Tarra’s young life had changed quite a bit since she had met Jerrix Tau. A series of rather hair-raising adventures had quickly followed and this was her deserved reward.

She wiped back her straight yellow hair and adjusted the flowery dress that her strange companion had recently bought her.

Jerrix stood beside her, gazing at the sleek winged craft as it floated beside the launch gantry.

She glanced over at Jerrix, noting that the yellow cloak was still on the clean side. The gold throat clasp held it in place and he was
checking the deep pockets.

“For a cat you do take risks you know.”

“Only when I need to Tarra,” he replied looking at his ginger paws.

The fact that he stood on his hind legs at around five foot high,
had never surprised this plucky thirteen year old. She had taken it in her stride, which had surprised Jerrix.

“We had better pay for tickets,” he said, bright green eyes glinting.

Tarra was surprised to say the least.

“We are actually going on board?”

“Of course. After our recent exertions we both need a rest.”

“What about your ship though?”

He smiled, twitching his small black nose.

“It will be perfectly safe. I’m not daft enough to lose it you know.”

She followed him to a small booth where a short robotic teller was stationed.

“May I help you sir?” the teller asked.

“Two returns please.

The teller printed the tickets out and said, “That will be twenty jewels please.”

The cat reached into his cloak pockets and pulled out a small roll of notes. He carefully counted twenty and handed them over, before returning the excess to the cloak.

The teller took the money and handed over the tickets, which Jerrix handed to his human companion.

“Try not to lose them Tarra. Now shall we board?”

“I would love to.”

They reached the boarding ramp where the tickets were checked before being stamped.

Tarra gazed at the brightly lit interior as they stepped aboard.

“Did you note the cabin number?” Jerrix asked.

“Twenty-two beta, wherever that is.”

Within the first vast corridor, Jerrix studied a plan of the craft that was bonded to the near wall.

“Next deck up. I suggest we check it out before we go exploring.”

“How long shall we be here?” Tarra asked.

“Only two days, promise. This is a round trip.”

They followed the arrows until they came to a flight of spiral stairs and Tarra followed him up.

“You would think they would have lifts.” Tarra said.

“Stop complaining. What do you think feet are for? They reached the next deck and stepped into a brightly lit corridor. It was fairly cramped with rows of identical brown doors on either side. Jerrix counted the numbers until they found their cabin.

“I need the ticket again,” Jerrix told her. “Otherwise we don’t get in.”

“That explains the stamp,” she replied handing it over.

Jerrix swiped it across the door fob and it slid back with a swoosh. They quickly entered and Tarra gazed in wonder. A huge circular window upon the rear wall presented them with a view of interstellar space.

“Wow,” she exclaimed walking towards it.

“Quintex glass,” the cat told her. “In space it needs to be.”

Tarra gazed into the cold, hostile environment before turning her attention to the actual room. It was fairly large of course. Bunk beds were bolted to the right wall, and near the left a dressing table and mirror stood ready to be used.

Jerrix looked at his smart reflection and smoothed down his fur.

“As attractive as ever,” he commented.

Tarra opened the wall unit, which was empty apart from metallic coat hangers.

“Fairly snazzy,” she said as he turned.

“I am certainly pleased. Now shall we explore?”

“I would love too.”

Back in the corridor, he led her back to the spiral stairs and began hiking upwards. They had climbed two decks when the stairs stopped and they walked into a huge mezzanine.

Robotic figures walked around the tables where passengers were beginning to sit. The entire rear wall looked out into space light music played softly.

“Choose a seat,” Jerrix suggested.

“Eh...How about that one,” she said pointing.

“Looks fair to me. Next to the window too.”

They took their table and gazed at the dark panorama as one of the robotic servers approached.

“Drinks mam?”

“Do you have orange?”

Jerrix coughed.

“Two rubins please.”

The server moved off to collect the order.

“No orange?”

The cat grinned.

“I think you will be surprised when the drinks arrived.”

The server returned and handed over two yellow glasses that contained orange liquid. Tarra tried it, smiling.

“Rubins is the galactic name for your oranges,” he explained.

She put the glass down and stared at the obvious luxury of the craft.

“I have never been in such a posh place,” she admitted.

“First time for everything,” he replied. “This craft is technically a hopper. Owned by Goldly Corps you know.”

“The company must be loaded.”

“Oh they are Tarra. Hopping between systems is a lucrative business.”

She sensed a gentle movement as the craft eased away from the launch gantry. A pleasant voice announced.

“We are departing the space port ladies and gents. Shortly we shall achieve sub stand velocity for our trip to Selona Four.”

“Can we get off there and take a look,” Tarra asked.

“If you want to,” Jerrix replied. Selona 4 is known as a pleasure world. You may enjoy yourself there.”

She sensed the craft gaining speed as it moved through the silent vacuum.

Upon the flight deck, the officers monitored their progress with great care. Out here, there was no real threat of course. It was simply standard practice. The engineer watched the readouts carefully as a temperature dial began to rise.

