Chapter Text
“Today is finally the day, my dear daughter. The day you officially begin your training to become a member of the council.”
“Are you sure I’m up for the task, father?”
“Oh, my dear, I’m absolutely certain. You will make a fine leader amongst our people. It will take hard work, but I believe in you. We’ve both worked hard to make this possible, I don’t see anything stopping us now.”
“I will do my best, Father. For the safety of Knowbius, I am willing to do whatever it takes. Anything at all.”
“That attitude will hold you in good stead Sarah. A councillor must be ready to make the hard calls, to do anything for the benefit of our people…. I know I have…”
***
It was another regular day at work for Maintenance Jumper Alpha B.Peterson. He had been at this job for a long time. He wasn’t exactly sure of how many years it had been, as Knowbians put less importance on measuring things solely by their age, but it must have been well over a decade… maybe even closer to two decades at this point.
He had been little more than a boy when he first started working as a maintenance jumper, fresh out of the academy, working alongside his dear father as he learned the ropes. Now, all these years later, here he was, still happily jumping from universe to universe, performing repairs and maintenance on the Knowbian data collectors that were spread out across the multiverse.
Not many Knowbians felt brave enough to take on the role of a Maintenance jumper these days, not with the plague rampaging uncontrollably across realities. Even though the Knowbian people were fully vaccinated and immune to its infection, not many wanted to take the risk out there. For years now, they’d been observing the multiverse as the terrible infection spread, further and further, destroying the lives of so many. It was no wonder most Knowbians didn’t want to chance it.
But Alpha stuck at it despite the fears. Keeping the network of Data Collectors up and running was important work, someone had to do it. So every work day, he, his father, and the other maintenance jumpers went out far and wide, performing maintenance, even in dimensions the plague had completely subsumed. It certainly earned a fair degree of respect from their fellow Knowbians. Certainly more than when he had first started jumping all those years ago.
It was getting late in the day, and Alpha was starting to get tired after a day of jumping across the multiverse doing simple maintenance. He was looking forward to wrapping up for the day and relaxing in the company of his lovely wife, which ever since his wedding had more often than not been the highlight of his day. He had one final maintenance task to perform before he could call it quits for the day.
The thrill of jumping from reality to reality had long lost its luster. There was only so many times you could arrive in empty space before the thrill died away. Once in a blue moon, he’d arrive in a universe wildly different from what he was used to, and that was often interesting, but for the most part his job wasn’t particularly exciting. But it was important work so at least it kept him busy.
The bandicoot materialised once again in the black expanse of empty space, just him, the Knowbian data collector and nothing but darkness as far as the eye could see. Business as usual then.
He quickly set to work, looking at his datapad, checking what work this particular collector needed done and retrieving the tools he needed for the task. He set about the collector, working quickly and efficiently with the skills that had come from the majority of a lifetime plying his trade, and in very little time at all, he found himself patting his hands as he smiled in the knowledge of a job well done.
“Well, that’s that.” He yawned, allowing himself a smidge of satisfaction of a good days work. He activated the communications device built into his earpiece.
“All done for the day Alpha?” The voice of his overseer, Vertex the crocodile came in over the earpiece.
“All done.” Alpha replied. “Nothing of note to report.”
“Good, good,” Vertex’s voice crackled in his ear. “Bet you can’t wait to get back home with the misses. Hang in there lad, we’ll have you home in a jiffy.”
Alpha waited patiently to be brought back to the axis, his thoughts drifting towards what Creme and he would have for dinner… but he became aware of a quiet, repeating chime coming through the earpiece.
“Hey vertex?” Alpha asked, “do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” The crocodile replied.
“A signal of some kind…” The bandicoot explained, straining as if to focus on the unexpected sound. “It’s faint, but I can hear it…”
“Ours not to reason why Alpha,” Vertex reminded. “Hang tight, the projector is running unusually slow today. Better request an overhaul.”
“I’m curious.” Alpha announced. “Can you try and identify what this signal is? What is it?”
“Hang on,” Vertex sighed, before Alpha could hear him entering commands into a computer terminal. “Oh…”
“Oh?” Alpha questioned. “What do you mean… oh? What is it?”
“Well, I dunno what the signal is,” Vertex explained, “but according to the readings, it’s… Knowbian.”
Alphas ears pricked up at that, that was not even remotely close to what he was expecting.
