Ice Rift - Siberia

by Ben Hammott

  As Sullivan’s hand moved to his radio mic to contact Ramirez to hopefully shed some light on the situation, the man appeared around the corner. Sullivan’s gaze flicked to the woman accompanying him. Ramirez’s relaxed manner inspired confidence there was no imminent threat from the Russians or the woman he assumed was one of the surviving scientists who worked here.

  “How’s the commander and Dalton?” inquired Ramirez on reaching the group.

  “They’ll survive.” Noticing the angry swelling on the side of Ramirez head, Sullivan indicted the woman with a slight nod. “Who is she?”

  “She is Comrade Krisztina Evgeny,” replied Krisztina. “And she speaks English.”

  “Good to hear,” said Colbert.

  “Krisztina is concerned the explosives won’t kill the alien creatures or prevent them from escaping. Apparently, they can liquify their bodies and ooze through small cracks.”

  Frowning worriedly, Sullivan refocused on Krisztina. “Is this true?”

  “It is. Even if you turn The Kamera into rubble pile, I fear creatures still find way to surface.”

  “That’s not good,” stated Sullivan. They had lost two good men on a fruitless exercise.

  “However, not all is lost,” continued Ramirez. “Krisztina has come up with a viable plan that I believe will work and guarantee nothing in the facility survives.”

  Sullivan turned back to Krisztina for her to explain further.

  “Because of dangerous substances worked on before here, which I won’t elaborate on, a failsafe against anything escaping into outside atmosphere was installed. A nuclear device planted beneath lowest level.”

  “An atomic bomb!” uttered Richard.

  Krisztina ignored the man’s reaction. “Yes. I assume it’s connected to a self-destruct control located in facility somewhere.”

  “Not much help if you don’t know where it is, but I’ll inform the commander of your plan and he’ll make the decision.” Sullivan turned to the infirmary door.

  “I don’t need your commander’s decision to do anything,” argued Krisztina. “You all trespassing on Russian territory, something my superiors won’t look kindly upon if they find out. No, this is what we will do. We locate self-destruct control, set it off and leave. I assume you have transport to return you to wherever you come from?”

  Sullivan nodded.

  “Good, you take me along road safe distance, and I wait for my comrades to arrive.”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong,” said Ramirez, “but Russian superiors don’t seem to have forgiving natures. Won’t you get into trouble for destroying their secret facility and the alien they wanted captured alive?”

  “Why would I get in trouble when I tell my superiors it was Stanislav, head of facility, who now dead, blew it up? Sacrificing his life to stop alien from reaching outside world.”

  Ramirez smiled. “Sneaky.”

  “Do you know how to operate this self-destruct system if we find it?” enquired Colbert, buttoning up his jacket as he stepped from the infirmary. “I suspect it’s not like in some movies where a conveniently placed large red button is typically pressed to set it off.”

  Dalton stepped from the infirmary and eyed up the pretty Russian.

  “You heard her plan, then?” asked Sullivan.

  Colbert nodded. “And I agree with her. The only way to be certain every part of the creature is obliterated and ensure our mission isn’t a total bust is to nuke it.” He looked at Krisztina while he waited for her to answer.

  “Nyet, not exactly. I unaware of bomb until short while before,” explained Krisztina. “Though large red button would be preferable, I imagine it be a little more complicated. I’m assuming there is instruction manual in Stanislav’s office that provide information to activate it and where it is located.”

  “Then that’s where we’ll head next,” stated Colbert.

  After Krisztina had given directions to Stanislav’s office, Sullivan led them along the corridor.

  MASON GLANCED AT THE antiquated radio gathering dust in the corner when it crackled into life and spat out a tinny voice speaking Russian.

  “Colonel Grigori of strike force Kremlin to Siberia checkpoint 3. Be advised, we will arrive at The Kamera in sixty-three minutes. Request an update on the situation?”

  The unmistakable thrump-thrump of spinning rotors barely discernible in the background above a noisy engine, indicated they travelled by helicopter. It wasn’t good news. Mason directed his gaze upon his Russian captive when the man spoke.

