The Tale of the Monster Hunters, Part 1

Growing up, we were all told stories of monsters, aliens, princes and princesses, witches and wizards. And how they were all defeated by magic, love or by laser guns from a distant planet that the writer thought up probably while on the toilet. The story I’m about to tell you, however, is based on fact. I’ll give you some context first.

One hundred and fifty years ago, two giant scientific research facilities came together in order to create one giant corporation, Moolsoft. I know, they could have thought of a better name. Anyway, with the joining of these two facilities, the research and experimentation grew significantly, and before any of us knew it, we were plunged forward in technology, science, and then politics. But quoting a film from years ago, with great power comes great responsibility, and despite being some of the smartest people in the world, they let the technology get the better of them. Soon this developed all over the world. Some countries like Australia, Japan, and Peru took advantage of this, moulding the technology in order to turn it into benefits for the world, and for a time it worked. Other countries did not, and the technologies started developing experiments that were going to destroy mankind.

That’s when the monster hunters started popping up. And not just like you see in the films where they travel all over the world targeting specific problems that is certain to destroy life as we know it and the guy gets the girl and all that nonsense. No, these monster hunters popped up all over the world, each stealing weapons and developing them to save mankind. As the years went on, this started to become the way of life, at least one family would have a hunter in it. But then only the elite would survive, and it started to become a profession that only the brave would take on. Eventually Moolsoft went out of business, although the rich cats who invested millions became richer as smaller companies would develop their technology for good. We still had the monster problem, but as soon as they came up, they were gone and dead, and for a while this became the norm that lasted 130 years.

It was one afternoon that would turn Jax Hackey into one of the best monster hunters ever. Now, you’ll have to bear with me as this did happen 70-something years earlier so what I’m telling you may be more myth than fact, but here it goes.

Jax Hackey was born in 2866 in the north of the UK; the exact location varies, so I’d rather not guess. He was an only child, and from what his friends told everybody, he was a very happy child. Apparently, in the north of the UK, monster attacks were quite rare, so parents would let their children run around until late times of the night, or until their tea was ready. Rumour has it, though, that one night Jax strayed too far from home, meaning his mum went out looking for him. Several hours went by, and after this period, that’s when it was normal for parents to call the police to help look, otherwise you would be killed by the monsters. So that’s what Jax’s dad did. After another hour, with the sun almost gone behind all the houses that surrounded theirs, Jax wandered back in, out of breath and muddy. But Jax’s mum did not return, and her body was found the next day beaten, bruised, and practically ripped apart by the claws of the most prolific monster in the area, Talon. Obviously that’s just a nickname, his real name is a long serial number who had escaped from a facility and evaded capture for who knows how long.

Anyway, after that night, Jax swore he would find and kill Talon, but had to take care of his dad, who fell into a deep depression at the loss of his wife. Jax, feeling guilty, did all he could to look after his dad, cooking, cleaning, and shopping, anything to keep the house together. But it wasn’t enough, and when Jax was 17, his dad committed suicide, his body being dragged away by Talon for food. After that, Jax disappeared. No friends heard from him again, and he wasn’t documented in anything official for several years until 2903 when a marriage certificate with his name and signature was found and kept in a museum, because of his legendary status.

This brings me to 2869. Dasia Hasslocher was born in this year. Born and raised in a children’s home in the south of the UK, she had always been fascinated with the myths of Talon and other monsters from around the world. People say that about once a month she would pack a rucksack and go looking for monsters. People also say that she would be found tangled up in the broken gate that surrounded the garden. She never formed any emotional attachment, as she knew they could be pulled away from her in a heartbeat, and she didn’t like getting hurt. When she turned 18, she left the home and disappeared off records for several years. That is until her name was found on a marriage certificate.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

In the year 2888, him at age 22 and her at age 19, Jax and Dasia ran into each other. Literally. Both running from the monsters they had found earlier on that day, colliding with great thuds of bodies and bangs of metal from their guns. Legend says that without even speaking a single word to each other, they clicked and worked together to destroy the monsters they had been running from. The legend further says that with just a handshake, they formed their bond that would stand throughout time as we know it.

