The Lost Soldier

[Size_Master]

Heavily borrowed elements from various scifi franchises Enjoy!

Chapter 1…Crash Landing and Meeting the Locals

“Personal log. Solar date April 24, 2409. Lt. Gary Robbins of P309 reporting. It is my fifth day on patrol of sector 1101. So far no sightings of any Dreadnok craft. With the war between the Sol Federation and the Dreadnok at its peak, I don’t blame command for sending me out into barely charted space to make sure they’re not setting up a jumping point from which they could launch an attack. The attack on Arcanis was as quick as it was devastating and even pushing them back only bought us time before they restock, regroup, and attack again. Out here in the fringes where nobody can see them would be ideal for their needs. So far nothing other than the occasional gravitational disturbance. The Dreadnok, an enemy we’ve been fighting for over 50 years and yet we have never seen one in person. Some say they’re a reptile species, others a race of machines. They do seem to be able to resupply personnel at a strange accelerated pace so maybe they are machines. All I know is that this war has cost the lives of billions of people with no end in sight”

BEEP BEEP

“Computer pause recording. Status report” Gary said. “Long range sensors have detected an ion trail on heading 026 mark 032” it replied. Gary looked at the screen. “That ion pattern isn’t from any Federation ship. Computer, run pattern through warmind database” he ordered. “Pattern match to Dreadnok light frigate” it replied. “Well, I guess command’s worries were valid after all. Set course to intercept and take us to warp 3” he commanded. The exterior stars seemed to stretch as the space time around the ship warped sending the ship to faster than light speeds. Gary checked his weapon systems as his ship closed the distance. His ship, a Paladin class tactical escort was the state of the art attack craft and used mostly for recon and surgical strikes deep behind enemy lines. Armed with two pulse positron cannons, two positron arrays, 12 Titan class antiship missiles, a Class 3 shield array, and a powerful ECM (electronic countermeasures) system, it was formidable in combat. Normally it carried two officers, a pilot and weapons officer. However this time, Gary flew alone as a recent skirmish caused personnel issues. In a head to head, a Paladin could very much win against a Dreadnok light frigate…as long as there was only one. Frigates usually accompanied a battle ground so finding evidence of only one seemed strange to Gary. “Weapons are fully armed. Shields at 100%. Computer, are there any more ion trails?” he asked as they closed the distance. “Negative” it replied. “Something is off here. Maybe they’re scouting like I am. Maybe they’re lost” he muttered. A few minutes later, the ship violently rocked.

Gary watched as his ship fell out of warp. “Report! Why have we fell out of warp!” Gary yelled. “Gravitational sheer has caused the spacetime bubble to collapse. Primary engines offline. Warning. Gravitational sheer has caused a singularity in our flight path. Recommend alter course” it said. “No shit!” Gary yelled as he frantically tried to restart his engines. The stars warped in front of him, and an eerie energy field began to form as a disc in space. The blue glowing disc of energy appeared to collapse in on itself as he neared it. “Bring thrusters to 125%! Emergency burn!” he said. The ship groaned as the gravity field tugged on its hull. “Fuck! I can’t pull away. Thrusters at normal. Emergency power to shields!” he yelled. His Paladin was pulled through the tunnel in space. Gary held on for dear life as the warping of space and time threatened to tear his ship to pieces. Warnings blared as system after system went to emergency backups. His shields rapidly dropping. Just as it seemed the trip would obliterate the ship, it stopped. The tunnel opened spitting him back into normal space. “Computer status” he said. Nothing. Gary manually checked the systems one by one. “Shields down to 20%. Hull is intact. Comm and navigation is down. Long range sensors are down. Short range is still operational. Weapons offline. Main engines are totally offline. That leaves me with just thrusters. No way I’m getting back to base on those. That assuming I’m even still in this sector. No doubt that was a wormhole. Nobody has seen one in decades and with my luck I get sucked into one. I could be thousands of light years off my patrol” he muttered.

Gary popped open a work panel near his console and began trying to reboot the computer. After a few shocks and sparks it came back online. “Warning. Life support damaged. Oxygen levels at 78%” it immediately said. “What?” Gary said. He had not noticed the screen for environmental controls was off. “Rookie mistake shit” he hissed. Gary estimated that he had enough air to last only another 12 hours. He began searching for a planet he could set down on to make repairs. “Computer. Scan for any planets with a breathable atmosphere” he said. “Planet detected at 112 mark 218. Class E. Distance 318,212 kilometers” it said. “Class E? Earth like subtropical” he muttered as he brought the ship on the heading. He punched the thrusters and sped towards it.

Gary was worried as he had to balance his speed and thruster fuel. He had to land before he ran out of air but not burn up all his fuel, especially if he wanted a safe landing. First thing they taught in him the academy was space flight wasn’t some turn and burn aerial maneuvering. The amount of energy used to increase speed must also be used to slow down. You accelerate to 10,000kps you’ll keep going at that for eternity unless some force acts against you. Basic Newtonian physics. There’s no drag force in a vacuum to slow you down. His warp drive used antimatter for propulsion, his sublight drive expelled helium ions at near light speed but his thrusters were chemical based solid fuel. Very finite. Gary was cutting it close as his ship neared the edge of the planet’s atmosphere. Gary pulled the ship’s nose to a positive 75 degrees exposing the belly. There was a boom as atmospheric gases turned to plasma around the ship’s shields. “Computer! Increase power to the structural integrity field! I don’t want us breaking up!” Gary yelled as his shields failed. He fell like a comet from the sky. Lower and lower he fell as he used his thrusters to even out and slow his fall. He streaked over an ocean an at Mach 10. Literally tore the cloud cover apart as he punched through the stratosphere. Lightning struck the ship. “Warning. Cargo pod fire” the computer said. Gary blew the door open on the pod to snuff out the fire. Slower, slower, lower, lower, “Just as good!” he yelled passing through a valley. His ship screeched as he hit full reverse burn on his thrusters and then belly landing. Gary was thrown forward hard enough his seat belt snapped. A soft force field stopped him from breaking his neck on the console. Dazed and concussed, last thing he saw was lightning in the far distance before he passed out.

Gary awoke to the sight of the sun beaming down on him through the cockpit window. At first he thought he was back home in Corpus Christi Texas…Earth. He then remembered what happened. He checked the system readout and was relieved nothing was torn off the ship during landing. “Computer. Send a distress call” he said. “Unable to comply. Electrical damage to long range comm array. Short range antenna still online” it said. “Shit. That won’t get me any help. That’s only good for a couple hundred thousand kilometers. Computer, what is our location?” he asked. “Navigation array offline. Star chart database corrupted by severe electrical shock. Recommend reinstall” it said. “And I would if I was back at base. Just great. No long-range comms and I don’t even know where I am” he muttered. “Dreadnok signal detected” the computer said. “Analyze” he ordered. “Signal match to distress call. Repeating on open Dreadnok frequency” it replied. “So whatever ship I was tracking must’ve got sucked through the same wormhole as me and crashed too. I might be able to fix my comm and navigational arrays using theirs. Distance to signal?” he asked. “312.26 kilometers” it replied. “That’s a hike. Better get prepared. Scan the area. Give me information on it” he said. “Temperature 27.8 Celsius. Comparable atmosphere to Class E. Sensors detect multiple fauna and flora life forms within 10 kilometer radius” it said. “Sentient life?” he asked. “Unknown due to readings not matching any database” it replied. Gary didn’t like how vague that sounded. “Better arm myself and grab the backpack” he muttered.

Gary slipped his laser pistol on his holster and popped open the cargo pods. “SHIT!” he yelled eyeing them wide open already to the outside. “The fire…the fucking fire” he sighed realizing he vented them himself to contain a fire. Gary rummaged through the ship and made an inventory of what he did have. “Laser pistol check. Med kit check. Combat suit check. Multi tool check. No food and no water. This is gonna be a great hike” he said putting his backpack on before opening the hatch.

Gary checked the scanner on his multi tool, and it pointed the way to the signal. He began walking. As he walked through what seemed like a valley, he thought about how he would get what he needed from the crashed enemy ship. The Sol Federation had been at war with the Dreadnok for over 50 years and not once had anyone seen what they looked like. Even the crew compliment on the ship Gary was looking for was just a guess. Any attempt at capturing a ship intact ended in failure as it self destructed…the same with their bodies. The most they knew was they were humanoid shaped with two arms and two legs with a head. If one died, their bodies just vaporized. Some believed it was done for psychological reasons. An unknown enemy was more feared than one that was known. Others think a security measure to prevent their enemy from doing autopsies and learning biological weaknesses. And then others think it a side effect of a broken power source giving cred the Dreadnok were machine life. Gary believed in the latter as no matter how many ships, bases and stations were destroyed, the Dreadnok just kept coming. They had to be manufactured to keep up. The war itself had turned into a stalemate. Humanity with its superior numbers and the Dreadnok with better logistics and weaponry. His Paladin was created by studying Dreadnok wreckage that could be salvaged.

