength and stamina to become a strong fighter against MURTH...

          The humans of Earth, of course, oppose MURTH, and have mostly relocated to the planet of Quandoia, entering the army.  The younger individuals (9-18) enter the INTERGALACTIC SPACE CADET LEAGUE, learning how to battle and fly spacecraft.  A young Earthling, fueled by the love for his planet, plans to destroy the evil that has consumed his once beautiful home.

          And this is where our story begins. The story of three young children who are pledged along with three hundred other children from across the galaxy to serve and protect the universe through the INTERGALACTIC SPACE CADET LEAGUE!

Chapter one

          When Natilinia awoke that morning, everything seemed normal. She swam out of her chamber and had her usual breakfast of labtzi berries. The small meal of blue, swirling stew was rather meager, but very filling.

Then, a large man opened the door. He was not normal. He had no fins like Natilinia, and did not have webbing between his fingers.  Also, he was a yellow color, not blue, and was holding his breath. He pointed frantically towards the surface.  Mama had told Natilinia that the MURTH squad’s biggest fighters were targeting the planet. They had to leave! No time to pack! No time to say goodbye! .... Suddenly, the water had started to boil! It was unbearable!

          And now,  as Natilinia swam for the ship, the water around her still swirled around, boiling and bubbling over her. The creatures around her were dying, and a few of her own kind floated lifeless around her. It was too late to save anyone, anything! Her planet was dying! She had to swim! She dashed into the ship just before the air lock closed, locking her and her family in the crowded seating chamber.

          Before Natilinia could emit a sigh of relief from her straining gills, the whole ship shook and vibrated as the rockets activated and the ship rocketed through the air. Natilinia was hurled to the back of the ship by the force of the rockets. As Natilinia watched her planet turning red, hissing and steaming, and finally breaking apart, Mama’s words echoed in her head....”No time to say goodbye...No time to say goodbye...

          Natilinia felt herself crying. Her home was gone!

           A speaker came on, and announced that they were nearing the planet of Quandoia. Just as the loud speaker cut off, a huge battle ship came into view. A bright blue flash, and then her ship exploded! The water gushed out into space ...everything went black...

          When Natilinia awoke, she could not breathe. She jumped into a pool of blue water behind her. Natilinia felt weak.... she looked around and saw a huge crash in front of her. The crash was littered with bodies and blistering control pads.  Slowly Natilinia scanned the crash, looking for any sign of life among the pieces of twisted metal. Nothing. They were.... Mama was...her whole family was.... A huge building was in the distance. Could she hold her breath that far? And would they help, or hurt? "It's my last hope." Natilinia thought as she pulled herself out of the water. She found she could walk clumsily on land, and would not have to slither. She made it to the door, and threw herself against it to open it.

          To her immense relief, the door she opened revealed a huge pool of clear water. But before Natilinia could slide into it's depths, a young man, a creature from the planet of Therinowz, appeared, and seemed to want to help. Natilinia could not understand the language of the Jaxth, but the creature led her to a gentle looking woman of the Rarenfo species, who was sitting next to a small pool of water. Just before Natilinia was going to pass out, she was pulled into the cool water. "We have been waiting for you, young one." The Rarenfo said.  

          The Rarenfo began to speak as she bandaged Natilinia's wounds:

          " When QAANS heard about the destruction of Seriia, the Grand General appointed me to question survivors.  Oh...I'm sorry, allow me to introduce myself.  I am Reliompin Wominoziomenx, but call me Mama Wominoz."

          "Hello, Mama. I am Natilinia."  Natilinia replied.

          "So, Natilinia, how many people do you think were saved by the ship?"

           Natilinia was stunned at the suddenness of this question.  She bowed her head. "One...” She whispered, slowly. "Only one."   Mama Wominoz stared at Natilinia.

          "How can this be?" Mama asked.  Natilinia started at the beginning and told everything, from the man upsetting Mama to when she was brought to Mama Wominoz.  “I just can't believe-“  The entrance of the Jaxth man cut off Mama. The Jaxth said something in his language, and Mama got up to follow him.

          Natilinia lay in the cool water, softly crying, thinking, and mourning. Her family...Seriia...Then suddenly it hit her.  It really hit her.  Nobody else had survived the crash. She was the only one on that ship.  No.  Surely there were other ships.  Surely...

When Mama returned, she too had her head bowed low.  "Natilinia,"  Mama said, a tear trickling down her face,  "you are the last... the last Zinioo."