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The
Intergalactic Space Cadet League
CHAPTER
4
by Jennifer McKenzie
"Help!
Help!" The echoes of Natilinia's cries filled the League.
"What?"
Kethlain thought, walking down the hallway.
"What
could be wrong on a day like this?" he said, looking through the
see-through ceiling at the blue, cloudless sky. "Get a grip, Kethlain!"
he suddenly thought to himself. "Duh! Someone could be
in real trouble!" He ran down the hall, towards the lake.
Once there, he
saw a blue face peeking out of the water, yelling "Help! Help!
Somebody help!"
"What is
it?!" Kethlain asked it.
"There is
a human who can't breathe and is sinking to the bottom! I can't lift him!
Someone help!!"
Without
thinking, Kethlain jumped into the water, ignoring the pain of his
lungs/gills. He felt the blue creature behind him just as he saw the human
on the bottom of the lake. Wait! This human was different; he had a silver
arm! "No time..." he thought to himself as he reached for the
human. He was hurting so badly....The blue creature picked the human up,
too. They had to hurry, it said.....His lungs....They pulled the human to
the surface of the water. It still wasn't breathing.
"I can't
leave the water, Can't breathe!" The blue thing said. "Can you
take him to Mama?"
"Yes......"
Kethlain said, jumping weakly out of the water, dragging the human.....Had
to hurry......
Mama Wominoz
was sitting in the white hospital waiting room, weaving a soft silk
blanket, when Kethlain burst into the room carrying Jao by the arms. She
dropped her weaving, wasting no time. Quickly, she grabbed Jao and pulled
him into the operating room.
She turned to
Kethlain, and with surprising strength, picked him up and put him on a
operating table. Before Kethlain could protest, he felt the world going
black..............
Moments
later, Natilinia burst into the room, wearing water pants. "Is the
human okay?! Is that guy okay?!" She yelled.
"I can't
tell, Natilinia, it's too early."
Natilinia
paused, her voice quavering. "Well, if anything happens....just let
me know, if I can help I mean.. just let me know." Mama Wominoz
slowly touched her on her scaly blue shoulder. She turned and walked into
the operating room. Natilinia sat down on the scarlet silk chair nearest
the door. She looked up, slowly. "Yase..." Natilinia whispered.
"I am the last of your followers .. please answer my prayer...don't
let them die, please don't let them die..........."
About a week
later, Kethlain and Jao had mostly recovered, although Jao had to be
helped with electric jolts through his computerized parts.
The three of
them, Natilinia, Kethlain, and Jao, were all given leave to take a day
outside the league, out near the garden, without supervision. This was a
big deal in the league, and most of the other students were very envious.
They
walked there, admiring the colorful flowers and trees of hundreds of
different worlds. After walking in silence for many minutes, Jao broke the
ice. "My......name.......is........Jao. Thank......you
.......for........saving......me. What......are....your-"
"You don't
need to talk to us like that, we understand basic." Natilinia said, a
bit insulted.
"Sorry."
Jao said. "What are your names?"
"I'm
Kethlain." Kethlain said, picking one of the Jazierno flowers in his
own personal garden.
"I'm
Natilinia." Natilinia said, accepting the flower from Kethlain.
"Thank you!" She said holding the sunset colored flower up to
her face.
"I'm Jao."
Jao said, looking up towards the sky. The clouds were huge, and they were
all the colors of the rainbow. They seemed to glow with an unnatural
light. Jao looked up at this sight with wide eyes. "Are the clouds
always like that on Quandoia?" He said.
"Yeah."
Kethlain said blankly. "They're always like that."
For a long
time, that was all they said. They simply admired the woan flowers, the
snow white cots, and the flowers of the scower tree.
The ever-changing flowers of the Rarenfo garden shimmered with an
unearthly light. It seemed as if even the stars were putting on a show....
" Wait a
minute. That's no shooting star!" Kethlain yelled.
"It's
landing!" Natilinia shrieked. The
red light drew closer and closer to them until they could make out the
shape of a MURTH fighter. The ship drew closer and closer...
"I think
we ought to.....RUN!" Jao yelled, turning on his heel and bolting for
Kethlain's cabin. The others followed his example, and were about to enter
the door when Shoop! they felt a sting in their backs and fell......
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