SHANDAL (a short sci-fi fantasy story about jealousy, murder and a crazy alien girlfriend!)

Here is another of my short stories that I wrote many years ago, about a crazy alien woman and her jealous nature that leads to a poor guy having to run halfway across the galaxy to escape her murderous clutches!! Enjoy!

SHANDAL

by Karen D. Martel

An icy cold wind strikes me like a closed fist, clutching my breath away. I stop, pulling my scarf up to cover my mouth and continue to plod through the knee-high drifts of dry raspy snow. I can barely see through the snow storm, my eyes stinging from the sharp jabs of minute ice crystals. I'm not really all that cold. I have on a warm jacket with a hood, gloves and comfy trekking boots. It's still daylight, and the temperature stable at minus five degrees Celsius, except for the darn storm raging about me. Just my luck to crash on a deserted moon, all because of a jealous girlfriend who thought I was seeing another woman? Can you believe it? Painfully, I lapse back into time, temporarily blocking out the screeching wind.

Shandal was the most exquisite woman a guy could hope for. She was intelligent, loving and very beautiful. I had met her on Ganymede a little over four months ago while docking at the transfer station to shuttle clients headed for Jupiter. I had a problem with the coolant system in my ship and had asked the station controller to have a mechanic look it over. With a little time to kill before the passengers came aboard, I stepped outside, went behind and under one of the landing struts and opened an access panel that displayed much of the shuttle's complicated circuitry.

"Coolant access panel for Volans TS-44 is in front, not there." A husky voice said softly behind me.

Slightly embarrassed, I turned around, confronted with the incredible sight of a petite woman dressed in a mechanic's yellow and black overalls. She smiled with full pink lips, dancing green eyes twinkling mischievously at me. With her bald head and golden skin, I knew immediately that she was a native of the Alpha Centauri star system. Some of the galaxy's most beautiful women hailed from there, and here was one ready to work on my ship! I couldn't believe my luck! Having been single for over a year now, I was ready once again to take up a long term relationship. I had my fill of unstable companionship in the last six months; I was really aching to have someone share my life now, permanently.

"You close panel?" She asked, delicate eyebrows lifting sexily.

"I'm sorry," I stammered, unable to keep myself from staring at her, "um, my coolant indicator keeps flashing off and on, can you verify it?"

"Sure, one moment." She replied cheerily. Ducking behind the strut, she went to the front of the ship.

I let out a long sigh and shook my head. A Centaurian woman working on my ship, how rare could that possibly be? She was good, real good for having mentioned my ship's make and model. Heck, my ship was so old that I had trouble remembering the make myself. Well, I had a few moments left before initiating my take-off protocol, so I pondered about how to ask her out on a date. I wiped my sweaty palms on my uniform pants and took a deep shaky breath.

Suddenly, she popped up in front of me, eyes sly with knowing, as if she could read my thoughts.

"Done." She chirped, placing her monitor back into her hip holster. She brushed some stellar dust off her delicate but otherwise, grimy hands, looking back up at me. I noticed the Centaurian gold jewellery inlaid into her earlobes, and the matching necklace tight against her soft bronze throat.

"You want date with me?" She interjected suddenly, her husky voice filled with haughtiness.

I was taken slightly off guard. She was probably familiar with men falling all over her, especially Terrans. I couldn't blame her for her reaction. I would be honest and up front with her.

"No, I wasn't thinking about that." I lied, so much for being up front and honest!

She lifted a golden eyebrow. "Do not insult me." She mocked, ‘' You Terran men all the same! Incredible. We not need telepathy to read mind, you transparent like Titan ice. I pity Terran women." With that, she turned on her heel and strutted back angrily to the controller's office.

"Excuse me, miss!" I shouted, nearly tripping over my own feet to follow her. "Can you tell me what was wrong with the coolant system?"

Halting, she whipped about to face me, eyes glinting with green fire. "Sensor wire loose. I fix."

"Look, I'm sorry..." I left the sentence hanging, trying to make out the name stitched across her uniform.

"Shandal." She said wearily.

"Er, Shandal, excuse the impoliteness. It's not every day that I meet with a Centaurian woman."

"Terran, I am native from planet La-Cern of Centauri A solar system. I am La-Cernian, not Centaurian. Centaurian system has eight inhabited planets, eight different humanoid populations. When you call me Centaurian, you group me with reptilian dragon-people of She-Warra and slime beings of XX-2! It makes me shudder!" She replied curtly with her sensual accent.

