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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 0: Alex Winter (The Guinea Pig)

Hello. My name is Alex Winter. I am keeping this journal in order to chronicle the greatest civilization that has ever existed on this world. It is my hope that who ever should find this will learn about this dystopian, err. utopian society that once existed on Counter Earth, its achievements, its significance- even its short comings, so that it will not disappear all but forgotten in the sands of time. I have lived on this world for three years interacting with its inhabitants and their ruler.

Please dear reader, forgive the grammatical errors. Gaian is my native language not English. However, for simplicity I decided to write this journal in one of the more common languages found on this world.

As I write this, I am hiding in a closet, err. I mean undisclosed location in the remains of Castle Wundagore. The empire that has ruled over this civilization has fallen, destroyed by an entity that invaded during a period of internal conflict between our ruler, now dead, and a rebellion from the human inhabitants of this world.

Counter Earth's magnificent cities Worlds 1- 5, have been decimated. While this internal conflict raged, neither side took notice of another enemy that was slowly conquering this world from the inside.

By the time that enemy was discovered, it was too late. Many died, those who didn't were possessed and enslaved by it, still others like my mistress, simply went missing as Counter Earth fell.

Before I get ahead of myself, I suppose that I should start at the beginning, not at the beginning of the empire- but rather my beginning as to how I became stranded on this world. My story began three years ago on the planet Gaia at the remains of a college university....

Day 1

"Are you absolutely sure about this professor?" I asked. "Transporters and planet exploration sound quite dangerous."

"Why would you say that?" The professor asked.

"Because of the unknown." I responded.

"Alex, it is completely safe. The planet G2 I want you to explore should be completely uninhabited and ready to be settled. I just need you to follow up and take some additional readings, measurements and tests." The nutty professor said.

"If it was that simple why don't you go yourself?"

"Because I am needed here, Alex. If you run into support issues I have to be here to address them."

"What type of support issues?" I asked skeptically- "Inhospitable atmosphere, monstrous vegetation, angry natives?"

"Don't let your imagination get the better of you. According to my readings this world shouldn't contain any of that- it should be ready for colonization, and I for one, can't wait to leave this hell hole." The professor said to me, his voice conveying some authority. "Now are you sure you understand how to operate the transporter?"

"I think so"- I said hesitantly as the professor intervened.

"On the PDA here, your press this button- here, which opens the transport window. This button here, closes the window. The coordinates are fixed so there is no chance of error, and you just reverse the process when you are ready to return. Understand?"

"Um, yeah." I responded.

"Then away you go!" The professor said as he pressed the button on the PDA and tossed me into the golden yellow event horizon of the transportation window.

"Hey!" "I wasn't ready yet!" I yelled as I disappeared through the window.

"Safe journey! and hurry back!" He said snickering.

That was the last time I ever saw the professor. In time I would realize what an ingenious inventor he was and what a crackpot.

One would expect that when traveling by transporter- that you would enter it and exit it the same way. That was not the case with this thing. I was expecting the other end of the event horizon to open on or near the ground of the destination planet so I could easily step out and start exploring. It wasn't the case. The other end of the window opened above a circular table near the ceiling of a room surrounded by many beings.

So much for the planet being uninhabited. I never got a good look at any of them hell, I couldn't even tell how many there were or how big the room was- because I fell out of the portal head first! I presumed my body soon followed, I couldn't tell because I was out cold very soon after striking the table.

To Be Continued....

Last Chapter-

_Poor, destitute, homeless and hungry vagabond Alex Winter stumbles upon a nutty professor at the remains of a college university. Alex agrees to test the professor's transportation device in exchange for a hot bath and a meal. After activating the device, Alex soon realized that there is indeed intelligent life elsewhere in the universe and he just crashed their staff meeting.... _

Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 1:The Past, The Present and No Future (Where in the Universe Am I?!)

Day 1 continued

Darkness was the only thing I could see. Darkness, darkness and even more darkness.

(Was I blindfolded?)

