Sarah’s Crusade

Sarah’s Crusade

Sarah pressed her glasses up as she typed away on her holographic keyboard. On the wide 16:9 screen were observations of aliens she’d had to deal with. One was a shapeshifter, another was a reptile living in the sewers, and the other was in a cloaked alien ship.

“All of these foul aliens will meet their end. Now which one to get first?” Sarah wondered as she panned over to the shapeshifter. The intense hatred she felt upon seeing the alien was like standing on burning coals.

A loud ringing alarm distracted her from her work as her phone blared angrily. The computer reminded her in a robotic voice: “Sarah, one of your friend’s birthdays is today. Yesterday, you said that you will be the first one up to say happy birthday. Breaking your promise looks bad on you as the so-called perfect human.” Sass dripped from its tone like rain.

Sarah groaned. “He can wait, my work, no, my crusade, against the alien takes top priority.”

“Even priority over your teammates… your friends?” The computer replied.

Sarah spun around her chair, groaning from the sass that the computer was spilling. She returned to her computer, ignoring its critical commentary. 

“Dissecting you will further my research,” Sarah said as she rolled back across her marble floor in her soft, black office chair. The room she was in was lit up from the light from her computer.

Sarah held out her hand, causing a black hi-tech synthetic glove to shoot over to her as if she’d brought it with her mind. 

“Computer, how many bolts does this synthetic glove dish out?” Sarah asked as she took off her black-tinted computer glasses. Afterwards, she retrieved her Samsung 10 phone that had a black case protecting it.

“Mistress, you do realize that it will only immobilize the Xeno, but what do I know? I wasn’t the one telling you the same thing over and over again.” The computer sassed back which caused Sarah to frown out of irritation.

“Yeah whatever,” she retorted as she marched towards a small elevated platform with a yellow glowing sigil. When she stepped on top of it, a bright blue holographic screen activated showing the words “Teleporta Roma,” which meant ‘”teleport to room.'”

“Affirmative, now send me,” she demanded forcefully.

A white light engulfed her petite body until she disappeared into nothingness.

She materialized in a room that had rows of suits, high tech rifles and swords. An orb of light was patrolling the room; looking at it was like viewing a mini sun.

When it noticed Sarah, the Ruby hard light transformed itself into a humanoid shape. “What is your will?”

“I need my synthetic fiber stealth suit with my electric glove. To be safe, give me my plasma shotgun with the recoil reducer upgrade.” Sarah ordered as she strolled through her armory.

“Ms. Sarah, forgive me for digging into your business, but I am curious. Why hunt an alien that is not posing any threat? You have been spying on the alien for months. In my eyes, he is hiding from something much more dangerous.”

Sarah snapped at her creation, pointing a furious finger at him.

“The alien must not be trusted!” She yelled with such force that the construct moved back out of fear. A red light began to surround her as hate engulfed her. “They will kill, steal, enslave, and plunder if I do nothing. I will not rest until they are all reduced to dust.” She stomped her foot down to make her point clear.

“Forgive me, I did not mean to make you mad.”

Sarah did not respond to the construct.

The construct brought forth what she had asked for, and then returned to his sphere form to continue patrolling endlessly.

Sarah put on the suit and stretched her black electric glove to the point of making it pop.” That always feels good.” She grabbed onto the silver barreled shotgun with its energy pack filled with plasma. “Let’s test this beauty out.” She shouted as she held it up at the ceiling and pressed the trigger. The two barrels charged with green glowing energy as two beams fired forth, burning twin holes in the ceiling. “Time to go,” she immediately vanished and reappeared in the skies of New York City. She held out her hand and manifested a red ball of energy. “My scans have reported the shapeshifting here, find him so I can turn him into dust,” she ordered it.

“The alien shall be found before the day is up.” The orb responded as it flew into the city.

***

The shapeshifter ran through dark alleyways, a creature made of dark shadow stalking him as he went.

“How come it found me? I traveled lightyears, and it still found me.” Fear consumed his tone as sweat-drenched his human form. He knocked away a human that was in his way as he ran out of the alleyway. In front of him was heavy with human traffic and behind him, a growling that could freeze the blood of even the bravest soldier.

“Have to get away.” He rushed into ongoing traffic, causing a barrage of horns to sound like thunder. Angry drivers cursed at him, shouting multiple profanities. 

“Sorry… sorry,” he said, finally making it to the other side. When he had reached a point halfway along the next alleyway and was closer to his apartment, he paused for a minute. Air struggled to enter back into his body and he felt like the wind had been kicked out of him. 

“Taj von!” He exclaimed in his alien tongue as he fell on the ground to catch a breath. “I am finally safe!”

From the sky appeared a red orb of hard light that rushed towards the alien-like a speeding car. It repeats constantly. “Hate, hate, hate”, its tone, like rage incarnate as it rammed through the alien’s flesh. The sphere-shaped burned into his chest as he shouted in pain.

