{"We are the Galaxians | Mission: Destroy Aliens" - Galaxian menu screen, 1979, Namco... Today is an entry for a game that's related to GALAGA, the game we all are aware of for sure. Galaga to me was probably my closest link to Galaxian, but considering the history of Galaxian and how Galaga pretty much was just a sequel with better graphics with (almost) the same formula I can care less. Galaga, unlike Galaxian, would be more documented thus why we still remember Galaga more than the original; also because Galaga allowed you to spam missiles/lasers unlike the original game. Enough chit-chatter, let's get to the fanfic basically for the @archdruid 70s contest here on Steemit. Don't worry, not THOSE fanfics (like Twilight, which originally was a fanfic)... No music-aides for today because I can't find a Galaga/Galaxian ost, lest yah like to listen to some Techno or Techno-Synth - or maybe Nier Automata.}
Rights reserved to Bondai Namco
- Galaxian Defense Protocol shall stand -
A ragged flag furls in the air, fluttering with pride but drab as the air around. Two pairs of feet come walking by, the concrete rather calm in announcing their steps and be quaint as the quiet air around as their feet came to a halt. The whistling wind singing straight through the streets, their skirts fluttering like the flag but suppressed by human hands. Light glazes of pink spread across their cheeks as their toes sprang forward and a Brezhnev-kiss is exchanged amongst them. Giggles escaping their mouths as their hands hold on tight, the concrete carelessly sings their skips across the sidewalk.
The door bell a ringing, the inside noise pollution drowning it all the same as the arcade machines continue to blast off. The receptionist spares a glance to the pair before slinging a cigar and huffing a puff of smokes towards the gaming crowd inside. Taking another sling at the cigar, coughs bellows out from his lungs as his ears hear them two skid across to them screaming his name.
"Ernst, Ernst! I didn't know you were working today?"
"Hey, stop calling me that- whatever. And sorry for not telling, would've had the keys for the backroom for you two to try out some- come closer, I don't want people to freak out just yet"
Their hands pressed on the counter and their legs stretching only so much. His eyes seeing no eavesdropper, his head leans in and his mouth lets loose.
"... As I was saying, to try out some new games. We've gotten shipment of a new arcade game: Galaxian. And since our co-op manager is out, I think I can slide you in and you guys tell me if we should get it. Been very good litmus tests seeing as the crowds still rave over certain games."
"Stop teasing and start showing already, Ernst!~ You know us already, should've just let us at it by now."
"But shut it you two until we install this machine, don't want the co-op to think I just let two kids get spoiled now. Anyways, here's the keys because I got to keep an eye on some trouble makers here..."
"Is it those boys, Ernst?"
"Spot-on, Valerié and Veronica, spot-on. Same ones we see in school for the last few months; I say these boys wouldn't even be loud and proud as they were before those months."
"Oh no, not those folks. They tried doing stupid stuff to me and teased us for even holding hands! Bleh, I am at least thankful the crowd at my school is brave enough to confront them."
"Heh you say that of the high school students Valerié, but our current locality can't even control them. Spouting shit that costed lives all across this continent decades ago and they're back at it again."
"I do wish they grow up and grow out of it."
"Me too, Veronica. Me too... Else our flag of ours will be lowered for a less pretty flag a nation just right over. Bah! Might be overreacting here, sorry for the hold up."
The keys singing a slight jingle, the door creaked before eking out a small shut that Ernst's ears could only hear. Their feet sprinting at the machine, Valerié's hands scowered around for the flip on switch as Veronica's eyes looked to see if the cabinet was plugged in or not. Valerié flipping the switch and Veronica's fingers slotting the coin in when prompted, Valerié jumped and plopped herself on her laps. Veronica's thighs screaming in pain as her head was boiling over, Valerié's lips pressed against her cheeks as her hands wrapped around her head. The screen finally prompting "press to play" after displaying "We are the Galaxians | Mission: Destroy Aliens" had made Valerié jump from her laps and lean in on the arcade.
