by David Gill
'But why did Carrick treat me the way he did?'
'Carrick is claustrophobic and wanted to break out at the earliest opportunity. I didn't agree with him and said that we should make contact with you first and wait for help, but I was weak and gave in, which is why I've come in his place to make amends for what he tried to do to you.'
Jenna was disturbed by what Ellen was telling her, yet was fascinated at the same time. 'So where is Vance now?'
'He's in the machine with Carrick,' said Ellen. 'I must get back to Vennica as soon as possible in order to track down the alien and try to get our life forces back.'
'Nothing is due to visit Bouron for five months,' said Jenna. 'Go back into the machine, release my crew chief and we'll make arrangements for you when the Amar arrives on the supply run.'
Ellen lit another cigarette. 'It's not that straightforward. Vance can't come out of the machine yet because his life-form isn't strong enough to take the strain of another transmission.'
'I thought you said that going through Phasewave cured all illnesses,' said Jenna.
'That's right, but Vance didn't materialize and complete the transition. It's only when the body is fully regenerated that the transformation occurs. Vance is weaker than we thought and at this moment is better protected where he is.'
'I must talk to Vance right now,' said Jenna.
'That might not be possible. Vance is in a state of deep rest at the moment, but I can ask Carrick to bring him round if you think it necessary. However, I must warn you that the shock to his energy field might prove fatal.'
'I still want to see him. Take me to him. Now.'
Ellen put out her cigarette and got to her feet. 'Very well, but if he comes to any harm you'll have only yourself to blame.'
Carrick's face filled the monitor screen. 'Jenna, I must apologise for what happened, and I hope Ellen has explained the reasons for my terrible behaviour. I'm so sorry for what I did. I swear it won't happen again.'
Jenna pointedly ignored him. 'Put Vance on the screen.'
Carrick's face fell. 'He's not a well person, Jenna. He's only just settled into a state of suspension, and I don't want to disturb him right now. I'll try to get him back if you insist, but I honestly think the shock might reduce his strength to the point where he may never be able to leave the machine.'
Jenna was trapped. Unless she actually set eyes on Vance and spoke to him, Carrick and Ellen could tell her anything they wanted and she would have no way of knowing if he was alive or dead. On the other hand, if she continued to press Carrick further he could say that Vance had died and blame it on her, in which case she would still be none the wiser. 'Okay,' she finally conceded, 'leave Vance where he is, but I want to see him at the first opportunity.'
'That's a very sound decision if I may say so,' said Carrick. 'You've nothing to fear from me now because knowing that Ellen is safe means I can take any amount of time in here without worrying about her. I trust Ellen with my life and know that she'll think of a way to get me out. I'm also glad that you're safe and well.'
Jenna watched Carrick fade from sight and followed Ellen out of the room. She was deeply suspicious, but also confused. What was she going to do about Ellen? Or was there a need to do anything? The only alternative she could think of was to try to force Ellen back into the machine, in which event Carrick would immediately change places. Once again Jenna decided that all she could do was to wait and see what developed.
Ellen stopped outside her old cabin and looked Jenna directly in the face. 'I know you think the worst of us, and I don't blame you because I would feel the same in your position. The hardest thing about being trapped inside the machine was being aware that there was no-one outside to help us, but now I'm here I can find a way to get Vance and Carrick back and return everything to normal. The alien showed me what a terrible person I'd been in the past, and it's only when it's spelt out to you in those terms that you finally accept what you are. I've changed. I'm a different person now, and I want you to give me a chance to prove it.' She gave Jenna a brief hug and, without waiting for a response, entered her cabin and closed the door.
Later that night, lying on her bed, Jenna tried to determine the truth, but it was as long as a piece of cord. Could Ellen be trusted? Possibly, but was she revealing everything? Questions came and went and returned, but their answers remained as elusive as ever. It was hours later that Jenna, no longer able to reason, fell into an exhausted sleep.
*******************************
Declan entered his bedroom, saw the flashing call light and answered it. The face that greeted him on the screen was grim.
'Something's come up,' said Gil. 'I can't talk about it over an open line. Where's Jenna now?'
'We're taking a break until after lunch,' said Declan. 'By the way, she questioned why you were showing no interest in the Phasewave break-in. Is there something I should know?'
'I was hoping for a different reaction,' said Gil. 'The answer to your question is "yes". The break-in is directly linked to this case; however, I don't want to go any further right now.'
Declan was bursting with questions, but accepted that Gil was not going to supply any more information.
'Keep listening to Jenna,' said Gil. 'She'll fill in the details, and then you'll understand why I can't tell you more. There's also been a change of plan which I need to discuss with you in person. I'll visit you as soon as soon as I can.'
After Gil had disconnected, Declan remained seated and watched as bits started to fly around the picture in his mind. He quickly put aside the added complication of the Phasewave incident. There was no point in getting side-tracked into further speculation while he was still in the middle of Jenna's revelations, but it was Gil's reference to other developments that now gave him cause for concern. He racked his brains, but could not think of anything he had overlooked and went back to re-join Jenna in the living room.