Tears poured down his eyes as the spheres mark was implanted on his chest. The pain was like being dipped in lava. His organs felt like mush. 

“I hate this planet!” He screamed, causing others to look his way. The alien used all of his strength to run to his apartment. “Finally, I am safe.” He thought while forcing a smile through the searing pain.

***

While Sarah was waiting, she turned on the invisibility option and retrieved her phone. As she turned it on, a feeling of dread consumed her. 

“Five missed calls! Wait… it’s the pizza party.” Sarah had hoped that they would forget about her. “They took the time to call me.” This shocked Sarah and guilt coiled around her heart like a python. She put her phone away, shaking her head in shame. However, when she saw a red light, a new smile of delight cracked along her face.

“I got you now you filthy Xeno.” Hate began to rise within Sarah as her eyes were like twin flames. Lines of energy wrapped around her arms, and legs. 

“Time to kill!” She shouted as, with a speed that broke the sound barrier, she flew towards his location, shown via a red light from her eyesight. Her grip was tight on the shotgun.

The shapeshifting alien, disguised as a middle-aged man, rushed inside an apartment. His breathing and heart rate increased as fear consumed him. “No, they found me. Please by the stars don’t let them find me.” Before he could move further from the door, though, a hand grabbed him by the back of his neck.

Bolts of electricity filled his body as he convulsed. It felt like his nerves were on fire. Sarah revealed herself as she maintained her hold on him. Upon seeing his true form, she spat on him. “Disgusting alien, how dare you set foot on my planet.” A glow covered her hand as she telekinetically threw the insectoid to the wall. A loud crack could be heard as it clicked in pain.

“By the stars, you are one ugly creature. You are an abomination.” Sarah spat.

With difficulty, the alien shapeshifted into human form again. “Mercy please, I can tell you of a base that the Zek has under your oceans. “The alien held his hands out as a gesture of submission.

“Speak, filth, before I lose my patience,” she responded, barely able to keep herself from beating the alien to death.

“The Zek are planning to establish a slave operation under the oceans. They plan to sell humans off as food, hard labor, and worse.”

This revelation caused Sarah’s eyes to glow red as rubies. She began shaking due to the rage engulfing her. She reached out her hand and entered into the alien’s mind. Images of a base underwater, shackled innocents, and a slave ship in Earth’s orbit. 

Almost out of a reflex, she fired the shotgun which vaporized the alien’s legs, causing it to roar in agony.

“This is why aliens can’t be trusted. I have spent years purging the impurity that is your kind.” Sarah punched the alien with so much force that its mouth cracked.

“Mercy… mercy.” Its pleas were ignored as Sarah continued her attack until her knuckles were covered with purple blood.

Soon all was silent as it fell into unconsciousness. With a quick move, she finished it with a roar causing the windows to shatter.

“Kill kill kill, I want more slaughter.” A harsh voice demanded in a type of chant. Sarah fell to her knees.

“Shut up!” She shouted as she held her hands together in a prayer position. “Let the ruby road guide me, let me drink of the river, let me be still.” She repeated these words until her eyes returned to normal and the lines around her body faded away. All the rage she felt disappeared and at last, she felt a comforting peace.

“Computer, transport the alien corpse to my lab for dissection and clean this mess up. I will provide coordinates.”

“Was I right? Did it only immobilize the alien for a while? The computer was being snarky at her creator.

“Shut up and do it!” Sarah snapped

A light blue ray of light engulfed the corpse after Sarah placed a tracker on it that constantly beeped.” Computer, we have aliens under the sea and they have a slave operation. I need to find them.

“You know Sarah, you have teammates. Teammates help each other.” The computer replied, maintaining the sass.

Sarah turned on the invisibility option and flew back to the base that she and her team lived in. 

“I should hurry before the stains set on my clothes.”

As Sarah made her way in the base, she was startled by the angry voice of someone that saw her enter despite the invisibility.

“Are you a moron? You promised that you will be here for Jamie’s birthday.” A heavily muscled, black-haired woman appeared in front of Sarah.

“Think Sarah, I need an excuse. Lying to the Crusher won’t go well. She has a good heart but I rather not be on bad terms,” She thought, turning off the invisibility. Sarah sighed as she removed her black glove and threw it on the table where food would easily be.” I forgot, Emily, there was an emergency.”

“What emergency, we never got a notification. What I think happened is that you went on another one of your little crusades against aliens. Don’t lie to me, I can see the blood on your shirt.” Emily was fuming and her face almost looked as red as the sun.” You can’t keep doing this.”

“Where are Jamie and the others?” Sarah asked. 

“They left after they waited for you for an hour. Also, Jon attempted to call you repeatedly, and you didn’t answer. Currently, they are at Freddy’s, eating pizza.” Emily pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head.” Please at least make an effort to show up.” She turned and stomped out of the base, trying to not cause cracks in the ground.

Sarah flinched at the loud slamming of the door. Her heart dropped as she placed her hand over her forehead.” I bet they hate me, computer.”