“Knowbian?” The bandicoot asked, bemused. “The signal is coming from Knowbius?”
“No,” Vertex corrected. “It’s not coming from Knowbius, it’s emanating from somewhere not far from your current position. But the readings identify it as being Knowbian in origin.”
“A Knowbian signal coming from somewhere other than Knowbius?” Alpha mused. “That’s… unexpected. Where is it coming from?”
“It’s coming from an antizone that’s connected to the universe you’re currently in.” Vertex announced. “That’s probably why you can hear it, you’re right on top of it.”
“Any idea what it could be?”
“None,” Vertex replied. “It’s not a data collector… according to records, we don’t have anything located there…”
“Hmmm.” Alpha stroked his chin, before an excitement he hadn’t felt since the early days of his jumping career started to grow inside him. “Well, in that case, I think I’d better check it out, don’t you think?”
“Hey now,” Vertex didn’t sound too confident with that suggestion, “you can’t just go freely wondering about out there. You know that.”
“But if it’s Knowbian in origin,” Alpha pointed out, “and it’s not on our records, surely we should investigate. And as you said, I’m already right on top of it. And it’s in an antizone, technically that’s not even a universe. So, do you think you could… pop me to the signals source?”
Vertex sighed, before giving in. Truth be told, he wanted to know what was sending that signal just as much as Alpha did. What harm could a little jump to the antizone next door do?
“All right, I’ll do it.” Vertex announced after some deliberation. “But I’m keeping the comms open. At the first hint of trouble, I’m pulling you back home, understood?”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Alpha agreed, the excitement continuing to grow within him. He felt a nervous sensation running through him. What was he going to find? Would it be safe? Was he making a terrible mistake?
Only one way to find out.
He felt the all too familiar sensation of the dimensional projectors grabbing a hold of his body, and transferring him from one reality to another. It was a quick transfer, his destination was literally right next door.
He had never been in an antizone before. He had an idea of what to expect, but seeing it in person caught him off guard. He thought the emptiness of open space was black, but this took things to another level.
There was nothing here. Nothing at all. Not even the background radiation that gently permeates the emptiness of space.
The signal was quite strong now, the recurring beeping sound sending an uncomfortable tingle down the bandicoots ear.
“Well?” Vertex asked.
“Just a minute,” Alpha replied, trying to scan his surroundings. “It’s pitch black out here, I need a moment to get my bearings.”
Eventually, after twisting himself around a few times, he got a rough idea which direction the signal was coming from. Gently, igniting the navigational repulsors, he drifted towards the source.
He nearly bumped into it, only noticing it when he was right on top of it. It’s dark form was well hidden in the blackness, the only giveaway that it was there was the subtle way it caught the light coming from Alphas gear.
“I’ve found it!” Alpha announced, as he carefully peered at the object.
“Well, what is it?” Vertex asked eagerly, his curiosity no longer masked.
“Well, I don’t know…” Alpha replied, trying to make out the object but having little joy. “It rather looks like a black box of some kind.”
“A box?” Vertex replied, a slightly disappointed tone in his voice.
“That’s how it seems,” Alpha confirmed. “Like I said, it’s hard to make out…”
He rapped his knuckles against its exterior.
“Seems like it’s made from metal.” He announced. “Maybe some kind of… component?”
“Well, bring it back with you,” Vertex decided. “You’ve already been out there longer than you should be. I’m sure the research lads will be very interested to have a look at it.”
Alpha, deciding the mysterious box didn’t seem to pose any immediate danger, grabbed hold of its sides in his gloved hands.
“Ready when you are.” He announced.
He felt the projectors take a hold of him, pulling him out of the multiverse and back home, back to Knowbius and the dimensional axis. But just as he felt himself flung across the multiverse, he felt sure he saw something materialise in the distance… something red and yellow… perhaps some kind of ship?
But those thoughts were pulled from his mind as he and the box materialised on the warp pad within the incredible world of the dimensional axis. Vertex was waiting for him, a look of excited curiosity coming from his eyes as they peered over his long green snout.
Alpha handed him the mysterious box, and the crocodile gently looked it up and down as he turned it in his hands.
“Hmmm,” He mused thoughtfully. “Looks like some kind of… hardware. Like a piece of a computer’s hard drive.”
“What on Knowbius was it doing in the middle of an Antizone?” Alpha pondered thoughtfully.
