Sequence by Adam Moon Page A

sure they scrub the last occupant’s thoughts away first. If they don’t , you’ll go nuts.”
    “That explains things,” she said teasingly.
    Then she replied to the captain, “I’ll do it. I have a request of my own though. When you’re done with us, I’d like you to drop me off on Earth with Chris. My planet’s inhospitable, and from what Chris tells me, his planet will be sufficient.”
    The captain argued, “There are variables you haven’t considered. There are viruses and microbes on Earth that you have no defenses against , should they find a way to attack you. You are similar to humans, but not so much that they won’t be able to tell that you aren’t one of them. You would be treated like a side-show freak if they see you for what you are. There are too many negatives for me to agree to your request.”
    The first m ate said condescendingly to his captain, “Are you kidding me? Of course she can be returned with the Earthman. Just agree and let’s get on with what’s important.”
    The captain growled in mock anger, “Fine, you’re right.” To Samda he added, “We can inoculate you against most of what could kill you on Earth.”
    “Ok ay then. I’m willing to lend a hand.”
    “Good. We’ll bring a unit aboard and then you’ll transfer over. Don’t worry, they’re all scrubbed and ready to wear.”

The Whole, Ugly Truth
     
    Chris asked the captain, “Who are we going to meet? Is she your leader?
    The first m ate gave his captain a concerned look.
    The captain said, “She is the greatest living being in the universe. She is the result of our first grand experiment.”
    “So she’s the pseudo-god you told us about? I guess I thought you destroyed the results when they didn’t live up to your expectations.”
    The captain whispered, “If only it was that easy.”
    The first mate added, “She’s the one who helped us design this ship to jump around the universe. She’s the one who recommended which species we collect. She’s the only one who cares anymore about creating one true god.”
    The captain said to his first m ate, “Are you telling me that you don’t care about the mission anymore?”
    “I stopped caring after we saw what happened last time. I’ve been conflicted about what this experiment will yield ever since then.”
    “But last time we failed. This time we won’t.”
    The first mate smiled. “Don’t let her hear you say that she’s a failed experiment. You know what she’ll do.”
    The captain nodded and said to Samda and Chris, “If she approaches you, give her your utmost respect and say as little as possible. She’s temperamental and prone to overreaction.”
    The first m ate added, “What he means is that if she doesn’t like what you say, she’ll kill you on the spot. She’s a neurotic bitch.”
    The captain ordered, “Everyone is to be on their best behavior. If this all works out the way it’s supposed to, we’ll all benefit from it. Just hold your tongues long enough to see it through.”
    Number Four said, “I’m actually excited. It’s not every day you get to play a part in the birth of a god.”
    The first m ate whispered, “Hopefully it’s a real god this time.”

A Secret Revealed
     
    As the ship broke the cloud cover, several black bird-like creatures swarmed them. They swept in and out, up and down.
    The captain said, “Don’t worry. They’re just drones making sure this isn’t a Gray attack ship. They’ll check our transponder and then be on their way.”
    On closer inspection, Chris saw that the drones were in fact metallic and armed to the teeth. A Gray ship would have little hope of infiltrating this planet with all of these drones and the scout ships above the cloud layer.
    The drones buzzed off as they made their final descent.
    The first mate whispered to his captain, “You need to tell them the truth before they discover it for themselves.”
    Samda overheard him and said, “What are you talking about?”
    The