Before I am Famous

literature is something we infer after the story is told

Herman and Princess Mashannon

Posted on | December 8, 2007 |

The Benigs fired again, hitting the aircraft’s engine. Herman regained some control and fired once again connecting with the enemy craft. Suddenly, the mallard’s craft spiraled out of control towards Wons. Herman went in waves of control and no control. Just before he crashed, he straightened the space vehicle so it thudded on its belly. Blue smoke rose from the craft. Opening the hatch and taking off his helmet, Herman descended onto Wons, a barren planet landscaped with jagged icicles and drifts of snow.

There was no color in the sky just a shadowy sun. The whiteness strained his eyes. Assessing the damage, he cursed and kicked at the spacecraft. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied a shape move. He went to his side weapon and armed it. The tall figure in a white hooded cape approached little by little.

He moved behind the turbine some. Watching her, he discovered long ground length purple hair; her ears were large and pointed. She wore a white dress and a white cape. Her white clothes were a shade darker then the white planet. He knew she hailed from Tellatia.

“Hello,” she called. Her voice carried and bounced, “I know someone is here. I know it’s a Duckvian because I saw you.”

Herman moved into her sight, hand on weapon.

“If you’re here to kill me, then do so,” she said.

“Why would I want to kill you? I don’t know you,” Herman rebutted.

“I’m Princess Mashannon and you are?”

“A stuck pilot.”

“Will you not bow to me?” she demanded.

“Look Princess, I don’t bow to anyone. No one is my ruler but myself,” Herman replied.

“Do you not hail from Duckvia? Because if so, I am still your ruler.”

“I was born there but I work for myself.”

“A rogue?”

“In case you haven’t noticed there’s a bloody war going on. I’ve been shot down by the bloody Benigs. I’ve got to repair my ship and go back up. So why don’t you return to your twisted vacation and I’ll be out of your way soon enough.” Herman voiced, his feathers falling out.

She frowned but said nothing nor did she move. Herman began the repairs. Princess Mashannon left and returned later with a cup. “Here,” she offered.

Taking the cup in one hand, he said thanks. Gray clouds broke the white sky and a cutting wind picked up.

“We better go to my cave,” she said, “you won’t survive out here.”

He agreed and followed her several kilometers to the cave opening. Looking around, she had boxes of supplies and a small computer.

“What’s your story, Princess?” he asked.

“Same as yours but different. I’m not on vacation; I’m hiding until I can reclaim the throne.”

“Anyone know you are here?” Herman inquired.

“My father and now you. Will they find me?” she asked her brow furrowing.

“They know I went down. If they are smart they will land and make sure I’m dead. Once they realize I’m not, they’ll look. Give them time Princess.”

“Well, I can’t stay here. Take me with you.”

“Are you bloody crazy?” Herman asked surprised. “You will create a bigger target on me if I tote you around.”

“And you a rogue mallard just pick the winning side and always have an enemy. There is safety in numbers. Someone will have your back. You are fighting against the Benigs, aren’t you?”

He said nothing at first and digested her words, “I love to battle to conquer someone else. I do believe in the Free Alliance. I do not believe in one ruler such as the Benigs trying to take over planet after planet.”

“What is your name?” she asked.

“Herman.”

“Herman, if I stay I will surely die as will you. Once we are in space I can communicate to have back-up.”

The wind picked up and snow bleached the opening of the cave. They spoke very little for the rest of the evening. Princess Mashannon slept on the cot. Herman sat by the door, aimed and ready to kill.

Princess Mashannon did have a point; the Free Alliance had a strong force. He could be an asset. To him, being a rogue gave him absolute freedom because of the solidarity with himself, Herman killed freely. Watching the Princess breathe slowly, he decided he should join the Free Alliance. They would have more advanced weapons as well. The wind died down, Herman woke the Princess.

“We’ve got to get my craft fixed and get out of here,” he said.

“You’ve changed your mind?”

“I’ve got nothing more to lose.”

She lit a quasisolar light and off they went into the fresh snow. They trekked to the craft, half covered with snow. Together, Herman and Princess Mashannon dug the craft out. She shivered as he toiled. A noise of another craft invaded the air. After dousing the light, she joined him. The craft’s light flooded on a spot near them.

Herman recognized it as a Benigs’ scout. It landed. A door opened and two tentacled creatures descended quasisolar lights ablaze. He knew there would be more than two. They came close, Herman drew the ionizer. The Benigs neared, Princess Mashannon grabbed the mallard’s hand. He fired twice, vaporizing both of the enemies. Opening the cockpit door, he shoved the Princess inside.

“Will it work?” she asked panicked.

“I don’t know,” he said as he tried to start the craft. Two more Benigs rushed forward. His own craft wouldn’t start. Trying the craft weapons, he fired only shot and killing it.

Again he opened the cockpit, leaped into the snow and fired his weapon vaporizing the other. Grabbing Princess Mashannon’s he yelled, “trust me.” They dashed towards the Benigs’ ascending craft. He shot at the Benig at the helm. The craft slammed down to the snow. The Princess and Herman forced open the door. Once inside, he vaporized the last Benig. He knew there would only be moments before more appeared because the Benigs communicated telepathically.

“Princess, get that help you promised and get it now,” Herman ordered.

Though the Benigs communicated telepathically, they listened to the radio transmissions. Herman started the scout and steered it into the atmosphere. As he armed the weapons, the Princes called for help.
The scout broke through the atmosphere. Herman fired at the Benigs. They joined the Free Alliance. Princess Mashannon identified them. Slowly, the scout fell to the back of the line and out of immediate danger.

“Thank you Herman, for saving my life,” Princess Mashannon told him.

He nodded and focused on the current battle.

A special thanks to Andy at Political Realm for help with this story!

comment from blogger

Political Realm said…
Cool stuff.

Category: weekly shorts

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