Veronica's lungs finally releasing all the tension in her breath, her hands scooted her squeaky seat forward which allowed Valerié's fingers to press play for her as she scrambled to get ready to play. Her head leaning in, the game simply blackened and stay blackened; their heads tilted as they checked around and inside the cabinet for any malfunctions. Their eyes becoming puzzled as they could see but not one bit of fried machinery, but soon their ears becoming host to the impromptu door screaming open. Their heads cocked in fear, their minds were soothed but their eyes' attention was undivided on the being standing right inside the door frame. There was no light pouring around and about the figure, but the clothes were exotic; the figure's hands weakly extend out but managing to compose a solid stature nonetheless.
Both of them, with feet acting on the defensive, approached the figure; soon the face became more recognizing and they indeed were staring at both a reflective face plat and engravings on such. They could tell the figure breathed, but the breathing so regular that they couldn't understand why the figure couldn't knock and open the door. But they knew they probably still climb about the machine like ants on tasty food. The figure bending over, they finally saw the stream of colours on the robes of the figure becoming rigid to one colour: natural green. Their hands shaking the figure's hands, they walked forth as the figure's hands rested on their shoulders and carried them to a giant room with a figure impossibly more taller than the figure that just shook their hands.
Their eyes reveled in the giant statues of working people of all stripes without the face plates. All the way from the working farmer tilling the ground with other families, to the workers eating on break on top of what looked like a steel girder, to proud cosmonauts swimming in space and collecting rocks and all the way to the flag that funnily had the same scarlet background of their flag but a symbol so unrecognizable yet so comforting. But their eyes focusing in on the other statues, they recognized the near-insect shape of all the creatures despite being bipedal; all given not of smiles or shame, but a determined look for their task; the halls a mish-mash of a strange but firm material and marble, soon seeing one of statues's titles showcasing the material abstractly and it being simply called "Nano-carbon." But soon their eyes were averted to the central figure staring into the large telescope.
They heard not the same humming as the figure that had lead them here had been singing quietly, but one of beeps and motor hums. The mechanical figure turning around while adjusting the face plate, the guide simply raised a fist before leaving the room. The two turning back around, the guide opened the door towards not their home but an endless hallway branching off to many million paths. Yet their vision spun around to seeing the mechanical figure hunching over before correcting their own posture, they themself giving loud creaks as their left hand pushed back and the right hand extended for a hand shake. The pair decided to weave around and crack the back for the figure, a loud pop echoing in the air which caused the machine to broadcast a series of beeps - all jovial.
Spinning around and the two receiving a massive hug, they were placed down as the figure's fingers snapped and a circular sofa appeared before all of them. All sitting, the figure's legs crossed-over like the lassie pair and they, themself, finally broadcasted a message their own human ears could understand.
"Fellow Humanicans, on behalf of the Galaxians, we are truly sorry for kidnapping you. Fair and simple. But it is a matter of urgency for both of our species in the galaxy we both share under this giant universe of ours. What dare I say? I beg simply for you to buy us time as we still are underway of carrying out a mass evacuation from this planet from an invading parasitic force. And I already know the follow up: but why us or why even Humanicans and not the Galaxians? Because our remaining fighting space craft can only be steered by Humanicans and we hadn't brave souls come to our planet for a long time now."
"Excuse us both, good figure, but what is your name and when have Humans been anywhere near a Galaxian? I'm Veronica and she's-"
"Oh how I forgot the matters of Humanicans, sorry you fine couple, but my name is G-a1a or Gala in your mother tongue. But to answer your question: last we seen any was lost cosmonauts from a USS- whatever, point being is that a species similar to yours chose to come with us, but all of our Humanicans died in battle piloting their shuttles... To tell a tale of simple grief: I cannot bare any more losses and we need time, we will try to give our aid in defenses and we will try to pull you to us when we evacuated... but we go not much left..."
"Valerié here. And well I would be glad to aid in the self-defense of any dying species, but we are simply not trained militarily."
"Fret not! These are like those adorable machines you have back in your home planet, maybe with better controls and the real-ship. Here come with me, worry not why my blade-hands wave around and you see this gilletanous object spawn in front of us, they're not dangerous to my species or the humanicans. See we only have so many ships here, and I do expect you to fail the first few tries but you will not exactly die but be zipped to another ship in flight. Understand? Well I gotta move on to this important tid-bit if you can fit your lovely statures in there now... As you can see immediately in front of you: there is a steering wheel and buttons on the top to shoot. One of you will shoot and steer, the other as reconnaissance and information dispatch to ensure communications between us. Now, do you two understand?"