Gary noticed a few things seemingly odd. No birds as he could see, no tall foliage, even the blades of grass seemed as fine and short as expensive carpet. The tallest things he saw so far was thickets of bush that came up to his shoulders. “This planet must have a very effective ocean ecosystem otherwise the vegetation wouldn’t be able to produce so much oxygen” he muttered walking. After two hours of walking, Gary came across a stream running through a thicket of tall bush. Carefully, he scanned the water and was shocked how clean it was. Gary quickly drank and as he did, he heard a sound, a very faint sound that resembled…laughing.

Gary followed the sound around a tall bush and was shocked by what he saw. Two seemingly human women frolicking naked on the bank of the stream…only a few inches in height. Gary took a step making a crunching sound of rock and gravel alerting them of his presence. Both of them screamed at the sight of a giant looking dead at them. They turned to run deeper into the water but stopped. Due to their size, a fast running stream to Gary was a raging river to them. Going any deeper they risked being swept away and drowning. Gary placed his backpack down and crept closer. They threw their hands up as his fingers wrapped around their small bodies. He lifted me out of the water and sat down. Their screams and struggles were amusing to him. Forming a circle with his legs, he placed one of them down to grab his scanner. The one in his hand was speaking a strange language that his universal translator implant didn’t know. Gary scanned the woman in his hand. “This can’t be right. It says you’re human” he said. He moved the scanner across her body starting with her bare feet all the way to the top of her head. Gary slowly read the detailed result. He was no doctor, but he knew enough human biology to understand there was no mistaking the being in his hand was human. Two arms and legs, ten fingers and toes. Two small yet supple breasts as one would find on a human female as well as a vagina cleanly shaved. Her skin was tan toned but showed signs of her natural Caucasian skin tone judging from the tan lines on her tiny feet and torso. Her hair was long and brown and her fear ridden eyes a slight amber color. Gary found her to be quite pretty. The one trapped between his legs was nearly identical possibly indicating she was her sister. Gary put their ages no more than 24 earth years. "This is astounding. Your skeletal structure, your brain, muscles, everything is proportional. The only thing strange other than your size is the scanner saying you’re 99.96% human. What’s the other 0.04%? "He asked.

He looked around and found their clothing. Setting the scanner down he picked up what appeared to be a toga and string used to tie and bind it. He set that down and picked up a sandal between his fingers. Gary had to squint to look but he could see it was a simple strapped sandal clearly worn judging by the insole and toe prints. “Your culture must not be too advanced. Almost like Ancient Greek” he said. They had long stopped trying to escape and simply stared at him. “Gary. Gaaaarrryyy” he said pointing to himself. He pointed it the woman in his hand. “Me…Meena” she said. “Meena. And her?” he asked pointing at the other. “Neena” she replied. Gary’s stomach growled. He placed the two women in a side pouch, stood up, put his backpack on and left. He had not gotten far, just a few minutes of walking, before he found himself in an open field. “The hell?!” Gary asked seeing a farm very close by. However, the farm was tiny…tiny like a miniature playset. He approached it. He stood there dumbfounded by what he saw. To the west was crops no taller than a blade of grass fed by irrigation channels. The north, fenced in creatures the size of large mice. Nearby a stable, and to the east a brick home designed like something from ages past. Gary got closer to the creatures and stable and sat down. The muffled sounds from his pouch caused him to remember the women he has found. He took them out and set them down. They looked around and quickly began taking with one another. He still couldn’t understand what they said. Out of curiosity, he reached over and picked up one of the creatures fenced in. “Holy shit it’s a cow. An actual terrestrial bovine. Why…how the hell is it so small and why the hell is it on this planet? Can you explain…shit you don’t understand my language” Gary sighed looking at the women.

His stomach growled again. “Haven’t eaten since yesterday. Good I’m starving” he muttered. “If this is really a cow…” he muttered raising it to his mouth. He tossed it in and began chewing. The women below saw the sight and could hear the screeching of the beast as it was chewed to a pulp. Bones snapping. Squelching of meat. Gary swallowed. A trickle of blood ran from his mouth which he wiped away. One of the women, Neena, fainted. Gary didn’t exactly enjoy eating the cow. He found the taste of its blood off putting. Fortunately, the smartbots in his bloodstream automatically screen out pathogens. A fairly common medical enhancement necessary for someone who goes from planet to planet. Without it you’d have an epidemic every other week. Gary picked up another cow and devoured it, then another. Meena began yelling at Gary apparently to stop. “Are these your cows?” he asked pointing to it and her. She nodded. “Look, my body requires a good deal of protein and calories to sustain my combat augmentations. That means food high in protein. The only other things here is…well you” he said pointing to his stomach and then her. Meena freaked and began pleading and crying. “Oh. You thought I said I was going to eat you” Gary said wiping his hands. He suddenly picked her up. She stared at his blood-stained lips and promptly peed herself. Gary shook her dry. “Cute little thing but I assure you I won’t eat you. You and your sister are the only beings I met and I need answers. Hopefully the translator will eventually kick in and we can talk” he said putting her down. Neena breathed a sigh of relief and checked on her sister. She shook her awake. They talked among themselves before running off to the house. Gary chuckled and activated his multitool.

“Personal log. Solar date April 25, 2409. The damage to my ship is extensive enough that I’m going nowhere without repairs. I detected a Dreadnok signal just under 300 kilometers from my present location. I’m hoping I can scavenge what I need but that in itself will be tricky. Not just the distance but any surviving crew I might find. On a curious note, there are humans on his uncharted planet, very small humans no taller than my index finger. Two so far so I don’t know if it’s just them or the entire population. I’m guessing the latter by their crops and animals. It’s as if the entire biosphere evolved this way somehow. What caused them to get so small? Hopefully my smartbots will keep me immune from whatever it is. Looking back, what I thought were bushes were trees, an entire forest no taller than my shoulder blades. This planet is full of mysteries. Water is clean but finding enough food looks to be problematic. I joked about eating a local girl but…what if I really can’t find enough food? Should I starve or complete my duty? The academy didn’t cover this kind of problem. End recording” he said. Gary scooted over to the house. A two-story dwelling no taller than his shins. Gary looked inside and found simple wooden furniture scaled to the two women. Speaking of them, he saw Meena putting on a toga with her sister nervously. “Guess they live alone” he thought seeing nobody else. Not wanting to leave just yet, his morbid curiosity caused him to reach through the open window and pluck Meena out of her bedroom. She was still terrified of him. Gary began trying to teach her words like house, sky, sun, and cow. It took a half hour or so, but he cobbled together a rudimentary understanding how their language worked. Gary found it odd as the structure sounded familiar. Meena had calmed slightly as Neena below was still very worried especially for her sister. Gary laid back on the ground still holding Meena. “So you live alone out here with your sister? That must be kinda lonely. Not even a man to fuck you” Gary sighed. His finger pulled open her toga letting it fall to the side of her body. Meena covered herself. “A waste if I must say so. You’re very attractive” he said pulling her arms away from her body. Meena blushed and looked away. She was shocked when Gary suddenly kissed her face. She flinched as his finger came for her face but opened her eyes feeling him pet her cheek. A sound not faraway interrupted him.

Gary looked over around the side of the house at a small narrow dirt path to find three women dressed in blue togas riding horses no bigger than the cows he had eaten before. A glint of light from their sides revealed swords. “Soldiers?” Gary wondered. The woman in front yelled and Neena darted towards her. Gary silently watched. The woman pointed to the sky and then the direction of Gary’s crashed ship. “Apparently someone reported seeing my ship streak through the sky before I crashed. She must be asking her if she saw something” he thought. Neena then pointed to the direction of Gary. “And she then told them a giant was on their farm” he sighed. The woman slapped Neena and drew her sword. “Uh oh. She probably thinks she’s lying” he muttered. Neena was on her knees begging. Gary sat Meena down and stood to his full height. The woman dangerously pointed her sword at Neena. Gary stomped over and flicked the woman hard in the chest with his finger. Sending her flying off her horse. The other two soldiers fell off theirs as the horses were startled. The lead got off her back and joined the others with swords drawn. “Put those away before you get hurt” Gary said grinning. His grin must’ve frightened one of them as she grabbed Neena. By the shouting it was clear she threatened to kill Neena if he did not surrender. Gary got on his knees. He waited for the woman to lower her guard and when she did he moved quickly.

