by Timothy Cox
Planet Insect, Mining Minerals for Earth, Book 2
Copyright © 2013 Kindle Publishing Timothy Cox
This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book, all rights reserved.
Part one out on Amazon: US / UK
“A sick thought can devour the body's flesh more than fever or consumption.”
― Guy de Maupassant, Le Horla et autres contes fantastiques
(1)
‘Please I don’t think I can take anymore.’ He said looking at his face. He turned around. ‘Hello? Anyone hearing me I said–’
An all too familiar sound came from behind the wall: gears’ grinding. Blocks of wall turned. More reflective mirrors. Mirrors that made everything in the room appear the same. Everything in the room (just the man) reflected into the mirror. His body became the man, behind the man, behind the man. His image proliferated until there were too many of him; like a television televising its own image.
‘Wait what the fuck are you doing–’ he ran his fingers through his wet hair ‘–I think I’m fine.’ The mirrors turned red behind. A sign that they were going to blast him again. The floor vibrated. The temperature increased. This is what he hated the most: not knowing when they were going to release the button and the way his body temperature fluctuated from desert hot to Antarctic col–
Spit flung into the air. He fell to his knees. It was so hot that his skin smelled of burnt flesh. The hair on his body convulsed like dancing sticks. He bit down on his teeth and wished it over – but it was never going to be that quick – the temperature increased until he collapsed onto his stomach. Vision turned into waves of light. He tried touching thin air in front of him; thinking of it as salvation. He cocked his head up and saw a maroon face staring back – his mirror face. He wanted to ask them to stop but his mind told him to persevere just a while longer.
The heat disappeared. There was a moment of silence until the gears’ turned. Blocks of mirror disappeared behind the wall and fresh new ones emerged. They vibrated: powering up. The color turned from red to blue. The temperature dropped so quick, that every nook and cranny came alive with frost.
His jaw trembled like a wind-up mouth toy. Splinters of frost snowed on him. He was going to die and he was sure of it. All because of him touching some stupid object.
Intercom: Richard. The contamination process is complete. Give your body a moment to rest and we will come inside.
He felt like raising his middle finger but didn’t have the strength. He could taste cold sweat; the metallic of near-death. The water in his mouth made him retch. Nothing came out. And then everything came out. It was as if his mouth turned into a hose: green water gushed. He retched a few more times until he heard the door open. With puke dripping from his lips he turned. The man at the door smiled like it was Christmas.
‘You look like shit,’ he said. ‘Let’s get you some fresh clothes.’
(2)
A man whose turn it was to go in the chamber looked at Richard. As they walked past he scratched his head and looked away.
‘How are you feeling Commander?’ He gave him a towel.
He wiped his mouth and the side of his neck. ‘I thought I was going to die in there.’
‘I do apologize. We can’t stop the machine while it’s under–’
‘How many people do we have contaminated?’
‘Forty-three.’
‘How far are we in space?’
He coughed nervously, got out a pad, and pressed a few buttons. ‘Sir. We are still in the planet’s atmosphere.’
He grabbed his arm. ‘You’re telling me we’re still on this fucking infestation planet?’ He loosened his grip and stormed forward. Armed guards walked past escorting a few people to the chamber.
‘I do have good news.’ He walked faster. Pens’ jangled in his pocket. ‘I can confirm that they’ve backed down.’
‘Doesn’t change a thing.’ He leaned forward. A white laser scanned his eye. ‘I want off this planet.’
ACCESS DENIED. An artificial voice said.
‘Why isn’t it letting me in?’ Richard asked and tried again.
‘I’m not–’
ACCESS DENIED.
He punched the door. ‘Can’t even get into my own ship.’
The man pressed a few buttons on his pad and held his ear. ‘It’s the captain. Let him in.’
The door buzzed opened. Three armed personnel saluted. People ran in every direction of the room: some reading paper while walking, some in deep conversation, and some just glad to see their commander in one piece. The captain’s seat faced the window in front. It was the shape of a fly’s eye. Computer panels ran all along the box shaped room; some blinking wild colors; people behind it trying to tame it. A blond woman walked over.
‘Good you’re awake.’ She gave him papers. ‘I ran some tests and found this.’
He looked at the bandage around her stomach – that squeezed her thin waist even more. ‘What happened to you?’
‘Gun shot.’
‘Gun shot.’ Those things didn’t carry any guns he thought. ‘Who the hell shot you?’
She wiped hair behind her ear. ‘One of the soldiers it got quite crazy – quick – but it’s fine. I think you’ll find my research quite interesting.’ She pointed at the paper.
He scanned through and heard screaming down the corridor. A few injured people passed. ‘What am I looking at Rose?’
‘The magnetic interference we’re receiving is coming from them. And that’s why the thrusters are acting all weird.’
‘Who’s busy sorting this out?’
‘We have engineer on it.’
‘Good.’ He gave the papers back and walked away.
‘Sir.’ She said. ‘There’s something else you should know.’