“Beats me,” Vertex replied. “I’ll alert the research department, they’ll have a better chance of knowing what this is and how it wound up where it did than me.”
“Right you are,” Alpha nodded, his excitement at his discovery being tempered by the fact that he might have to wait before learning more. “Well, I guess if it’s in their hands, I may as well head for home.”
“I’ll make sure to let you know what the researchers say,” Vertex promised, tucking the component under his arm. “You get along home, you don’t want to keep your wife waiting!”
Alpha felt a different kind of excitement at that. He was always happy at the thought of seeing Creme again…
***
Knowbius hadn’t really changed much in the two plus decades since Creme was born. When a civilisation was already as advanced as the Knowbians were, there wasn’t all that much to change.
But that wasn’t a problem. Life on Knowbius and its linked worlds was pretty good. Sheltered from the rest of the multiverse, shielded from the terror of the ever spreading plague, its inhabitants continued on living their lives without a care in the world… at least besides the usual cares of living life, at any rate.
The colossal tree skyscrapers that most Knowbians called home looked as healthy as they ever did, the organic buildings thriving under the immaculate care of their residents. The bright blue light of the dimensional axis building lit up the sky as it did every night, its light dancing off the reflective surfaces of the many flying vehicles ferrying Knowbians to and from their individual destinations.
Creme sighed contentedly, as she observed the skyline through the lounge room window of her home. There was something comforting about staring out, watching the lights and shapes passing by, all minding their own business… despite its frenetic nature, it was oddly peaceful.
It helped her to forget about the horror that was spreading across the multiverse right at this very moment. As a researcher in the dimensional axis, it was impossible not to notice the plague as it spread further and further with no end in sight. All those wonderful worlds out there were slowly being corrupted, and all she could do was watch. It was heartbreaking. In fact, it had gotten a bit too much for her.
Normally she and her husband went to and from work together, seeing as they both had jobs within the axis. But she was taking some time away to decompress. To figure out her next move.
It was infuriating to watch the plague spread, seeing all those people succumb to its control, and not being able to do a thing about it. Or rather, not being allowed to do anything about it. That broke her heart. And she wasn’t alone.
When she had first started working at the Axis, she’d been mentored by a friendly Coyote named Antonius. He’d always been vocal about his beliefs that the Knowbians should step in and help fight back against the plague. They had the means to provide a cure, but due to the ‘non interference’ rule, they weren’t permitted to do so. Antonius’s insistence to the contrary eventually landed him in hot water, and he was eventually dismissed from the research department.
She knew the council had their best interests at heart, but it was still hard to swallow. It left her seriously reconsidering her career path. It certainly dampened your excitement to learn when so much of what you were studying got swept up in the plague.
Her long ears pricked up at the sound of the front door sliding open, her mood lifting immediately as Alpha strode inside.
“Evening Honey!” Alpha said cheerfully. “Sorry I’m late, but something rather unusual came up at work…”
Creme didn’t say anything at first, she had priorities, namely embracing her husband in both arms and giving him a passionate kiss. Alpha surprised her by bending down and dipping her towards the floor like a dancing partner at the end of a routine.
It was a surprise at first, but Creme did enjoy the sudden rush. It was just one of those things you did when caught up in the moment.
They hadn’t been married all that long at this point in their lives, so the excitement and passion that came with being newlyweds hadn’t yet faded. Every evening so far still had that little magic spark that they hoped would never fade. If they played their cards right, perhaps it never would.
Finally breaking off their kiss, Alpha pulled his wife back upright, gazing lovingly into her orangey brown eyes.
“I missed you,” Alpha sighed happily. “It’s not the same going to and from the axis without you.”
“I know,” Creme smiled gently, “I miss it too.”
She broke off their hug, deciding to get serious for a moment.
“So, what held you up at work?”
Alpha took a seat on the lounge and beckoned Creme to join him, which she did without hesitation. Alpha proceeded to relay the events of that final jump of the day.
“Wow…” Creme exclaimed as Alpha wrapped up his story. “A Knowbian device, just randomly floating in an empty antizone? How utterly extraordinary!”
“I know, it is rather,” Alpha nodded thoughtfully. “Vertex said he was going to contact his supervisor about it and discuss a course of action.”
“I hope they make whatever they find available to the public,” Creme sighed thoughtfully. “A mystery like that is prone to drive a Knowbian mad.”
“Hey, maybe you’ll get assigned to examine it!” Alpha suggested optimistically. “You’re a valued researcher after all!”