No, I could blink my eyes and still see nothing but blackness. I tried touching my face to make sure as well, but couldn't- my hands wouldn't move. I noticed that I was sitting in what could be a reclined chair my hands and legs were restrained and I was starring at blackness. But at least the chair was conformable.

Very odd- the last thing I remembered was falling from the event horizon of the portal. Now here I sat.

(What happened? How did I get here? Where is here? Was I transported to the other planet? Where was the PDA I had used to open the portal?)

These and other thoughts I had were interrupted.... I sensed movement in front of me.... I was not alone! Accompanying the movement were noises- animal noises grunts, growls, rumbles and they all seemed to be coming from all around me. Ok I get it- I was restrained in a chair in a darkened room, and I was not alone in this room.

Just then a spotlight was turned on and shined directly at my face. I soon realized that I was indeed strapped to a chair in a room with beings around my parameter. I couldn't tell how many, but I did know all of them were looking directly at me. I hoped very much this wouldn't be my own personal version of alien autopsy.

The spotlight moved away from aiming at me to several steps in front of the chair I was seated in and one of the beings in the room stepped into the light. It appeared to be an anthropomorphic ram in a white lab coat!

The being started speaking to me in bleats and groans- probably his native language but I couldn't understand what he- I think it was a he, was saying. He repeated himself. I looked at him blankly as I still couldn't understand what he was saying.

The creature took a step forward and reached into his lab coat pocket and pulled out a white pad. I recognized it immediately- it was my PDA! I raised my head indicating that he bring the device forward. Cautiously he did- one step at a time until he was right in front of me. He repeated his statement- this time I understood- "What is your name rebel scum and what is this device?!"

I gasped at the site of him. In my twenty years of life, I have never seen a big horned sheep walk upright or speak, save for cartoons, comics or movies. Gaining my composure, I begged him to please be careful with with my PDA.

"What is this PDA?" The ram asked.

"It is a communication device that allows me to understand and communicate in languages that aren't mine own."

(At least that is what the professor had told me.)

"Before you brought that device out of your pocket I couldn't understand a word that you were saying. By the way, what's a rebel?"

"They are the resistance movement we are hunting." He said.

"Resistance movement? What is this place? Where am I?"

"Like you don't know rebel." He said condescendingly.

"Sir, I assure you that I am not a rebel or part of this resistance movement you speak and that device that you are holding, despite what you are thinking is not a weapon either." I said to him."It is a transportation device that allows the user to move between worlds. It is also a translator that allows its user to understand and communicate in languages that are not their own." I said to the amazed ram.

Just then more of the beings stepped forward into the spot light next to the ram. "So you are an invader then."

This new being was an anthropomorphic tiger that stood slightly taller than the ram that was interrogating me. He was dressed in golden chain mail with a tinge of blue and red around his breastplate. He had a strong build and wore no shoes. Just huge paws with sharp claws for his feet. He looked quite formidable and not to mention powerful and fierce. Of course I was instantly intimidated.

"Sir, if I were an invader or a rebel why would I arrive by myself and unarmed?" I asked.

"The little human does have a point Sir Ram." The tiger said.

"What is this place?" I asked again.

"We are conducting this interrogation, you will answer our questions." The tiger responded.

"Perhaps he is a scout for the rebels?" The ram questioned.

"I am not with the rebels." I stammered.

"Perhaps he needs some more persuasion to tell us the truth." said another voice in the background. This voice was female and younger sounding. I interpreted that statement to mean that they were considering torture.

"You wouldn't dare torture a confused, timid and terrified extraterrestrial visitor just because you think he is a rebel would you?" I asked pleadingly.

All the beings in the room responded in unison "WE WOULD!"

"I think I better tell you what I know." I said to the beings.

"In the long run it would be healthier for you." The tiger countered.

"Yes sir. What I am about to say my sound unbelievable, but I assure you it is the truth." I said to the creatures interrogating me. "My name is Alex Winter and I am not from this world, I am from the planet Gaia. My world has been ravaged by war for many years." I started.

"Invaders?" The tiger asked.