I felt like kicking myself. How rude I must seem to her. We Terrans had a problem when it came to other humanoid races; we more or less grouped other beings from the star system they hailed from, even if there were more than one star and several planets.

"Excuse me Shandal for my apparent ignorance, I didn't mean to be rude. Look, let me make it up to you. I'll buy you a cup of hot, Terran coffee when I get back later this evening." I played out my best puppy dog look, widening my eyes and softening my features. Heck, I was good at something.

She wrinkled her small nose, "Fernu'shini, awful stuff! She exclaimed in her native language. "I rather drink ship coolant!" She laughed, her eyes once again twinkling playfully. "Look, I meet you after shift tonight, 11.00 p.m. Acturian lounge."

I restrained myself from jumping up and down with glee. I actually had a date with her, the evening looked promising! Futuristic visions of Shandal, myself and three cute golden bronzed kids running about a space station popped into my head.

"The Acturian lounge it is, 11.00 p.m."

So, that's how we met. The pleasant memory warms me now, blocking out the swirling reality of the hellish storm shrieking in my ears. I glance at the time indicator stuck to my glove. I've been trudging in this darn blizzard for over two hours now. My ship's com-link is down, my homing device missing. Darn, she really did me in. Anger wells up in my chest like a coiled dragon, sending warm blood to my face. The extra rise in my body temperature melts the ice crystals into miniature puddles of water that run in thin rivulets down my face and onto my scarf. Of all the places to crash, this icy moon, Leda, was the least hospitable. With another hour of trekking left, I would be able to reach the relay station and send out a distress signal. Absently, my feet continue their weary walk on the snowy plain while my mind drifts back to Shandal.

I became aware of her insane, jealous nature just a few weeks into our relationship. I had accepted it as a part of her temperament, being madly in love with her. Later though, I had discovered through a friend of mine (who had also dated a La-Cernian woman), that they were extremely possessive of their men to the point of killing them and their rivals if need be. I had laughed at my friend's statement then, but now, I knew what he meant. La-Cernian woman outnumbered their men one hundred to one. So whatever La-Cernian man that a La-Cernian woman became involved with, was guarded jealously from other equally possessive women, lethal women of the same race.

Any slightly attractive female boarding my shuttle was angrily scrutinized from a distance by Shandal while she was working in the docking bay. Before lift-off, she would radio me in the cockpit, giving me pure screeching hell while I tried to explain to her that my clients were my clients and that I had no intention of submitting to any other female's seduction. I had a job to do and that was to provide transport to people. She kept tabs on me through her friends, monitoring all my incoming and outgoing calls. One day, she discovered me pulling out her spy cameras in my cramped quarters on Ganymede; she totally flipped out, scaring the hell out of me! I quickly re-installed the equipment, hoping that she wouldn't knock me out. But things got worse, much worse.

I wanted to buy her a special gift for her upcoming birthday, so I visited the jewellery merchant on Europa who specialized in Centaurian gemstones. I knew Shandal loved these beautiful gems, and I knew that it would make a perfect gift for her. The only problem was, was that the jeweller was also La-Cernian. She was slightly older than Shandal, and quite attractive, but we maintained a professional relationship. When I told her that my girlfriend was La-Cernian, she smiled icily at me, keeping a cool distance emotionally and physically. Upon choosing a beautiful tawny crystal that had green flecks in it, I asked the merchant to prepare a necklace of Terran gold and silver to have the stone set into it. She asked me to return in two days to pick up the completed piece. Agreeing to the price and terms, I put down a deposit and left.

Well, you can imagine that all hell broke loose when I returned to Ganymede. Shandal knew where I had gone, and no amount of explaining about buying her a gift was taken into consideration. She accused me of seeing another woman behind her back and vowed to kill the La-Cernian jeweller. I explained to her that she would end up in the penal colony on Ariel mining ore for Uranus if she went through with her threat. She quieted down and left for work without another word. I exhaled a sigh of relief, picking up the shattered crystal statues she had given me as a gift not too long ago. I was seriously re-thinking about spending the rest of my life with her. Secretly, I was hoping for her to meet someone else and leave me alone. I couldn't take it anymore.

Two days later, I returned to Europa to pick up the necklace. I had warned Shandal that I was returning there as not to face her wrath when I got back. She glared at me with her turquoise eyes, but miraculously, she said nothing, turned on her heel and went back to work.