Gary swatted her right in the face so hard her neck broke as she went flying backwards. Neena was too stunned to immediately run. However, the second soldier raised her sword and Neena now ran. She only got a few steps before the solder slashed her in the thigh. Gary grabbed her wrist with his fingers and easily crushed it making the small woman scream. She dropped her sword which Gary picked up. As if skewering an olive, Gary rammed her own sword through her. He turned his attention to the last one, the leader. She held her sword tightly scared out of her wits. Gary glanced at Neena who was bleeding badly. Meena tried to comfort her. “I don’t have time for you. Fuck off!” Gary yelled pointing to the horizon. The soldier ran to her horse, mounted it, and galloped full speed away. He kneeled before Neena. “Lacerated femoral artery. She’ll bleed to death in minutes if she doesn’t get treatment” he muttered walking to his backpack. He pulled out a medkit and returned to them. Neena was growing pale as her blood seeped into the dirt and grass. “Get back” Gary ordered gently pushing Meena back. Meena wanted to object but saw the strange giant being open a metal box and took something out of it. Gary gently picked up Neena who whimpered being moved. He activated the device. “Dermal regenerator will reconnect the artery and close the wound” he muttered tiring to explain to her what he was doing. Meena watched in awe as the large tool made a red beam of light that seemingly closed her sister’s thigh flesh. He put down the tool and grabbed another. He adjusted the settings and rolled up her toga to expose her stomach. He pressed it to her skin and pressed a button. “Cordrazine to oxygenate the blood. That will help with the blood loss. And now a simple tiny dose of painkiller. Let me adjust the hypospray” he muttered before doing it. Neena looked at the giant confused, and very high. Gary carried her to their home and placed her on her bed through the window. Meena raced into her room and hugged her sister crying. “She will be fine now, but she needs rest and good food” he told Meena. Meena cried talking to him. “Guess you’re saying thanks?” he asked. Neena quickly passed out and Gary moved from the window. Beyond shocked, Meena went back outside as she began have her own idea what Gary was. When she saw him she stopped dead in her tracks.

“I did not sign up for this. See the Galaxy Gary. Fight the bad guys Gary. Become a cannibal of small humans Gary” he sighed. Cannibal indeed because as he spoke, he was tearing off the toga of one of the dead soldiers, the one whose neck he broke. He flicked off her sandals and placed the soldier into his mouth. Gary worked the corpse of the woman deeper into his mouth, gather saliva, and swallowed. He felt her slip down his throat and land in his stomach. He reached for the other one dead on her own sword. He yanked it out and proceeded to do the same thing from the other. Gary flinched as this one he could taste her blood. “That actually helped” he muttered patting his stomach. Meena fainted at the sight. “Well shit” he muttered picking her up and carrying her to be with her sister. Gary should’ve just continued with his trek but didn’t. Truthfully he was worried about them. He killed soldiers and even let one escape to tell the tale. No doubt more would come. These two were in deep shit because of him and he knew it. Meena awoke with a start as the sun got low in the sky. She touched herself as if to confirm he had not eaten her as well. Gary was not at the window. She muttered something in her own language and went outside to see if he was truly gone. What she saw was something nobody had seen on her world for a very long time. A penis.

Gary was outside pissing when Meena found him. “YOU’RE A MAN?!” she screamed. Gary jumped and turned around. “Of course I’m a man. What did you think I was? Wait…I understood what you said! Do you understand me?” he asked. Meena nodded. “Finally! The damn universal translator finally learned your language. You see brand new languages take time as it has to listen to various words and syntax. It builds off that and programs my frontal cortex to understand and speak it back…and you don’t have a fucking clue what I’m talking about” he said zipping his pants up. She immediately knelt before him. “Please forgive our ignorance! We did not know you were of the gods” she said. “Gods?” he asked. “It is said the only men on our world were gods. The same gods that gave us life and teachings. It is my fault for not understanding sooner. Old tales spoke of the gods taller than trees…” she said. None of what she said meant sense to Gary. “Only men were gods? You’re saying there are no other men at all in your society? None?!” he asked. “None. Nobody has seen a man for countless generations. Not since the age of the gods over a thousand years ago” she replied. “A thousand years? Wait a sec. If there’s no men then how do you have children?” he asked. “Children? We know what this is but we do not have children” she replied. “Then how does your population not go extinct? Are you immortal?” he asked. “No were not immortal. We die just like anything else. You yourself killed two of my kind” she replied. “Oh yeah. So, you grow old?” he asked. “Yes. We die usually in our 50s. I myself is around 10 years old” she said. “10?! But…but how?” he asked. “I emerged from the valley of the gods 10 years ago like all the others” she replied. She looked at him confused. “You do not know this?” she asked. “Hell no. What do you mean emerged?” he asked. I walked with no memory, a blank slate like all the others since long ago. Every year new women emerge from the valley" she said. “I need to sit down” he sighed.

Into the night, Meena explained and answered his questions. Gary learned that every year a random number of women, apparently in their mid teens biologically emerge from a valley naked with the minds of infants. This number was always greater than those that died the previous year. They’re taken in and educated for the next five years before setting off on their own. Not a single male among them in the entire population which he learned was around 58,000 people. The planet was called Gaea and the region he was currently in was called Arcadia, a farming region not far from the major capital called Athenis. Gary found the names eerily similar to names from Earth’s Greece. However, the question of why humans were on an uncharted planet at their current size eluded him. “A thousand years? Did some aliens capture humans long ago, bring them here, shrink them, and abandon them? For what purpose? Are they the gods she’s talking about?” he wondered.

“Does the name Dreadnok mean anything?” he asked. Meena shook her head. “Those soldiers from before. What did they want?” he asked. “They were told of a star falling form the sky to the south. They wished to know if we saw it. My sister told them of you, and they thought she was mad and wasted their time” Meena replied. “I knew it. Someone saw my crash and told them” he said. “Crash? Was it you that made a star fall from the sky?” she asked. “It wasn’t a star. It was my ship. Speaking of ships, did anyone say they saw another ship crash northwest of here very far away?” he asked. She shook her head. Meena yawned. “Maybe you should turn in” he said. “Do you wish pleasure or…sacrifice? I am sure I can please you in sex and…food” she said slipping her toga off her shoulders. “No! I mean no. Look, about before I was…curious and the thing about me eating those soldiers was desperation. I won’t eat you. But I do need to find food” he sighed. “I see. Then shall I see you in the morning?” she asked. “Yeah I’m camping here tonight” he sighed. Meena nodded and entered her home.

“I said all that but goddamn she’s cute…and they did taste good. This planet is fucking weird” he muttered as he laid on the ground and focused on sleep.

[Mrgoblinging7]

Lovely story

[Size_Master]

Chapter 2…Flashing and Fighting the Locals pt.1

“Personal log. Solar date April 26,2409. Yesterday I met the local population of this planet and strangely enough they’re human…mostly. More so they’re no bigger than mice but even with the difference in size, they appear and reason no different than humans like me. The culture and level of technology is akin to 3rd century BCE Greece. Even the names they use is similar. A statistical impossibility that’s it’s coincidence so the question is how all this happened. There was an…incident yesterday as a group of what I guess where soldiers threatened the lives of the locals I encountered. I killed two and let a third one go. My medkit saved the life of a local critically injured. I should note I ate the bodies of the two soldiers I killed. It was…different. I know they train us to do what me must to survive but they’re reasoning beings. I’m not accustomed to my food looking like a woman I met in a bar. I must find a stable source of normal food as if I don’t I’ll have to eat more of them. I’m worried that if I do I might…enjoy it. I’m setting out heading north towards the signal but I’m worried that whatever trouble I caused will befall the locals I met. I did kill two of their soldiers”

“Morning” Meena said. “End recording. Morning Meena” Gary said. “Who were you talking to?” she asked. “My multi tool. It’s regulation I make a personal log to document my duties” he replied. Gary waved his hand seeing she did not understand. Neena came to the open balcony next to her sister. “How are you this morning?” Gary asked. Neena barely nodded. “Step into my hand” he said lowering it to her. Neena, while still anxious about him, wasn’t close to being as scared as she was yesterday. However, she still found it hard to believe he was a man even after her sister told her first thing that morning. Her bare feet felt his warm palm as she stood on it. He had her sit with her legs dropped over the side of his hand. “Any dizziness when you stood up this morning?” he asked. " A little" she replied softly. “It’s going to be like that for about a month until your body replenishes the blood loss. It will get better over the next few weeks” he said. He moved the lower part of her toga aside and felt her leg. She tensed up. “Any pain or soreness where you were cut?” he asked. She shook her head. “Why did you save me?” she asked. “I am part responsible you were hurt to begin with. That and I could” he replied. “My sister said you’re a man” she said. “I am” he replied. “Then you are a god” she said softly. “I’m no god. I don’t why there’s no men on your world or why you’re so small, but it has nothing to do with your ideas of gods” Gary told her. Neena knew not what to make of it. She looked very troubled. “I should get going” he muttered as he placed Neena back on the balcony. “You’re leaving?” Meena asked. “The longer I stay here the more problems it causes. Soldiers will return here but if I leave and make myself seen, hopefully they won’t come to your home. Also, I need food” he said. “My sister told me what you did yesterday with the bodies of the soldiers. You may…eat me if you wish” she muttered. " I didn’t save your life so I could fucking eat you! Didn’t you hear a goddamned word I said about me not being a god?!" Gary yelled. Neena shivered and looked down. “I didn’t…I didn’t mean to frighten you. Besides, eating a beautiful woman as yourself would be a waste” he said quietly raising her head with his fingertip. Neena smiled at him for the first time. “You shouldn’t go alone” Meena said.