  “Is best I reply, no?” suggested Sven, concerned he’d be accused of abandoning his post if he didn’t.

  As Mason pondered whether he could trust the Russian not to warn the approaching force of the American presence at their secret base, the Russian colonel spoke again.

  “Checkpoint Siberia 3, respond,” demanded the colonel.

  Mason nodded at Sven and stood. Keeping the man covered with the rifle, he followed him to the antiquated radio.

  “I’m surprised it still works,” joked Sven, picking up the bulky handset.

  Mason pressed the tip of the rifle barrel against the side of Sven’s head. “You warn them we’re here and it will be the last words you speak. We hope to be gone before your comrades arrive, so except for you, no other Russian will be the wiser. As far as anyone will know, you followed protocol and did everything expected of you. If you force me to kill you, we will take your body with us and drop it in the tundra never to be found. Your comrades will believe you deserted your post, and the shame will fall on your family. Understand?”

  Sven nodded enthusiastically. The barrel against his head would have been sufficient to ensure he complied.

  “Comrade Sven Kazimir at Checkpoint Siberia 3 to Colonel Grigori, I understand you will arrive shortly. All has remained quiet here since my departure from the facility, and there’s been no activity above ground.”

  “Received, Comrade Kazimir. Remain at your post and advise if the situation changes.”

  “Da, Colonel.” Sven replaced the handset in its cradle.

  “Return to your seat,” ordered Mason.

  As Sven crossed to the table, Mason touched a hand to his radio mic. “Eagle 4 to Mother Goose, be advised, hornets ETA one hour. Repeat, hornets will arrive in approximately sixty minutes.”

  OUTSIDE THE FACILITY, Kelly continually scanned the horizon. With no idea if the Russians would arrive by road or air, his gaze focused on the sky for approaching helicopters and then aimed binoculars along the road. The pilot’s gaze switched to the cockpit when Mason spoke over the radio, warning the team the Russians were almost here. Hornets indicated they would be arriving by helicopter.

  FROWNING FROM MASON’S message, Colbert replied, “Received and understood, Eagle 4. He then issued orders to Kelly. “Eagle 3 remain on post until advised and prep for a hasty EVAC with possible hurricane on our tail. Estimated safe distance, one click. Expected mission termination is currently thirty minutes, max.”

  A LITTLE CONFUSED BY what the American commander had just relayed to his men, Sven looked at the American as he sat opposite. “Your commander is mistaken. No hurricanes forecast this month.”

  Mason grinned at the Russian who had no idea hurricane in this context was code for a strong explosive blast. “Us Americans make our own.”

  Sven suddenly twigged what the American meant. “Oh.” If it destroyed the alien monster that had killed his comrades, he was all for it. He then had another thought. “How big will be explosion?”

  “Big enough that you don’t want to be anywhere close by,” replied Mason. “Does that motorbike outside work?”

  Sven nodded.

  “When the time comes, you’ll need to ride it like the wind to escape what’s coming.”

  Thankful the Americans weren’t going to kill him when their mission was completed, Sven nodded vigorously. “I can do that, and I not mention you Americans were here. I could be punished for being captured if I did.”
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br />   “Good,” uttered Mason. “I’m certain that will be best for all concerned.”

  KRISZTINA PAUSED OUTSIDE the control room, halting the team unexpectedly. “I need to let my superiors know I’m alive and warn soldiers coming here of imminent explosion. I might want to stop them from capturing alien, but I don’t want them killed.”

  “Make it quick,” consented Colbert, anxious to get his men clear of the facility as soon as possible. “Remember, you have no idea reinforcements are coming.”

  Krisztina entered the room. Glancing at the list of emergency numbers stuck to the wall, she dialed the facility’s contact at the Kremlin. Her call was answered quicker than she expected.

  “Da!” said a man’s voice.

  Krisztina answered in Russian. “This is Comrade Krisztina Sashura from The Kamera.”