“Do you want the truth Sarah or a lie?”

“Never mind computer, put the alien in stasis. I will get ready for the party.” Sarah sighed as she got up to get washed and dressed for the party. The foul smell caused Sarah to cover her nose. “By the stars, it is starting to stink. She quickly made it to the massive black washer that the entire team used. She removed her clothing and threw it inside. “AH tide laundry detergent, you are my best friend,” she said to herself as she poured it in.

After starting it, she made her way to her bathroom to start the shower. Steam soon filed the shower, and warmed Sarah up as she entered into the hot shower and began to wash.” Play the song Super Freak.”

“Now playing a song by Rick James named Super freak,” the feminine Ai reported back to her.

Sarah began singing along in the wide shower. The water felt warm to her skin which caused her to sing louder out of glee. She laughed as she spun in a circle on the shower floor. After an hour, she exited the shower with a towel wrapped around her. When she went back to her bedroom, her computer spoke to her in an alarming tone.

“Sarah, may I recommend that you can create constructs and have them search the oceans for alien life.” The computer said.

“I am so stupid, why haven’t I thought of that!” Sarah opened her hand and red energy began to form in a ball that screamed hate constantly. 

“Now, little guy, I need you to find me some foul aliens under the sea. Go and report back to me.” It flew out of her hand to start on the mission.

Sarah picked a shirt, blue jeans, black socks, and black sneakers to wear to the pizza party. She dried off and put on deodorant after she brushed her teeth.

“I need to get him a gift, but what gift.” She nervously stated as ideas ran throughout her mind. Immediately an idea came to her.

“Computer, prepare a custom cake and fix this place up. Jamie shall have the best birthday party in the world.”

“What is next, a hug and a kiss?” The computer joked as it started to begin preparations.

She ignored the computer, turning instead to get her phone and opening up Twitter. ‘Why do I have this again? Oh right, I have fans that I must interact with.‘ She quickly posted a status that said. “What’s up my alien haters, taking down foul aliens is hard work, but I shall relax by throwing my friend a party. Hugs, and kisses to you all.” When she pressed send, she felt a deep cringe come over her. ‘What I do to protect the innocent.’ Upon thinking that she received another text message from the leader of the team.

When she read it, her heart felt like it was being stepped on and pierced with sharp knives.

The computer noticed her increased heart rate and asked. “Sarah what is wrong.” The computer was almost panicked in tone as it worried about the safety of its creator.

Sarah cleared her throat, gripping her phone with such a force that she broke the screen, and bent the phone. Her breathing increased when her hands glowed a bright red which caused the phone to vanish as if it was never in her hand. “I am being kicked from the team. Don’t say anything or I will erase you.” Her voice nearly trembled as if she wanted to lash out. “Just remove your applications and connect with the disk.” She closed her eyes for a couple of seconds as the computer did what she ordered.

Sarah opened up her hand and the entire contents of her room dematerialized into a light and returned to her. The room was empty like no one lived here. She closed her eyes for a couple of seconds as the disk floated above her as she raised her hand to teleport.

In a flash she teleported back to a wide room was a bed that could be big enough for three people to lie side by side. An HD tv was in front of it with numerous game systems such as an Xbox one and ps4. The black disc phased itself in the walls as Sarah kicked off her shoes and threw her purse against the wall.

“Back home, kicked out of a team again. Why do I suck at friendships?” she shouted as she jumped on her bed.” Computer, order me an iPhone from Amazon.”

“Yes, Sarah,” The computer’s tone sounded worried for her.

Sarah got her laptop and went surfing her social media to speak to her fans. She wondered what she would say. However, seeing the happiness of others on Facebook, and twitter was too much for her and tears began pouring from her eyes like rain. 

“I hate this!” She climbed off her bed and went to head downstairs in her overly massive mansion. Sarah opened up a fridge that had rows and rows of liquor. Upon seeing Vodka, she snatched it and took a large gulp. The burning sensation in her throat faded after the second mouthful, and she began to pour out her feelings. 

“Why did they have to leave? Why did those Xenos take them for me! Damn you, aliens.” She shouted as she slammed her fist on the table. “Luna, Rachel, mom, and dad please if you can hear me, I miss you.”

Sarah stumped to the ground until all faded to black.

***

The red orb raced through the ocean water in search of the alien structures. Dozens of fish swam away from this red sphere that emitted such intense heat.

However, it halted like a driver pressing the brakes with all of his might. The orb saw alien structures that were likened to spikes with circles for windows. 

“Xeno scum acquired.” Before it could return to Sarah, though, an orb of white hard light manifested in front of it.” Sarah is preoccupied, you are to destroy the Xenos yourself.”

This made the red orb nearly yelled with glee.” It shall be a slaughter; none shall be spared.”

“Yes, it shall.” The pearly white construct faded as the red orb shapeshifted into a 7ft tall angelic-looking being with a sword covered in flames.

“They shall feed my master.”

Original Short Stories