"Babe can you pass me a pen please?" Dasia asked as she kept her eyes firmly on the TV.

"Yeah, here you go," he said passing it to her. "What you doing?" He shifted on the couch, away from his notes, and towards the TV and to his girlfriend.

"There’s a story about Talon on the news, so I was going to add it to your board." She took notes as she said this, as if it was a special skill.

"Right," Jax said, turning away from her and back to his notes. She didn’t even need to look at him to know he wasn’t happy. She could sense it.

"You alright?"

"Mmm."

"So, that’s a no," she whispered under her breath. She’d known him for ten years and knew that would set him off. She put the pen and notebook down on the armchair, stood, and sat herself down by him skillfully avoiding the large mug of tea that was too close to the edge for comfort. She tucked her legs underneath herself and gently pulled him back onto her chest and shoulder, "Talk to me baby."

"I’m fine."

"No you’re not."

"I don’t want to think about him at the moment. I’m happy."

"I know you are, I’m just trying to help you."

"I know."

She stroked his short brown hair and rubbed his chest.

"I know it’s hard, and I know you’re happy. But this isn’t about just you, it’s about all those other mothers who were killed by him. Anything we can do to help. And don’t forget the phone could ring at any moment about him."

"OK."

"Now turn that frown upside down or I’ll have to tickle you. You’re 32, not too old to get out of tickling," she smiled.

"You can’t tickle, and I’m not ticklish."

"Yeah, well I can try." She kissed his head and gave him a hug, hoping it would make him feel better.

"I love you," he said tipping his head back and kissing her.

"I love you too," she replied.

Later that night, they were in the kitchen cooking. This is the part where I must tell you that even though they were now very renowned in their field, they lived very simple lives; I know, I’ve been to their house. It was silver, almost like a box, there was no character to it with only the occasional photo placed on the window sill or the fire place at the heart of a place called Chester. A very modest home for two of the richest people in the world. It made a lot of people question what they actually did with the money they earned. But I like to believe they took only what they needed and gave the rest back.

Anyway, later that night, they were in the kitchen cooking, Dasia in charge while Jax tried not to take over when the TV switched itself on.

"I really hate it when it does that," Jax said as he turned to the TV.

"I wonder what this will be about now," Dasia said, not even looking up at the TV. The emergency broadcast music sounded (and apparently it was as generic back then as it is today) and the newscaster came on the TV.

"Emergency broadcast: Moolsoft’s chief scientist Dr. Prakash has created a new species of monsters with the capability of wiping out human kind."

"Really?" Jax said with a sense of fatigue in his voice, "when will they actually stop?"

"Didn’t that company go out of business years ago?" Dasia asked as she put the knife down on the chopping board.

"Clearly not."

"The whereabouts of Dr. Prakash is unknown, and authorities are looking into how he managed to create such a species. The people of the UK have been told to remain in their homes while local police carry out searches of the areas for any disturbances."

"But I needed to go shopping," Dasia said.

"Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it’s just a hoax."

"I hope you’re right."

They settled down for a lovely tea that had eventually been taken over by Jax as they discussed possible reasons why this was happening and what it would mean in terms of the end of the world like the newscaster had said. An hour later, they were about to settle down for a film when they got a call. Dasia answered it, wedging it between her head and Jax’s armpit. She was too comfortable to sit up.

"Hello?"

"Is this Dasia Hasslocher?"

"It is."

"This is Queen Elizabeth, the Tenth." Dasia sat bolt upright, scaring Jax into doing the same.

"Your Majesty, it’s an honour. Again. How are you?"

"Very well. Yourselves?"

"Very well too. What can we do for you?"

"We need your help."

"We?"

"The world."

END OF PART 1.