That afternoon, I left for Europa. I never got there. Halfway between Ganymede and Europa, my coolant indicator began flashing. I ignored it, thinking that it was that darn wiring again. But then, the engines' consoles lit up with warning lights. They were overheating, and fast. I shut down the engines before they exploded and lifted the cockpit floor, revealing the conduits that carried the coolant. My heart sank when I saw the clear gel coolant spurting out from a connection that had been loosened. The worst part of it was that Shandal's callipers were still hanging on tightly to the T-connection. My blood flowed icily throughout my veins as I assessed my situation. She wanted me dead and she wanted to make sure that I knew that she wanted me dead. After all, she was a La-Cernian woman, and you should never upset one. Well, I had.

I tried to snake my arm into the cavity to reach the callipers, but they slipped out of my reach due to the oily coolant and fell into the circuitry lower down. Cursing, I slammed the panel back down and sat back down in the pilot seat. Checking my navigational computer, I realized that I was going to crash into Leda, the ice ball from hell. There was nothing left to do, but strap myself in, glide the ship through the turbulence and hope that I didn't kill myself upon executing a crash landing. I sent out a distress message on my com-link, but Leda blocked it out. Hopefully, once down, I would be able to get another one out from the ground with less interference from the upper atmosphere.

The crash landing was bumpy, but the deep snow and ice ended up cushioning the ship quite well. With only a slight bruise to my forehead where my coffee mug hit me, I tapped into the ship's main console, accessing the com-link. The link was damaged from the crash, my heart sank between my ribs with a painful spiral. My only other option was to activate my homing device and hope that a passing ship would lock unto it. I pulled out the apparatus from behind my seat, swearing through clenched teeth when I saw that the main component of the homing device, the circuitry, was missing. I cursed Shandal upside down and out. It was over between us. I would relocate to another planet and shuttle elsewhere. My navigation console was still functioning, so I tapped in Leda's co-ordinates and asked the computer to give me a layout of the small moon.

Joy grabbed a hold of me when I saw the tiny yellow speck with a cross that indicated a relay station a few kilometres away from where I was now. Grabbing my cold weather gear, I went out into the storm. I was so eager to return to Ganymede and have that witch out of my life for good, that I nearly forgot to put my trekking boots on.

Present.....

I see the small station looming up darkly through the storm ahead of me. What a sight for sore eyes. Minutes later, I enter the nearly silent, sterile building, slamming the heavy steel door shut to shake the snow from my hair and eyes. The soft whirring and pulsing of communication equipment is a welcome relief from that of the howling storm outside. Without another moment's hesitation, I rush over to the com-link panel and send a message out to the police corps on Ganymede. I briefly tell them about my crash, not mentioning Shandal of course, I would deal with her later.

Half an hour later, a security cruiser picks me up, destination Ganymede and Shandal. Eagerly, I wait. I can't wait to be free from this malicious, crazy witch! I had enough of her, and never again would I look at another La-Cernian woman that comes my way.

Returning to my quarters on the station, Shandal is no where to be found. That figures, she knew that someone would eventually come looking for her. Where did she go to now? I make a few calls, no one has seen her since her shift finished over three hours ago. I send out an intercom call, asking for her to connect wherever she is at on the station. No luck. She isn't on the station. I check the pilots' logs on my console. There! Her name flashing eerily on the screen. She had taken a small shuttle out to Europa over two hours ago. My heart tightens painfully in my chest. What is she up to now? My gut tells me, up to no good.

A knock at my door startles me, nervously I glance up at the hallway monitor to see who it is. Running a hand through my hair, I wipe the perspiration from my forehead and touch the hallway access panel. A female police officer stands before me with a pleasant smile upon her face.

"Mr. Vincent?" she queries politely, in a soft, but firm tone.

"Yes?" I try not to appear worried. She gazes back at me with clear hazel eyes, scrutinizing me, reading the desperation in my eyes. I can see her now, taking out her security restraints, throwing me to the floor.

"Does Shandal Jey-Ar'turn, of Centaurian origin, live here at this address?" She questions, watching my eyes like a Martian sand spider.

"Err, yes, she does, and she is of La-Cernian origin, ma'am." I replied meekly.

"Of course, whatever. I have some distressing news for you Mr. Vincent"

"Oh?" I wondered what she was about to inform me of, maybe Shandal had crashed and died. It wouldn't really be that distressing to me at all if she had.