“You’re not coming with me. It’s too dangerous and I’m walking very, very far” he said. “Do you know where to find food and water in these lands?” she asked. “Point taken. My scanner only has a two-kilometer terrain scanning range” he muttered. “I know where you can find these things…and more” she said. “More what?” he asked. “Soldiers. They couldn’t have come from the capital. It’s too far away from them to arrive in just a day. They came from the fort. There you can find food, water, and attract attention” she said. “You sly ass…very well. On one condition. You obey every word I say” he said. “Agreed” she said oddly enthusiastic. “Sister…” Neena muttered. “I will be fine. The Gary…”

“Gary. Just Gary” he muttered. “Gary will protect me” Meena said. Neena hugged her sister tightly and wished her safe travels. And with that, Gary and Meena headed out. Meena packed her own food and water, but Gary was still on his own about that. “How far is this fort?” he asked. “Just over five miles” she replied. “Miles? Nobody has used that unit in centuries. That’s…just over 8 kilometers. Alright…” he muttered as he walked. Gary had walked for a little bit before speaking to Meena again. “So how many soldiers should I expect?” he asked. “Probably a dozen. These forts are scattered throughout the realm” she said eating something. “What’s that you’re eating?” he asked. “Alfalfa. Very nutritious and helps me with allergies” she replied. Gary shrugged. “You said there’s game out here?” he asked. “The river branches off into streams heading north making the lands very fertile. It attracts plant eating animals and their predators” she replied. “How did you and your sister end up farmers?” he asked. “The oracle told us that was our purpose” she replied. “Oracle?” Gary asked. “One who communes with the gods. She councils each one of us when we first arrive from the valley. Form there we are taught everyday things as well as the job we are to perform when we come of age. For example, me and my sister learned farming for five years before we were given our farm” she replied. “So, you have no choice in what you want to be?” he asked. “It is not necessary” she replied flatly. “Sounds almost like the ancient caste systems back on Earth” he muttered. Gary saw movement in the chest high forest. “What is…AHHHH!” Meena screamed as Gary took off running.

Gary reached down capturing what he saw. Wriggling in his hand were a small herd of deer. He carried them back to the dirt road and sat down. Meena watched him take each one, break their necks and antlers, before swallowing them whole. Six devoured whole within minutes. “Can, can you set me down?” she asked. Gary nodded taking her from his pouch and placing her on the ground. Meena scampered off to pee. She had been gone for a few minutes concerning him, so he walked a few steps to find her massaging her breasts. “AH!” she yelled seeing his shadow darkness her. “I got worried because you were gone so long. You did mention predators. Are you alright?” he asked. “Remember the alfalfa I ate earlier?” she asked. He nodded. “It has the unfortunate side effect of making me produce milk. I am…bloated painfully. Give me a moment” she said. Gary watched her squeeze her right breast. “Meena that isn’t necessary” he said picking her up. Before she could say a word, he sucked her small, bloated breasts into his mouth. Gently clamping down with his lips, he secured her in place. She went to object until she felt his warm tongue touch her sensitive nipples. Meena moaned softly as he sucked. The fingers of his free hand held the back of her head as his thumb caressed her long hair. For Meena, it was a sensation like no other. Her body grew warm, her pussy moist, her heart quickened. She could smell Gary and his scent was pleasing to her. Gary drank her milk, which wasn’t much to him, within minutes. Then he let go. “Waste not want not” he muttered wiping his lip. Meena looked at him quietly. “I did not hurt you did I?” he asked. She shook her head. “Your milk was very sweet but maybe you should watch the alfalfa” he said. She barely nodded as she covered herself. Gary placed her back in his pouch and continued walking.

“Are there women where you come from?” she asked. “Yes there are. They look like the women of your world except my size” he replied. “They look like me?” she asked. “Not all of them. They come in all varieties of skin, eye, hair, and body types. You would be considered very pretty in my culture” he said. “To you too?” she asked. “Yeah” he replied. “The gods once spoke of man and woman paring with one another. Do you have a woman?” she asked. “No, I’m single. My service as a soldier got in the way of that” he replied. Meena smiled slightly. “Explain to me sex between man and woman” she said. Gary had considered her people had never had hetero sex before. No matter their circumstances, they had to had a sex drive of some kind. Gary slowly explained the basic mechanics. “And this semen men make bonds with a female…egg?” she asked. “That’s right and the female’s womb receives the fertilized egg which grows into a human baby in 9 months or so” he replied. Meena was quiet. “You were never told this?” he asked. “Not all teachings of the gods are taught. We do pair as the heat fills our bodies with other women we like. My sister is currently my pair” she replied. “Okay. She and her sister have lesbian sex” he noted. “Is it possible for you to…”

“Shhh” he whispered as Gary saw a wooden fort up ahead. “I thought you said this was five miles away. I was only walking 45 minutes tops” he said. “It is” she shrugged. “Of course. Five miles for her” he sighed. Gary hunkered down in the nearby forest and placed Meena on the ground. “Stay here and don’t come out” he said. “But there are at least a dozen soldiers!” she said. “Which won’t bother me at all” he whispered. “Please be careful” she told him. Gary nodded and stood up. He began walking right towards the fort that sat atop a small hill. As soon as he was spotted, Gary could hear the sounding of a horn. Soldiers with arrows lines to the top of the fort as the gates opened. Out came dozens of soldiers. “Dozen my ass” he whispered. Gary was astounded as he recognized their formation. “Hoplites? Actual hoplite soldiers? This is beyond coincidence” he said as they held shields of copper no bigger than a coin. Spears and thin leather armor. Blue tunics and sandals. Of course, all women. One stood out before them rallying them. It was none other than the woman he let leave yesterday. “Well we can’t have that” Gary muttered pulling out his laser pistol. He dialed in the power he wanted, pointed it at the woman, and fired. A red beam of light engulfed her instantly. She shrieked for a brief half second before going up on a puff of flame. They all stood there aghast as a gentle breeze blew away the smoke leaving a sizzling skeleton and ash. “Level four gives third degree burns but for your kind spontaneous combustion. Noted. Now, anyone else wishing to fight me come forward!” Gary yelled. They were terrified of him. His size, the gruesome death of their captain, the deepness of his voice. They had been told of the giant monster south of them but thought it bullshit. One of them, maddened by fear charged at him with her spear and shield. Gary simply raised his foot and slammed it down on her. People jumped at the impact and looked away as a sickening crunch of small little bones filled their ears. Her blood oozed out from beneath his boot soaking into the dirt. Someone shouted and the first wave attacked him. Those on the top of the fort shot arrows and ballista. Gary laughed as their attacks so weak they didn’t even trigger his personal deflector shield. They hacked away at his boots to no avail. The thickness of his shoe might’ve we’ll have been half a foot of tank armor. They tired and weakened before a smile swipe of his foot scattered them. The back line of soldiers stood their ground helpless. “Surrender” he said. One dropped her spear and shield, then another, and another. With his hand he obliterated the gate and stepped in as a conquering warlord.

“I am Gary, your new ruler. I am what you consider a god. Behold” he said unzipping his pants and flashing his cock. Two fainted at the sight. The others stared in awe. “A god” one muttered and bowed. Within seconds, all able soldiers bowed before him. Gary zipped up and walked out to retrieve Meena. “There were a lot more than what you said” he told her. “Maybe to go looking for you?” she asked. Gary shrugged at it was a logical answer. “I showed them I’m a man after I beat them” he said. “You could’ve done that in the beginning and spared them the trouble” she said. “Uhh…no. Even with your puny ass weapons, flashing my exposed cock in a fight isn’t a good ideal. Anyways it worked” he said carrying her. Gary returned to the fort and sat down. “Which one of you is the leader here?” he asked. They all looked at one of the elder women. “With the captain dead and her vice-captain critically injured, that is me” she said quietly. The woman was in her late 20’s with long black hair tied in a bun. She had a scar on her cheek. Gary drank from his canteen and put it away. “How many soldiers are there in combat capacity in this fort?” he asked. “35 out of 40…my god” she replied trying not to shake. “I heard there should be barely a dozen here. I take it the excess amount was to hunt me down?” Gary asked grinning. She nodded. “You know now that was foolish don’t you?” he asked. She closed her eyes in fright and nodded. “I want you to bring me the five injured. And do it quickly” he ordered. She quickly ran off to a nearby tent. Within minutes, soldiers carrying the injured on makeshift stretchers carried them to him and set them down. “Which one of you is a doctor?” he asked. “I am sir” a woman in her mid 30’s replied kneeling. “What are the injuries?” he asked. “One has a broken back and paralyzed. Another a shattered leg still bleeding. The rest bruised” she replied. Gary figured the two worst were the ones directly hit when he swept his boot. The other three carried along for the ride. He glanced at the two worst off. If he was back at base, they could easily be healed but not in this primitive culture or the meager medkit he had.