He glanced behind. ‘What’s it?’
‘There–’
A man came running into the room. His chest wide and legs short. He held his knees and breathed hard. When he looked up he wiped the sweat from his bald head (that had some hair left). ‘Captain. Good. You are–’ he panted ‘–finished from the chambers.’
‘What is it Milo?’
‘We’ll be up and running in thirty minutes. My engineers and I are working on the problem as we speak.’ He waited for a reaction from the captain. He frowned. ‘You know, the electrical interference and, all.’ He cocked his head. ‘Oh, you know already don’t you?’
‘Just keep doing what you’re doing Milo.’
‘Right – right, ok.’ He walked away.
‘What were you saying Rose?’
‘There’s somebody you should meet in your quarters. I was asked to escort you personally.’
He peered at the window and licked his lower lip. The atmosphere was a filthy green; breathable. It did however, have its downside. For anyone new to the planet, the intense humidity was enough to make the lungs gasp for air. It also never rained – not even a drop; which was quite a conundrum for many scientists because the planet was dense forest vegetation.
‘Can it wait?’
‘No,’ she said.
(3)
The captain’s bedroom was the only place on ship quiet enough to hear one’s thought. The untrained eye would think that it was just a normal room in a house. Curtains hung from a lavish snake like pole. A king size bed with modern sheets the prominent object in the middle. Behind the bed was a wall made up of glass. Behind
the glass, was a lavish aquarium with five different types of fish. The sound of the water was like falling rain; which was not only relaxing but soothing to the soul.
‘Who was I supposed to meet?’ He asked.
She locked the door. ‘She’s here.’
He walked towards the bed and turned. ‘Where–’
Her belt that kept her skirt from falling was on the floor. The sound of trickling water and flesh between her thighs made the heart swell. She removed her shirt slow, steady, while strolling forward. As if by magic, her bra was gone. It revealed breasts which made breathing hard. Her smile invited. It said: take me and do with me as you wish. And do it hard.
The more he fought the urge – the more it overwhelmed. He said no but his hand said yes. When he felt how soft her breasts were – he knew. He knew. He wanted it just as bad as she did; an intoxicating mix. Touching her breasts wasn’t enough. He needed to feel it over his lips. Even this, wasn’t enough. It was as if they were made for each other. He only needed one hand to make her behind disappear. He lifted her to his chest and she liked it. Their lips locked – her legs wrapped. Screams of pleasure so loud that exploding shells would sound like whimpers on a bright sunny morning.
Her darkest fantasy kissed reality. She rode him while shouting his name. Scraping his chest. Wanting it to never end. When he climaxed in her, so did she. She collapsed into his arms.
The sound of trickling water replaced their silence for ten minutes.
‘We need to get back.’ He ran fingers through his hair.
She squealed; it sounded just like her climax. ‘But this is, much more fun.’ Her lips played with his chest. She kissed until she reached his stomach. She looked up and smiled, so did he. She kissed upwards until she reached his lips. Her tongue went inside. His saliva tasted like rotten egg. She frowned and opened her eyes. He looked at her with bloodshot eyes – hypnotized with her neck. He mumbled gibberish.
She jolted back. ‘Richard what the hell is wrong with your eyes?’
He blinked a few times and looked at her. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Your eyes…they’re bleeding.’
‘No they’re not.’ He touched his eyes and looked at his watery fingers. He trembled. ‘What the–’ his back arched – it made spine crack. He screamed for help. She sat on the bed with her mouth open – unable to move.
‘G-get help Ro–’ He screamed. More blood ran down his eyes.
She turned and ran but he grabbed her by the ankle. She kicked but he pulled. She screamed at the door. When she glanced she saw a face dripping red and something…something…
‘Please help me Rose.’ He held her ankle like his life depended on it. ‘My skin. It fucking hurts oh it hurts.’ He screamed so loud that the drops of blood fell. And then his cheek tore open. Something climbed out. It had legs and a shell. It made a piercing noise which made Rose stop screaming. She grabbed her ears and looked with horror. The bug crawled over his body towards her – half way – it exploded into dozens more. Baby insects spat in every direction; away from their mother’s shell.
A lot of them fell on Rose. They dug into her skin. Some preferred easier routes: ears, mouth, and private area. Richard’s grip loosened. Her ankle free. She ran towards the door while she could feel her insides being played with. She reached the door but it was too late. Her body switched off; her nervous system compromised. She lay on the floor awake. The only working organ her eyes; it darted around while her closed mouth screamed.
(4)
Milo preferred it old school, so he kept his most prized possession just above his head while working: a radio. It played some old rock song when he heard screaming behind. With wrench in mouth he glanced.
‘Hey man canya turn that stupid thing off.’
He frowned and cocked his head.