'Any luck?' asked Jenna.
'No, Gil's not back yet,' said Declan, unwilling to break the flow of Jenna's story. He sat down opposite Jenna and avoided eye contact, hoping that his lie had not been detected. 'How did you eventually escape Ellen's clutches?' he continued.
'I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for Brant,' said Jenna. 'Without his help I would have gone the same way as the others.'
'Brant? I thought you said Brant was killed by the Phasewave shortly after your arrival on Bouron.'
'I did,' said Jenna. 'That's another reason why this is becoming hard to believe.'
A multitude of thoughts flooded simultaneously into Declan's brain. He sat and stared at Jenna while his seething mind tried to control the mental overload.
Jenna saw Declan's confusion. 'Didn't Gil tell you that we came back to Vennica together?'
Declan continued to stare blankly at Jenna. He was missing something, something vital. 'He only told me that the other engineer, the one who returned to Vennica with you, wasn't fit enough to give evidence. I did not know he was referring to Brant.'
'Well, bear that in mind while I explain how he died. Brant had worked out that there was something wrong with the story Ellen and Carrick were pushing and was about to deactivate the Phasewave when they triggered a discharge from the sub-drive and killed him. But, although Brant's body was destroyed, he entered the machine in an aphysical form and became trapped inside the Phasewave with the others. I can tell from the look on your face that you don't believe me, but listen to what I have to say, this is crucial to the rest of the story.'
*******************************
Jenna woke with a start. She turned on the lights and looked around the cabin, searching for whatever had disturbed her sleep. On her worktop the communicator call light flashed urgently. Jenna stared at it, trying in her dazed state to work out why someone was calling her in the middle of the night. Ellen was the only other person on the base, but what was so urgent that it could not wait until morning? Maybe something had happened to Vance. Jenna pulled on a robe, went to her
work station and switched on the communicator to find herself sitting face to face with Brant. For a split second she remained frozen, then leapt to her feet.
'I haven't time to explain,' said Brant. 'You are in grave danger.'
Jenna stood motionless, holding one hand over her mouth. She stared mutely at the screen.
'Ellen is planning to put you through the Phasewave machine.'
'But, you ... you're ... you're dead,' Jenna stammered. 'I saw your body.'
'Listen carefully,' said Brant. 'When Ellen and Carrick electrocuted me I entered the Phasewave. I've no idea how it happened, but I suddenly found myself inside the Phasewave with the two of them. They are in a different part of the machine and don't know I'm here. If they find me they will certainly destroy me. I would have called you earlier, but I've only just learnt how to transit the communication links without being discovered.'
'I can't believe it's you,' said Jenna, totally bewildered.
'Yes, it's me, only without a body,' said Brant. 'You're going to have to act fast; there'll be time for explanations later. I'm sorry to tell you this, but Vance is dead. Carrick took Vance's life force as soon as he entered the machine and then destroyed him, which is why Ellen can't allow you to speak to him. Ellen and Carrick are life partners and will stop at nothing to be physically together again. When Carrick went back into the machine, the life force was adopted by Ellen, enabling her to take Carrick's place. They both now desperately need your life force to release Carrick from the machine.'
Jenna could not concentrate on what Brant was saying. 'How do I know you're telling the truth? I saw your dead body. Somebody could be impersonating you - you could be Carrick.'
'I can prove conclusively that I am Brant. Right now Ellen is in Unit Nine talking to Carrick. Go and see for yourself. I will wait for you.'
Jenna threw on some clothes and made her way to the Phasewave, where she cautiously peered through the open door. The interior lights were on, and she observed Ellen sitting before the monitor talking to Carrick in a hushed voice. So Brant was right, therefore he must be alive! Jenna felt a surge of elation and ran back to her cabin. Brant was back from the dead and she could not wait to see him again.
'Ellen has limited power over you,' said Brant. 'If she causes you serious physical harm your body cannot be used as a replacement life-force. She is deceitful and will appeal to your better nature, so at all times bear in mind that she is totally ruthless and will stop at nothing to release Carrick. If she does manage to get you to enter the Phasewave you will be destroyed, because you are the only witness to everything they have done and they will want you out of the way as soon as you cease to be of use to them. Although Ellen cannot physically harm you, she might attempt to drug or restrain you, at which point it will all be over and I will never see you again. Only the thought that one day I might be with you again has kept me sane. You'll never know how much I've missed you.'
'But what can I do?' said Jenna.
'You must think of a way to outwit Ellen. Somehow she must be made to re-enter the Phasewave, then I will adopt her life-force to become physical again.'
'All I have is a thermic lance,' said Jenna.'
'It's a start,' said Brant, 'but always remember that you mustn't harm her; I need her life force as much as she needs yours. I'll try to help you as much as I can. In my cabin is a case of impulse detonators, but they aren't very powerful and I haven't yet worked out how they could be useful to you. They do, however, produce a tremendous reaction if they are set off close to a power source, so be careful if you decide to use them. Make sure that you ...'