“Stand those three up” he said. Soldiers standing nearby help the three to their feet. They’re terrified of Gary who takes the hypospray out of his medkit and dials it down to its lowest setting. “Raise your tunics” he orders. Shaking in their sandals they obey. The first one screams as Gary injects her. However, they soon realize she’s not dead. “Medicine to ease the pain. Next” he said indicating another. When he was done with them he had them stand aside. He spoke to the one of them. “Your back is broken. You’ll never walk again. Do you understand?” he asked her. She nodded shedding tears. "And you, your leg is completely shattered. If you don’t die from blood loss you die from infection or blood poisoning within a week. I can cut your leg off if you prefer. “…I rather keep my leg. I will…I rather die than be a cripple” she muttered. “I understand what it means to be a soldier with a soldier’s pride. I am going to break your neck and put you out of your misery then eat you. The same goes for you too” he said looking at the paralyzed woman. He picked the woman with the shattered leg up first. She looked at him with wide eyes as his fingers gripped her head. She cried for a moment before Gary quickly twisted his fingers killing her instantly. With not a word he stripped her of her clothing and armor before placing her in his mouth. He worked up some saliva tasting her sweaty body before swallowing her. Next he picked up the one with the broken back. “Please do not snap my neck. I rather meet death with open eyes” she said softly. “I can respect that” Gary said quietly as he pulled off her sandals, then armor, then tunic. He placed her in his mouth feet first. She felt nothing below her waist, not even his tongue tasting her. With stoic eyes looking up, she was slurped in and swallowed. The soldiers below were speechless seeing two comrades devoured. One swore to herself she could see the outlines of their bodies slipping down his throat. Fear and awe they bestowed on him. He was a god to them and yet knew not how to judge him. He ate two of them, gave relief to three others. Was he good, was he evil? “Acting captain. Do you have maps?” he asked. “I do milord” she replied. “I wish to see them” he said. She left and then returned with scrolls with a drawn map too small for him to really use. He scanned them with his multi tool then displayed it with a holographic overlay. The device was able to tell him distances from his large perspective. They were astounded by his device. It only gave more credence that he was a god as such a thing must’ve been magic.

“Athenis is actually 159 kilometers due north. And…now that’s interesting. The signal I’m tracking is right in your Valley of the Gods 297 kilometers north by northwest nestled in a mountain range. That can’t be coincidence. Are the Dreadnok your gods? No that can’t be right. Meena you said the gods were around 1000 years ago. They crashed here the same time I did two days ago” he said looking at Meena. Meena was too mesmerized by his holographic map to pay attention to him. “Captain. I want you to make preparations to leave with me to your capital” he said shutting the map off. “What?!” Taking a fort is one thing but there are over 4000 soldiers there! Why the hell would you want to go there?!" Meena asked. “Two reasons. One, my trek takes me right in that direction. I’ll have to cross that area to get where I’m going. And two I rather not have more soldiers dogging me along the way. I make my intentions clear to whomever is in charge they’ll leave me alone. They better leave me alone” he said muttering the last part. “Preparations will take time. I need to gather enough food and water to at least last until we reach Corinthia” the captain said. Gary looked at Meena. “A town on the way to the capital with about a thousand or so people” she replied. “Very well. Do what you need to do. I need to take care of a few things myself” he said.

A team of soldiers went into the first to hunt for game while a few others took a cart to a river to gather water. As Gary needed to replenish his water canteen, he followed leaving Meena behind, much to her dissatisfaction. The four soldier women rode on a cart in front of Gary keeping their eyes on him. Gary said little if anything as they trekked to the river. Once they arrived, he scooped up enough water to satisfy his needs and sat down. The women were stunned he collected enough water to quench the thirst of 50 soldiers within seconds. If Gary wished, he could collect the water all on his own but didn’t. While the women studied him, he studied them. He remarked that so far not a single solder appeared under the age of 18 which made sense if they emerged from the valley biologically 13 and went to school for the next five years. There was an odd thing he noticed earlier but dismissed as personal taste. However, it came back as he watched the women half work, half frolic in the river. Each one was physically attractive. Not a homely one among them. Gary knew that could mean only one thing. Genetic tampering. These small humans were genetically engineered. Creating sexually attractive women made sense but not if there were no men to fuck them and procreate. The mystery deepened for him. One woman sat down to rest. “Your name?” Gary asked nearly making the woman jump out of her skin. “Andrea milord” she said softly. “Come here Andrea” he said. She nervously approached. Gary picked her up and had her sit in his hand. The other women stopped what they were doing. Andrea was a darker complexion than the others making it clear these humans were of more than one race. She was younger them the others, probably an entry level soldier. 18…19 at most. “Do you fear me?” he asked. She closed her eyes and nodded. “Because I’m a man?” he asked. She shook her head. “Because of my size” he asked. She paused to answer. “Because you saw me eat two of your fellow women?” he asked. She quickly nodded. She was now shaking in his hand. “I have no intention of eating you so raise your head” he said. She slowly did. “That’s better. A face that pretty shouldn’t be hidden. The rest of your body for that matter” he muttered. Andrea was surprised not just by his words but the softness of his tone.

His fingers played with her black hair. “Andrea, what’s the first thing in your life you remember?” he asked. “Walking through the Valley of the Gods. The stones hurting my bare feet” she replied. “Nothing else?” he asked. She shook her head. “Other than what you believe men to be gods, what else do you know of them?” he asked. “There was a time and place that men were equal in number to the women that they lived alongside one another. That they have an organ of flesh between their legs called many names, penis being one of them” she said. Gary waited but she said nothing else. “That’s it? What about sex?” he asked. “We know of men having sex with women but nothing much else as the teachings were vague” she replied. “Is that true for you three too?” he asked the others. They nodded. “Surely you feel the need to fuck? You know…heat?” he asked. “Ah. Yes we enter heat. We have chosen partners for that” Andrea said. Andrea was shocked when he leaned forward and kissed her. “Men can do that and more” he said. “What…what is more?” she asked. “…another time. I haven’t bathed in days. Speaking of that…” he muttered placing her down and then stripping his clothing off. Andrea and the women were aghast seeing his naked body. How does a man make milk with no breasts? How does he not falter in his steps with a penis? Are those muscles in his stomach? Just a few questions that raced in their minds. Gary sat down in the shallow stream washing off the dirt and sweat of three days. All four women wondered what he meant by “more” it seemed the more they fixated on his giant cock, the more their bodies stirred. They knew what it was for. Any culture that had farm animals knew that much. But none could picture such a thing entering them…as much as they wished it seemed. Gary finished, dried off, and put his clothing back on. “Are you done yet?” he asked them. They barely nodded. Gary led them back to their fort.

The hours ticked by as both teams went back and forth retrieving water and hunted animals. They even brought back a pack of bears which Gary devoured within minutes. It staved off eating another soldier…at least for a time. Internally, Gary had to admit he preferred eating the women. Tastier and no matted fur to contend with. While he was annoyed that he gained little ground that day, he was pleased that he didn’t have to massacre the entire fort. As night fell, Gary sat outside the fort with Meena. “Too cramped to lay down in there?” Meena asked. “Bingo” he said. “Beengough?” she asked confused. “Bingo. An old Earth term meeting exactly” he said. “Is Earth your home?” she asked sitting next to him. “Yes. I’m from a city called New Los Angeles on Earth” he replied. “New? Was there an old one?” she chuckled. “There was until it was destroyed in a worldwide war centuries ago” he replied quietly. “How can an entire world be at war?” she asked. “Enough people, enough weapons and it can happen. 2058. Nearly three and a half centuries ago the world was running out of resources. Oil fields were dry, famines from wild unpredictable storms and temperatures, rising sea levels flooding cities. Humans began fighting for what was left in far off lands. Skirmishes led to battles and eventually open conflicts. Then one day…August 29, 2053, the most powerful nations in the world tried killing one another in horrific fire. Death rained from the skies and in a span of three hours, half the major cities in the world were ashes along with most of their people. 600 million dead in just three hours. Nobody knows the exact number, but they say the war was responsible for three billion dead within three years from famine, cancer, and a host of other things” he told her. “There were that many people?! And…and they died?” Meena asked. Gary simply nodded. It took decades for the world to heal and those that were left put aside old rivalries to create the World Federation. One unified government. One unified people."

