Nelson wandered through the darkened Trade Hall with Toff, the manager of the HTI resort on Earth’s moon and paused outside Uncle Bob’s Emporium. He remembered the high quality equipment used by the VIP hunters and often pondered about the difference to the goods available for public hunts.

  “What is wrong my friend?” asked Toff, putting his big green hand on Nelson’s shoulder, “Why so glum, hmmm?”

  Nelson picked up one of the laser pistols on display and showed it to Toff, “It’s the products offered in this hall. Look at this laser pistol. You helped me discern the difference a year or so ago and I have been noticing a trend since then.”

  Toff nodded grimly and said, “And?”

  Pulling a laser pistol from his pocket with another arm Nelson held it next to the current model, “Here is one I bought a year ago. It looked really nice. I have never used it since your warning made me decide to just keep it for a souvenir.”

  “Good,” said Toff, “I lent you one of my own pistols for you to use for defence, no?”

  “Yes,” said Nelson, pointing at his holster, “This one is yours. Not as pretty as the one I bought, but I can tell is is much more sturdy.”

  “Good, good, good,” nodded Toff, “So why are you worried, hmmm?”

  Nelson pointed at the new pistol as he lined up the original in comparison, “Even the old Uncle Bob version was better than this. I have been coming through the hall here after most of my shifts. I still get the sense of adventure and excitement as I see all the exciting weapons and gear. We have been brought up on the thrill of the hunt from all the Tri-D productions and FedNet stories. But this is odd. Over time there have been changes. A little bit here and a little bit there. You wouldn’t notice if you just compared the previous and current versions, but an old version and this? Look!”

  Toff knew. He was a very observant manager and took note of everything in his Resort. Nelson was a good boy and was discovering things for himself. Good. Good.

  There was quite a difference between the two pistols. The current version was noticeably poorer quality, but had extra non essential shiny bits and colours which cleverly distracted from or covered up the changes.

  Nelson then picked up a pair of Danger Glasses and put them on.

  They stayed clear as it was not dangerous at the Resort at this time. The plastic rims were attached to a mesh-like material that automatically stretched to the rims around the eyes forming a complete seal.

  Toff smiled and poked his fingers straight at Nelson’s eyes. Nelson blinked as the Danger Glasses turned completely black and he could see nothing, even using his peripheral vision. The Danger Glasses gradually became opaque and Nelson saw Toff laughing at him.

  Nelson smiled and said, “Yes, that was funny, but this isn’t how the glasses used to work. They were stylish and a fashion accessory as well as functional. All the Tri-D shows still use the older version. ‘They are cool’ is the phrase they use, borrowed from the Dirtling term that has somehow entered Federation language.”

  Toff finally stopped laughing and answered more soberly, “It is two things. Firstly,” he held up a digit on one arm, “the Federation Union of Safety Specialists Institute were upset that the fashionable Danger Glasses allowed the hunter to look around the rims at what was causing danger. They said, ‘That is not fit for purpose! The glasses are meant to protect the user from the psychological harm of seeing danger.’”

  Nelson sighed, “The FUSSI inspectors are always making things less efficient for everyone’s safety! Everything takes longer and is more complicated, which actually endangers lives.”

  Toff put his hand over Nelson’s mouth, “Shhh. Don’t say that out loud.”

  Toff looked around and continued, “That is why the new sides are made from the same nano technology as the glasses and forms a complete seal. Secondly,“ Toff made another digit and dropped his voice lower, which was a very rare thing for Toff, “Uncle Bob already has the contract and wants to improve his margins. Incremental changes and replacing suppliers over a few credits means everyone in the supply chain has to cut costs. Retail prices stay the same and everyone wins!”

  “What about the hunters?” asked Nelson, as he carefully put the laser pistol and danger glasses back on display, wiping them to ensure they were as clean as before.

  “Indeed,” said Toff, placing his hand on Nelson’s shoulder and guiding him out of the Trade Hall, “Indeed.”

  ****

  “Hi, I’m Bolesh, building engineer by trade,” said the medium sized black spider-like creature to his fellow two hunters, meeting them for the first time as they gathered around the Matter Transmission pads.

  “I’m Koreb, an Entrepreneur,” said the Dragonkind creature proudly, showing off her orange dragon scales and looked sideways towards the third member of their hunting party.

  “I’m Bubba!” said the third member of the impromptu party cheerfully. He was a medium sized piece of purple rubberised gum who easily puffed up his chest and waved an extended hand-like appendage at the others.

