Here I am sitting again, a glass of whiskey in front of me. It seems the barkeeper is my only friend. But then again, he hessitated to give me the drink. Maybe these days will end soon. But what shall I do without the alcohol? What shall I do when the memories hold me in their ice-cold grip... again?
You know, it wasn't always like this. I used to be a Communications Officer on an Earthling Cruiser then. Great Times I had, many Ports I saw. Well, they where great times until we found these... beasts. These creatures in an mechanical exoskeleton. Never knew their name or where they came from.
They appeared out of the dark, cold void without a warning. Their ship was sending dozends of space-troopers and our Point Defense was unable to shoot them all. Soon we heard the noises of their Plasma-Cutters on our hull. The captain ordered us to defend the ship and so we took our rifles and waited.
We heard screems and horrible sounds from all over the ship. Section after section went dark until the bridge was the only remaining part in our hands. The captain had a grim face as he ordered the self destruct of the ship, only to be shot by the intruder a second later.
It was a fierce but short fight. Y'know, I never thought I could be shocked by anything. Well, there I was, Mr. Cool, wetting his pants and dropping his gun like a baby. I knew it will be over any second, but then, as I opened my eyes again, there was nothing. No aliens, no bodies of the dead crewmates, no trace of the fight.
It took me some time to ensure myself that there was no immanent danger, but then I got into an burst of action. I checked the sensors: No alien ship. I used the diagnosis system: No damage. Hell, I went through the whole ship, I only found dropped cups of coffee and stuff like that, but no body and no damage to the ship.
Took me some weeks to get back into known space, surely they didn't believe me. They said I might have killed my crewmates. They couldn't prove it, so they kicked me out of Star Control. My friends told me I should visit a doctor when I told them the story, hell... I wouldn't believe it myself. Lost my friends over this whole story, but who needs friends when they don't believe you...
Well, that's good. Whiskey helps, it helps to forget and it helps to keep the shadows at bay. Y'know, when it runs down your body you know the bad world will soon change into a colorful paradise of love. Yes, I know that it will kill me... but you know what? I should be dead! Dead as my crewmates. Why me? Why not Spencer or Gustav? Or why not captain Pierre?
Yes, I try to calm down. Sorry... sometimes I... y'know, it's just unfair. It is like... the universe takes you into it's hand and tells you something you couldn't stand to hear. And then you are put back into the place you once belonged. But everything is different now, the importent things are just... pah, y'know what? Get me another glass. I think the barkeeper wouldn't give me another one. Be a friend, eh?