“I… don’t know,” Creme replied, a troubled expression forming upon her elegant face. “I’d like that, but…”
“But?” Alpha reached out, placing his hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner.
Creme responded to the gesture by leaning in and resting her head on his shoulder, nuzzling her scalp against his cheek.
“I’m not sure if I want to go back to the axis…” Creme sighed sadly. “I don’t think I can bear day after day of watching that confounded plague spreading, watching world after world fall without being able to lift a finger to do anything about it.”
Alpha gently patted his fingers through her hair, a tender smile forming on his face as he carefully listened to his wife’s concerns. Creme couldn’t help but smile contentedly at the warm, comforting sensation.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll support it,” Alpha promised. “What will you do instead?”
“Well, I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Creme admitted. “I’m still thinking about it… but if I do give it up… I was thinking I’d like to dedicate myself to raising a family.”
Creme felt Alphas hand twitch upon her scalp as that thought sank in. It was only a momentary blip, for the hand went straight back to petting her, more tenderly than before.
“Well, I did say back when we were dating that I was keen on the idea of raising a family together,” Alpha reminded, with only a slight hint of nerves in his voice. Creme was used to that tone, he always spoke like that when he was excited and anxious at the same time. She had heard it a lot since they started openly sharing their feelings for each other.
“Admittedly, I didn’t think it’d happen quite so soon,” Alpha admitted. “But if that’s what you want, I’m all for it.”
“Like I said, I haven’t made up my mind yet,” she pointed out. “Maybe I’ll keep working until a child happens to come along.”
She sat up and looked Alpha directly in the eyes.
“But if a child does come along, I will give up working at the axis.” The rabbit announced, “At least for the foreseeable future. I want to raise our children personally.”
That was a feasible thing to do on Knowbius. Whilst Knowbians usually enjoyed their work, it wasn’t essential to survival. If they wanted to stop working and focus on other things, like raising young, they could do so freely.
“If a child does come along,” Alpha agreed, “I’ll dedicate myself to being a good dad. My dad gave up working for more than four years when I was born so he could help mother raise me, and I’d like to do the same. I want to be a good dad.”
“Oh, I know you’ll be a great dad,” Creme smiled, running her finger under his chin. “One day.”
“And you’ll be an even better mother,” Alpha replied.
Before the conversation could go any further, the two were snapped from their thoughts by a beeping sound that indicated an incoming communication. Reluctantly, Creme was the first to get to the comms device.
On the screen before the couple, a figure in a suit, tie, and bowler hat appeared, coming into focus. His tusk like teeth glinted in the light, and his moustache bristled as his sizeable, pizza slice shaped nose twitched.
“Mr Dynamo!” Creme greeted the walrus, clearly not expecting a call from him at this hour. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“Good evening Creme, Alpha,” Dynamo, or “Moe” as his friends informally called him. “I do hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” Alpha replied. “Just typical husband and wife business, you know.”
Dynamo nodded. Being a married man himself, he knew that what Alpha had just said was shorthand for “actually you did interrupt, but we don’t really want to discuss that publically.”
“Well, I won’t keep you long, young lovebirds!” He smiled cheerfully, before his expression took on a more serious tone. “I assume Alpha has told you about his discovery?”
“Discovery?” Creme frowned, turning to her husband with an accusatory glare. “What discovery?”
Alpha froze, his confusion being overrun by a sense of primal panic. But before he could start protesting, Creme pinched his cheek with a playful smile.
“Just joshing with you, sweetie,” Creme chuckled, having gotten a fair amount of enjoyment from watching her husbands reaction. “Yes, he did tell me about it.”
“Ooo, you little devil!” Moe chuckled, “you need to be careful pulling pranks like that, you’ll give your man a heart attack.”
His jovial expression returned to normal.
“Anyways, Vertex passed the curious device to me.” The walrus explained. “I’ve decided to organise a team to examine it, and I’d like you both to be a part of it.”
“I’m flattered sir,” Alpha bowed modestly, “but I’m just a humble jumper, not a researcher.”
“And I’m still on indefinite leave from the Axis,” Creme reminded.
“I know,” Moe acknowledged. “But something about this item… well, let’s just say I’ve got a hunch that whatever mystery lies within may well be a major discovery. Alpha, you found it, so I think it’s only fair you take part. I know you have spent most of your career as a jumper, but I believe you have the skills to be of use.”
