The American Mastiff Comic

The Parturition

Story by Jose A Quinones II and Art by Gerard R. Fernadez (aka Rhardo)

Just outside the solar system a space battle ensues between the Grameerians, a species similar to the earth-beings known as Humans but on average a much taller, and Xyrons, a tripodal species. The Xyrons have almost been made extinct and one of only two remaining colonies. Not many Xyrons remain in either colony of the Xyrons as a non-stop war has spanned several millennium and has decimated the populations on both sides. During this feud both species and the many generations of offspring have been taken through countless galaxies across the universe. During these “travels” the Grameerians have sent out many scouts in hopes of finding a planet to begin another colony and escape from war.

As sensors respond with flash light the planet scout looks beyond his heads up display. As the craft draws closer Niw begins to read instruments that determine the level of habitation for his people. The Grameerian scout, known as Niw, identified a planet that could sustain the Grameerian way of life but had already been colonized by humans. Abruptly interrupted during his analysis Niw is alerted to return back to the primary craft housing his colony.

Niw returned from his scouting and had docked his ship. As he began walking toward the debriefing station to download his audio notes and his scout ship’s data the mother-ship was rocked with a large explosion from the forward area. This blast had been like no other felt before as Niw was thrown several feet in the air into a fire extinguisher causing him to bite threw his lip. The alarms were quickly sounded and the order to evacuate was given immediately. As Niw slowly regained awareness in the now smoke filled corridors and people scrambling in every direction Niw need to find his loving partner. As Niw finally oriented himself be took a jog like pace into a sprint to locate Arilie, his female who was due for their first child.

Arlie, not knowing what to do knew that Niw would be there soon but she was terrified and began having doubts about Niw’s return. As Niw made his way toward their living space he met up with Arilie and they made for the scouting ship to evacuate as others had been doing for ten minutes now in various sized craft and escape pods. Just as Niw got his ship off of the platform and began hovering toward the exit of the space docking bay the ship was rocked again and they darted their way outward the exit. They had just made it out of the mother-ship only to see the galactic fight between the colonies and the intermixing of battleships, fighters, and escape vehicles. With his wife and unborn child Niw was not prepared to fight in his scout craft and with minimal ammunition Niw opted to continued to evade and escape the battle.

Having evaded confrontation Niw had flown the craft to the outer edge of the past space battle and space craft debris from the dog fights. Niw had told Arilie about his finding of the plant earlier that day and that he had while he began his debrief just as the mother-ship was struck and wasn’t sure the colony knew about the result of his mission. Arlie and Niw, with a simple gazing of the eyes and without words determined that would be their best chance for survival and to give birth where they can then re-assess their options. As they had both postured forward with heavy thoughts they were fired upon from behind and Niw began evasive maneuvers.

Niw checked all systems and his heads up display to note there had only been one of the Xyrons that had spotted their craft and Niw hoped that the Xyron had not summoned. Niw had noticed his partner had been injured in one of the blast. She had not said anything as she was knocked unconscious. Niw had to ensure that he killed the Xyron and had to put their lives at greater risk, if that was actually possible, to kill the Xyron that had been shooting at him and his partner.  The idea he was giving great consideration extremely daring but could think of no other option.

The scout craft had low munitions and limited fire power so Niw understood that to survive he would have to kill the Xyron and it was all about timing or he’d set themselves up as easier target than a floating asteroid. Niw had to give the impression that his craft was immobilized to bring in the Xyron craft for a closer shot. History had long proved that the Xyrons were cocky and taunted their enemies before their final blow. As Niw had been able to position the craft for a one time strike. Niw began to play possum and with his hands on the blaster hidden from Xyron view, he had guest correctly and with cunning Niw fired three blast and destroyed the Xyron craft.

All Niw could do now was hope the dead Xyron had not alerted other Xyrons of their location. Arlie was alive but bleeding. Niw applied what first-aid he could but had minimal supplies but Arlie seemed as good as one could be with an unborn child. Arlie was secured in her seat as Niw began prepping to enter the planet’s atmosphere.

Niw was now close enough to Earth to plan entering the atmosphere…

Blam! Niw’s craft broke into the Earth’s atmosphere and he could not figure out how to fly in gravity fast enough but fortunately he was over water to try and land as softly as possible. As he struggled to land he had to also keep an eye on his partner who was caring his, their, child. Niw made a brutal landing and had broken parts of his body so much so that he was mortally wounded in the landing, which was just off some coast somewhere in the new world and his craft was sinking in the ocean.

He knew all he could do now was save the life of his partner and hoped she’d live long enough to give birth. Niw reached in a compartment to release a raft-like object. In Niw’s last breaths he quickly looked up into the beautiful night sky and he managed to place Arilie on raft. As Niw’s craft submerged he submerged with it in the star filled night. A night that anywhere else on Earth would bring a couple together for a romantic evening.

On the calm ocean water Arlie regained conscientiousness but clueless to her location and ability to survive.  She was overwhelmed in the moment… pregnant, terrified and alone. Arilie was falling victim to the stress of being alive on water, in the middle of nowhere, and on an unknown planet while carrying a child in the final term. Within minutes of the realization and stress, she gave birth immediately. She passed out from the overall stress, her injuries and giving birth.

Arilie and her new born boy lie on the beach, on the coast of the southern region of Africa.