As their mouths were about to release a inundation of questions, the sounds of horns blared into the air and Gala's hands waved around in the air again. Their dresses auto-magically conforming to full cosmonaut gear, they in separate positions on the same ship and then finally the screen flashing up and showing the World outside. Without care, they freaked out that Gala was spuriously was slashing and circling the air before their entire fleet of ships zipped straight into space. The pressure spots of their eyes repeatedly cracking, their view was no more of the airstrip but of the dark, but starlight skies of outer space. Gala soon appeared in their visor as they listened in to what they, the machine still freaking out, was about to broadcast next.
"Now I must rush into command center and guide the last steps of evacuation, by us this time and we shall be in space no time. Buy us more, we will be safe forever; even more, the Galaxians are certainly willing to extend their hands in helping with a certain few matters. But this is prophecy talk, now is the time to fight! We are the Galaxians, mission: destroy aliens! I shall help command as much as I can from here but you humanicans, regardless of wherever you came and are today, must commit to slaying our unfortunate foes. Now Valerié, since the ship is charged may you press the buttons now lit up and Veronica I urge you to be on the look out for any flanking alien craft. Think me funny, but they are more nuisance than what anybody gives credit for. Anyways, thanks for clicking those buttons Valerié as now you can fire the missile lasers at the approaching foes... Here's your first wave! Take care and I shall report back soon!"
Gridlike, rigid and static was their fleet of ships. Veronica's eyes scoped out and noticed the two leaned back alien ships but Valerié was already shifting about in space and ejecting the load upon the enemy fleet. The sheer awe of explosions caught their pupils as they expanded to catch them all, but Valerié was eager to let herself not be swamped by the enemy fleet if arcade gaming experience was any indicator. Veronica continued to scope out and her eyes widened upon seeing a ship breaking formation.
"Valerié, incoming hostile - ten knots away and thirty degrees North of us!"
"I see your scouts training taught you well for the seas, but how in the Heck do you know they are North! Oh Fortuna! Scram you pestering tango... and gotcha! Anyways, any more deviants?"
"Ma'am, no, ma'am!"
And so their ship swerved and swept the deck, the two commanders already extinguished upon the accidental joy shots being fired earlier. Re-centering back in front of the Galaxian home planet, they received broadcasting from "ole Gala" they were already snickering amongst each other. The screen playing, Gala with their robes still hugging the ground bowed their head and beeped happily. Before issuing the next command:
"Good job, girls. I could see from above you took the joyous route in eliminating them, certainly a blow to their morale seeing such irregular fighting styles deployed. But genius stratagem I must say-"
"From Sun Tzu, The Art of War. The word stratagem is very lovely to say~"
"Heh, indeed right you are Veronica. But let's get focused: I am now getting them ready to zip off while I stay behind to ensure you receive proper command. Worry not, you will be returned home when they are far away and their trail is undetectable. Now sorry, but your second wave fast approaches and my hands shake every second I am away from speeding up this process! Goodbye once again, don't get cocky!"
Coming in as they came last time, the pair already took themselves into the battle and blasted away at the foe. Ripping the fleet apart like how one makes Swiss cheese, the enemy fleet decided to all act deviant and began dog chasing them. Swerving around in the vast nothingness of space, if space acted as a medium of sound then the pure terror of being chased around would be so heavily sung by the rockets of Veronica's and Valerié's ship. They managed to blast off and make few hostiles blow up, yet soon a shot struck theirs and their eyes phased out the surroundings before their bodies reconstituted in a ship fast approaching the scene.
"By Fortuna, I thought I had lost you two. Regardless, progress has been made and they are well into inter-galactic levels of speed. Now I can focus on being a commander but it seems you only a have few tangos left, mainly the platoon sergeant and platoon commander ship still swarming around. Tricky things, they can control other units for basically a free shooting arm - yet that matters not here since they are left. Unlocking weapons from here and FIRE!"