"No sir, civil war- my planet was not unified; it was comprised of many civilizations that have fought each other for many years for many reasons- territory, disputes, greed, religion and conquest. As the warfare evolved- so did the weapons. They became more powerful and more destructive. Eventually the surface of the planet became uninhabitable and the remaining populations were forced to live underground."

"I was recruited by a scientist and professor at a university. His research showed that the planet was dying and that within a few decades would become unlivable. You see, many were too engaged in warfare to listen to his findings. This scientist that recruited me had been working a number of projects at the university. One of them was a transportation device. He had planned to find other inhabitable planets in the universe and simply 'move' there."

"Yesterday he told me that he had found another world that was similar to the way Gaia was before the war started many decades ago. His findings showed that the planet was uninhabited and had a breathable atmosphere. I didn't stop to think or even question how he arrived at his findings." I said. "I just believed him. If conditions had proved to be as bad as he had stated on our world, it would be best to leave. He wanted me to discretely test his device and check out the planet- I thought that was dangerous. He assured me that he could not approach our rulers about this because they were too busy making war- leaving the populace to fend for themselves. He also reasoned that if they found out about the device they would use it as a weapon. The professor's colleagues considered him too much of a crackpot to be taken seriously. The only one who took him seriously was me."

"So it was settled I would become his guinea pig and test the device. The last thing I remember was the professor setting the coordinates of his destination planet, creating the transportation portal and showing me how to close and open it from the other side before pushing me through it. Next thing I remember is being here."

The tiger and the ram looked at each other speechless. "That explains why he suddenly appeared and crashed our staff meeting from out of no where." The tiger said.

"That is a fantastic story." The ram said. "I don't believe it. But let's hear it again."

The interrogation went on for what had to be a number of hours. I couldn't tell because I had no way to tell time. Despite my best efforts Sir Ram who I figured to be the scientist of the group still refused to believe me or my incredible story.

The tiger whom I believed was the leader of the group remained silent nodding his head the whole time. Before he finally spoke

"He doesn't appear to be a rebel spy." Sir Ram.

"How do you know?" The ram asked

"If he isn't from this world as he claims, that would explain why he hasn't been tagged and does not have a tracer anywhere on him. Also, he doesn't speak our language or the humans' language either."

"That may be true, but lets make sure!" The ram said as he held what looked like a portable handheld saw like cutting device to my neck and powered it on. I screamed. "Hmm... subject does seem to be exhibiting abject fear and terror." The ram said coldly. "He could still be lying to us."

"Excuse me scientist sir, do I have to wet myself before you will believe me?!" I said trembling. The ram thought for a moment and then removed the saw device from my neck and powered it down.

"There is one way to verify what he is telling us is the truth. A little project I have been working on. Lady Ursa and Lady Vermin take him to room B!"

The spotlight in the room was turned off and the lights were turned on. Once my eyes had adjusted I realized that I had been in some kind of a lab with four of these animal people. Two of them, I had spent the last several hours getting to know Sir Tiger and Sir Ram. Then there were the other two who were approaching me now.

The one called Lady Vermin had to be the youngest of this quartet. She was a rat- lady thingie also dressed in similar chain mail with pink eyes, pointy ears, claws on both her what would be her hands and feet- err. paws. She also had a thick tail and was about the height of Sir Ram.

Then there was Lady Ursa who was the muscle of the group a she-bear approximately the same height as Lord Tiger dressed in similar chain mail, with a red cape on her back. Looking at this she beast, she had quite a muscular build on her. Strong upper body, huge paws and for what would be her hands and feet and gold color eyes. In short, she was a combination of feminine beauty, raw power and brute force and quite intimidating to say the least.

The females removed me from the chair and instead of escorting me to room B, the ursine picked me up, slung me over her shoulder and carried me out the door. While this exercise was most undignified for me I did see first hand how powerful this creature was. If she wanted to she could have broken me in half with just a touch of her paw.

"Excuse me my lady." I said.

"What is it?" She asked.

"My questions weren't answered. What is this place? Who are you and what is in Room B?"

Lady Ursa sighed.