“Port thrusters are running hot sir.”

“Keep an eye on it,” the captain replied. “That is the third time this month.”

“That refit should have cleaned up the problem,” the engineer told him.

“Let’s hope they weren’t cutting corners,” the captain replied.

The dial rose higher as the food arrived in the mezzanine.

“I hope you like that fish tart you chose,” Jerrix said as the food arrived.

Tarra glance down at the crusted pie and cut into it. Inside she saw lumps of green flesh and sniffed carefully.

“Smells okay.”

Jerrix tucked into his own food, a plateful of veg, when he detected something strange.

“The thrusters pitch has changed.”

Tarra glanced up.

“Perhaps they want to miss something.”

The cat seemed to glare.

“There are no icebergs out here.”

He stopped chewing and listened carefully, and called a server across.

“Is there a problem?” he asked.

“Not that I‘m aware of sir.”

“We are at low thrust,” Jerrix replied.

“Perhaps the engineer is running tests sir.”

“I suppose you are right,” the cat replied.

He started chewing again as Tarra tucked into her fish tart.

“You always look for trouble,” she commented.

“Just call me suspicious. It’s a trait of mine.”

Back on the flight deck, nerves were taught. Despite reducing the power to the port thrusters, the temperature continued to rise.

“Shut it down engineer. We’ll redirect to Selona One and use the
gravity well to flip back to space port.”

The engineer threw the switch and the thrusters went dead. The hopper continued on level trim as the pilots changed the flight path.

A sudden deep rumble was followed by a crump. The sound of rendering metal was heard as the port wing disintegrated. Passengers and crew felt the effects instantly. 

The craft lurched violently to port, throwing everyone in that direction. In the mezzanine, Tarra and Jerrix were thrown against the toughened glass.

“What’s happening Jerrix?”

“We seem to have lost the port wing,” he replied as the bloody red atmosphere of a planet came into view. Jerrix stared in absolute horror.

“The captain is trying to land on an H-class planet. He cannot do that.”

“H?”

“H for hostile Tarra.”

He looked around frantically as the atmosphere drew closer. Then he pointed to the table supports.

“I’ll lift you up. Then pull yourself up.”

As she was raised, Tarra pulled herself onto the top side of the table as Jerrix joined her. They stared up towards the far wall.

“We have to get as far away from that glass as possible,” he advised. “Now, up to the next table.”

He hauled her up as the craft shook and throbbed loudly.

“That is re-entry Tarra. Now move yourself.”

As she hauled upwards, the cat looked down and saw reddish clouds sweeping by. The craft was screaming down upon its side. A sickening impact was unavoidable.

He hauled himself beside her as the clouds parted, and yellow trees came promptly into view. They both stared as the plant life rushed up to meet them.

A terrible crunch ripped through the hopper as it skimmed the treetops. The toughened glass shattered at once and passengers were sucked out of the gaping wound. The sidewall disintegrated soon after. Screaming loudly, Tarra and Jerrix were tossed out as the craft swung level.

Jerrix opened his eyes slowly. His friend knelt beside him dabbing his forehead with water.

“How long have I been out?”

“Around two hours. The ship’s gone I’m afraid. We have six survivors.”

Jerrix was aghast.

“Out of two-thousand?”

“Yes. I’m surprised anyone made it.”

The cat drew the cloth away and saw the blood. He sat up slowly as his head swam.

“The cut is pretty deep,” Tarra told him.

He looked at her carefully and saw she had escaped unscathed. They were sitting on crushed bracken with the burning hulk in the far distance.

He reached to his throat and felt the golden throat clasp safely in place.

“At least you can summon the ship,” she said.

“We are too far away for that. This time we are on our own.”

“Oh great. This is the last time I take a trip with you.”

He shook his furry head and sighed.

“I had no idea this would happen. I just hope a distress signal was sent.”

Tarra cast her eyes around at the seemingly peaceful surroundings. Only the red sky looked ominous.

“Nothing hostile about this place Jerrix.”

“I wish you were right but I’m afraid not. Staying alive will be rather a headache.”

They climbed to their feet as the cat screwed his eyes.

“You said six survived. Where are the missing four?”

“Over in that direction. By the lake.”

“We had better join them then. Come on.”

They wandered across the damaged landscape until the shores of the lake came into view. The others were sitting together. As they approached, the survivors turned their heads.

“Glad to see you up and about sir,” a grey haired gent said.

Jerrix saw the brown uniform and the engineering flashes.

“Thanks. You’re the only officer?”

“Afraid so sir. Damn lucky too.”

Jerrix saw that the remainder were passengers like themselves.

“What happened?”

“Our port thrusters let loose sir, tearing the wing off. We had intended to swing around Salona One, but came down instead.”

“Did you send a distress signal?” Tarra asked.

“There was no time,” the engineer replied. “Don’t worry though. Once
they realise we are missing, they’ll come looking.”

