Untold Stories of a Galaxy - Kysaek: The Beginning

Relaxed, Kysaek leaned against the beam of a canopy of the heated, half-open transit station. She was still a long way from Auranis’ city centre, and yet a lively and noisy nightlife was taking place around her.

Indistinct scraps of conversation, flashing and colourful lights from shops and advertisements, not to mention the bright towers of houses. In the sky were columns of honking hoverwheels and in between the sirens of the police and fire brigade were blaring.

Kysaek ignored all that as much as she could, though, when a large video screen on one of the towers became active directly opposite her.

“We are always here for you,” a soft female voice spoke. “We bring progress. We care about your well-being.” In the image, a bright light blue spread out and formed a circle with white lines, under which a yellow lightning bolt thundered and stayed. “PGI - everything you need.”

So began every spot of PGI and Kysaek recognised the voice of human model Jana Lakova, which was why she rolled her eyes.

On screen, Jana stepped into the scene and strode to a sporty hoverwheel. “But don’t just believe what you see, believe what you hear,” the model smiled, posing lasciviously next to the vehicle. “PGI is not just about good looks. There is a lot underneath too, hidden deep inside. However, safety is the most important asset to us.”

“Ah, there’s the boss,” Kysaek mumbled to himself. Another one of those people that every PGI commercial contained - the owner and chairman of the company. Skarg Peeks, a Calanian, replaced Jana completely, with his enormous pair of blank black eyes and smooth-looking, hairless skin. A kind of giant squid. In addition, there was a pronounced, very long and towering head, like a cone. A nose did not exist and there was no such thing as a typical mouth with lips, only a few overlapping, faintly discernible fangs. Kysaek knew, however, that beneath the teeth was the calanese’s maw, which became fleetingly visible when it spoke. “We at PGI rise to the challenge of making the best even better,” Skarg said in a slippery accent and serious voice. “Nothing is too expensive for us to do that and I can tell you that because as the CEO, I know it better than anyone. My name is insurance and a guarantee for your quality and satisfaction. But that’s not all: PGI is growing unceasingly, more and more, and soon our range will be enriched once again. Just for you, we invest vast amounts of foreign currency so that our range is constantly expanding and pampering you.” Around Skarg flew images of countless, everyday products until he came to the end. “PGI - everything you need.”

Kysaek heard this saying at least a dozen times a day, and not necessarily in the company. PGI was everywhere, being one of the most famous and powerful, multi-galactic companies.

But the maglev train, which was announced by a soft gong, was not the company’s product. The conveyance pulled in, and no sooner had it stopped and opened its gates than the colourful variety of galactic species poured out of the interior as a concentrated mass. The rush out was so intense that Kysaek almost didn’t get on the train and had to squeeze inside as the door closed. What assholes!

In return, Kysaek was spoilt for choice in the compartment, as almost all the seats were empty. She opted for one between the doors, leaned against the window and threw a foot on the bench opposite. That was how she perceived the jolt as the train started moving, and after a soft chime, she listened to the electronic announcement: “Welcome to the MB-3!Next scheduled stop: Auranis Capital, Marketplace 22.” Now there was no need for Kysaek to hurry, as her stop was still several stations away.

Unlike before, it was no longer worth looking at the skyline. The maglev train was moving extremely fast and everything flew by in a torrent. This fast-flowing sight was not to everyone’s liking, including Kysaek’s. That’s why her eyes drifted to the compartment where she found a single salika. She looked at the representative of the humanoid insect species, as Kysaek considered them to have a certain aesthetic, at least as far as salika women were concerned.

The woman’s body showed gentle, feminine features, similar to humans, even if it was angular in some places, the fingers resembled pointed claws and there was no bosom. A rounded but stiff chitinous armour covered the face, which sometimes made it difficult to interpret the emotions of both Salika, as apart from their moderately mobile lips and yellow-tinted eyes with dark pupils, there was no movement. However, and this only concerned the female salika, the at least had hair-like dreadlocks at the back of their heads, a thin weave of loose cartilage and muscle.

