XZARDAK: When The World Ends by Scott Cato

Author:Scott Cato [Cato, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-18T00:00:00+00:00

“Good morning,” said a droning mechanical voice, “I have brought nourishment.” Xzardak sat up and acknowledged the service robot decanting some clear liquid into a colourful beaker.

Leaving the food on the nightstand, the robot departed. “Please let me know if there is anything else,” he called as he whizzed toward the apartment door.

“Thank you,” Xzardak said and yawned. “Ah… may I ask where I am?” he enquired hoarsely. But the robot was gone.

Getting out of bed, Xzardak wandered over to the tray of hot food. He was incredibly hungry and quickly tucked into the morning breakfast. “Ebonez tree stew,” he said after tasting a spoonful. “Not bad.” Once sufficiently nourished, he glanced over to the viewport monitor which had started to buzz and flash a light. Rubbing his eyes and still somewhat dazed, he stumbled across to the console and pressed the flashing receiver button, initiating the intel.

The irritating siren ceased, and the screen blinked on, revealing another familiar face, Commissioner Edward. “Xzardak, what on Zhim is going on?” Edward asked. “You were meant to be down here an age ago!” The fog suddenly cleared; Edward’s annoyance had given Xzardak a jolt, delivering him back into the dreadful realm of reality. “Disgraceful behaviour!” Edward scolded. “Get yourself ready and join us in the chamber!”

Xzardak had started to panic again. A new day had dawned, and with it another round of wretched challenges had materialised. The lingering effects of the crystal elixir and the dreamy residual buzz from the meeting with the governors had long since subsided, replaced by the familiar feelings of paranoia and sickly dread.

“We’re not out of the woods yet!” he reminded himself, splashing water onto his creased silver-purple face, and wetting his hair before hastily dressing. Gathering his things, he quickly headed down the spiral stairs into the busy recess chamber.

“Commissioner Edward, forgive me!” cried Xzardak subserviently. “I hadn’t any memory of a scheduled meeting,” he protested, the previous day’s proceedings still swimming around inside his scrambled brain.

“Not to worry, dear boy!” declared Edward, his mood characteristically the opposite to that of Edward on the video monitor. “My fault… I don’t think I even told you about the meeting, to be honest. Getting forgetful in my old age!” confessed schizophrenic Edward’s more genial side.

Xzardak obediently followed him into the darkened chamber, fully expecting to see the Earth people present and seated in the trial hall. Xzardak’s heart sank as he realised they were gone.

Searching for them, he frantically looked around, before figuring out that only he and the three prosecuting officials were present in the dimly lit gloom. “Xzardak, I’m sure you remember Commissioners Sirdar and Vilmos,” said Edward, reacquainting him with the original arrest party. “Just us today,” he said. “No need for the whole hullabaloo!”

“What of the Earth people?” inquired Xzardak.

“We’ll come to their fate very soon,” Vilmos said.

They’ve been sent away, thought Xzardak, his mind racing. Banished to an outlying planet, dark and alone without an adequate light source or appropriate atmosphere.

His legs gave way and tiny stars danced before his eyes.

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