Valerié resuming control again, her fingers mash on the fire buttons and laser torpedoes strike into the remaining ships. Burning to a crisp both of them, they slumped back but shivered upon remembering that this wasn't the ship they were originally in. Gala reappeared on their visors:
"Freaky thoughts can I so sense, not because I can but because of the modules installed on your space suits. Regarding such, you are right with your fears but you are still you even when you change to something else; I know this sounds hard when you've literally shifted from one ship to another without your consent, but trust me on that. Anyways, I shall repeat again that they are far away and pretty much zipping across the entire galaxy now. Of which, they should be fairly safe but there's one more threat I wish to take on before I let you two depart and I to a fate I rather you both not need to see nor know. Give me a second."
Seeing a gelatinous substance ripping open in outer space right in front of them, Gala floated out and they leaned in before their sighed breaths came out reminding them both that they are a machine and not a living creature. Both leaning in to wave, Gala gesticulated a heart and blown kisses back at them. Them all laughing, the ethereal pink glaze covered all their cheeks; even if Gala's cheeks resided behind a face plate they could not peer through. Then came the last wave they would have to face before they were honored to go back home, a flat circular disc that soon rotated about to reveal its massive body.
"That's what you Humanicans would call a flying saucer, this is their mother ship - one of them at least. Taking this alien mama done shall hinder any progress they could make, must say it takes a few disgruntled heads in their ranks to dare pull a card like this earlier in an extra-planetary invasion. But matters not as we three shall strive to dismantle this invasive force, limb by limb! NOW CHARGE!"
The other ships coming about and circling Gala, they pressed forth; the mother ship flashing a series of beeps and the aliens initiating their canons coming out. The Galaxian-Humanican detail closing the distance fast as Gala's posture spreading out like the White Eagle; the mother ship in the distance having its cannons charging up as energy sparked about the ship. Valerié's and Veronica's looked for any other details that their eyes could be missing but they were enamored by Gala's multiple limbs forming about and forming into the guns they had; the mother ship's cannons began bleeding energy as it began its sailing towards the Galaxian-Humanican detail. Spreading the cluster out to line formation, they began giving it their all; the mother ship wailed internally as the flames began consuming it, colours of red began rapidly flashing from the enemy ship.
"Continue the volley of lasers, my night witches! Do not give into pride but consume it for more energy to rapidly punish this invasive force!"
And so the volley of lasers continued to pummel the mother ship; yet the cannons roared and Valerié and Veronica soon found themselves in another ship. A few others burning up and turning a crisp, they re-consolidated and only fired harder and faster; the mother ship only restarted to charge its canons. Carrying the weight of the World, they fought on but soon saw few twinkles in the black-canvas that was outer space; the mother ship's cannons finally gave way but the few that survived were already re-calculating. All of them shouting it loud, even if was meaningless, as they continued to pummel at the mother ship; the mother ship gave another explosion and still stood in the great vast of space. Then their choir of lasers and shouts was visited by other ships, for which Gala shrieked in beeps.
"Impossible, but our choir joined! I thought you were all dead, but wrong I was to give up on you! So we're gonna shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. For we are carrying the weight of the World, even if we are one fleet!"
"P-Mantis 5 here. G-a1a, we came after receiving the distress call. We gave up our lil' excursions of fight for something that mattered more."
"Liger 7 here. G-a1a, I wish that some way some how that I can save everyone of us. But maybe if we keep believing, our dreams can come alive."
"Humanican 2 here. G-a1a, as signs of life faded away I still felt a gentle breeze. Life has become my enemy, and I asked Fortuna why she was punishing us. But this is our redemption song now and we need her more than ever now."
And so the fleet continued, the choir sang a lil' tune as the thunder of lasers became their orchestra; the mother ship was already ready to blow, but it wasn't ready to die. As they finally surrounded the mother ship, they began swarming and pelting the ship with laser missiles; all of the canons began charging up but didn't stop at there, preferring to let the energy continue spilling out. Their hearts began beating as one, their arms moved as one and their spirit was one as they continued to strike away at the collapsing mother ship; the mother ship finally shaking violently and cracking all about as rays of energy poured out. Gala swooping down, the entire fleet was forced back to Galaxian planet despite them trying to override it. The mother ship finally gave way and their entire rear view was clouded by the explosive debris of mother ship. All landing, all were zipped out of their space craft and into the clothes they have been in before piloting; Valerié and Veronica tried to re-pilot their ships before being held back by the surviving detail members.