Kysaek did not look at the insectoid for too long, however, and for the rest of the journey the empty seat opposite her was the only object of interest. “Stop: Auranis capital, outer inner district three. Exit in the left direction of travel.” Even as the train doors opened, Kysaek could hear the fuelling, but for her still quiet, beat of the Eternity. She had been looking forward to this all day!

Even as Kysaek stood in the club’s miserably long queue, it didn’t spoil her mood. Apart from that, it was a good opportunity for her to light the next cigarette. The flame just wouldn’t quite flare up, but no sooner was her fag glowing than Kysaek felt a tap on her shoulder and she looked back.

A monkey-like snout opened. “Got a light for me?” asked a Davoc who must have been two heads taller and had considerably more muscle mass. He took a thick cigar filled with red satios herb into his mouth. It was an entirely different genus of plant and much stronger than human tobacco.

Of all the many aliens in the galaxy, Kysaek, like quite a few humans, identified most with the Davoc and wordlessly gave this specimen a light.

The Davoc’s four, thin nostrils flared. “Thank you,” he said, closing his three eyes before tilting his head.

The powerful smoke of the satio filled Kysaek’s sense of smell. “Always,” she replied, knowing that the head tilt along with closed eyes was one of the respectful gestures of the species. It was not a common act, as the Davoc and humans were not particularly friendly towards each other socially, but that was a matter of policy for Kysaek, and not to be imposed on every individual being.

The Davoc introduced himself. “I am Gorag.”

“Elaine,” Kysaek returned.

Gorag seemed nonchalant. “Are you here alone or are you waiting for someone?” he asked as the fresh city wind made his body fur dance on his arms and head.

“I’m alone,” Elaine said, stretching her arms. “Just got off the night shift, so I need the Eternity. I come here often because it’s the best club in this part of town.”

“That’s true,” Gorag agreed. The beginnings of his strong teeth kept showing as he spoke, which was natural and not threatening. “Can I buy you a drink inside, to thank you for the fire?”

“I won’t say no to a drink,” Kysaek nodded and winked. “But I’m going in solo. Whether I come out solo is the other question ...”

This made Gorag laugh. “You’ve got class, I’ll leave it at that,” he said, pointing to the sides of the Eternity’s facade. “Have you noticed the new security bots?”

“Already noticed.”

In the interstitial niches of the building, half obscured by the evening shadows, stood armed bot guards, the simplistic, mechanical servants of the galaxy. Because of Kysaek’s work at PGI, however, the darkness could not fool them. “These are the cheap ones. Simple models that have been re-purposed from worker to guard.”

“How do you know?”

“It comes with the job,” Kysaek said, raising her head as the snake gradually began to move more briskly. This awakened a bad premonition in her and near the door it was confirmed. The two bouncers turned away guest after guest without giving people even the slightest chance.

“Doesn’t look good,” Gorag murmured pessimistically from behind the door, but still noticed something. “You might be able to get in.”

“Why me?”

Animal-like, Gorag’s nostrils quivered. “Because all those who are turned away are men.”

“Yes?” asked Kysaek, looking at the situation again. In fact, the prompt rejection applied only to men of every species and there were merely a few women in between. “You’re right.”

“I don’t think it’s going to be my day today,” Gorag guessed disappointedly. “Not even if one of the bouncers is one of my people.”

Kysaek tried to give Gorag hope. “Maybe you’ll get lucky,” she said, because one of the bouncers was indeed another Davoc. This one seemed to Kysaek to fit the job, a bit broader than Gorag and he looked grimmer. However, that was nothing compared to the second post at the door - a Hishek.

This was a predator-like lizard that Kysaek called a raptor for herself, and it actually amused her. When she ran through the galaxy in her head like this, there was - with a bit of imagination - a suitable animal equivalent on Earth for many a species. Unlike ordinary animals, however, the Hishek had a loftier and straighter posture when standing. Their thick scaly skin looked as if it was interspersed with iron fibres in places. In addition, there were warlike colour stripes on the face as well as on part of the skin. A massive tail swung back and forth at the rear. The arms were rather short and impractical for everyday errands, but like the feet, they were equipped with extremely sharp claws.

