Galaxy

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!” screamed Commander Zap as he sped through space at impossible speeds, clutching desperately to the fin outside of a rocket ship.

“Quiet! I'm trying to think!” yelled his older sister, who was already old enough to be first grade. “This doesn't make any sense! We shouldn't be able to breath! We shouldn't be able to hear each other talking! Mrs. Sanchez told us space was a vacuum, that means there's no air or anything.”

“Nuh-uh!” cried the Commander, “I can breath just fine in space! I do it all the time!”

“This isn't one of your games, Max, this is real...wait a minute I see something! That sign says Gas! And it's pointing towards that planet we're headed towards! Max I think we're stopping, just hold on a little longer!”

“My name is Commander Zap! Holding on is easy! Just shut up Sara!”

“Don't talk to me like that Max!” Sara reprimanded as she reflected on the previous night's events. She had woken up to strange noises and lights coming from outside. She went to check on Max's room only to discover that he'd already snuck out. That was just like him, only two years younger than Sara yet he insisted on acting like a little kid, always playing his games and pretending to be a space cadet. Sara chose not to wake her parents because she didn't want Max to get in trouble, so she climbed out his open window to investigate the strange lights. Sure enough, Max was already there, but in front of him towered some large metallic thing that looked like a rocket ship! Even worse, emerging from the strange giant object was some kind of terrifying creature! It looked vaguely human shaped, except it was really thin and green, and it had huge eyes and some kind of antennae coming out of it's head. The thing was walking straight towards Max, and Max was walking closer too! “Max!” Sara had cried, trying desperately to warn him of the danger. Max spun around and saw her, but the creature saw her as well, and immediately scurried back into his ship.

“What are you doing here?” Max had cried angrily.

“Max are you ok? Did that thing touch you?” asked Sara, but her questions were drowned out by the starting engine of the strange ship.

“Wait!” cried Max, “We're not done yet!” he ran and grabbed onto the fin of the ship and tried to get the creature's attention. But it seemed to be in vain, and the ship began lifting.

“Max what are you doing!” screamed Sara as she hurriedly grabbed onto Max's leg just in time for the ship to fly upwards at outrageous speeds.

They'd been hanging on for several minutes now, and Sara still couldn't make any sense of what had happened. “Max, what were you doing with the monster?”

“He's not a monster! I had official business with him!” Commander Zap answered firmly.

“Max for the last time you are not a space cadet!”

“Space Commander! Commander Zap! And yes. I. Am.”

Just then the children arrived at the planet Sara had guessed held some sort of refueling station, which only moments ago had still seemed miles and miles away. The ship slowly came to a stop, landing next to some strange device that looked absolutely nothing like a gas tank. The children rolled away, sprawling, finally back on solid ground.

“Oh God” Sara sobbed “how are we ever going to get back?”

Max simply stood up and banged on the outside of the ship. “Gleepop! Open up!” Immediately the ship did open, and the strange creature stood looking out at the two children.

“Commander Zap!” cried Gleepop in shock, “How did you get here so quickly Sir? I'm sorry I left in such a hurry, I saw a strange human and thought it best to leave quickly.”

“I understand your reasoning perfectly, Gleepop” replied Commander Zap, “but next time wait for my orders.”

“Ma-Max...” stuttered Sara, who had been watching in silent shock.

“I told you, my name is Commander Zap.”