Demon Jumpers

Chapter 1: The Box

Year 2076

This life has gotten out of hand. I've seen things that I probably would never see on earth. Time and time again I’ve jumped dimensions and seen death more than I’d like to since the 4 years I had been with Kassi and the crew. We were wanted in over 200 dimensions, even dimensions she had not robbed. The Rendezvous were known for it all. Robbing the rich and giving back to the poor, throwing huge and extravagant banquets and just downright being free in worlds that confided in keeping a structure, but Kassi had killed a lot of people. She tells me that she didn't want to, that sometimes it's for the best, but I can see on her face that even she is torn apart from all the lives she's taken. I guess more than ever, she was looking for validation in her exploits and adventures. She was looking for an exit from her thoughts.

“Motion wall is down cap.” Said Nathan.

“Great job, let's go give this box to the lord and zoom out of here,” Kassi responded.

I had sat down next to Nathan as he piloted the starship towards the planet. It was flush with greenery around the whole planet and just north of everything was the palace.

“So what's the plan cap? We give him the box then we kill him and take it back?” Tess excitedly mentioned.

Tess was crazy. No really, she was out of her mind. I can see why her and Kassi were best mates and Kassi’s first mate for the crew. Tess’s long blonde hair and eyes as green as the apples could fool anyone but those eyes led to death for anyone who disrespected her or The Rendezvous.

“No Tess, we are dropping the box off and going. I can’t stand this dimension. Plus the universal government has ties to this bastard. Bloodshed would lead to our bounties increasing. Which I’m not too proud of.” Kassi responded back.

“Nathan what's your bounty?” I asked him.

“80 suns and Tess is 70 and your sister has a bounty of 100 suns”

“110 suns is her bounty Nate, don't get it twisted” Tess said from the back.

I looked at Kassi who attentively looked outside as we landed on a marble landing strip.

“How did you acquire such a large bounty sis?” I asked her, she still had not answered my questions from when she had saved me. For what seemed like years ago, only happened 8 months ago and within that time Kassi hadn't explained her past or what she did to get here.

“It was nothing,” Kassi responded. She then grabbed her coat, picked up the box and walked out.

“She’ll tell you in time Kenji. Your sister has gone through a lot to not only keep this crew together but her mind also.” Nathan said while putting his hand on my shoulder. “Now let’s go eat something, this ship needs good food, nothing like Tess’s cooking.

The ship landed on a diamond landing strip and were approached by 6 guards. A small man with fluffy white hair and a yellow pant suit.

“Captain Kassi and The Rendezvous! Welcome to Lord Deewup’s home and palace. My name is Freed and I will be escorting you to the palace. Ah! I assume that is the box that he wanted.”

“Yes it is, I’d like to hand it to him personally, If you don’t mind.” Kassi responded.

“Of course Captain Kassi! Right this way.”

We were led to an all black XZ999. It was the best space limo in the universe. It had a bar, a 60 inch and a fireplace.

“This is what we rob people for? The XZ999 the XZ999.1 is way better,” Tess said snobbishly, “If this is all he can afford, I’ll make my way to the Keylix dimension and get him one right off the lot.” Tess said laughing bashfully.

We got in and kept silent. I looked over at Kassi as I could tell her mind was clearly elsewhere. 12 years since that man that took my arm and she hadn't mentioned anything about it. It was like our parents death had meant nothing to her or was she grieving in her own way? I wanted revenge for our parents death and Kassi probably avoided us getting into that conversation. Either way, I wanted answers.

The palace was like nothing I had seen before and was definitely out of a storybook. The limo pulled up to a long white marble driveway. The way the sun shone on it made it seem like diamonds were popping like popcorn out the ground. The palace itself broke through the clouds and invaded the heavens. Crystals surrounded outside of the building while guards of all types walked the palace floors. We walked down a long hallway with paintings of what seemed to be Lord Deewup. Judging off the amount of pictures and statues of himself, it seems he had an obsession with himself.