Something diverted Brant's attention. 'I must go now,' he continued. 'Carrick has finished talking to Ellen, and I have to hide before he finds me. I will contact you whenever I can.'
On her own again, Jenna's elation turned to despair. She had not got the faintest idea what to do. Was she absolutely certain that it was Brant she had been talking to? She had seen Brant's charred remains with her own eyes, so how could he still be alive? Ellen had said that only the alien could impersonate others, so if it was Carrick impersonating Brant he would also be able to impersonate Vance, in which case why wouldn't they let her speak to him? And why would Carrick have sent her to watch Ellen talking to himself on the monitor? So it must have been Brant she had been talking to - or must it?
Jenna started to shiver and lay down and gathered the bed covers around her. If it was Brant she had been talking to it meant that she could never trust Ellen again, not if she wanted to stay alive and help him. Ellen had not caused any problems since her appearance, and she had explained about Carrick, so was she as bad as Brant was making out? In the end it came down to one of two choices - she either trusted whoever was claiming to be Brant or accepted Ellen as she found her. Who was it to be? But it was Brant who had helped her search for the missing crew and had lost his life trying to protect them from Ellen and Carrick. She owed Brant everything and Ellen nothing, and now she had to help him escape from the machine. Jenna's thoughts continued to spiral in endless circles until she fell into a troubled sleep, at some point during which she dreamt that she saw a giant moon rise over the mountains of Vennica.
*******************************
A moving light bisected the face of the moon and traced a line across the darkening sky. Declan watched the cruiser descend below the level of the mountains and commence its approach to the resort, relieved that Gil had finally arrived. The cruiser slowly let down and whined to a halt on the hard-standing below the balcony.
'Who's that?' asked Jenna.
'It must be Gil. I'm going down to meet him.' Declan put on a jacket and made his way outside. As he reached the cruiser its door opened and Slater and Jarvine climbed out.
'Surprise,' said Jarvine.
'What are you doing here?' Declan demanded. 'Where's Gil?'
'This isn't a social call,' said Slater, thrusting a package into Declan's hands. 'Read that, and you'd better watch your manners from now on.'
The two men slowly circled Declan while he rapidly leafed through the bundle of documents under the glow of the cruiser's lights. His heart sank when he realized what they were.
'So Gil's been kicked off the case. Who'd have thought it?' Slater stood unnecessarily close to Declan and retrieved the documents. 'The Security Service has taken over and we're going to kick some sense into this investigation.'
'Where's the surveillance?' asked Jarvine.
Declan was desperately trying to work out the implications of the new arrangements and did not hear the question.
Slater looked up at the light in the apartment window above. 'It's a pity to have to break up your holiday, but you need to stay somewhere we can keep an eye on you, Somewhere a bit more, shall we say, secure.'
Jarvine checked the buildings on either side. 'Looks like there's nobody around,' he said.
'I haven't finished here,' said Declan.
Slater seized Declan by the arm. 'You're not listening, Declan. Take it from me – you are now officially finished.'
Declan twisted his arm free. 'You can't do this; I have to speak to Gil.'
Slater pushed his face close to Declan's and held him in a rough grip. 'Gil's no longer in a position to protect you. Now, where's the surveillance team hiding?'
'What's it got to do with you?'
'As I said before, this is my case. Now do you want your arm broken or are you going to cooperate?' He tightened his grip on Declan's arm until the pain became unbearable.
'Over there.' Declan pointed with his free arm. 'They're in the cliff apartments.'
Jarvine and Slater stared at the cliff face intently.
'Here's what you're going to do, Mr Spaceman,' said Slater. 'Go over to the surveillance team and tell them that they now report to me. Tell them to keep on doing whatever it is they're playing at until I tell them to stop.' He released his grip on Declan's arm. 'I'm going to give you one last chance. You've got two more days, after which Jenna's going to
be put through the mill unless she comes up with the goods. You won't be able to do a thing to prevent it, so it's up to you now.'
'Yeah,' said Jarvine, 'she'll never be the same again. Still, after listening to the crap she's come out with so far, that's got to be an improvement.'
'And when we return,' added Slater, 'if we hear funny stories about people who disappear into machines and talk to aliens you can say goodbye to your friend Jenna for good.'
'Stick around,' said Jarvine, and both men climbed back inside the cruiser.
Declan remained outside, wondering what was the real purpose of Slater's visit and why he was so interested in the location of the surveillance team. The cruiser's lights disappeared into the darkness, after which Declan made his way back to his apartment with a growing concern about the way events were developing.
Jenna was waiting for him. 'Who are those people? What did they want?'
Declan did not know what to say, but could not think of a way to hide the facts from Jenna.
'Gil's been taken off the case.' Declan relayed the information Slater had given him.
'I'm not with you,' said Jenna. 'What have they got to do with us?'
'Slater and Jarvine used to work for the Justice Department, but they are now employed by the Security Service, which apparently has taken over the case.'