"Shandal was seen at the Centaurian Gem store on Europa a few hours ago. Witnesses confirm that she had assaulted the owner, a Centaurian woman, excuse me, a La-Cernian woman."

"Really? Is she in custody?" I ask innocently. I hope so, for my well-being and everyone else's.

"Unfortunately, no. She managed to steal the jeweller's private speeder after killing the other woman with a heavy tool of some sort. We are searching for her right now. Would you happen to know what would have set her off to commit a crime like this for?" The policewoman questioned, her steely gaze seemed to seep into my very soul, as if she knew what had happened between us.

‘'I have no idea, Officer. Really I don't.'' I felt my heart start to pound, my ears buzz and my vision narrow. Everything became a blur, if she was on the run then my life was in danger. I had to leave and quick.

Six and a half years later.....

I'm relaxing in the local bar on Earth's moon, station Mare Nectaris, enjoying a La-Cernian bubble gush, something I retained from my stormy relationship with Shandal over six years ago. Every time I sip the salty-sweet, amber coloured concoction, it reminds me of her soft golden skin and husky voice. I watch the serene turquoise beauty of Earth from the bar's ceiling to floor windows. I see Dave, another shuttle pilot as he enters the lounge. I wave for him to join me. For the last two weeks, I've been on vacation planet side. I ask Dave about the station here, and what's new.

"Well, for starters, I've met someone." He gushes like a teenager on a first date.

"Good for you Dave! What's she like?" I sigh silently. Since Shandal, no other woman has entered my life, she scared me so much, that I can't open up anymore. A pang of envy washes over me as I listen to Dave talking enthusiastically about his new love interest.

"She's gorgeous Mark. I want you to meet her. Petite, green eyes, and get this buddy, she is from La-Cerna."

I choke and sputter while swallowing my drink. Dave doesn't seem to notice, he continues.

"She's a mechanic, and a good one at that. She moved in to my pad two days ago, we're in love!"

"What's her name?" I manage to gurgle out without appearing too nervous. Nah, this couldn't be her, maybe another La-Cernian woman. Of course, had to be, too much of a coincidence. Shandal detested Earth, she would never move out here!

"Shandal. Isn't that a beautiful name?"

Fear grips me with an iron-clad fist, squeezing the air from my lungs. I grasp Dave by the shoulder as he watches me with a concerned look on his face.

‘'Hey, what's up buddy, you look like you've seen a Uranian ice serpent!'' he exclaims sharply, pulling away from me.

"Does she know that you're here?"

Dave chuckles. "Yeah, of course she does. She has an uncanny knack for knowing where I am at all times." He mentions innocently.

I shudder inwardly. "Did you tell her about me?"

"No, I haven't mentioned you to her.'' Dave looks weirdly at me, trying to assess the situation. ‘'I wanted to wait for you to come back from your vacation to meet her. She should be here in a few moments or so."

Standing abruptly to me feet, my drink flying to the floor, I grab Dave and pull him to his feet. "We have to get out of here, now!" I hiss at him.

Dave looks at me as if I'm crazy. "What? What's wrong man?" He pushes me away once again, his normally placid features reddening with anger.

"It's a long story, I'll explain later." I push Dave towards the exit, but he resists. A tinkling laugh reverberates from the entrance. I haven't heard that laugh in over six years. Glancing up, I see her shadow in the hallway as she converses with someone.

"It's Shandal!" Dave laughs, heading for the entrance.

Pulling him back, I knock him out with a quick chop to the neck. Glancing about, no one notices me dragging Dave through the back kitchen entrance. To anyone mildly attentive, it would seem that I was helping a drunken client. We leave the bar and head for my ship docked three floors below. No hanging about to say good-bye to anyone. There isn't time.

Moments later, I set my ship onto auto pilot and silently watch the moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, fly by at breakneck speed. Dave is still out cold. I'll have some explaining to do, boy will I ever. But now, my concern is finding a new planet to work from. This solar system is too dangerous for us now. Especially with Shandal on the loose.

Then it hits me. Of course. Our destination will be the Centaurian system with a wide berth given to La-Cerna of course. She would never think of following us there. I punch in the co-ordinates for the planet She-Warra, remembering that Shandal detested the grotesque, arrogant hermaphrodite population of the reptilian Dragon-people. That would be the last place she would set her delicate, six-toed feet upon. Salvation at last!