"I guess we should tell him that much huh Lady Vermin?" She asked her colleague.

The rat lady replied "I guess so."

"You are in Castle Wundagore on Counter Earth. Lord Tiger (Lord?! I thought), Sir Ram, Lady Ursa and myself are the Knights of Wundagore and you are our prisoner." She said.

"So I am on the wrong planet. This was supposed to be G2. Am I in trouble?" I asked.

"You are in big trouble." both females responded in unison.

I did note that the she-bear did sound congested. Just then Lady Ursa went into a bout of sneezing which caused her to drop me on the floor of the hallway we were in. I was free.

(Should I make a break for it?)

I guess I could have, but instead I stupidly stood up and walked over to the ursine.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"I am fine now." She responded. "That happens every now and again."

I then felt Lady Vermin place her paw on my shoulder,

"Interesting, I thought you would have tried to escape." She said.

"Where would I go?" I responded. "I am not familiar with this castle or this world for that matter. My own ignorance could get me killed. Besides you appear to be more than formidable warriors. I supposed you could easily break me in two or worse without even trying."

"Flattery will not earn you mercy little human." The ursine warrior grumbled.

"Not even a little?" I pleaded.

"Very well we will allow you to walk to room B." She said.

So with that I was followed down the corridors of this magnificent castle by the two female warriors.

The hallways were finely decorated with murals, pictures, tapestries and the like. I looked at each as I walked past. I also caught curious glances from the other beings that we passed lapins, felines and canines.

"Wow, a world populated by animal people." I exclaimed.

"Not animal people." Lady Vermin corrected me, "beastials."

The female knights brought me to room B which was yet another lab. This one was quite similar to the last room I was in except that there was more electronic equipment- mostly along the walls of the room and yet another chair in its center.

Lady Ursa picked me up and gently placed me into that chair. For such a powerful creature she had quite a gentle touch. It was then that I noticed that her nose was running. No sooner had I observed that, she strapped me in.

"So what is in room B or don't I want to know?" I asked.

Both females looked at each other as if they didn't understand. They then realized that the rat lady had placed my PDA by the door of the room when I was strapped into the chair. Lady Vermin promptly retrieved the device and placed it on a stand next to the chair I was reclining in.

"What did you say?" She asked.

"I wanted to know what was so special about room B?" I asked.

"Sir Ram has a side project that he is working on in here." The female ursine replied. "I don't know more than that."

"He will be along shortly- he had some other matters to attend to." The rat lady said.

"I guess that gives us some time to get to know each other better." I said smirking.

The females looked at each other. "Here comes more questions one said to the other."

"So... exactly what are beastials?" I asked. "And where do you come from?"

The she bear folded her arms and started to speak but the rat lady was quicker.

"If you are wondering if we are indigenous to this world the answer is yes. We are the ultimate class of life forms on this world superior to humans, superior to animals. We possess strength, speed, knowledge and intellect that far exceeds you humans and we don't suffer from any of humanity's defects either."

"What defects?" I asked.

"Hatred, distrust, aggression, greed, cruelty, and war." She responded.

"I beg to differ- since I arrived here, I have experienced some of what you have just mentioned." I said to the two warriors. "Further, I also question your claim about being superior life forms as well."

"What do you mean?" The rat lady asked.

"I mean Sir Ram seems to exhibit hatred and distrust- especially toward me. Further, despite your superiority, it looks like you suffer from the same aliments as the rest of us- such at the common cold." I stated and stared at the female ursine.

"THE PRISONER WOULD BE WISE NOT TO ANGER HIS CAPTORS!!! IT WOULD BE VERY UNHEALTHY FOR HIM!!!" Lady Ursa roared.

(Gulp!)

"Yes ma'am I will be quiet now." I whimpered.

From what I observed during my interrogation these creatures were not human and not animal but a combination of both exhibiting the best attributes of both groups. But not immunity to disease it looked like. Another curious thought crossed my mind:

(Attributes of both- does that mean some of these furries have paws while others have hands or is it a combination of both? What about genitalia? Did the bear's genitalia more closely resemble that of a human or ursine? How about the rat lady?)

