In response to the Alien Art Hive Community's Inktober Prompts that were part of their Cosmic Creations Edition #6 Contest, Cosmic Creations Edition #6 is LIVE: INKTOBER PROMPTS, members were encouraged to choose a prompt theme from the Inktober Prompts list for their entry into the contest.
After my entry into the contest with Prompt #17 - DEMON which I published on 9/23, I decided to take the Inktober concept one step further. I will focus on the remaining 30 Prompts on the list, beginning with Prompt #1. How fun the themes will be preparing my projects utilizing the mixed media art themes. If a Drabble story (100 words) or other flash fiction emerges, then all the more fun!
Below is my project for Inktober Prompt #25:
It took some time for Max to descend from the cliff. His heart rate increased contemplating the scene. He turned. Standing at the edge of the outpost, his knees weakened. He clasped his head in his hands and dropped into the sand. The pain to his knees was nothing compared to the anger in his heart.
The billowing smoke gave way to a colossal fire streaking high into the atmosphere. Watching in paralyzed horror, glass abodes shred into a millions shards. The landscape disappeared as bodies mingled with sand formed a jigsaw puzzle.
Max froze. His finance, Megan. He was to join her when his tour of duty ended, and he could be assigned to Octogon IV Planet as security.
He jumped up and rushed toward the center of the outpost.
New to Octogon IV Planet the settlers, a peaceful colony, arrived six months ago as the first to inhabit the outpost. Located opposite the smaller mountain range on more level terrain, they resided in the valley and were shielded in theory from attack.
The settlers were not lucky this time.
Little was left of the abode he had secured for his finance and her family. Rumbling through the rubble, he discovered their bodies. Nothing he could do would save them. Best to locate those who may be still alive. Faint cries filtered through the heavy smoke as he made his way back outside.
Overwhelmed by the smell of burning flesh, he adjusted his mask and surveyed the area. A few feet away, several survivors, mainly adults, huddled in a group. From burns to broken limbs, the settlers were hurt, but their spirits were of gratefulness. Max ushered them from the outpost to a safe area.
Thoughts turned to his friend, Captain Bader.
He remembered Bader hadn't updated him since his last transmission. Two lingering questions needed answering: whether Max's armored vehicle operator was rescued, and if Bader was successful in capturing the murderous outlaw alien, Krudd, or crippling his spacecraft.
With Krudd's latest act, no doubt remained in Max's mind that the alien was now the most dangerous being in the galaxy known to the Space Coalition Fleet.
He attempted to reach the Spaceship Octogon and Captain Bader.
"SCF...Mayday! This is Max Branstock, Lieutenant of the Ground Reinforcement Division.
A long pause.
He had to try again. "Space Coalition Fleet, DO YOU READ?!"
Max waited for several moments for a response from Captain Bader, assigned to patrol the Octogon System.
A small boy cried out in pain from his wounds. Max opted to leave the settlers to locate medical supplies. The small medical unit was completely destroyed.
Failing to locate any medicine that could ease the settlers' suffering, he cursed loudly, more out of frustration and his delay in completing his mission. Joining his fiance on Octogon IV was his top priority. Encountering the alien Krudd ship and battling him diverted his mission by several months.
He hung his head low thinking that the scar he left on Krudd's forehead was nothing compared to the one that would be left a lifetime deep within his conscious. Finalizing his tour of ground duty on time in the peacekeeping division of the fleet possibly could have saved Megan and the rest of the colony.
Immediately he swung around. Although not strong, his transmitter signal activated.
"This is Captain Bader of the Spaceship Octogon," he repeated twice.
Breathing heavily, Max ran from the medical unit and informed the settlers. They desperately wanted to believe that assistance was arriving. They knew their dreams of settling on Octogon IV had ended.
The look on the survivors' faces hardened Max's resolve as they waited for rescue.
Their dreams weren't the only ones destroyed that day.
"Good to see you again. You look like hell. I was in route to you when orders were received that diverted me elsewhere. Another ship wasn't in the area, so I finished as quickly as I could," Captain Bader whispered while embracing Max.
Their last communication wasn't under the ideal circumstances. And he still hadn't divulged the outcome of his encounter with Krudd. By the hollow look in Max's eyes, coupled with his taut muscles, he didn't want to tell him that Krudd escaped their pursuit.
"Let's get these survivors onboard. We'll talk later. The Council is waiting on our report of this Octogon IV incident. A formal inquiry is scheduled in two days."
Max and Captain Bader secured the settlers in his spaceship. Given medical attention and food, they headed back to Earth and the Space Coalition Fleet.