  “I was informed everyone there was dead,” replied the man on the other end.

  Though the speaker failed to offer his name or title, Krisztina didn’t fail to recognize the voice of authority; whoever she was speaking to was used to being obeyed. “I barely survived when the alien creature overran Level 4. Our concern here was that it would make its way to the upper levels, which it might have already succeeded in doing, and escape from the facility.”

  “That must not happen.”

  “I agree, sir, as did my superior, Director Stanislav.”

  “Is Director Stanislav with you?”

  “No, sir. The last time I saw him he was going to activate the self-destruct protocols to ensure the alien didn’t escape.”

  “Nyet! He doesn’t have permission for such a drastic measure. We need the alien alive to study.”

  “I understand, sir, and I did try to talk him out of it, but he is my superior. We were chased by the creature and split up. That was the last I saw of him. I have tried reaching him over the internal intercom but have received no answer. He could be hiding from the creature or dead. I am also unaware if he has already set the self-destruct in motion, which is another reason why I am keen to leave.”

  “I can’t hear a warning being broadcast through the facility, so it hasn’t been activated.”

  “Correct, sir, there is no warning, yet,” confirmed Krisztina.

  “Then not all is lost. Listen to me, Comrade Sashura, it’s imperative you keep trying to contact Stanislav over the intercom to set him away from his rash unauthorized course. If he is still alive and hiding, he might be able to hear you but not reply. Broadcast that he is forbidden to destroy the alien, or the facility, and a team will arrive shortly to take control of the situation. Do you understand, Comrade?”

  “I understand, sir. I will remain here and broadcast your orders until help arrives. However, if Director Stanislav disobeys your request and activates the self-destruct, do I have permission to vacate the facility and move to a safe distance?”

  The man replied after a short pause. “I suppose so, but only when you hear the alarm.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  When the man abruptly ended the call, Krisztina replaced the handset.

  “The way you lie, you should have been a politician,” said Colbert.

  “No, thanks. Now I’ve covered my ass, let’s destroy this place before creatures come.”

  Krisztina led them to Stanislav’s office and gazed around the room Luka had ransacked during his search for the alien pistols. She crossed to the splintered doors of a wall cupboard and pulled one door open wider. Inside were files, stacks of papers, books and the alien pistol Vadim had started dismantling. Aware her superiors would be—to put it mildly—disappointed by its loss, and that it might encourage them to look on her more favorably after the facility and alien were destroyed, she gathered up the pieces and slipped them into her pocket.

  “Have you found it?” asked Richard, breaking away from the men gathered in the hall guarding the corridor and entering the office.

  Krisztina glanced at the Englishman, who seemed out of place. Obviously not a soldier, she wondered why he was here. “I look still.”

  As Krisztina returned to searching through the paperwork, Richard glanced around the room. Maybe there were some secrets he could steal and sell, but he soon realized as he couldn’t read Russian it was pointless taking anything that might turn out to be a shopping list or a boring memo.

  “Got it!” exclaimed Krisztina a few moments later.

  Richard watched Krisztina break the seal on the plastic sleeve and remove two strangely shaped keys, which she put in a pocket, and a thin A4 pamphlet that she immediately started flicking through. After a few moments, he asked, “Can you operate it?”

  Krisztina nodded without glancing up. “I think so. Just follow steps outlined in instructions.”

  Colbert glanced into the room. “Does it say where the self-destruct control is located?”

  Krisztina looked at Colbert. “There’s one on level 4. If dangerous substance leaked free, scientists below could set it in motion, sacrificing themselves to prevent it getting out.”

  “There’s no way we can go back down there with those creatures running around,” stated Dalton worriedly from the corridor. “We barely survived the last time.”

  “We won’t have to. There is a secondary control to initiate self-destruct sequence by exit elevator on this level,” explained Krisztina. “We go there, activate it and leave. Alien dies. We safe.”

  Dalton relaxed a little.

  “Sounds like a plan,” agreed Colbert. “How much time do we have when it’s started?”