I must be disturbed. I am about to have God knows what done to me by a anthropomorphic ram and this is what I am thinking about?!

Just then Sir Ram entered the room. "I see you found the accommodations not to your liking." He snickered. "Too bad for you."

"Please sir what is going on here?" I pleaded.

"Very well, I will tell you." The ram huffed. "Those lies you told us were quite interesting and I am going to find out if there was any truth to them to begin with." He said. "What you see in this room is a side project that I have been working on for some time- a mind probe. This machine here will read your thoughts, feelings and memories and display them on the view screen here for us to see. We will know once and for all if what you said had any iota of truth." He said to me grinning.

"If you didn't trust me to begin with why did you spend all that time interrogating me when you could have just connected me to this thing?" I asked.

"Because what we would have seen would have been out of context and not understandable without the interrogation." He retorted. Sir Ram then looked at me and smirked- "This procedure is quite painful and will mostly likely leave you brain dead."

"You are exaggerating." I stammered.

"Yeah, you are right little human. Maybe not brain dead. Just a vegetable." He added. "Would you like to recant any of your incredible story?" He asked me.

"No." I stated. "If you intend to kill me for no apparent reason get on with it. Superior life forms indeed!" I said condescendingly.

With that, Sir Ram attached a helmet to my head and started up the machine. A 'whirring' noise was heard through out the room. As that sound was being emanated from the machine, I felt a buzzing sensation in my brain-as if every single neuron and synapse was activated and working on overdrive. There wasn't any pain at all just that buzzing sensation- and then the whole room went white; I passed out.

Some time later, I am not sure how much- I came to. I was still in room B. The knights had all left except for Lord Tiger who had been staring at the monitor which I assume had drawn images of memories the machine had probed from my brain. I guess some time during the procedure he had entered the lab to see the results of the mind probe.

The Tiger warrior had his maw wide open in shock like he had seen something apocalyptic while staring at the view screen. When he noticed that I had awakened, he turned toward me.

"How is your head?" He asked.

(He is showing concern after what they did to me?)

"Some dizziness but I am alive." I replied. "Sir Ram lied about the pain."

"Yes I know." He said. "It is a ploy that we use to extract more information before the procedure. It appears that everything you told us was the truth." He said in amazement.

"Sir, I would not have any reason to lie especially given my situation. Say, where are the others?" I asked.

"They are preparing for their next mission." He replied. The Tiger seemed to be in deep thought still digesting what he had seen on the screen.

"Given your living conditions..." he began, "I can't blame you for seeking refuge elsewhere."

He then approached the chair I was strapped to and placed his paw on my chest.

"You poor, poor soul." He continued. "You have seen much evil, pain, misery and destruction during your life. More so than anyone should experience in any lifetime. It is still hard to believe what I saw was your life on Gaia."

"If you mean the living conditions, the lack of food, the squalor, depravity and the constant struggle for existence while our civilization waged war- it was." I replied. "I take it that means you finally believe me?" I asked him.

"Indeed, you are not a rebel or invader." Lord Tiger responded. "Merely a very terrified refugee."

Just then another knight entered room B. This one, was a wolf who was dressed in a similar chain mail- another knight of Wundagore I surmised.

"Lord Tiger!"

"What is it Sir Wolf?"

"There has been another rebel incursion!"

"Notify the other knights!" The Tiger ordered. "And prepare to depart!"

"Yes sir!" The wolf responded and quickly departed.

The Tiger warrior started toward the door.

"Lord Tiger?" I asked. "What do you plan to do with me? Obviously I transported to the wrong planet- a major mistake. When can I go home?"

The tiger warrior turned toward me.

"You won't be going anywhere- you are our prisoner." He said giving me a serious look.

(Prisoner?!)

"You have had a busy day little terrified refugee. So you are to stay here and rest." The he beast said sternly.

"But why?" I protested.

The tiger warrior placed his paw on my chest as he said: "You entered our world illegally little human and on Counter Earth that is a serious, very serious crime." With that he departed.

To Be Continued....