‘I said! Can you turn that radio–’
He took the wrench out of his mouth, nodded, and turned the volume up. The man mumbled something and walked away. This is what Milo enjoyed the most: not being disturbed, listening to his shit radio that no one liked, and sticking his wrench into things that went clunk-clunk. He wiped the sweat from his brows and looked at the motor. Something didn’t add up. The engine’s pistons vibrated way too much. He knew the reason for the ship’s malfunction – the magnetic interference from those things – but this didn’t add up. The magnetic interference only affected the system’s inner program, not the physical parts. This had to be a new issue.
‘Shoot.’ He slammed the engine with his wrench and turned up the volume even more. He remembers being on a planet once where something similar happened. It was a lava planet with the most unusual weather. There were so much ash from all the volcanoes that it created its own climate. For months straight there were only electrical storms in the sky which Milo didn’t mind. He always said: anything Mother Nature created could be fixed with a wrench. But this was different, these things weren’t from Mother Nature. He could tell by the way everything malfunctioned. There had to be something else. He just didn’t know what.
He looked at his wrist. Blue numbers flickered under flesh. (A chip he engineered into his skin). He turned off his watch by pressing down. He had five minutes left before his promise to the captain expired: the one where he said he’ll get the ship up and running. But the engine was stubborn. And Milo didn’t do stubborn. He held his ear and called in his apprentice.
It didn’t take long for her to come running. A black haired girl that didn’t substitute brain for beauty. That’s how she saw herself; but most men on the ship did a vote once and she won second place in the eye candy department.
She smiled: her hello.
‘Reeta. Good. You’re here.’ He pointed at the engine. ‘What do you see?’
She brushed hair from her face and knelt. She grunted a few times and looked underneath. ‘Oil levels correct. Plasma liquid can do with changing. However…’
Milo frowned. ‘What is it?’
‘The temperature.’
‘What – where – move.’ He gently pushed her and felt underneath. ‘Satan’s whip you’re right. But how…is this…possible?’ He leaned against the motor, feeling vibration against his cheek, trying to dig deeper with his fingers.
‘Want me to get the transmitter?’ He grunted loud which she knew meant yes.
There were only a few times in his career when he turned the volume down while working. He couldn’t understand why the plating underneath was so hot. Either plasma leaked somewhere or the electrical interference not only affected the computer systems – but the actual hull of the ship. This had devastating consequences. He’s been fixing the internal parts not the external. If his concern was right, it meant that shooting into space anytime soon was a big fat no.
He needed to let the commander know about this.
(5)
Reeta couldn’t remember leaving the armory so messy. She huffed. The tables were cluttered with screws and electronics that she knew were hers, but there were plates and cups scattered around. And then someone burped.
A head poked around the corner. His beard (a few strands) had tomato ketchup dripping. He gave a little wave and smiled. ‘Hey Reets, I was wondering where you went.’
‘What on earth are you doing Michael?’ She picked up a device she had been working on and brushed crumps off.
He giggled. ‘Oh I was hungry. Anyway, come have a–’
‘Michael! I told you not to eat near my stuff.’
He waved his fingers at her like he was casting a spell. ‘Oh sis, calm down, it’s just a little bread.’
Her face reddened. And then she breathed. ‘What is it that you want to show me?’
‘I think,’ his head disappeared. ‘I figured out why Rex isn’t working out as hard as he could. Come have a look.’
She walked towards him holding her breath. She knew she was going to explode. She tried telling herself to walk away but she had to see with her own two eyes. He looked up and smiled, waving a wheel.
/> ‘You see,’ he said. ‘Now Rex can work out harder.’
She placed a finger on her mouth and spoke through it. ‘Please don’t tell me you’ve been working on a hamster wheel while we’ve been stuck on a planet.’
He saw her eyes narrow and knew he had to say something before all hell broke. ‘No-no of course not.’ He waved the wheel in the air. ‘What this? Pff, just a side project.’ He looked away and scanned his desk. He looked for anything that seemed: hard-working-project. But all he saw were potato chips with ketchup. ‘So uh, how’s it going with you?’ When she didn’t answer he looked around and saw her gone.
(6)
‘Hey Reeta!’ He yelled.
At first she didn’t hear him – too occupied in her own head – until he yelled again. She turned and frowned inside. He came galloping still wearing his chef’s uniform. Most women onboard the ship told her how lucky she was to have an admirer like him. Oh he’s so divine. Oh he’s so good looking. Oh he’s such a good mannered man. They always said. But she had little time for love; learning from Milo, getting her hands dirty with gooey plasma, and making the ship run smooth were her love. She smiled.
‘I want you to taste this.’ The spoon approached her mouth like it was time for baby’s porridge. ‘I made this this morning.’
She swallowed the cold water. ‘Wow Ryan. That’s, really good.’ She glanced behind and looked at the transmitter in her hand. She wanted to tell him that she needed to go but didn’t want to be rude. ‘What is it?’
He cocked his chin up. ‘Oh you know. A bit of that. A bit of this. And we have presto,’ he slapped her shoulder. ‘Good isn’t it.’
‘Yeah it’s very, nice.’ A group of young cadets walked by and smiled.
‘So I was wondering–’