“This fool looks like a walrus and a peacock in one.” Tess said loudly.

“Lord Deewup loves peacock feathers, he would sometimes send a team to gather them in the Last Dimension until that pesky space pirate burnt the whole planet.” Said Freed as he sped walked through the palace.

“Space pirate? Nathan what is he--”

“We will talk about it later Kenji, stay on alert.” Nathan said quietly.

We then came to what seemed to be a throne room and Lord Deewup waiting on us. The throne room looked bigger than the whole palace itself and the ceilings were the definition of the phrase ‘the sky's the limit’

“Lord Deewup, I present to you, The Rendezvous.” Freed said as he bowed to his Lord.

“Thank you Freed, that will be all.”

Lord Deewup was tall and had a large face. His clothes were colorful like a peacock. You could see his obsession definitely took away his fashion sense.

“Lord Deewup, thank you for having me--,” Lord Deewup put his hand up to stop my sister from talking.

“Who the fuck does this guy think he is?” Tess said to Kassi. Kassi then gestured to Tess to calm down.

“Kassi Hatake, you are a special one aren't you. Doing odd jobs all over the dimensions and a bounty of 110 suns. You are an absolute beauty in this crazy universe we live in. You may speak now.” Lord Deewup gestured.

“Many thanks Lord Deewup, but I must say that I am just traveling the astrals. Those things you speak of do not resonate with me. I’m just looking to deliver what you asked me and move on with my journey”

“I won’t allow that. My palace is having a banquet today to celebrate the birth of my first grandchild. I insist that you rest here for the night.”

“I appreciate the gesture my lord but we must really get going.” Kassi bowed and gestured for the crew to leave. They turned around and were met by other guards pointing their weapons at the crew.

“I guess he really wants us to stay”, Nathan chuckled while he put his hands up, “Cap, let's just eat at this banquet and leave quietly. We don’t have enough nova fuel to make another jump. We need time.”

Kassi turned around and walked to the bottom of the long staircase that led up to Lord Deewup’s throne.

“We’d love to stay the night your liege.” Kassi bowed.

“Perfect! I’ll let Freed show you to your room.” Lord Deewup said in an excitement.

Kassi turned around and walked back to the crew. She was visibly annoyed. I was annoyed also, as I wanted nothing more than to head back into space and stare into nothingness. I guess a little food and entertainment wouldn't hurt. Freed then came into the room and led us through the palace. It was larger than life. At least 4 Buckingham Palaces all turned into one big fortress. Freed told us that certain rooms belonged to dimensions and planets because Lord Deewup had bought some exclusively from the prophets themselves. There were windows to each room so you could look inside. The crew continued moving while I stayed back, I was feeling adventurous and definitely wanted to see one of these rooms. I hit a left and went down a hallway. I came to a door with the number 3327, the window had been blacked out so no one could see in. I turned the knob and went inside. The room was a regular hotel room with a balcony that showed Paris, France. I walked towards the balcony and felt the summer breeze go through my hair, I was in France. How could he have a dimension of France? Was this Earth's dimension? I then heard someone callout from afar, I turned my head and saw my mom in the distance. She was waving at someone, once I turned my head to see who she was waving at, jaws came snapping at my neck. I stepped back and tripped back into what wasn't the hotel room anymore, but a jungle. I panicked, what the fuck was happening? The dimension changed in an instant like that? I had to get out, but where was the fucking door? I then heard a shriek in the distance. It continued to get closer and closer, where was this thing? I didn't even get a good look at it. My heart had already left out of my chest once. The second time I wouldn't be so lucky. These shrieks are meant to disorient you because I couldn't hear myself think the whole time. Just as the shrieks got close enough where giving up was my best option, I was pulled from behind.

“Kenji you okay!? Jesus, I thought we lost you!”

Thank God for Nathan, I laid there panting like I had just run a marathon. This universe is a lot bigger than I thought. Freed, Tess, and Kassi came running down the hallway.