“Humanity quickly rebuilt and found solutions to old problems like food and energy needs. As the population exploded, humanity began building massive cities in the skies way above Earth. The World Federation was renamed the Earth Federation and began building the first interplanetary ships. By 2125, the first lunar colonies had been built. By 2165, the first Martian colonies were online. Humanity had entered a golden age. Then, in 2215 the Mars uprising happened. Hundreds of thousands of people declared that Mars would leave the Earth Federation. Federation forces moved in to stop them. What they didn’t know is the Mars separatists had been building a fleet of ships in secret and attacked the Federation fleet nearly wiping it out with superior weapons and technology. And so began a bloody war lasting three years. Tens of millions died in that war and it only ended when a couple thousand Mars separatists escaped into deep space with a new technology that let them travel faster than light. By the time the Federation reverse engineered the tech and went looking, they were long gone” he said.

“Are they still out there?” she asked. “Unlikely. There were no colonies past Jupiter in those days and records say they did find wreckage of a few ships. Without a port, they’d run out of food and fuel eventually. Those old warp drives only had a ten light year range before refueling. Nothing like the warp drives we use now. Hell, the Dreadnoks probably destroyed them” he said. “What are they? You mentioned them before” she said. “A race hellbent on destroying humanity. They bomb our colonies from orbit, level cites and destroy any ship they come across. We’ve been fighting them for decades. It’s not just a fight to win a war. It’s about survival of the species. Nothing is more important than that. Nothing” he said looking up at the night sky. “Which one is Earth?” she asked looking up with him. “Earth is too far away to be seen like that. I can’t even find Sol, my home sun. None of these stars are familiar. I think I see the Big Dipper, but it’s shaped all wrong. I could be thousands of light years from charted space if it’s that distorted” he replied. “Where you’re from. Do men love women?” she asked. “Yes they do and they have sex as man and woman are supposed to. They have children” he replied. “Have you had sex with a woman?” she asked. “Yeah I have” he replied. “Are you paired?” she asked. “You asked that before. Still no” he replied. During their lengthy discussion, some of the soldiers had been listening in to his slightly loud voice. Especially four particular soldiers.

“Do…do you make white fluid like the male beasts?” Meena stammered. “Yes, I do. Many men do as its necessary to make babies” he said. “A baby…and it really grows inside a woman like me?” Meena asked. “Yeah it does, and you can feed it with your breasts” he said using his fingers to pull the top of her toga open. “With your milk” he said playing with them slightly. A trickle of milk coated his finger. “I want a baby. Can you give me one?” she asked. “As well I” Andrea said. “And me!” “Me too!” “Me too!” the other three yelled approaching them. “Well, it’s theoretically possible but not in the natural way ladies” he said pulling his pants down and exposing his cock. “I’d split you in half” he said. Meena kicked off her sandals climbed onto his crotch. She tossed her toga away and felt his shaft with her small hands. It slowly grew erect towering over her. His scent made her pussy wet and her body warm. “Uhh…Meena sweetie…”

“I want to see it, smell it…taste it” she muttered stroking her entire body against his cock. Faster, faster, and faster as her bare feet sank into his balls as her knees pushed her body up and down. Her pussy leaving wet streaks on his shaft. “Meena…Meena!” Gary growled as he came. The women gasped seeing a geyser of human man cum rise into the air and fall with server all splats on Meena knocking her backwards onto his crotch. The girl gasping as her own orgasm took her. Her head and lower body coated in sperm. Her body tried to process the new sensation as it was so searing her breasts leaked milk. For the first time not just in her life but her entire world, a man had made her cum. The women, curious about his semen approached Meena. They scooped it off her and rubbed it in their hands. “It’s very thick and smells strong” one muttered. “But pleasing for some reason” another muttered. One took it and slathered it all over her pussy. “What? I want a baby” she said as they looked surprised at her. The others joined in scooping more and more off Meena. “Okay, that’s a thing now apparently” Gary muttered watching. One of them wanted more though. Andrea took off her clothing and climbed on top of his chest. When their eyes locked, Andrea rushed forward scrambling to his face and kissed his lips. She only broke it when she needed air. Gary placed his hand underneath her and pushed her off his chin. With her laying on her back in his hand, he parted her legs and lowered his mouth. Andrea made a cute squeal as his giant mouth began sucking and slurping her tiny pussy. Moaning, she began grinding her crotch into his lips. He turned her around and began licking her ass as his tongue slipped underneath. Andrea moaned deeply as she came and Gary licked and drank every trace of her juices. He sat her back down and eyed another before grabbing her. Just as he did with Andrea, he ate her pussy out making her cum. And then another woman, and then the last who looked scared. As she looked on her friends panting laying in the grass, his fingers wrapped around her body. Gary picked her up and brought her to his face. “Why are you so scared?” he asked. She looked down at her friends again. “Oh them. They’ll be fine. It’s your turn now” he said pulling her tunic and undergarment off. “Does your pussy taste as sweet as your friends?” he asked before taking a lick. She shuddered. “Truth be told. You’re prettier than those others. That darker skin tone makes you look like a caramel candy” he said before placing his lips at her feet and sucking them in. She grew terrified that she would be eaten by him. And then the tip of his tongue parted her clit. She threw her head back and groaned. Gary sucked on her lower body for a few minutes teasing her before he let go. He felt something in his mouth and spat it out in his free hand. Her sandals. “You thought I was going to eat you alive” he chuckled as his finger rubbed her cheek. Gary kissed her gently. “I’m hungry but not for your meat” he whispered. The girl opened her legs and Gary went in to finish the job. Within a minute she was jerking and writhing in his hand as Gary drank her juices. He placed her back on the ground where her friends giggled and helped her back to her tent in the fort. Gary laid back and Meena approached him. “I see you cleaned yourself up” he said seeing her no longer coated in semen.

“I heard you had your fun” she said dismissively. “They were horny as fuck and available. Being eaten out by a man for the first time seemed to short out their brains” Gary laughed. “I’m glad you think it’s funny” she huffed. “What? You’re jealous?” he chuckled. “What if I am?! You think want to share them with you?! The only man in the world?!” she yelled. “And why shouldn’t I indulge them? We’re not married let alone paired” he said. “I DIDN’T AS FOR YOU TO COME INTO MY LIFE!” she screamed. “AND I DIDN’T ASK TO BE STRANDED ON A BACKWATER PLANET FULL OF WOMEN I CAN’T EVEN PROPERLY FUCK!” he yelled. “You feel nothing for me do you? You only care about me because I’m one of the first women you met here” she muttered. “I don’t have the luxury of falling in love. I’m a soldier and when I get my navigation system fixed I’m leaving. You’re a guide and now I got a map you can go home” Gary replied. Meena stared at him for a moment before walking off.

[Size_Master]

Chapter 2…Flashing and Fighting the Locals pt.2

Minutes passed as Gary mulled about his choice of words. “You’re the first guy ever and you saved her sister’s life. Of course, she’d have feelings for you. You didn’t have to just trample on her feelings like that” he thought to himself. Guilt got the best of him and he stood up and walked to the fort. “Has anyone seen Meena? You know the girl that came with me?” he asked. Nobody knew until one spoke saying they saw her walking towards the river. Gary nodded in thanks and walked in that direction. He could cover that distance in two or three minutes but for Meena 15 minutes easily. He began to wonder why she would go there. She had already washed, she needed no food or water seeing how the fort had that. A sickening thought came to mind as to why. Gary picked up the pace and when he arrived, he found Meena floating lifeless in the water. “SHIT!” he yelled scooping her out like a goldfish. He placed her on the ground and got his medkit. He couldn’t do CPR with her small body so he began using his finger to force the water out of her lungs. After a few squirts came out of her mouth, he loaded a hypospray with an adrenaline shot, he tapered it down to the lowest setting and directly shot it into her heart. For a brief second he thought it was too late and then Meena gasped for air sitting up. Her breathing rapid as her blood oxygenated and her heart pounding. She then noticed Gary in the moonlight. “Why did you even bother?” she asked. Gary stared at her angrily. “You really think drowning yourself was the solution?” he asked. “You made it clear you have no love of me. Do you have any idea how it feels to be rejected by the only man in a thousand years?!” she yelled. Gary didn’t answer. “Even if I did, what will you do when I leave?” he asked. “Enjoy what I had when I had it” she muttered. “You make it sound so cut and dry” he hissed.

