Read Chapter One

WHAT A CROC

Twenty-three-hundred light-years was a long way to go on foot, bender or not, and Kark's tired body ached from the cosmic trek. The journey had taken its toll. Nevertheless, a flicker of anticipation sparked in his weary eyes. He was getting closer. For now, he craved rest and a little hydration. Then he could focus on his task. His was a nasty business, but one he anticipated with relish.

Earth was a back-alley planet, off the grid as off the grid gets. It had no entry on the Official Neer Universe Bender Registry, so few knew of its existence, and those who did wouldn't go out of their way to visit.

For one, it was almost impossible to reach, even for those familiar with the way. To make matters worse, it was a "sleeping" planet, its dominant species blissfully ignorant of the Neer Universe or their precarious place within it. Such a waste of potential.

Still, every so often someone had a reason to go to Earth, and all the while the planet remained unaware of its otherworldly guests. Kark was one such visitor. The humans had never heard of him, a slight blow to his pride. He accepted that. But, by Neer Universe standards, the list of names that were more famous, or more feared, could be counted on one hand.

The lazy river he had spotted from far above had looked deceptively inviting, a shimmering ribbon reflecting the pale moonlight. He scanned the moonlit banks, a faint smile playing on his lips. No sign of human activity for miles. He disengaged his boosters and descended like a shadow, touching down with a heavy thump that sent a ripple through the nearby reeds. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and decaying vegetation.

Kark's knowledge of Earth was limited. For example, he had never heard of the word "crocodile" (or "salty" as the locals so charmingly called them). He had no idea that these scaled predators lurked just beneath the murky water in places exactly like this. So naturally, as he dipped his head down at the river's edge for a drink, he was more than a tad surprised when a blur of green scales and snapping jaws erupted out at him from the depths. The air suddenly filled with a wet splash and the sharp snap of teeth.

But on this occasion, the crocodile was in for a much bigger surprise. In a blink it found itself dangling helplessly in the air, its snout clamped securely in Kark's enormous white hand. The nine-foot reptile thrashed and writhed, the tip of its tail slapping against the water with frantic force.

Then, Kark spoke.

The otherworldly voice was a guttural symphony, a collection of grunts, hisses, and deep vocal vibrations that pierced through the darkness. The strange language spewed from his mouth as if someone were belching the ABC's.

Any human within earshot would have been utterly baffled. But had a particularly brave (or foolish) soul been lurking in the shadows nearby with a pair of Sir Saligo's patented Ear Buddies, they would have heard something more familiar.

"Look at this... specimen," Kark rumbled, studying his catch. His voice was deep and gravelly, as though gargling with molten lava. "He must be a relative of yours Grudge."

A small reptilian creature scurried cautiously from behind Kark. Less than three feet tall, it walked on its hind legs, had a pointed snout lined with jagged teeth, two stubby arms, and eyes that glittered like obsidian chips. A bulky, odd-shaped suit of armor that glimmered in the moonlight clinked and clanked with each step.

"I'm not sure Kark." Grudge replied, tilting his head. His voice, while not as deep as Kark's, had a similar rasp. "It reminds me more of Mox. Same grin."

Kark chuckled, a sound like rocks grinding together, as he studied the croc further.

"Do you think members of this species are all this... diminutive?" Kark asked, a note of disdain in his voice.

"Must be a hatchling," Grudge replied.

"Perhaps," Kark conceded. His gaze swept across the dark landscape. "Where are the others?"

"Waiting a short distance back. As I instructed."

"Good. Perhaps I can finally enjoy a meal without their incessant squabbling," said Kark, his gaze lingering hungrily on the crocodile. "I say it's time we had a bite. Don't you think?"

A short time later, Kark and his small companion sat on the riverbank. The smell of roasting meat filled the air as they ate. The crackling fire cast long, dancing shadows.

"So..." Grudge began, his voice hesitant, "This...task...might prove to be uh... a bit of a challenge. We've never gone after... one of them before."

"It will be just like any other," said Kark with a hint of irritation. "He's too young to be dangerous."

"This planet is larger than I anticipated." Grudge said, swallowing a succulent chunk of meat. "Do we even know where to start looking?"