Rested that night, Max anxiously awaited Julian's visit to his quarters.
"It was him, Max. He broke silence. He wanted me to see his scar." Captain Julian Bader's nostrils flaring while clenching his fist matched the crimson in his eyes.
"Three-fourths of the settlers were killed, including Megan." Max turned away from Julian.
"He's purchased and illegally modified his ship with a transparency device and a military grade weapons system. Those who supplied it without going through proper channels are stealing and selling on the black market. This goes deeper than first suspected." Julian paced back and forth until Max stopped him.
"I'll show you my report before handing over to the Coalition commander." Max ushered Julian from his quarters. He couldn't hold Megan's memory in the rear.
It was time to let go in the presence of his anguish.
Two days later Max and Julian arrived at the Coalition Fleet Council's headquarters. They sat ready to provide testimony on the massacre of the Octogon IV outpost.
REPORT OF: Max Branstock, Lieutenant of the Ground Reinforcement Division.
Max stood, his back ramrod straight as he was sworn in. Clearing his throat, he imparted clear and concise details of that day his armored vehicle landed on Octogon IV Planet. It didn't matter what length of time had passed. He would never forget the massacre by Krudd. The alien's face flashed before his eyes.
Max activated the Coalition's file he assembled on Krudd. The overhead screen displayed his sworn enemy. He seethed as Krudd's cruel, sadistic face, softened only by the blade gifted to him by his friend, Captain Bader, came into focus. The weapon saved his life on the occasion of his encounter with the alien.
Source
"Krudd of the Nennodyan race. Mercenary for hire. Massacred five hundred settlers at the outpost on Octogon IV."*
"My Ground Reinforcement Division armored vehicle team, consisting of myself, armored driver, and equipment operator, landed on the planet at zero eight hundred hours."
"A cosmic thundercloud came into focus in the vehicle's periscope. Within minutes, heavy artillery bombarded the vehicle. A hole penetrated the hull. The tank sway sideways. Smoke quickly spread. I fastened my goggles and adjusted my mask."
"After opening the commander's hatch and sliding down the tank's right side near the rear of the vehicle, I realized the noise was an explosion. The tank suffered major hull damage. Unfortunately, we lost our Driver. The Operator wasn't mortally wounded."
"Over the ridge near the settler's outpost, billowing black smoke rose as pockets of fire flared up. An explosion knocked me backward. Trying to ascertain the origin of the explosion, I glanced up, catching the tail of a small older model craft, smooth-coated, multicolored, mostly blue with a semi-circular disk design produced in the latter part of of the 22nd century,"
"Four blue streaks rest on the spaceship's tail that is part of the power source. The second power source container is designated for accelerated speed. This device is attached to the underbelly of the ship. Its panels, with cross sections for the exhaust system, turns a purple hue. Not designed for speed, modifications can transform the craft if repurposed with a military grade weapons system."
"Blue flames shot from the ship's tail. The transparency faded. This allowed Krudd's face to flash before the craft accelerated and faded into the planet's atmosphere."
"I radioed Captain Bader of the Spaceship Octogon our position, injury status, equipment damage, and my suspicion of the attacker, Krudd, and his last position. Finally, I requested air assistance."
"Ten minutes later, I hadn't received a response, so I ensured my Operator could survive until Captain Bader arrived, then set out to assess the damage inflicted at the outpost by Krudd."
"I ran the mile to the edge of the ridge. The settlement was completely destroyed. Glass abodes shred into a millions shards. Only seven settlers survived. I rendered what little aid I could."
"I attempted to contact Captain Bader again. This time, he responded and arrived to transport us back to the Coalition Fleet station."
The Fleet Council member shook his head, looked at the other Council members, then addressed Max.
"Lieutenant Branstock, we thank you for your service. It's unfortunate the incident at the outpost on Octogon IV could not be prevented. How are you feeling at this time?"
"I lost my fiance, Sir." A hush spread over the entire facility. Max paused, letting escape a deep sigh.
He continued. "And another thing, it's not "unfortunate" the incident occurred. Krudd and others like him operating on the black market was able to equip his craft with military weapons. Someone did the selling, and someone did the equipping. It's a whole operation allowed to flourish right under the Coalition Fleet. And no one seems to be interested in apprehending these criminals. Being placed on the Fleet's Most Wanted Criminal List is not enough."
"Are you saying the Coalition Fleet is negligent? If so, do you have any suggestions?" Flushed with embarrassment, another member of the Coalition Fleet addressed Max.
"Approve the proposal allowing interplanetary tactical weaponry for non-military operations, then impose stiff criminal penalties."