“I suggest we just wait for them,” a tall blonde woman replied.

“Anyone else endorse that view?” Jerrix asked.

Everyone nodded.

“This is a class H planet,” he explained. “Sitting on our bottoms is
waiting to be eaten.”

“Are you sure sir?” the engineer asked.

“Absolutely. We need to move I am afraid.”

“Surely,” a thin, lanky individual said. “If we move the search party will miss us.”

“It is a calculated risk sir,” Jerrix said. “However, we have no choice.”

He turned to Tarra.

“Coming with me?”

“I’m sticking to you like glue.”

She followed him into the surrounding plants and toward what looked like a small hill.

The incline was rather easy and shortly thereafter, they reached the summit. Beneath them lay the lake and the desperate passengers.

“We should be fairly safe here,” Jerrix commented. “I wish they had followed us though.”

“It was their choice Jerrix. You can’t make them.”

“I suppose you are right. You would think the engineer would have backed me.”

“Perhaps he does not know as much as you,” Tarra replied.

“As an officer he should. If only the captain had survived.”

“What kind of threats do we face then?” she asked.

“Killer plants are the main ones. That is why there are no animal sounds here. When darkness arrives they won’t stand a chance.”

Darkness comes quickly on Selona One. As the stars began to appear in the sky, loud rustling and scraping sounds started to fill the air.

Upon their hill, Jerrix and Tarra sat around a small fire ignited by the cat’s fork like device that he always carried in one of his cloak pockets.

Below them, the survivors huddled, staring into the darkness. Wondering what those sounds could mean.

They did not see the advancing threat. As the unnerving sounds approached, a short male stood up.

“That does not sound safe to me.”

“Sit yourself down,” the engineer suggested.

“Perhaps it’s the search party?” the blonde woman suggested.

“I don’t expect them till late tomorrow,” the engineer told her.”

A sudden crash brought them all to their feet, as the trees nearest them were pushed apart.

“What the hell was that?” the short male asked.

“Where did that Jerrix go to?” the blonde woman asked.

“I have no...”

The engineer did not finish that statement.

Without warning, a yellow tentacle wrapped around his waist, dragging him away. The three remaining tried to run but were dragged off in their turn.

Upon their hill, Tarra heard the screams and the closing silence. She felt helpless of course. Jerrix placed a reassuring paw upon her shoulder.

“I am sure their suffering was short,” he whispered.

“Our turn then?”

“On this hill we are safe. They hunt on the plains. When the search team arrives, we will be found.”

As the plants rustled, Jerrix felt a gentle breeze from the night sky and looking up, saw three lights approaching from the west. They flew in a v formation, suggesting the shape of the approaching craft.

“I wonder what that is?” Jerrix asked, pointing up,

As Tarra looked, her young face lit up.

“What a time to be rescued. Why not minutes earlier?”

“Calm down,” he told her. “Where is it landing?”

They watched the lights descending quickly and heading east. As it approached, a loud roar was heard.

“We will check it out in the morning Tarra. A rescue team won’t leave their craft till then.”

“I suppose we should be grateful,” she said. “I just feel sick.”

“That is a strange thing from you,” Jerrix commented. “Are you alright.”

She hung her head sadly.

“A couple of thousand died today Jerrix. A happy space cruise turned to terror.”

“On your planet they call it Sods Law. I put it down to fate.”

“I have only just realised how dangerous this life really is.”

“I think I understand,” he told her. “You want to return home.”

“At least I’m safe there. I think it is time. Mom must be pulling her hair out.”

“According to my calculations, you have been away a few days at most. How will you explain it?”

“Oh I’ll think of something,” she replied.

“I know you will,” he said lying down. “We should sleep now. We get rescued in the morning.”

Tarra saw his green eyes close and lay beside him.

“Goodnight Jerrix.”

There was no reply. Her friend was sound asleep.

It was the rain that woke Tarra. It came down heavily soaking them both.

“Some wake up call,” Jerrix said. “Follow me Tarra, we have to find that craft.”

They dashed down the hill and into the alien foliage struggling towards the lake. They saw the skid marks that marked the violence and hurried past.

Tarra hoped the rescuers were still there. Perhaps you know, seeing nothing, they had moved on.

Thick bracken blocked their way as they moved deeper, until the sound of activity could be heard.

“We are nearly there,” Jerrix said excitedly.

“I’m certainly ready to leave.”

They broke through into a clearing where a sleek scout craft stood silently upon its landing struts.

“Hey!” Tarra shouted. “We are here you know.”

A side door slid back and a bearded figure followed the descending ramp. As they drew closer, they noticed he was around five foot, burly, and wearing a coal black outfit.

Out of breath now, the two friends came to a stop, as the silent figure pulled out a weapon and cut them down.

Thank you, :)..worth the wait!! Im really liking this series. Tara

Ta Tarra..Look out rear window..Jerrix may be waiting..Lucky you!