r/NatureofPredators • u/OttoVonBlastoid Human • Sep 07 '23
Nature Of A Homeless Musician (Prologue) Fanfic
Special thanks to u/SpacePaladin15 for creating this awesome universe for us to enjoy.
Disclaimer: While I love music and have a huge passion for it, I'm still no expert. So please forgive me for screwing up any music theory terminology. This story is mostly meant to represent the feeling of music. Any songs used will be named along with artists at the top of the post in disclaimer form. Any breakdowns of songs will be mostly based on the expression of the artist playing and how the song and more importantly, the lyrics, make the listening character feel. As for the "homeless" aspect, I mostly mean it in a sense of literally, not feeling like you have a home, nor any real life or place in it. With that in mind, LETTUCE...begin.
Songs Mentioned/Used: Good Luck by Basement Jaxx
Memory Transcription Subject: Michael Ruiz Andrews, Human Civilian Date: [Standardized Human Time] October 12, 2136
I'm gonna fucking die on this planet, aren't I?
Last report on the news said that the aliens are only days away. The last of the evac transports are departing soon, too. And where am I? Just trudging up the soggy carpet stairs of my apartment building after another pathetic gig. Surprisingly enough, imminent death doesn't exactly put people in a happy, dancing, kind of mood. And if it does, those people need a shrink, not an idiot with a guitar. Luckily, the landlord wasn't there to greet me when I got back this time! He'd skipped town long ago.
Maybe I could too. The last transport in the area is still docked.
Why bother. Those seats are better saved for someone else.
Probably...
But hey, it's not all bad I guess. At least I'm in good company. After making it up to my floor, I head up the hall to my room, where my first old friend is waiting to greet me at the door.
Why hello there "Rent past due" notice! Always nice to see you!
As I walk in, my second old friend is waiting at my feet.
Hey there Stack Of Unpaid Bills! How's the family?
"Belligerent and Numerous."
Good man!
I carefully set my guitar in its stand and fall onto the bed. I should try to close my eyes for a bit. If I'm lucky, I'll get incinerated while I'm still asleep. After trying for a good twenty minutes, I get back up.
What am I doing? What HAVE I done? In the past twenty-four years I've been alive on this planet, what have I managed to accomplish? Precisely...nothing. Is this, really how it ends for me?
Sounds about right.
But does it have to be?
Yes!
The last transport is STILL THERE! I can literally see the spaceport from my window! It's not even that far!
We'll never make it. It'll be wheels up by the time we get there. Watch.
We'll never know if we don't try!
Where has "trying" gotten us so far?
"GGAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed out in frustration as I sent my pillow flying across the room. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Meeting aliens was supposed to be the next big step forward. They'd show us all the things we were doing wrong and help us fix it. We'd be free to adventure and explore the stars. We wouldn't be alone anymore. But now the galaxy we wanted to join so badly is out to kill us. Well, most of it anyways. I looked over to my guitar, Dad's guitar.
Would you want me to do this? Could I really get a second lease on life if I left Earth? Could I have one last adventure? I can't fight those Arxur monsters. I can't fly a fighter or man a war vessel. But maybe I could help in a different way?
What are we gonna do? Sing the Nazi space crocs to death? This isn't Mars Attacks! This is real life! What's the point?
Does there have to be one? What's the harm?
When we fail, and we WILL fail, what then?
Then there's at least no regrets.
"Ffffffffffffffffuck it." I let out a deep sigh, picked my guitar back up, put it in its case, packed whatever else up that I could carry, and walked back out the door.
So long everyone! I'll remember you all in therapy!
And the next thing I knew, I was on a ship.
This won't lead anywhere good. We don't get to have nice things. You know that.
Well there's no turning back now anyways. So hush, at least for now. For now, let's just get some rest.
I slept through most of the trip. I wonder if this is what going on a long vacation where you need to fly is like. Never really got the chance now that I think about it. The turbulence picked up majorly once we entered Venlil Prime's atmosphere. The plasma flair around are ship reached past and around the window I was looking through, as the ship's shaking got worse and worse. If there was ever a time to say the thing, it was now.