Gorag took the hint, but he didn’t think the conspecific at the door was one to let in. “Well, I don’t know if I’m going to get into the club for that.”

Kysaek would see in a moment, but first it was now her turn. While the Hishek only gave a guttural growl and showed his cutting teeth, his partner did the talking. “Well, look at that! Finally someone comes along to bring a breath of fresh air to the Eternity.”

The Hishek agreed. “For a human, she’s a good looker.”

In reply, Kysaek smiled coolly. “Glad that’s settled, and for your free look, you may let me in now.”

“She’s got fire,” the Hishek laughed, fixing Kysaek with his red reptilian eyes. “Get your butt inside.”

The request was promptly followed by Kysaek, but she stopped halfway in the doorway when it was Gorag’s turn.

“We have no need for another filthy bundle of fur in here!” the Hishek said dismissively. “If you were at least better dressed, you could be employed as a cleaner.”

“Come on!” sighed Gorag in annoyance, jerking an arm up in the air. “These are my best clothes and you already didn’t let me in last week.”

The Davoc bouncer cracked his hands. “And you haven’t learned a thing. Get out or we’ll give you another lesson, but you’ll feel it, not just hear it!”

“I’d like that even better,” the Hishek bared his teeth and gave a warning growl at which his nostrils flared.

Kysaek didn’t just feel sorry for Gorag. The bouncers’ behaviour went against her grain. “He’s with me,” she lied placatingly.

The hishek didn’t quite believe that. “You sure? This would be a good opportunity to get rid of this guy.”

The Davoc bouncer folded his arms. “That’s right, sweetheart -now or never.”

“Less talk, more let through,” Kysaek opined, poker high. “Or I’ll disappear again.”

The bouncers looked at each other and didn’t seem particularly happy, even pissed, but they silently waved Gorag through. Inside, where the volume was increasing, Gorag thanked them. “I don’t even know what to say. That was pretty decent of you.”

Kysaek played down the act. “You’re welcome,” she replied. Then, before pushing her way into the first crowded room in the club, she made Gorag an offer. “Let’s skip the formalities. Buy me a drink and we’ll call it even. I want a Star Fruit.”

“You bet!” agreed Gorag. “I’m right behind you!”

A shiny, floating sphere rotated above Kysaek’s head and it was covered with nimble, colourful spotlights. Faster and faster the lights began to spin in circles until the sphere took on a dull white, and around it a spiral galaxy emerged - a holographic sea of stars and beautiful space nebulae.

A sprawling bar jutted out of one section of the wall, reminiscent of the tail of a comet from the get-up, and there stood a bald man, one of many waitresses. “What can I get you?” he asked, looking at Kysaek. Gorag, however, took the order.”

A Pure Skin for me and a Star Fruit for the lady.”

“Coming right up,” the barman replied and set about pouring and mixing the alcoholic drinks.

Kysaek liked to drink the Star Fruit, but the drink made of exotic fruits from different planets was expensive even for a middle class place like the Eternity. So Gorag’s thanks were more than welcome when Kysaek got her tall and free glass of Star Fruit. The contents kept changing colour, a cycle between green, purple and red.”

So, Elaine,” Gorag raised his glass. “I wish you a joyous evening!”

The glasses clinked together. “Me to you too,” Kysaek smiled delightedly and parted from the Davoc to survey the crowd at the end of the bar counter. Satisfied, she sipped her Star Fruit and an explosion of flavours danced on her tongue, further lifting Kysaek’s spirits. This could be a super night tonight!”

Soooo, party people!” it sounded from the speakers of the music system. “I hope you’re in a good mood!”

An overwhelming part of the crowd jerked their arms or arm-like extremities up in the air and cheered the announcement.