He turned his focus to Creme.
“And you, my dear,” he continued kindly. “I know recent events across the multiverse have been hard for you to witness. But I also know you’re a talented researcher, so putting your skills to studying this item would be a good distraction from the plague, don’t you think?”
The couple paused, thinking carefully on Dynamos words. Truth be told, the idea of studying… whatever it was, both filled them with a childlike excitement, like learning your parents were going to take you to a theme park tomorrow. They couldn’t resist.
“We’ll be there,” Alpha announced. “Where will it be?”
“Not in the axis.” Moe pointed out. “I’ve arranged for the team to use an offsite laboratory. I’ll send you the address."
There was a pinging sound as the address came through on their respective message receiving devices.
“I assume it won’t be just the two of us on the team?” Creme asked.
“No, I’ve pulled a few strings, and recruited some… shall we say left field choices? Miles Prower will lead this project.”
“Miles?” Alpha smiled through ever so slightly clenched teeth. “Lovely.”
Creme put a reassuring arm around her husband.
“Don’t be like that sweetie,” she asked gently, “I chose you, didn’t I?”
There had been a time when there was a bit of a love triangle between Creme, Miles and Alpha. The up and coming scientist with a bright career ahead and the childhood best friend both took a romantic interest in Creme at roughly the same time. And whilst Miles and Alpha did consider each other friends, there was still that hint of rivalry between them.
Miles was a lovely chap, bright as a button, and quite the charmer. For a while Creme and he did consider pursuing a relationship, but that fell by the wayside as Miles had a tendency to get too distracted in his work, leaving little time for romance. Alpha on the other hand was considerably more committed to pursuing a relationship, whilst also being smart enough in his own right. That combined with their childhood bond swung Cremes heart, and she fell for the bandicoot without regret.
Miles, to his credit, harboured no animosity towards the couple, remaining on good terms, but there was a part of Alpha that wouldn’t allow him to fully drop his guard just in case he made a move on his girl. If there was anything Creme wasn’t fond of about her husband, it was that. But truth be told, it was a relatively minor grievance.
“Sorry,” Alpha apologised. “Instinct, you know.”
Moe couldn’t help but chuckle. But after regaining his composure, he resumed his topic of conversation.
“I’ve also managed to get Antonius on board the project.” He announced. “I imagine that will pique your interest Creme.”
He wasn’t wrong, Creme was indeed surprised to learn her former mentor had been invited.
“But I thought he wasn’t allowed to partake in any axis research teams?” She frowned, confused.
“He isn’t.” Moe agreed. “Why do you think I’m holding it offsite?”
“I say, is inviting a disgraced researcher a good idea?” Alpha asked.
“Don’t be like that Alpha,” Creme chastised, “Antonius is a good man, and an excellent researcher! He’ll be lovely to work with!”
“I quite agree,” Moe nodded. “Whilst I completely understand why the council disciplined him for his regular breaches of conduct, I completely sympathise with his reasons for doing so. He has a sharp mind, and a good eye for when things are out of place. I suspect this mysterious item will be right in his wheelhouse.”
“You’re the supervisor, sir,” Alpha acknowledged. “I’ll trust your judgement. And if Creme can vouch for him, then I have no issues.”
“Excellent!” Moe exclaimed cheerfully. “I shall see you both at the laboratory in the morning.”
He made to end the communication, but paused right at the last moment.
“Oh, and by the way,” he added, almost conspiratorially, “keep it between yourselves. It’s not exactly a secret, but I’d prefer it if news of this didn’t get out until we’ve had a chance to find out what it is.”
The couple nodded, and with that, they bade each other farewell. For a while, the couple just stood there, arm in arm, blankly staring at the now deactivated communications screen.
“Sounds like we’ve got an exciting day tomorrow," Alpha said finally. “We’d better get a good nights rest.”
“I supposed we’d better,” Creme agreed. “But let’s at least have dinner first.”
Alpha frowned, as if offended by the suggestion that he was suggesting they call it a night right away, but then he saw Cremes cheeky little smile, and realised she was winding him up again.
He hated when she did that. But he also couldn’t help but find it freakishly adorable at the same time.
That’s marriage for you, you have to be willing to take the rough with the smooth.
***
This hadn’t quite been the life she’d envisioned when she joined the Zone Cops.
