Space...Fucking space, man...
It has been five years since we left our dying planet behind and now the human race is out and scattered across this new unknown galaxy. Everyone's doing what they can to get by. Myself, I'm getting by as I'm currently getting chased by god knows what squid alien monstrosity.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. My name is Reg Rogriegas. I was born and grew up in Southern California after my family immigrated from Mexico. On Earth I was nothing special, just a security guard for some museum. I was up all night but at least it gave me an excuse to stay in shape. But when we found the Earth was dying, people started fleeing in their spaceships. My family got out safe but during the chaos I got separated from them. I wasn't the only one and it seemed the drifters and those who stayed behind joined together to get our own ship and get the hell of that rock.
There's about eight of us, initially we were just drifting aimlessly in space but soon we found other humans a few years later. It seemed many started making new settlements on new planets. Sometimes it's difficult with the aliens, especially with the language barrier. Some were hostile but most saw a species in need. Many other humans went out to search for loved ones but were so scattered some ended up making peace with their new existence...
Me and my fellow crew mates had formed a strong bond with each other. Once we found new humans, we decided to stick together and make something of ourselves. A lot of us had skills, technology, we were able to hold our own against almost anything. So we became a service, heroes for hire. We help communities with their problems whilst they pay us in essentials: food, drink, you know the deal.
So as I was saying, I'm being chased with Becky right here by this alien tentacle motherfucker. We were asked to retrieve this crystal by a settlement. It was said to help give them power for their technology. Their last crystal was stolen by pirates and the only one left was deep in a cave where this thing that's chasing us roamed and did not like people coming into its territory. We tried to be as peaceful and quiet as possible but it was no use.
"Wow! This thing is fast!" cried Becky.
Becky's great. She's nice but really intense and wild. She would just throw herself into any situation no matter how dangerous. It's probably my self-righteous duty and her desire for danger being the reason why us two decided to go down here.
We staggered up the rocky cave. It's stone so glistening yet slippery made it a challenge. Becky had the crystal tied to her back as we climbed our way back to the top. The creature, however, was persistently after us. It's tentacles slithered up the walls, it's suction cups sticking to them as it pulled itself after us. I tried to not to look down but I slipped and caught myself looking down into it's wide open mouth, like a billion teeth lining the walls of it. It was the most fucking terrifying thing I ever seen in my life.
"JESUS FUCK!" I cried.
We kept climbing but I could feel the creature's presence too close for comfort. One slip up and we were both gonna be dinner.
"COME ON, REG! WE'RE HALFWAY THERE! LIVING ON A PREY!"
Seriously?! This the time to start referencing 80's rock hits?! We keep climbing and climbing, the creature's showing no sign of stopping. All I have on me right now is a small laser pistol and a few stun grenades, neither of which will cause a dent in that thing nor would I even have the chance to stop and grab them. We just gotta keep climbing...My arms are starting to ache.
We're finally at the top. Me and Becky quickly run for it but the creature launches itself straight to the top where we were. The climb has taken so much wind out of me and yet this thing's still kicking like it's running on batteries.
Becky drew her pistol and started blasting the creature but as I thought, no use.
Suddenly, a barrage of rockets come from behind us. These missiles hit the creature with small yet impactful explosions. It began stumbling back, falling down the hole it climbed out. Me and Becky both sighed in relief.
"Hey, thanks whoever you-"
But my thanks was cut short as I turned around and saw our saviours were Pirates. All dressed ruggedly in leather and other stolen clothes, carrying heavy, stolen weaponry. They chuckle at mine and Becky's faces of disbelief.
A tall, skinny one wearing nothing but pants and suspenders approached us, cackling.
"Bet this weren't quite the rescue you were expecting?"
Whilst they saved our life they're surely up to no good. These pirates rarely are...
"So as a reward, we'll be taking that crystal."
Oh no! There's no way these fuckers are gonna walk away with this crystal after me and Beck worked our asses off to bring it to the settlement.
"Fine...I'll give it to you." Becky declares.
"What?!" I yell.
"Reg, trust me."
What the hell does she think she's doing? I see those Pirates watching her closely as she goes to unravel the suspenders that are holding the rock to her back...But wait, she's-
Holy crap! She threw a stun grenade at them!
The small bomb let out an electrical charge, stunning the pirates. This is our chance! We draw pistols and take out a few before the rest snap out of their stunness. They begin raining firing on us so we take cover behind a rock. Now this is some action right here!
"Looks like this job just got a little harder." I say.
"More like more exciting." Becky adds.
"Well, I guess kicking ass with you pretty exciting."
Becky laughs.
"Ah shit! Fuck me!" she says cheerily.
And without skipping a beat, she jumps out of cover and shoots at the Pirates, killing a few. There's a large muscular one with some sorta laser minigun. She sprays lasers all over the place. Luckily Becky has taken cover but we're both stuck. Maybe one of my stun grenades will do it...
Damn!
She destroyed it with her gun. Fuck...That's one helluva a weapon...I peak over head but only for a second unless I want my head to become mince meat. There's a rock dangling above her...A good shot would cause it to fall right on her head.
"Becky!" I yell.
"Above the head!"
Becky looks up from cover and instantly she knows what's up. She fires a couple of shots above and BAM! The rock crushes the gunner. We both get out of cover and reunite, having defeated those bastards.
"Nice work there, partner!" I say, offering my hand.
"We're pretty much the dream team, aren't we?" adds Becky as she grabs my hand, Predator style.
Now we gotta head...Wait...Can I hear footsteps?
I turn to see one last Pirate rushing towards the giant canon thing they used to drive that creature into the pit. Fuck! Me and Becky draw our pistols but I fear it's too late. He's starting up the machine.
Woah!
A giant, slimy tentacle pushes right between us! It's that creature! It scoops up the Pirate and the canon with it's tentacle and starts pulling it towards it. I can hear the Pirate screaming...Poor guy...
Me and Becky make our way back to the settlement back on the surface. They're grateful for our services and pay us well with food and drink. We board our ship and head off back to space...I could really do with a shower.
Our ship isn't half bad. It's large and spacious. Despite eight people living in it, it never feels too claustrophobic or crowded. It started out as a cheap and scrappy ship but we've managed to improve it over time. The bathroom recently had an upgrade. Nice, clean white panels, around the walls, a shower/bath combo. It's just nice, y'know?
And this shower feels so fucking nice right now. It ain't Earth water but I can't really tell the difference. It's warm and steamy. The perfect thing I need after a day like this...Wait, did I just hear the doors open.
Jesus! Someone's tapping on the shower screen! It's all steamed up so I can't see shit. Scared the shit out of me.
"W-who is it?" I say as I try to cover my junk
I wipe the steam from the window to find...Becky? Oh god, she's naked!
"Becky?! What are you doing?!"
She's grinning.
"Come on, Reg. Didn't you think about my offer?"