“It’s better to hope for that then sending me away like some dog that annoyed you!” she yelled at him. Gary picked her up. She could see the anger in his eyes. “Do it. Eat me. Fuckin eat me! At least I’ll be a part of you then…” she said crying. Gary relaxed his grip until she sat in his hand. “Three” he muttered. She stopped crying and looked at him. “That’s how many girlfriends…pairings I’ve had in the last few years. The first one died in a training accident. The second one died when her ship was destroyed in battle. And the third…the third died last month in the battle of Arkanis. She was my wingman. Her ship took heavy damage and began falling through the planet’s atmosphere out of control. I listened to her scream over the comm as her ship burnt up on reentry. No body to bury so I sent a box full of ashes from a bonfire to her family. That way they had something to mourn over. Daniella Norwood was her name. I called her Dani. I was the only one she allowed to call her that. It’s not just duty that keeps me from having a female. I’m tired of them dying before me” Gary said quietly. He carried her back to the fort and placed her on the ground before laying down. He said nothing else before going to sleep.

That morning…

Meena found Gary gone from where he slept and followed his footprints. There was a foul odor as she crossed a small, forested hill. There was Gary kicking dirt over a small mound. “Morning” she said. “You scared the shit out of me…or you would’ve if I hadn’t just taken one” he muttered. “That’s what that is?” she asked. “Yeah? I eat, drink, and shit just like you” he replied. Meena hadn’t considered that basic fact. “I thought you went off ahead” she said. “No just the basic needs. I caught some wildlife to eat along the way. As for you coming along…I’ll leave that to you” he said. “Thank you!” Meena said happily. “Don’t thank me. No telling what’s ahead. If anything, get in the way of my mission, I will destroy it. I suggest you prepare yourself for that possibility” he said. Meena figured that was code for “I’ll probably be killing and eating more people”. She shrugged and followed him back to the fort. As they made preparations to leave was underway, he made another log entry.

“Personal log. Solar date April 27, 2409. My third day here and as much as I tried I’m burning more calories than I’m taking in. At this rate my bioimplants will begin to glitch. Unless I find much larger animals to eat, I will have to begin eating the local population in larger numbers. The first real sign of resistance was easily defeated by me yesterday and they’ve accepted how inferior they are compared to me. As not to anger me further, they agreed to be my escorts to their main city. If possible, I need to negotiate safe passage. At least for their sake. Being the only male on the planet has already started some cultural as well as psychological impact. It’s clear they show me more respect and awe for my gender than my size. I’ve already had four…make that five locals wanting to breed with me. It’s an interesting offer to say the least. An Adam in a land full of Eve’s? Theoretically I can. Our genetics are compatible and biologically introducing my DNA into their gene pool would be hugely beneficial, but the cost would no doubt be a total cultural upheaval. The mystery of how their culture, their people even came to be like this begs solving. It would be irresponsible for me to agree before learning more. In the meantime I’ll be escorted to another town called Corinthia. Again, a city with a Greek like name. More mysteries. End of log” Gary said.

Within the hour, Gary and the entire detachment of soldiers stationed at the fort began their march to Corinthia. Gary would soon learn that being the only man in a land of tiny women wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

[Size_Master]

Chapter 3…Marching to a different beat

He had been walking a steady pace for three hours along with the detachment of soldiers. The higher-ranking ones riding horses, the others riding in back of carts carrying supplies. Gary found it fortunate they did as a steady pace for them was barely a stumble to him. Even so he wasn’t walking no more than 2 kilometers an hour. Gary’s stomach grumbled. “Was that your stomach?” Meena asked from his pouch. “Yes. I’m not taking in enough calories. At this rate my bioimplants will glitch in a few days” he replied. “You mentioned those before. What are these bioimplants?” she asked. “In simple terms very small machines that make me a better soldier and pilot. Machines that boost muscle strength to make me stronger. Heart and lung implants for better endurance. Machines in my eyes for better vision. I even have them in my brain. One of them lets me understand your language” he said. “Sounds very useful” she said. “They have drawbacks. They run off my metabolism so the amount of food I eat is more than normal. Usually, a man like me needs between 2,700 to 3,000 calories a day. I need around 6,000. And my language unit can translate spoken language but not written. Even music can cause it to glitch” he said. “Music? You have music?” she asked. “Yeah we do. Why don’t we take a break for a while, and I can play some. Sounds good captain?” Gary asked. “Agreed. There’s a branching of the Helena river up ahead” she said. A few minutes later, all the soldiers, including Gary and Meena were resting their feet. Food and water were dispensed. Gary waved off any portion for himself using his own rations he gathered. “So, about this music” Meena said. “Humans created all kinds of music. For example, here’s one called Moonlight Sonata” he said playing it from his multi tool. The soldiers gathered around him and listened. A few closed their eyes entranced by it. “It is…breathtaking” Meena said. “It was written by a deaf man 700 years ago” he said. "The man was deaf?! Then how did he hear his own notes?!” the captain asked. “I’ll show you” Gary said picking her up. He had her place her hand on his throat. Gary hummed a note, then another of a different tone, and another. “Did you feel the difference?” he asked. “Ye…yes I did” she stammered shyly. “So did he, he placed his head on his musical instrument and felt each note” he said.

“Is there more?” someone asked. “Oh, so much more. Baroque, opera, jazz, Alpha Centauri Blues, but probably my favorites are 20th and early 21st century pieces. Guys at the academy used to make fun of my taste in music” he said. “Can we listen to one of your favorites?” Meena asked. Gary nodded and thumbed through his personal playlist. “Ah, here’s one that is pretty appropriate” he said. The song “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay began playing. The beat began playing and Gary clapped to the clap in the rhythm. The soldiers began to mimic him.

“Turn your magic on, to me she’d say, everything you wants a dream away. Under the pressure, under this weight, we are diamonds. Now I feel my heart beating, I feel my heartbeat beneath my skin. I feel my heart beating…oh…you make feel…like I’m alive again! clap clap clap. Clap clap clap Alive again. Oh, you make me feel…like I’m alive again!”

By this time, each woman before him was clapping a jumping to the beat. One woman stood up and full on danced as her friends giggled and laughed. When the song was over, they breathed and smiled. The mood was a far cry different from earlier. It was lighter. “We should get going if we are to reach Corinthia by nightfall” the captain said. Gary agreed and soon they were back on the road. He kept the music going and not one song disappointed them. The biggest surprise was when Gary himself began to sing. They were astonished at how good he was. However, when he stopped Gary looked upset. “Are you alright?” Meena asked worried. “That was Dani’s favorite song. She used to sing to me on long patrols. Our ships had two means of communication. Broadcast and emergency physical contact. She’d flip her ship upside down and land on my roof so she could sing without us being overheard” he said. “What was the name of it again?” Meena asked. “One Last Kiss” by Hikari Utada. Neither of us knew that would actually come true one day" he muttered. He wiped his eyes. The soldiers watching him looked at one another stunned. “What?” he asked them. “You’re crying. You can cry?” one asked. “Of course I can. I’m no god. I cry, bleed, thirst, eat, and shit like any of you. Whatever you’ve been taught that my kind are gods was a total lie” he said sternly. “Gary” Meena said.

“What? It’s the truth” he said. “A very dangerous truth” the captain said riding her horse before him. “Our religion, our very culture is built around the concept that giant men and women are our gods and that they commanded us how to live. Your words, your very presence puts a thousand years of dogma in jeopardy” Meena said. “She speaks truth. It would destroy the religious sect, call into question the validity of the Queen herself” the captain said. “The Queen…I’ve been wondering. How do you have a queen when you don’t have children? An election? Lottery?” he asked. “The oracle. She decides who the Queen is. When one dies the one designated Queen years prior is taken from a sanctuary near the Valley of the Gods to replace her” Meena said. “And she is obeyed without question for she has the Mandate of the Gods” Andrea said sitting on the back of a cart. “This sounds shittier by the second. She’s going to fight me won’t she?” Gary asked. They all looked at one another. “Yes. And as the first recon regiment no doubt she will order us to fight you with the others” the captain said. “You know how that will turn out. You KNOW this” Gary said. She said nothing. Around midday, they stopped once again at a stream crossing the road to rest and eat. Gary stared at the captain. “You would throw your life away on a hopeless battle?” Gary asked. “I am a soldier. It is my duty to serve and obey. I do not question my orders” she said. Gary scoffed. “You disagree? Are you not a soldier as well?” she asked. “Indeed I am but I don’t follow suicidal orders. Nor do I fight hopeless battles to soothe the ego and pride of my commander” he replied. “And that is where we differ” she said.