  “Have you checked out all the gear we can use?” Bubba said, showing it all off, “I really like these Danger Glasses. They’re cool.”

  “Are you using that new word too?” said Koreb disdainfully, “I agree they are an interesting design. Not really like the ones they use in the Tri-D adventures, but interesting nonetheless.”

  “They would use the up market version for those shows,” said Bolesh, “These are the consumer ones. They do the same thing though, so I’m wearing mine.”

  Koreb grinned at the others with his sharp teeth and shiny glasses and the others joined him.

  All three smiled at Nelson and indicated agreement as they were asked if they were ready.

  In moments they dematerialised in a blue shimmer.

  ****

  “Why is it so dark?” said Bubba, as they materialised and he realised he couldn’t see. He moved a rubbery arm in front of his face, “Weird! I can’t even see the hand right in front of my face.”

  Koreb answered, “It is pitch black in here. I cannot see anything either. What about you, Bolesh?”

  “Nothing,” he replied, “Even with my superior vision in the dark, I do not see anything.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Bubba fired his pistol straight ahead, “Did you see that?” he asked.

  “I’ve been hit!” shouted Bolesh, dropping to the ground, “Someone is firing at us!”

  Bubba heard Bolesh and didn’t answer, keeping his silence.

  “Everyone be quiet!” ordered Bolesh, “I have excellent hearing but you are both too noisy.”

  Koreb and Bubba stopped and listened. In their communicators they heard Bolesh speak, “Nothing. Whatever fired on us must have moved away and there are no more shots at us. I wonder what it was.”

  “And why is it so dark?” said Koreb.

  Bubba stayed quiet, then said, “Let’s feel our way around.”

  ****

  Dave was happy Jane was back on duty with him at The University. She had recovered well from the alien’s attack some months ago. She was bored at home so decided to return to work.

  The return was an easy affair. The job as security for The University was just a matter of ensuring the researchers and their projects were not disturbed. It was a pretty quiet job description. After the excitement caused by the alien hunt and the arrival of ARRG forces, everything ended up going back to normal pretty quickly. The main change to the security system was the installation of a special red button on their control panel. It was a direct line connecting them to ARRG headquarters, just in case an alien attack happened again. That was a very remote possibility as hunts rarely occurred in the same place more than once, but the corporate health and safety team insisted on a direct line. The board agreed and so there it was, right in front of them.

  Dave was idly leaning back in his chair, watching the monitors when he started, tipped back too far in his chair and toppled to the floor.

  “Jane!” he shouted, “Look! They’re back!”

  “No, no, no, no!” muttered Jane as she saw three alien creatures suddenly appear in the maintenance tunnel next to the heating air exchange unit. It channeled air between the gymnasium and the outside, moving air between the desert side of the mountain and inside to maintain an even temperature for The University.

  Dave reached to press the red button but then paused, looking closer at the hunting party.

  He reached back to reset his chair and said, “Jane, do they look odd to you?”

  They looked as the hunting party didn’t seem to be paying attention to their room which was a semi circular entrance way with curved roof. “Rewind it back a little,” he suggested to Jane who quickly rewound the recording in a small corner window on the screen.

  “Stop,” said Dave, excited, “There! That bubble gum looking thing just shot the spider! That spider is huge.”

  Jane said, “But he didn’t react to his team mate. It looks as though he couldn’t see anything.”

  “No, “ said Dave, wondering at what he saw and reached over to adjust the zoom setting, “There. They are all wearing dark glasses. I don’t reckon they can see.”

  “Are they blind or something?” pondered Jane.

  “I don’t know, “ said Dave, “But we’re not calling ARRG yet. I want to see what they do. It’s a weekend so everyone is away today. It just us here and we’re not going anywhere near them.”

  They both sat back in their chairs to watch the show. Jane reached over to their refrigerator and pulled out two beers, handing one to Dave, “I bet the bubble gum guy will shoot someone next.”

  “I reckon the spider guy will work out who hit him first,” said Dave.

  Jane looked at Dave and they shook hands, “You’re on.”

  ****

  Bolesh felt around the room stretching his hairy legs wide to determine the layout of the area they were in. Despite his excellent night vision he still could not see anything at all. The other two followed his example and discovered the side walls of the room. One of Bolesh’s hairy legs brushed Koreb and he asked if that was one of them. Koreb said, “It wasn’t me!” and panicked, climbing up the wall using her claws..

  Bolesh then quickly scuttled up the wall and Bubba did likewise using his sticky hands. The side walls started to curve over and soon all three of them were upside down, attached to the curved roof. They all spoke out loud, often over each other.