“I see!” the voice said goadingly. “I’ve got a hot crowd here today, and what do you do when there’s a fire somewhere⁈ - Right! You keep fanning the flame!” A new piece of music unfolded, strongly represented by bass-heavy instruments, but it started slowly.

The beautiful projection of stars on the ceiling became a swirling circle and contracted in the centre. A single ball of light remained, flinging all the stars back to all angles in a massive explosion, a small big bang that brought with it the start of more rapid music.

This accompanied Kysaek bobbing her head and taking small sips of her drink.

“Sweetheart,” suddenly came the sound from the side. A hishek was there and he thought nothing of formality. “Will you get on the dance floor, or are you too fine for that?” he asked, slapping his short paw on the counter. As he did so, several empty shot glasses clinked in front of him.

Cheeky and unafraid, Kysaek answered him. “If I go dancing, it’s only trouble because I steal all the women’s guys or vice versa.” She had never made a secret of her bisexuality. The galaxy was a very tolerant and open stage, although of course there were still enough dissenting voices about some things even in these times.

Proudly, the Hishek jutted her chin and let her tongue fly out of her mouth. “You think you’re irresistible, huh?”

“Yeah, I think I am,” Kysaek said nonchalantly, shuffling from her drink. “Want to see how irresistible I can be?”

The Hishek’s eyes closed almost completely and he got the look of a hunter or a drunk. “I like you and I’d love to push you over the edge of the bed, but I’ve got something hotter than you,” he asserted unabashedly, pointing to the towering, glass tubes of go-go dancers in the crowd. There, a galig swung her inviting, wide hips and animated dozens around her into wild movements. Unlike the male galigs, however, such as Ten’Dis, the woman at the pole, apart from her more petite body, possessed an aesthetically pleasing flap of skin on her head. It was long and, next to the otherwise green skin, coloured in a natural orange.

Kysaek especially liked the flap of skin - to her, it was their hair, only as skin and in one piece. She passed that on to the hishek as well. “She is very pretty, your mask wearer. The colours on her head are particularly beautiful.”

“Yes,” the Hishek nodded with satisfaction, alluding to his own red streaks of colour on his muzzle. “But apart from that, she has the hottest butt and those hips ...”

“Well, go see her then.“, Kysaek cheerfully encouraged the hishek.

He drank one last glass. “Good idea,” the lizard murmured, pushing his way through the crowd where everyone immediately made room for him.

Now Kysaek was in a dancing mood herself, and she made her way to the joyous celebration crowd with her drink. When she was in such a mood, she could dance for hours, no matter how she had been before, and so she did likewise today. Her movements were fluid and she cut a very good figure, something she had been told many times before. Therefore, Kysaek was not surprised that some dancers were constantly trying to get close to her, but she pretended to be aloof. No one here, regardless of gender or species, caught her interest that evening.

Kysaek shuddered at the sight of her watch. Early morning already? How time passed ... As much as she would have liked to celebrate more, she had to go home, because tonight was her next shift and she needed some sleep during the day.

Despite the dawn, however, there was still no sunrise and because of the cool air Kysaek put on her jacket on the way to the transit station.

In her area, at this earlier hour of the morning, it was nowhere near as busy or garish as the districts in the centre of Auranis or near the Eternity - especially since Kysaek lived at the bottom of the towers of houses. In a city like Auranis, :the higher the better. But that didn’t mean Kysaek’s neighbourhood was a ghetto. She only knew that from the outskirts or denser residential areas of the city. A few more blocks and I’ll be home, she thought to herself as she walked past open shops.

There, Kysaek saw bots who ran the shops, and there were various kinds of them in the galaxy. But here they were always the same models - white machines on two legs, with two arms and an almost square head. There was no such thing as a mouth, but there was a narrow black field at eye level. There, the bots showed different emotions and colours, depending on the situation. Right now, they all had two blue and happy eyes.

In contrast, the sounds that Kysaek suddenly heard sounded anything but happy. It sounded like a quarrel and a scuffle, a robbery, and that’s why she stepped up a gear.

