When Tommy Savanelli’s plane is shot down somewhere over the South Pacific during a WW2 mission, he figures he’s done for. Instead, he wakes up staring into the eyes of the beautiful creature that just saved his life. As Tommy is nursed back to health, he learns about his rescuer’s origins turning everything he thought he ever knew about life in his own world completely upside down. As their bond deepens in ways Tommy never expected possible, his loyalty to his country is put to the ultimate test when he is asked to help save his new friend’s world by helping him and his people turn the tide of WW2.
If you weren’t paying attention, or were just your usual Saturday night shitfaced, you might not notice there was much different about the way this guy looked but as soon as you sobered up and looked into those eyes there was no mistaking that this guy was not quite... right.
Tommy decided he didn’t want to think about that for the moment and fished around for his battered pack of Lucky Strikes as he nervously tried to make small talk...
“So, what’s your name kid?” Tommy asked, not finding his smokes in their usual left breast-pocket where they always were. He started checking his other pockets with his good hand.
“My name is Ethel.”
It took Tommy several more seconds of frantic rummaging until he stopped...
“Wait. Are you fuckin with me kid? Your name is Ethel... Mer MAN ???
The boy could no longer contain himself as the corners of his wider than normal mouth rose bit by bit...
“You ARE! You’re yanking my chain u little shit! Oh FUCK!!! Tommy exclaimed as the searing pain in his chest interrupted his laughter.
“You did not think we know to “yank chains”?
“How the fuck should I know how you people do anything... down here? But how do you even know who the fuck Ethel Merman IS?
Seeing Tommy's discomfort, the boy came close and once again placed his hand gently around Tommy’s wrist. The icy cold sensation once again flowed through him, completely numbing his pain making him feel human again.
“You did not think that we keep watch of everything that goes on above? We have no choice. If you destroy your world then you destroy ours as well. It is logical that we are heavily invested in your survival. That is why we know everything about you and you know nothing of us.”
Tommy gave up looking for his smokes as he contemplated what the boy just said.
“I believe this is what you were looking for.” With his other hand, the boy gently placed a small drawstring bag made of a flexible, iridescent, almost shark skin-like material into his hand. “You cannot use those down here.”
The battered pack of Lucky Strikes along with his father's trusty Zippo lighter tumbled out. Tommy picked it up, placing it upright between his thumb and first two fingers. He snapped his fingers and it pinged open, the little flame dancing slowly in the still warmth of the room.
“So... what’s your real name kid?” The tiny flame continued to dance between them...
“Our language aligns not well with yours but the closest version of my name in your language is “Tulaneossen”.
“Tula what? Damn. That’s a fuckin mouthful son. Tell you what, I’m just gonna call you “Tully.”
The boy's hand closed around Tommy’s, slowly clicking the Zippo shut. Tommy finally brought himself to look into the creatures' larger than normal neon green eyes where he could clearly see that their bioluminescent glow contained endless little sparkles that danced playfully in his steady gaze...
“Like fuck you are."
Tulaneossen smiled and kept his hand firmly on Tommy's wrist the entire time Tommy laughed just to ensure that the extended episode of hysterical laughter didn't kill him...