The Emancipator

"Trick Harris stared around him. The spaceship, the S.S. Emancipator, was jolting, bouncing violently from side to side, as he tried to regain his balance. The darkness had struck, a black shadow exploding from earth that had struck outer space like a massive dark explosion. It had hit everything, even their bodies slammed by this horrible energy, as the spaceship orbiting Earth tried to regain its composure.

The crew looked at their hands in disbelief. Something was different. This was no ordinary bomb. The black energy had stuck to them, captivating their bodies, consuming their minds, even swarmed through the ship like a vengeful god seeking obedience. Trick looked at the female co-captain, Marina, with a look of shock on his face. 'What was that?'

The blast had passed, a dull rumbling sufficing as the new black energy clung to everything in sight. Marina looked back in horror, shaking her head slowly in an effort to answer. Trick looked out the bay window, coming to grips with their circumstances. He had heard of this war. They all had.

A phenomenon on Earth, like a dark terrorist some claimed was more of an angel or a demon than human. Battling for supremacy with the corporations that had claimed Earth in 2022, this Earth terrorist was a terrible myth himself. Rumored to have power over darkness, the corporations had all but annexed Earth from the universe in an effort to isolate his rebellion. And even they hadn't seen this coming.

Trick's mind was clouded. He could feel the terrifying sensation sweep over him, as someone else held his hand up. With a dull, entrancing voice, Trick's mouth moved and started to form words.

'Hello, Marina.'

A slight gasp escaped the crew's lips as they realized the voice wasn't Trick's. Looking around horrified, they all realized something. They weren't in control of their bodies anymore. With the same listless control, Marina's hand was raised, and a foreign, unique smile came over her lips. The hand waved at Trick, as somewhere in his clouded mind he came to terms with what they had just seen.

'Possession.'

That was all Trick Harris could get out of his lips. Marina's eyes widened. The crew were all turned in unison towards the ships vast window, like puppets obeying the whim of a master. Outside, Earth's bright panorama met them in return. Billowing clouds, blue oceans, their home planet too was bathed in the darkness from the massive explosion. A voice spoke, their helpless eyes taking in what they were being forced to see.

'The time is coming.'

They stood trembling, unable to avert their gaze, as they were forced to become aware of the obvious developments on Earth. Trick wondered for a second, still able to slightly control his own thoughts. The whole universe. Goddamn. Eyes straying to the company logo on his fleet jacket, he heard a deep, dark laugh rumble from the darkness within him."