  “I have had enough of this,” said Koreb, “ I’m making an exit.”

  She pulled out her light sword and cut through the wall in a circle around her. Once she had cut about two thirds of the way through her circle, the roof bent down and she found herself dangling over the edge. Panicking, she dropped her laser sword and screamed, ”I’m falling! Help!”

  “We can’t see you!” called Bubba, “What’s wrong?”

  “The wall has fallen open and I am hanging over the edge!” Koreb cried.

  Bolesh said, “Don’t you have an Anti Gravity belt? Use that.”

  “Good idea,” Koreb said and using her anti-gravity belt, let go of the circular piece of wall she was holding and landed safely about two feet down.

  “Was that it?’ she muttered to herself, feeling a little silly.

  “Did that work?” asked Bolesh, as he scuttled along the wall to her voice.

  “Very well, thank you,” said Koreb.

  “Hey guys,” said Bubba, “I can feel warm air coming out of the hole.”

  Bolesh and Koreb gathered around the hole and Bubba said, “I wonder what that is?”

  Bolesh stepped through saying, “I’m an engineer, let me check.”

  “There is wind coming from my right and it feels full of grit of some sort. Not forceful, but I can certainly tell it’s coming from the right.”

  Bubba stepped in beside Bolesh and said, “Hey, let’s test something.”

  With that minimal warning, Bubba fired his laser rifle to the right and it exploded not far away.

  “I reckon there is a wall not far away. I felt the heat of my laser bolt,” said Bubba proud of his method of detecting his surroundings.

  A sound began to the the right, and the wind changed direction, much more forceful, with the sound of Whoom, whoom, whoom.

  “I wonder what that is?” asked Koreb as she stepped into the wind, feeling the air rush past her, “And there’s now no grit or sand.”

  ****

  Jane reached to Dave, “They just fired in the Air Exchange shaft. Should we call for help yet?”

  “Nah, not yet,” said Dave, “They just scorched the side and the heat in the shaft increased a lot. The air exchanger fans have swapped direction and are sucking out the hot air. Once the temperature reaches the right level, they will switch again. I want to see what they will do next. I reckon the bubble gum guy will do something interesting.”

  “I’m not taking that bet,” said Jane.

  ****

  “We’re inside a creature, where it’s breathing, like it’s throat,” said Bubba decisively, “It’s woken up!”

  “Are you sure?” asked Koreb doubtfully.

  The fan made a louder noise.

  “There! See!” shouted Bubba,”The wind changed direction, let’s follow the wind! That leads out!”

  Whoom, Whoom, Whoom.

  “Grab on and follow me!” said Bubba bravely, expanding himself into a sail and trailing his legs for the others to hold onto.

  Panicking and not wanting to be left alone, Koreb turned on her anti gravity belt and flailing around in the dark, grabbed onto one of Bubba’s legs. Bolesh looked around and swore as he still couldn’t see anything and reached for Bubba’s legs but the others flew past him.

  Whoom, Whoom, Whoom.

  “Hang on,” thought Bolesh to himself in the midst of the strong wind rushing past him, “I don’t think this is a monster. I design buildings and this sound is familiar. What is it?”

  “It’s an industrial fan!” he suddenly realised.

  Bolesh stood up, bracing himself against the rushing wind and shouted, “STOP! I think you’re going the wrong way!”

  Whoom, Whoom, Whoom.

  “What?” shouted Bubba as he heard Bolesh shout something.

  Whoom, Whoom, CRASH, grind.

  Bubba and Koreb hit the fan at full force. The blades flung Bubba up to the ceiling and he slid along the wall while Koreb was thrown to the floor. Bubba grimly held onto the wall as he felt the fan trying to suck him in.

  “This monster has spinning teeth!” he yelled into the wind.

  Realising this was a fan, Bolesh blindly searched for something like a power cable.

  He found a cable along the wall and shouted, “This should kill the fan!” and swung his light sword, cutting the cord in two with a blinding flash.

  “What?” shouted Bubba as the fan slowly stopped, the wind died and quiet reigned in the tunnel once more.

  “What happened?” asked Koreb as she stood and began feeling her way along the wall away from the fan. Bubba did the same and said, “I think Bolesh killed the monster.”

  “It wasn’t a monster,” said Bolesh, “I stopped it by cutting this power cord.”

  “I’m sick of this darkness,” lamented Bubba, “How about I super charge my torch using the power cord? That should be bright enough to see.”

  Bolesh rushed towards the sound of Bubba’s voice, but he was too late.

  ****