The room stirred with individual conversations, with Fleet members pointing at Max.
"You are dismissed, Lieutenant." The head of the Coalition Fleet announced.
REPORT OF: Julian Bader, Captain of the Spaceship Octogon.**
Captain Julian Bader stood defiant as he was sworn in. His first impulse was to head to Octogon IV and aid the Lieutenant and the outpost victims. However, orders to pursue Krudd were delayed.
Captain Bader pointed to Krudd's spaceship on the overhead screen. With a deep and agitated voice he tried to keep in check, he began.
"At zero eight thirty, my Communications Officer alerted me that Lieutenant Max Branstock of the Ground Reinforcement Division on Octogon IV commenced contact with my spaceship. The Lieutenant transmitted the crime scene damage and the image you see of Krudd's ship."
SourceI confirmed the ship belonged to the alien, Krudd, a wanted criminal that Lieutenant Branstock has previously encountered."
"I immediately requested authorization from the Space Coalition Fleet to pursue and engage Krudd. However, the request was delayed. In the meantime, I ordered a wide-span search of the area from coordinates last reported by the Lieutenant."
"I ordered thrusters to stand ready to engage, estimating ten minutes to intercept Krudd's ship."
"However, our trackers failed to detect the distance due to the transparency shield. Krudd also equipped his ship with evasive devices purchased illegally off-market."
"My Communications Officer announced that Krudd was initiating conversation with my ship."
"Myself and crew witnessed Krudd's pear-shaped sunken receptacles that resembled eye sockets staring back at them. His dark grey skin appeared thin and weak. Deceptive, of course. Underneath, a hard core of scales protected the outer layer."
"The encounter lasted only a few moments. Krudd looked directly at me. He holds a vendetta. I provided the custom blade that the Lieutenant used to inflict an impression on Krudd's face."
"Krudd's face faded, and his ship went blue, indicating he had activated his advanced weapons."
"I ordered two torpedoes launched. My helsman confirmed one struck by each side of Krudd's ship, glowing yellow. But missed the target."
"A temporary glimpse past their advanced system when he engaged allowed my helmsman to gauge Krudd's position. He informed me Krudd was only seconds away from escaping into his galaxy."
*"Knowing part of Krudd's off market dealings from informers, I knew that whatever his mission in the Octogon System, he would return. Krudd doesn't work cheap. His sponsor is paying handsomely to complete the task."
*"My orders didn't allow me to pursue. I contacted Lieutenant Branstock and proceeded to Octogon IV to rescue him and the survivors. Upon arrival, I witnessed the carnage left my the military weapons Krudd had amassed.
"A massacre by Krudd to add under his name on the Most Wanted List."
The Fleet Council member stared at Captain Bader before searching the remaining Council members. He already knew the two individuals who could capture the criminal had testified that day. He called a recess to discuss the Coalition Fleet's response.
It took only thirty minutes to deliver their decision.
"Captain Bader, I commend you for pursuing and confirming the identity of the perpetrator of the massacre on Octogon IV. Orders to pursue and capture Krudd in this galaxy or in his has been granted. Their galaxy does not desire a disintegration of longstanding, agreed-upon relations."*
Captain Bader docked at his assigned port. The next week, the Council voted to accept the proposal banning interplanetary tactical weaponry for non-military operations.
But Krudd was an outlaw, operating outside his planet's agreement to maintain peace. His tactics of strike, then run was now elevated to more serious crimes.
Captain Julian Bader met with Lieutenant Max Branstock.
"If revenge is his goal, then I'll oblige him," Max retorted, thinking of his finance.
"Are you sure you want to pursue this path? Once we leave the protection of our system, there is no backup." Julian was all in. However, he would have to recruit his crewmen and anyone else willing to pursue Krudd.
"Let's end this," Max hissed.
I began my original project and story in The Cosmic Creations Contest #1. For Part 2 of my story, I wanted to finalize the saga of Krudd, a vengeful alien that destroyed a planet outpost, murdering all but seven of the settlers. My theme for the finale of the story is the Inktober Prompt #25 - Dangerous.
To assist with my story, I utilized a pure fractal that I created in Apophysis 7X, an advanced version of the fractal rendering program. The fractal represents the billowing flames that rose high in the air after Krudd bombed the outpost.
The other images I included were presented in Part 1 of the story I link to above.
Thanks for taking the time to view my post. I hope you like my fractal art project for the Inktober Prompt #25 - Dangerous.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
1 What is Stable Diffusion? StarryAI.Com. Online at: https://starryai.com/stable-diffusion