"I have a general location. It's a large city by Earth standards. It's called... Nooyork," he said, stumbling over the unfamiliar syllables. "Unfortunately, there's a rather large ocean that separates us from it."

A sudden rustle in the undergrowth made both of them perk up. Kark's shoulder spotlight snapped on, bathing the area in a harsh white light. They watched as a strange creature, covered in short, coarse fur, bounded away. Its powerful hind legs propelled it in long, arcing leaps, while its tiny arms were held close to its chest. It disappeared quickly into the darkness, leaving only the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs behind.

"Creatures on this planet are... curious," said Kark.

"If this 'Nooyork' is highly populated," said Grudge, "he'll be difficult to find. We don't even know what he looks like. They were smart to choose Earth. The humans are identical. I don't know if the silvers-"

"THE SILVERS WILL DO THEIR JOB JUST AS THEY ALWAYS DO!" Kark bellowed, his voice echoing across the still night.

"I know, Kark, I know!" Grudge stammered, raising his arms defensively. "All I'm saying is... well... it might take time... especially since...this planet sleeps. You know the law. We can't exactly hunt in broad daylight."

Kark spat out a chunk of half-chewed flesh onto the ground. Something in the bite hadn't been to his liking. Grudge recoiled as it landed near his foot.

"There's no rush," said Kark who had regained a slight sense of calm. "We have a significant lead on any others. Besides," a cruel smile spread across his pale face. "I've never been less worried about that idiotic law. The planet sleeps, and it will continue to do so."

Grudge wrung his small reptilian hands nervously. "I...I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the law, Kark. It could be..." Grudge gulped as Kark turned towards him with a piercing gaze. Meeting the mighty Kark's eyes was never a pleasant experience. "Never mind."

A few minutes passed filled only by the revolting sounds of meat being devoured.

"You have one function, Grudge," Kark said, breaking the silence. "You and those other imbeciles of yours can concentrate on that. Let the silvers handle the rest. I'll remind you... this is the bounty of a lifetime. We succeed, and our destinies will no longer be determined by... necessity. We'll be free of those shackles."

Grudge nodded in agreement. He swallowed a particularly large piece of meat. Suddenly, his body gave an odd jerk. He couldn't get air. He was choking. His small, stubby arms went up to his neck in panic. He rolled on the ground, wheezing and fighting for breath.

Kark watched calmly, somewhat annoyed by the spectacle. Even in the darkness, one could see that the green scaly skin around Grudge's lips was turning a disturbing shade of purple.

"Stop your theatrics, Grudge," said Kark. He continued to eat offering no assistance whatsoever.

In a last-ditch effort, Grudge scrambled to his feet and stumbled towards a large fallen tree stump, his bulky armor bouncing precariously on his back. He rammed his stomach against the rough wood. The chunk of meat popped out of his mouth, and he fell to the ground in a fit, gulping air greedily.

"Grudge! What happened?!" A new voice, sharper and higher pitched cut through the night. A figure hurried into the firelight. Mox, clearly the same species as Grudge, had his own suit of awkward armor, a burnished bronze that gleamed in the firelight. He crouched beside Grudge, his obsidian eyes wide with what looked like genuine worry.

Grudge, still gasping for breath, recoiled as if stung. "Get away, Mox!" he wheezed, waving a stubby arm dismissively. "Go back with the others and DON'T DISOBEY MY ORDERS AGAIN!"

Mox looked horrified and stole a glance at Kark. Kark's disdain was a silent command, and Mox, understanding its chilling weight, slinked away back into the shadows without a sound.

Grudge spoke only when he was sure Mox was out of earshot. "He's growing bolder in his defiance. He can't-"

"Nevermind him," Kark interrupted. Silence fell as Kark's stare intensified, a silent threat hanging in the air. Grudge swallowed hard, the weight of that gaze pressing down on him. "I've never seen you so...fidgety before a job, Grudge," Kark said, his voice laced with mockery. "You're so...anxious." A malicious grin spread across Kark's face. He tore another piece of crocodile flesh with his teeth, savoring the taste. "You needn't worry," he said, his voice low and menacing. "They all run. And they all get caught. We are the hunters. He...is the prey."