Hearing a gelatinous substance ripple behind them and steel screeching against the floor, the portal closed and Gala recomposed themself and reconstituted the simple form again. Almost floating towards them all, Gala spoke before they could raise a finger.
"Finally, the aliens have been hindered - for once in their imperialist life they've been dealt a blow! But I shall hold none of you prisoner, you are now free to return back or come live with me. Obvious us Galaxians should stick together, but Humanicans do I spare you the option: home or with us. If the latter, you will be treated fair and probably better than home. If the former, may I live up to my promise. But first, to Valerié and Veronica: home or with us?"
"Gala, we are not fit to fight despite our performance. We would like to go home."
"I understand, now let me honor your selfless help."
Stepping through the portal, they were right back at the back room with the arcade machines. Gala pointing at the clock, their eyes widened that only a mere two hours had gone by. Gala's blades swerving around, their physical forms felt something internally changing and their minds expanding as Gala passed down secrets of the Galaxians. Gala calming their blades, Valerié and Veronica were shocked to be filled with a catharsis of energy instead of a depression of motivation after being imparted so much. Gala only waved as the two kissed their goodbyes, for which the portal closed and the screen flashed on - displaying one last message: "Thank you!~ <3 ^-^"
Dusting off their skirts, they slotted another quarter and pressed play again. And for another hour would be wasted, but no more of the explosive catharsis they felt but a mere another game. Veronica's and Valerié's tear ducts began flowing again not because they lost their last ship on some high round, but a message popping up: "you're mission is done, please change your World for the better with the gifts I imparted upon you two!~" They snuck their way out as they flicked the machine off, sliding the keys back into Ernst's pockets without him noticing as he was ready to pull out the bat on the rowdy boys. But he felt being pulled upon by the pair as he had the bat in air.
"Well how was Galaxian, my lassie-friends?"
"You know lil' ole Veronica, Ernst. Games like this are a god send, but we got more bubbling issues to take care off. The more we have, the merrier it shall be to root out this cancer form."
"And you know me Ernst, geeky Valerié loves games like this as well. But Veronica is right and we've had enough of their ilk running around like crazy. Time we took charge and the initiative, that's what the past administration asked of us - right?"
"Now we are speaking my language, but let's see if we peacefully disarm them before we must treat them like hyenas."
"Of course, we both will; and you will add to our numbers as we deal with this rot!"
Two things: Whew, I never thought I would exactly write a gaming fanfic but here I am; also I never thought I dedicate this much time to write for such. But here I AM!~ Hopefully I did good~ <3 ~UwU~
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This is such a good story, on the surface an adventure, Gala picked the right two gamer girls to recruit for the cause, all the statues - felt very much like the distant future! And then the action! Jeez! Their natural talents saving the day, very fun and enjoyable, a happy feel-good adventure ending on the slightly sad note of not being able to go back with the hope of what they will accomplish themselves now! Yet also, a very good parallel for the pleasure of playing a game for the first time that can never quite be repeated no matter how much of a higher score you get, that first rush is always the best, when it's unknown and things surprise and delight you, you capture all of that so well in the mirror of the story. A post on gaming on two levels!! <3<3
UwU ~ Thanks for reading and thanks for the compliments!
Indeed, a great adventure it was and G-a1a (Gala) really did pick the best gamer girls for the job! The statues are indeed reflective a good future and the action saved the Galaxians from a very bad ending!~ And yeah, it is sad that they can't go back but now time to save their World from doom and gloom. And yeah, I love parallels and yeah the first time is usually the best. And thanks for analyzing it so well!!!!~ <<<<3333!!!!~
Saving the world twice over, they make one of the best teams (but not the very best, obviously :p) when they work together, I wonder if this will warrant a sequel ;)
Save the World (again)!~ We will have to see the next archdruid game contest for potential of a sequel post!~