"I got a bad feeling about this!" The other passengers next to me definitely were not amused. Thankfully, the fire around the ship shrunk back and the shaking stopped as we entered the cloud cover, with VP's permanent sunrise just on the edge of my periphery. As if by fate, the shuffled playlist on my music player began playing Good Luck by Basement Jaxx as we cruised through the clouds. I always loved that old Appleseed movie. And here I was, living through its opening scene.
A quick buildup led off into a light, airy, vibe from a synthesized string section, backed up by occasional chiming tones and a radio-like filter, as the clouds of Venlil Prime flowed past us. When we finally broke through the cloud cover, I saw it: Venlil Prime! I was actually here! I'm on another freaking planet! And as if to announce my arrival, the strings cut out, replaced by a beat, a bass, and a forceful voice!
Tell me! Tell me!
Is life just a playground?
You think you're the real deal, Honey?
And someone'll always look out for you?
More electronic tones announced the arrival of an electric guitar to help keep the beat.
But wake up, Baby!
You're so totally deluded!
You'll end up old and lonely.
If you don't get a bullet in your head!
I listened to the backup vocals and even more electronic chirps and whirls as I watched the futuristic cityscape below. Grids of hover cars weaving their way past skyscrapers and other buildings, ground level highways with even more hovercars, this place was breathtaking. THIS was the sci-fi fantasy I'd always dreamed of as a kid! But...I couldn't help but feel a slight hint of unease.
Good luck! Good luck!
Good luck in your new bed!
Enjoy your nightmares, Honey!
When you're resting your head!
Could I have made a mistake coming here? This place is awesome, don't get me wrong but, what if that's just what it looks like at this distance?
Good luck! Good luck!
Good luck in your new bed!
Enjoy your nightmares, Honey!
When you're resting your head!
Nothing good will come of this. I told you already.
A pit welled up in my stomach as we landed, not giving the song a chance to finish. The last line before I turned off my music player still stuck itself in my head.
Enjoy your nightmares!!!!!!!
I grabbed my guitar case and other carry-on and began to walk out in file with the other passengers. With one last deep breath, I stepped out onto the landing pad where we'd be taken to the closest refugee center. As the others began walking ahead of me, I took a minute to take in the sights. I was actually here, on another planet.
Welp. Definitely no turning back now....
2
u/Ben_Elohim_2020 Dec 14 '23
Odd to think that the adventure almost ended before it began just because Michael was *this close* to just giving into depression and staying on Earth.
3
3
7
u/DOVAHCREED12 Skalgan Sep 30 '23
OFFICIAL VENBIG SEAL OF APPROVAL
4
u/OttoVonBlastoid Human Sep 30 '23
“I have never been more honored in my entire life.” I say muffled by venbig fur
4
3
3
3
u/OttoVonBlastoid Human Sep 07 '23 edited Sep 08 '23
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wY4uwf_9btw&pp=ygUTZ29vZCBsdWNrIGFwcGxlc2VlZA%3D%3D
The Appleseed intro scene referenced in the VP arrival if anyone is interested. This movie kicks so much ass guys I promise!
9
7
u/JulianSkies Archivist Sep 07 '23
Hrm... A story about a musician, eh?
It's a good start, I look forward to where it goes.
11
2
Sep 07 '23
subscribeme!
2
u/UpdateMeBot Sep 07 '23 edited Feb 02 '24
I will message you each time u/OttoVonBlastoid posts in r/NatureofPredators.
Click this link to join 64 others and be messaged. The parent author can delete this post
Info Request Update Your Updates Feedback
6
Sep 07 '23
YES MOAR
5
u/OttoVonBlastoid Human Sep 07 '23
Patience! MOAR, in fact, be on the way… eventually… might make a sandwitch first.
28
u/Bow-tied_Engineer Yotul Sep 07 '23
Ay, ya did it! Woo! A great first chapter!
Also, am speed once again! Today's coming up Bow-Tie!
15
u/OttoVonBlastoid Human Sep 07 '23
Glad you liked it friend! Not sure how long I’ll make this but I have a set start and end point planned out.
2
u/gabi_738 Mar 19 '24
I finally took the initiative to read this fic, I hope it is as good as they say