Gary grabbed her from the ground. Not saying a word, he began pulling her clothing off starting with her sandals. “What…what are you doing?!” she yelled. “Taking off your clothing before I eat you. I’m not about to digest your armor, tunic, or sandals” Gary replied. “Eat me?! Have I offended you?!” she quickly asked. “I wouldn’t say offended. Annoyed probably but that has nothing to do with my decision to eat you alive” he said pulling off her leather breastplate. “Don’t look at me that way. You’re ready to throw your life away. I need to eat. Just cutting out the middleman” he said. “Please don’t” she begged softly crying. “Why should I? Give me a good reason not to and I’m not fucking around” he said. “I don’t want to die” she said. Gary had her nude by now and was lowering her into his mouth. “Gary…please” Andrea said begging. Everyone looked up at him with pleading eyes. “They value your life more than you do. You command their respect, not some Queen” he said putting the woman down. “So, I just disobey orders? What soldier does that?” she asked putting her clothing back on. “The ones with a heart. A soldier that blindly follows orders is no more a person than the horse that pulls that cart” Gary said. The captain was deeply ashamed by his words. After getting dressed she sat down staring at her sword. Gary scooted close to her. He began to sing.

“The minstrel boy to the war has gone, in the ranks of death you will find him. His father’s sword he has girded on, and his wild harp slung behind him. The land of song said they warrior bard, tho all the world betray thee…one sword at least thy ranks shall guard, one faithful harp shall praise thee…”

The captain looked up at him. “It’s a song written over 600 years ago by a man mourning the deaths of friends that fought in a war. It was a quick and bloody war where many followed orders without question and killed people and got killed in return. All it accomplished was creating people to grieve for them. A soldier fights with his heart, not his weapons” he said softly petting her hair. “How old were you when you first killed someone?” she asked. “18. Barely a month out of the academy. I was with my wingman doing a patrol at the far edge of Leyton 2. Suddenly sensors registered an incoming warp signature and then an enemy ship appeared. Small, barely 500 ft long. Computer couldn’t identify the class, so we closed in. There was a plasma fire on the starboard side. It saw us, changed course, and ran. We could easily outrun it, but something wasn’t right. It wasn’t firing on us. My wingman yells at me to give the order to fire on it. I told him to hold fire as it just didn’t feel right. Well, my wingman called local command and they ordered me to fire. So, I did. Just a few shots from my pulse cannons and it exploded. Me and my wingman knew enough that ships packed with weapons explode a LOT more violently. This one just…poofed. Command downloaded our sensor data and told us to keep our mouths shut. I’m a firm believer that ship was a transport ship carrying possible noncombatants. If that’s true then I killed defenseless people because of orders. They drill into us that our enemy are soulless killers and I’ve come to believe that. I fight to win at any cost but there are times I think about that day and wonder” he said quietly. “Wonder what?” she asked. “That I lost my heart that day” he replied.

There was a moment of silence. “I decided not to tell them I’m not a God. My presence alone will stir enough shit without dropping that bombshell” Gary said. He stood up. “We’re burning daylight and I want to get to this town before we lose the sun” he said. Soon, they were on the road once more. Gary and everyone else were very silent the rest of the march. It was just an hour before sunset when they arrived in Corinthia. Gary was visibly shocked at how intricate the town was. It sat off the river, apparently their civilization relied heavily on it, and was spread in a 300 ft. diameter circle. The streets laid out in a wagon wheel pattern. A larger than average mansion sat in the center on a hill raised 5ft. from the streets below. Probably the mayor or some equivalent resided there. The houses and buildings were in perfect scale for them as if someone shrunk an Ancient Greek city. Oddly though the four main streets running in the cardinal directions were three times the width of the others. If he was careful, Gary could use them to get around. He saw panic at the city entrance as they spotted a giant among the troops. A sparse garrison was called to meet them as they approached. “Ma’am?!” a soldier said standing before the captain “Have you no shame? Humble yourself before a god!” the captain yelled pointing to Gary. Her eyes went wide, and she bowed. The others with her followed suit.

“The reports of a giant rang true. Turns out he is one of the gods and has returned. He hungers so make haste with food and libations for him!” the captain ordered. The soldier saluted and marched back into the city quickly. “Nice job” Gary muttered. The captain smiled. She led him into the city where the people gasped and ran into their homes. The captain explained that the only place in the town that could hold him was the arena to the east. Gary nodded and said he would be there for the time being. She checked her soldiers into the base before sending message to the Prefect, the royal overseer of Corinthia. Dusk was upon them as crowds began to gather near the arena to see this god for themselves. An hour had passed before the Captain had returned with cartloads of food and drink. “Forgive me but this is all we could get from the market” she said. “Better than what I was expecting” he said quietly as he began plucking butchered chickens, goats, and whatever meat there was. Gary ended up devouring 1000 people’s worth of food in under a minute. Next was ripened fruit like tic tacs. Vegetables swallowed whole. Using his fingernail, he popped open barrels of what they considered wine and drank them like shots. The people were astonished he ate and drank so much that quickly. For Gary it was the first full meal he had in days. Gary let out a belch that could be heard throughout the city. The captain was giggling until she was passed by a woman wearing a white toga and gold necklace. “Is this the god?” she asked. “Indeed priestess” the captain replied.

She approached him. “Gary. She’s the city priestess” Meena whispered. “Hi” he said. “What proof is that he’s a god?” she asked. “Proof? Can you not see that he is a giant? I have seen firsthand his penis and the sperm it can provide” the captain said. “That is circumstantial at best. There are plenty of giant beasts in the Agoge lands with a penis and that makes sperm. They are not gods” she said. “How many can talk?” Gary asked. “Parrots can talk” she said sharply. “Is she always a bitch?” Gary asked the captain. She had to stifle a laugh. “I can show you power if you want. Power you and your beasts don’t have” Gary said. “Do it” she commanded. Gary looked around and spotted a boat about 100 ft. away tied to a mooring. His enhanced vision could see nobody near it. He pulled out his laser pistol, dialed it up to four, aimed, and fired. A red beam of light shot across the southern part of the city striking the flimsy tiny boat. It was turned to ash within a millisecond. The laser beam superheated the water around it causing a violent steam explosion blowing the dock to smithereens. “I saw him use it on my commander. All that was left of her was ash and bone” the captain whispered into the priestess ear. The woman trembled so much she fell to her knees. “What…what is your name my god?” she asked. “Gary” he replied. She looked confused. “Not Zeus? Not Apollyon?” she asked. “I am…a new god” Gary said on the fly. She nodded believing him. Gary bid her to sit as he had questions.

Meena sat nearby eating a piece of fruit listening to them speak. It was undeniable now that somehow Ancient Greek culture had influenced them, and Gary asked the origins of their beliefs. The priestess spoke of an ancient book detailing the lives and teachings of their gods. A book Gary’s scale. When Gary asked specifically what was in the book, she could only answer about her patron god Apollyon. A god of wisdom and foresight. Arts and crafts. The harbinger of light. What little Gary knew of Ancient Greek gods fit what he knew of the god Apollo. A mystery solved but the deepening of questions remained. She said there were other priestesses that worshippers their own gods and goddesses that maybe could answer more of his questions. Gary bid her farewell as the limit of what she could tell him was reached. Gary stood up and pulled out an emergency blanket from his backpack. “What is this shining cloth?” Meena asked. “Emergency thermal blanket. I’m going to use it as a roof tarp tonight” he replied. “Have you need of me?” the captain asked. “The ruler of this city. I’m surprised I haven’t met her” he said. “Well about that. She’s…busy” she said. “More like scared shitless, trying to figure out what to do, and asking for advice from your empress” Gary said. “As you say” the captain muttered. “Just remember what I said about following orders” Gary said dismissing her. As evening turned into night, the amount of people watching him lessened. Those that remained did so for their own reasons.

The younger ones, teenagers, were youthful curiosity or simply infatuation. The older ones apparently wanted blessings. A woman approached asking for a bountiful grape harvest. Gary made up some bullshit and simply said…“it is done”. Others came forward asking boons for wealth, good health, good business and so forth. Gary told them to leave him alone after it became too much of an annoyance. “Good job for someone who isn’t a god” Meena chuckled. “You have no idea how annoying that was. A third just wanted to see my penis” he growled. “Looks like the guard is closing off access here so you can relax now” she said. “Good” he grumbled. Meena ended up climbing onto his chest. “What are you doing?” he asked. “Wanting you pay attention to me. I do not like sharing your attention with others. It irritates me” she said. “Meena I’m a little tired” Gary said. She crawled to his face and kissed his giant lips. “I enjoy your touch. Play with me as you want. Coat me in your seed, drink my milk, or better yet…” she said opening her legs. “You’re drunk” he said. “Indeed I am but I still want you” she said. Gary scooted her closer and sucked her breasts into her mouth. He milked her until she was dry and then let go. “Satisfied?” he asked. She quickly shook her head. “Meena I really am tired. Tomorrow okay?” he asked. Meena nodded sighing. Gary suddenly kissed her with actual feeling. Meena was quite surprised by that. “I may be rough around the edges, but I do care about you” he whispered. “Goodnight Gary” she said.

“Goodnight Meena” he muttered.

[BigGrumpy]

Are you a fan of star carrier by Ian Douglas?

[Size_Master]

@BigGrumpy never heard of it