The Night Chasers #ScienceFiction

Posted: June 15, 2021/Under: Uncategorized/By: Christine Young

The Night Chasers: Marlow and the other humans must prepare to survive the darkness, save the Wyan people, and end the cycle of terror. They must fight … the Night Chasers.

The Night Chasers: Science Fiction

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BLURB The Night Chasers

Stolen by a group of rebels, the spaceship Mack is hurtling towards a Goldilocks planet that offers a chance to start over, to build a new Utopian society. When they arrive, the Belters, along with the earthlings, find the planet a paradise, with fertile farmland, stunning beaches, and lush forests.

But something more menacing lurks over the planet’s terminator line. Every four years, Wyan’s orbit plunges the planet into total darkness and the peaceful settlers are massacred by shadowy creatures that prowl the dark side of the planet.

Now, led by Lana, Marlow and the other humans must prepare to survive the darkness, save the Wyan people, and end the cycle of terror. They must fight…the Night Chasers.

EXCERPT The Night Chasers

The whole crew stood, fighting for room to see the wormhole come to an end. It had been two months since they left the Belt. Some of them had been awake for less than a week, but it didn’t completely wipe out the passing of time. They were all desperate for a new view. Any view.

The light from the star showed first, glowing as an orange orb through a dark window. There were shadows across it, like spots when you stare into the light too long.

“Are those asteroids?” asked Zane.

Julie shook her head next to him. “Planets. Probably like Mercury, if you know what I mean. We’ve hit it at just the right point in the orbit, thanks to Williams. The real prize is coming up.”

A few more minutes passed as they shed the wormhole, opening completely into a new solar system. There were the Mercury-esque planets, but directly in their path was—

“Sweet mother,” mumbled Captain Davis.

“There it is,” said Lana, a smile finally crossing her face.

The deep blues of Wyan’s oceans jumped out first, then the green of the hillsides. Rocky ledges rose then toppled into darkness at the terminator line. Marlow’s mouth dropped open, watching puffy, white clouds flow across the surface like a cotton comforter. It was Earth. Only, it wasn’t Earth. It was like Earth’s prettier little sister and she was breathtaking.

Those in the room were in silent awe. Zane whispered to Marlow, “Remember the picture my dad would show us?”

“Of the Earth from that textbook?” she replied.

“Yes. He always said, this is not what it looks like anymore, but one day we’d see it return. If we just stuck around, we’d…” His voice caught in his throat and Marlow put an arm around him.

“We’re seeing it,” she whispered. “Just like he wanted.”

~*~

Captain Williams made them all strap in for landing. The planet grew larger in their view. More definition of rolling hills, crops, and even civilization showed. The Mackteetered with the dark side of the planet, flying straight down the terminator line before turning toward a plain lying between two mountain ranges. The reverse thrusters kicked in to slow them and pushed their insides into their throats. Stalks swayed in the fields as the Macktouched down.

Lana and Walters rushed a stretcher to the exit ramp. Percy trailed behind, making sure Bruuth stayed in place as they hit the grass. The rest of the crew followed, watching as they ripped one of the stalks out of the field and presented it to him. With weak hands, he guided the root into his mouth, soil and all. Marlow and Zane cringed, listening to him crunch it between his teeth, but the smile on his face told them all they needed to know. He’d made it in time. He would be okay. The roots and soil were like oxygen for them. It would turn out his friends were not as lucky.

“We’re here,” said Zane. “Look at it.”

Marlow couldn’t stop. She was looking around frantically, holding Avani close.

“No, no-no-no. Is it happening already? The Night Chasers?”

She’d had more than one nightmare about that moment. The darkness taking over the land, and the beasts being unleashed.

The sky was all bright sun and a few clouds, but Zane followed her gaze. They’d landed in a Wyan village, only every house was destroyed. There were no Wyans in sight.

“Tell Lana,” said Marlow. “We have to get back to the ship.”

Zane was about to run to Lana in the field when a hand caught his shoulder.

“Hold on guys.” Julie was next to him. “It’s not what you think. The Night Chasers did this, but it was years ago. Look closer.”

Marlow squinted at one of the nearest houses about fifty feet away. The walls were torn, and it barely stood on parts of the frame, but the signs of decay were there.

“But what…?” asked Marlow. “Where are the people, the Wyans?”

“Next village over. We park here. They aren’t fond of the ship. The main village is about two miles through there.”

She pointed to a path past the field. There were mountains rising on either side, but a small walkway clearly went up and through it.

“Gotta grab our stuff,” said Julie. “You coming?”

She headed back toward the ship.

Marlow and Zane stood, catching their breath. Marlow remembered the horrors of being on the ship, caring for a helpless child while being told she was the Night Chasers’ next meal. Lana brushed it off too quickly, and she had no one else to turn to during the next month. Avani had been her only comfort and companionship. They’d slept close all that time and Marlow was paying for it. The baby never wanted to leave her side.

She scanned the wrecked huts when she felt Zane’s hand.

“I’m gonna go get my stuff. Want me to grab yours?”

Marlow didn’t look at him. “No. I’m coming.”

After one more look around, she followed.

KEYWORDS Space travel, Aliens, Trappist system, Interstellar

Website URL: scottboss.weebly.com

Blog URL:scottboss.weebly.com

Facebook page: Scott Boss Author

Twitter handle: @scottfboss

LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096923NT5

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-night-chasers-scott-boss/1139609220;jsessionid=FE9EBE49F47543ADA40255EAAB356776.prodny_store02-atgap13?ean=2940162370499