Captain Zunnie had joined the Zone Cops many years ago, with the hope of seeing what lay out there in the multiverse, righting wrongs wherever she was sent and making creation a better place to live.
It took her a little while to rise through the ranks, but she had stuck at it, pushing herself, training hard every day, keeping her body at its peak as best she could, ready to spring into action when duty called.
Now, all these years later, that fit and toned figure had faded, replaced by a more scrawny, bedraggled figure. Her once well trimmed hair was now a mess, her alert and lively eyes were red and bloodshot, hardly having been able to get a good nights sleep since… well, she couldn’t remember anymore. And yet she was still in better shape than a lot of her comrades.
It had been around the same time she had been promoted to captain when they first became aware of the plague. At first, it wasn’t their concern. Outbreaks, as unfortunate as they were, did happen. If a world or even a universe happened to succumb to a virus, well, that was out of their jurisdiction.
But when it started crossing between universes, that’s when it became their problem. And what a problem it had been. A problem that they had been completely unable to get under control.
A single touch was enough to see a victim succumb, their free will stripped away as the virus took complete control over its host, bending them to the will of their master, the mastermind behind that ever expanding catastrophe.
Yes, this was not a natural plague, nor was it a biological one. This plague was manufactured. And self replicating. They spread rapidly, turning each victim into a micro manufacturing plant, creating more and more of the tiny, microscopic machines that the virus consisted of.
Zunnie had seen the effect of the virus first hand, and was extremely lucky she wasn’t a victim herself. It was horrifying, seeing a victim collapse, writhing in agony as a metal shell formed under their skin. Their eyes went completely black, save for the Irisis, which glowed a menacing robotic yellow hue. Their life drained away, replaced with blank robotic obedience, mixed with the pure malice of their malignant master.
According to what they’d been able to glean from whatever records they could find, this catastrophe had started on the planet Mobius, as the creation of a cruel and horrific research institute called the black forge. A man made, robotic virus, named “Eggmalaria”. And whilst the infamous Doctor Eggman did have a major hand in its creation, he became as much a victim as anyone else.
A monster of unknown origin had adapted this virus for his own ends, turning anyone who came into contact with it into his robotic servant. The plague rapidly consumed Mobius, before flooding the universe, and finally spreading into other realities.
The Zone cops had tried to stop the virus at the source, by launching an attack on the flagship containing the twisted mastermind behind it all. But none of the brave zone cops returned. At least, not while still having free will.
Many brave and loyal Zone Cops had been lost in the attempt, Zonic being the most well known of them.
The Zone Cops tried everything they could, but it was no use. They couldn’t stop the spread. All they could do was evacuate anyone in danger to somewhere safe. Not that anywhere was safe.
Even the No Zone had succumbed, with their home having to be evacuated. Now, only a fraction of their forces survived, spread out thin amongst whatever ships they had to hand. Morale and discipline had plummeted drastically, supplies had to be rationed, and personal hygiene was reduced to a luxury rather than a necessity.
Zunnie stunk, and she knew it. She’d stunk for so long her nose had gotten used to the stench. It had been months since she’d been able to take a shower, and that had been a long time coming. But she and her small crew of loyal but terrified Zone Cops had a vital mission to do.
There was no stopping this virus. Not anymore. The only thing anyone could do was hide. And that was their job: Finding places for refugees to seek shelter. They roamed the multiverse, searching high and low for places without any trace of infection. Which was easier said than done.
At some point during their collective search, some Zone Cops had stumbled upon a possible solution: an anti zone. A space between realities, the empty pockets of nothing that insulated one reality from another. Isolated, sealed off, a perfect hiding place. At least, it was in theory.
Zunnie had hardly even heard of antizones when she started her Zone Cop training. Now she spent most of her life scouring reality for them, and relocating refugee spacecraft so they were hidden within. It wasn’t the best solution, but at least they would be safe.
Except somehow, even then, many of the refugee camps still succumbed to the plague, despite their absolute best efforts to ensure everyone was clear of infection.
It was a nightmare, a waking nightmare that there was no way of waking up from.
Sometimes Zunnie found herself wishing she would get infected and get it over and done with, but she was still committed to her duty. There were people out there that needed her help, and as long as she was still able, she would do her best to help them.
That determination was the only thing that kept her small group of Zone Cops going. Without her will, those under her command may well have given up by now.
