THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 1297 words) [13/15] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 10 2016	Views/Reads: 1918/1403	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 2 - CH 13

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story


Kane turned to the Android. “Speed and status report,” he requested. 

“Zero speed,” she replied. “A slight drift in the direction of the Hole.
Forward scanner in operation. All other power being redirected to 
recharging for the journey through the Corridor.” 

“Divert some power to the other scanners,” Kane ordered. “Let's get some
reports in.” 

The Android was just about to carry out his order when there was a loud
crack and they were all thrown to the floor. 

“The Screen!” Muslik yelled as they were picking themselves up. 

On the Observation Screen the picture had dramatically changed. Gone
were the wreaths of pinkish nebulae, the Black Hole and the twinkling 
stars. Instead were two Pirate Ships with the skull and crossbones 
motifs painted across their bows. Far back in the distance lay the real 
Hole. 

Before Kane had a chance to react several laser beams shot out and raked
the Falcon, throwing them all back to the floor. As they were picking 
themselves up again a rough voice filled the Bridge. 

“That was just a couple of warnin shots, mateys! Put me on Screen or
we'll fire again! This time we won't miss!” 

Kane had no choice. He nodded to the Android and she activated the
Ship-to-Ship line. 

An ugly face came on Screen. He had curly black hair, a hooked nose, a
bushy black beard and a large earring in one ear. He looked round the 
Bridge and grinned at them. 

“A wise move, Cap'n,” he said. “Now everybody back off where I can see
‘em. An don't anybody make any rash moves.” 

***** 

The final changes had now taken place in Miller and what had been a
human being a couple of days ago was now a three inch long lizard 
except for one thing – the real curse of Chameleon, known only to those 
unfortunate enough to be bitten or stung. 

The rumours that abounded about the planet were many and one of them was
true – if bitten or stung by anything you quickly changed into whatever 
had bitten or stung you. 

None of the rumours however mentioned that when your body shrank to the
size of the rat or lizard or snake, a minute corner of the creature's 
brain remained yours. You were aware of what had happened to you and 
what you were going through but there was nothing you could do about 
it, only observe. 

As Miller observed the eyes watching him hungrily when he woke that
morning and experienced the terror the lizard felt when the rat pounced 
at it from a hole in the hollow tree. He also shared the relief it felt 
when it escaped through another hole in the bottom of the tree and 
bolted across the muddy ground into the safety of some bushes. 

He experienced what it was like to crawl around the undergrowth, hunting
for beetles and insects. Eating them. Drinking warily from pools. Being 
hunted himself by snakes and rats. 

He experienced the sheer minute by minute existence of the lizard and
felt the almost total paranoia which was its method of survival. There 
was also the unbelievable knowledge that he himself was this creature. 
He screamed a lot inside that minute corner of his. 

The lizard spent the rest of the morning foraging for food. Chameleon's
noonday sun found it with a full belly, searching for somewhere to 
doze. The tree across the stream looked inviting. 

It raced over the shallow water and rapidly scaled the tree, its claws
easily finding holds in the gnarled bark. It halted where two long 
branches spread out. Both were thick with leaves, the upper jutting out 
into the sunlight, the lower in the shade. Seeking a cool spot, the 
lizard crawled along the lower branch and after checking for any 
danger, allowed itself to settle down and doze. 

On the branch above, the black snake which had earlier chased Miller
silently raised its head and inspected the lizard with its cold, green 
eyes. Slowly and silently it rippled back along the branch then out 
along the lower branch. It halted, its forked tongue probing the air. 
It moved closer and when it was a foot away it struck with lightning 
speed, sending its twin fangs deep into the small body. 

The snake quickly removed its fangs and the lizard rolled over and fell
from the branch, landing on the soft grass below. It tried to run but 
the venom was racing through its system and it didn't get far. 

Miller should have been screaming in terror but he wasn't. When the
venom reached the lizard's brain it was like a warm blanket wrapping 
itself around him. No pain. No fear. Just a marvellous exultant 
euphoria. Better than any Dreamtabs or Janad weed. So good. So fucking 
good. So fu.... 

The long, black snake rippled slowly back along the branch and down the
tree and soon found the lizard. It probed it with its forked tongue and 
satisfied that it was dead, manoeuvred the body till the head was in 
its mouth then began the slow process of swallowing it. 


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