Around the next corner, Kysaek found the source of the noise. A Talin, who outwardly resembled humans extremely and whose skin was white as snow, was surrounded by a Davoc and lanky human.

Again and again the woman tried to move away. “Leave me alone at last!” demanded the Talin, without her lips moving or opening as she spoke.

The staggering men, however, kept blocking her way. One of the people even seemed really drunk. “W-we just want to beee nicely,” he grinned inanely.

“Thank you, but I don’t need your care!” clarified the Talin. As hard as she could, she slapped against the Davoc’s broad chest.

The ape-being didn’t mind. “Your complexion is as pure as innocence itself,” he commented. “Are you still innocent?”

The Talin was grabbed by the Davoc’s arm and he tugged so hard that her golden headdress slipped off her bald head. Still, she looked noble. “You don’t understand in a polite way, so I’ll be clearer!” she began, becoming abusive. “I have no interest in drunken scum like you!”

Hastily, Kysaek crossed the street. She didn’t think twice about things like that. “Hey, you assholes!” she shouted, tightening her stance. “Are your auditory canals so far away from your brains that you can’t understand no⁈”

The outcry was enough for the men to respond to Kysaek, but they continued to surround the Talin. “Look, Dave,” the Davoc said to the human. “Another treat.”

Dave hiccupped. “We are reaaallyy lucky, Dodol,” he returned to the Davoc, waving the newcomer closer. “Come here, Shhwweetieee.”

“Go fuck yourselves!” insulted Kysaek to the two, hoping to get them away from Talin that way. “Get out of here or it’s about to get really uncomfortable!”

The men’s faces wrinkled, their expressions looked annoyed, and they backed away from Talin. “What are you going to do about us⁈” growled Dodol.

Only fleetingly did Kysaek look into the Talin’s pale, light blue eyes and with a nod signified her to leave, but the stranger stood frozen and Kysaek had to buy more time. “If only you had left!” she pressed out between her lips and put her hands on her hips. She was very sure she could win this fight, not because of her rather modest basic knowledge of hand-to-hand combat or the fact that, unlike the two guys, she wasn’t particularly drunk. She was given the gift of prismatics, the ability to harness the natural energies of the universe. However, this talent required a lot of concentration and endurance: it was a power-sapping affair and Kysaek had never trained her prismatics well, which was why she knew that the fight would have to be decided quickly. “Come here!”

At the statement, the men staggered forward and Dodol snarled, “We’ll smash your face in!”

“So you’re the first!” shouted Kysaek. Her right hand balled into a fist and was surrounded by clear, shimmering white energy. This she unleashed, slashing forward to hurl a concentrated ball of prismatic power at Dodol.

It caught the Davoc in the stomach area, like the blow of a powerful steam hammer, and he flew back even a metre.

“Shhluuttt!” came from Dave and he charged on without cover.

A special fighter Kysaek was not, but she could easily cope with this full-blown fellow. This was followed by ducking away from her, some combination punches and a kick to the soft parts that sent Dave to the ground. “So much for that, eh?” she took a strained breath, but behind her she heard a metallic rustle.

Despite the previous direct hit, Dodol was already back on his feet, holding a piece of scrap metal he must have had from the nearby bins. With it he struck at Kysaek’s back. “Now you’re going to get it! We’re going to finish you!” the ape-creature roared and kicked the woman who was going down.

There was nothing Kysaek could do to counter this, for her spine hurt too badly and the Davoc’s brute strength did the rest. She could not do more than cower from the attacks, but at least she noticed that the Talin had escaped.

Staggering, Dave also brought himself to a halt and joined in the kicking. Dodol raised the scrap for another strike, just then sirens howled through the morning air and Dave looked around in panic. “Eh, stop it! Shheceruity forces!” The human immediately staggered away and Dodol, clearly finding it difficult not to take the blow, followed shortly after.

After the two men had disappeared, Kysaek, badly battered, spread her arms and legs wide and looked up at the dimly brightening night sky. “Miserable shit!” she took an exhausted breath. “The shitty end to an otherwise good evening ...”