Under her command, she had Zantoine, a dear friend who had at one point been her boyfriend, but the relationship didn’t seem to be going anywhere, and when the plague broke out, all ideas of romance were thrown out the window.
There was also Zarlos, the yellow fur covered retriever who had been a Zone Cop Cadet as the virus broke out, and thus his and several other cadets training was rushed, just to help bolster the numbers. He had been just a boy when they first met, now he was a grown man. He may have been rushed through his training, but he’d learnt on the field, and tried his best to be useful.
That was her crew. A tiny number to be sure, but the Zone Cops were spread so thin, it was all they could spare. It was nowhere near enough manpower for the task they had at hand, but they soldiered on regardless. She did have more crew in the early days, but as other Zone Cops fell, they were reassigned to help fill out other teams.
To reiterate, it was a nightmare. A nightmare that was going to consume everything eventually. All they could do was survive as long as they could.
“I think we have one Zunnie,” Zantoine announced from his position hunched over the scanning systems. “Possible Anti Zone located.”
“Right,” Zunnie nodded, plotting their flight course into the ship's guidance systems.
The Zone Cop ship was worn down and in desperate need of an overhaul, and it creaked and groaned noisily as it adjusted its course. It’s dimensional engines flared, jumping the small vessel into the sliver of nothingness between realities.
“Right, Zarlos, get the scans running.” Zunnie ordered the youngest member of her crew. The yellow dog nodded wearily and got to work at his control station.
Zunnie sank in her chair, allowing the exhaustion to take hold during this moment of respite. Her head pounded as it had done almost non stop for the last ten years, the pain now a constant companion, a gentle reminder that she was indeed still alive. It would have driven her mad, but she didn’t have the luxury to allow insanity to claim her.
Zantoine wearily looked out the window at the emptiness beyond the transparent shielding.
“It looks promising, Captain.” He croaked optimistically. “We could fit a good number of refugee vessels in here.”
“I sure hope so, Zant,” Zunnie sighed wearily. “It’s not much of a place to live, but it’s better than the alternative.”
She stared out into the empty blackness, and shuddered. She couldn’t imagine anyone living here out of choice. Certainly not her.
“Scans are complete captain,” Zarlos announced. “Seems to be all clear.”
“Good,” Zunnie sighed. “I’ll contact the chief and give her the coordinates.”
“However,” Zarlos interrupted the rabbit before she could make the call, “there are slight traces that something was here. Very recently in fact. It might have disappeared just as we were arriving.”
“Better hold off making Zat call Captain,” Zantoine suggested.
“Lemme have a look,” Zunnie ordered as she stood up and looked over Zarlos’s shoulder. The inexperienced Zone Cop pointed to the data on his monitor that had caught his attention.
“It’s a dimensional trace all right…” Zunnie surmised. “But I can’t say I recognise it.”
“It doesn’t register in our record banks,” Zarlos agreed. “It may be from a reality we’ve never encountered.”
“A reality not on record?” Zunnie mused. “I wonder… could that be a possible place to relocate refugees?”
“I suppose…” Zantoine mused thoughtfully. “If it’s not on our records, maybe zat vile fiend controlling ze plague won’t know of its existence. It might be a good place to hide, at least for a while. Depending on how fast ze plague spreads, it might even be safe for a few generations!”
“Let’s not be too hasty,” Zunnie cautioned, “our ships logs are hardly the most comprehensive. Maybe it is a universe on record, just not on our records. I’ll contact the chief and see what she thinks. We’ll figure out our next move from there.”
As she got ready to make a long distance communication, she turned to her crew mates, a weary smile on her ragged face.
“Good work you two. Take a break. Who knows how long it’ll be until we get another.”
The two nodded, and wearily got up from their seats, and retreated to grab some rations. Zunnie longed to follow them, her empty stomach gurgling loudly as she watched them go. But duty came first, especially with so many lives at stake.
She activated the communications device, waiting patiently for her no doubt equally overwhelmed commander to answer her call. As she waited, she pondered the possibilities of their discovery.
Was it a previously undiscovered universe they’d just discovered traces of? And if it was, could they find it? And if they could, what would they find on the other side?
She felt a tiny tingle of excitement within her. For despite the living nightmare she was trapped in, that desire to learn was still within her. There was hope. Not much, but just a sliver of hope.
That was all she needed to keep going. To keep going until it all ended.
And she had no doubt it would end. Probably very badly.
It was up to them to keep that inevitable day at bay as long as possible.