  “Fifteen minutes.”

  Colbert stepped into the corridor. “You all hear that?”

  His men nodded.

  “Let’s move,” ordered Colbert.

  “On me,” said Sullivan, leading them along the corridor.

  CHAPTER 24

  dEV1Lment

  WHEN BORIS ARRIVED back at the elevator, he stared at the remains on the floor and then inside at the bones of the cow he had seen earlier. His search for his human friend or an exit to the outside had failed. He sensed something bad was happening and the strange, dark creature that had devoured the other animals and attacked one of the humans was responsible. Even more worrying was that it had grown and was now loose, roaming the corridors.

  Noticing something on the floor sticking from beneath the bunched-up rug, Boris pulled it out. It was his human friend’s lighter. Remembering the tasty treats they had enjoyed together, he struck it to flame. His head turned to the elevator. Clacking, clicks and slithering sounds headed his way. Something he didn’t want to encounter was coming. His eyes focused on the elevator ceiling when it buckled slightly. A sniff of the air revealed the scent of the strange creature nearby, prompting him to flee along the corridor to look for somewhere to hide.

  EV1L REACHED THE BOTTOM of the elevator and slithered past. Arriving at the top of the shaft above the moving box and finding no avenue of escape around the winch motor, she dropped onto the elevator roof devoid of any means of access. Her form changed to a squat creature with powerful legs bent beneath its rotund body capable of propelling it great distances, but that was not why this form was chosen. A tiny, pointed head, its size out of proportion to its plump torso, emerged and turned its many-eyed gaze upon the arms stretching out from bony shoulder blades. When the arms were fully formed, she flexed the powerful limbs tipped with curved, hook-like claws. When she struck them together, a loud clack echoed down the shaft.

  The small creatures clinging to the walls around the top of the shaft, watched their queen raise her arms and slam them into the metal box. Powered by muscular limbs, a metallic clangor rang out when sharp claw tips pressed through the metal.

  Anchored by her rear limbs, Ev1L dragged her limbs forward. Metal shrieked, buckled and scrunched when it was ripped back. Releasing her grip on the flap of metal, EV1L shuffled to the hole and dropped through. Hanging on a hooked claw like an evil alien baboon, she roamed her eyes around the interior before focusing on the doors that slid together and r
eversed direction when they hit the obstacle preventing them from closing. She dropped to the floor, and as her minions poured through the hole in the roof and slithered around the walls, she hooked claws into the doors and yanked them inwards. The buckled doors became jammed partway into their frames and ceased motion.

  Two small kangaroo-like springs carried EV1L into the corridor. After checking both directions and seeing no sign of the humans, she shrieked a command. Splitting up, her small army of viciousness morphed into their previous selected forms and while the majority moved off to search Level 3 for the humans, a few remained to finish off the bovine skeleton.

  EV1L altered her appearance to mimic Svetlana and headed along the corridor. She observed small groups of her minions slip away from the main insidious mass to search each of the rooms they passed.

  From his shadowy hiding place atop a cupboard, Boris watched the four dark creatures enter and cowered deeper into the dark corner. Aware that touching them would bring pain and death, fighting them wasn’t an option. Hoping they wouldn’t find him and leave, he anxiously watched them split up and begin searching the room.

  One of the creatures jumped onto a workbench and scattered glass beakers, flasks, Bunsen burner tripods, test tubes and test tube clamps and other pieces of scientific equipment as it rushed along the top, its vicious head constantly swiveling, directing its evil eyes around the room in search of prey.

  To the sound of glass crashing to the floor, another creature climbed a row of shelves. It halted at a line of large jars filled with human organs and animal specimens, some partly dissected from autopsies carried out after their experiments on Level 4. The creature nudged the jar containing a skinned rabbit and jumped back when its floating form gently struck the glass. Believing it alive, it attacked. The jar crashed into the one beside it and both fell. Exploding on contact with the floor, the specimens from each jar slid across the floor on a wave of formaldehyde.