by Phil Price
Hundreds of miles above, Hameda looked at the pole, her expression sad. “Thank you Ragyi,” she uttered, turning towards the pilot. “What do you think?”
“Hard to say. But he was down there for a good four minutes before the bomb went off. Even if the planet does not collapse, I’d expect massive earthquakes, followed by a succession of aftershocks. You have dealt the Lomogs a severe blow.”
“Let us hope so,” she replied solemnly. “I do pity the innocent lives that have been lost and will continue to be lost. But this is for the greater good. This is for peace.”
Ullar watched on silently, her grief hidden well below the surface. Goodbye Ragyi. I truly loved you. And I always will.
“What was that?” Kyra said as her workstation started to vibrate.
“It sounds like an earthquake,” one of the laboratory technicians said, peering at her over his glasses.
“Has one happened before?” The shelves on the wall next to her started to vibrate, glassware and utensils toppling off, smashing and clattering on the lab floor.
“Not that I know of. We’d better see what’s going on.”
“You stay here. I will go and find out.” As she left the lab, a red warning light in the corridor began to flash, a loud alarm accompanying it.
“Alert, alert. All personnel to proceed to their quarters. Security breach. All personnel to report to their quarters,” the robotic warning rang out.
Kyra turned back to the lab, informing the workers to head to their quarters. They did so, hurrying out of the lab, a worried look on each of their faces. A man strode down the corridor towards her, his uniform telling Kyra that he was a member of the security force. “What’s happened?” she asked as he tried to bustle past her.
“To your quarters please, we have a security breach.”
“What kind of breach?” Kyra asked as she followed the man towards her quarters.
“A bomb has gone off at the pole. Please, to your quarters.”
Kyra obeyed, heading to her room, her pulse racing. Once inside, she tried to call Torben, frustrated that there was no answer. She chose another option, calling Telion. “Kyra. Are you okay?”
“Not sure. We’ve just been informed that a bomb has gone off at the pole. Have you heard anything?”
“We’ve just heard too. There is a deep shaft at the Pole that runs to the planet’s core. If a bomb was detonated inside the core, it may unsettle the planet’s axis and topography.”
“Oh no. Where are you?”
“Heading back to Biflux. We’ve just come out of the wormhole, ordered back to base by command.”
“I’m scared, Telion. Too many bad things are happening.”
“Try to stay calm, Kyra.” I am sure that you’ll be okay. Just let the security forces deal with it. I am sure they will keep you all updated.”
“Hope so. I will call you back Telion, should I hear anything else.”
“Okay. Take care, Kyra. Over and out.”
She walked over to the bunk, lying down heavily. “Hurry Torben. Please,” she said as a single tear fell from her eye.
Twenty-Eight
“A bomb?” Torben said, his legs beginning to shake.
“Yes, skipper. That’s what’s coming through on the wires. Could be nuclear. At the pole.”
“What’s at the pole?”
“A deep shaft that drops into the planet’s crust.”
“Fuck. That could de-stabilise the planet.”
“Yes…yes it could.”
“How long until we reach Valkash?”
“Just over an hour.”
“Make it faster. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Okay, Captain. Increasing power to one hundred percent.”
“How long will that take off our time?”
“Thirty minutes maximum.”
“Okay. I will try to contact Kyra. Let me know when we’re nearing the planet.” Rex simply nodded, a grave expression on his face. Torben turned and walked out of the cockpit, heading for his quarters. He swiped his wrist pilot, calling Kyra.
“Torben. I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Kyra. Sorry. It may have been interference due to the explosion. Are you okay?”
“I’m scared, Torby. It’s happened again. This is not going to stop, is it?”
“I don’t know Kyra. We are less than two hours from Valkash. Be ready, I’m coming to get you off that rock. I will land in the docking bay close to your lab. Meet me there.”
“Okay. Hurry, please.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Torben Fraken.” She ended the call as a large tremor ran through the structure, the wall next to her bunk shifting until a large crack appeared. She cried out, falling back onto the floor as debris and dust started falling from the suspended ceiling. I’ve got to get out of here? she thought, as more tremors rippled through the building. Grabbing her jacket, Kyra raced back out into the corridor and saw a few people peeking their heads out from their quarters. She made her way down to the docking bay, a few command staff milling about around her, unsure of what was going on or what to do. “Back to your quarters,” she said hurriedly.”
“Our quarters are not in this quadrant. They are on the next level down. What is happening?”
“An earthquake,” she replied, not wanting to alarm them any more than was necessary. She heard a noise like crunching ice on the far side of the docking bay. “The doors. Look!”
The man she’d spoken to turned, heading over to the large glass doors that sealed them inside from the harsh environment beyond. He was about to speak when the doors shattered inwards, obliterating him. Kyra ducked behind a large crate as the docking bay became a maelstrom of glass and noise. She looked to her left, crying out at the sight of two dead females a few feet away. Dark blood spread from their prone forms, edging its way over to her. The wind outside the docking bay roared across the low-slung space, sending glass particles in all directions, the noise deafening. She stayed motionless for a few minutes, listening for danger. Carefully, Kyra peeked her head over the crate, slowly rising before walking over to the lip of the docking bay. Her dark hair was buffeted by the outside storms, and she grabbed hold of a rail close the edge. She looked out at the expanse in front of her, a giddy sensation overwhelming her as she looked down. Lights dotted the far walls of the structure, flashing in intermittent reds and greens. She peered over the lip, looking in awe as the lights fell away into the darkness below. On the horizon, lightning crackled, lighting up the forbidding landscape that sent wind and rain towards her. Kyra lowered herself to the floor, leaning out into the black expanse. She could make out another docking bay, a hundred metres below her. The doors were intact, for now. She made a quick decision, sprinting back out of the bay into the corridor beyond as stronger tremors rocked the planet. Kyra swiped her wrist pilot, the signal connecting. “Torben. The whole place is about to collapse.”
“Where are you?” he replied, his voice an octave higher than normal.
“Just outside the docking bay where we’d landed before. It’s in pretty bad shape. The doors blew in and the ceiling looks like it might collapse at any moment.”
“You need to find another bay. They are all below you. Can you use the sky car?”
Kyra ran to her left, noting with dread that the sky cars were shut down. “No. They must have been deactivated because of the emergency.”
“There must be another way to the lower levels?”
“Hang on,” she said. “There is. Through the enclosures.”
“Okay. Take another route. Keep the line open and tell me where you end up. Be safe.”
“Okay. I am heading towards the enclosures now.” She raced along the corridor, stumbling and hitting the side walls as the whole structure began to shift. After a few hundred yards, she came to a small glass doorway. Kyra pressed her hand to the panel, pleased that it was still working. The door hissed open, her loud footsteps clanging along the walkwa
y towards the ladders that led below. She was about to descend when something caught her eye. The villagers. They were six of them near to the doorway, peering in. Kyra ran over, opening the door that led into the recreated village.
“What the fuck is going on?” Caroline said as the stone walls that ran along the road started to shift on their foundations.
“There has been an explosion. We’re not sure what kind of explosion, or how it happened. But the whole place is falling apart.”
“Oh no,” Gemma said, clutching her neck. “What are we going to do?”
Kyra could see more villagers a few hundred yards away, standing in the middle of the road. “Round them all up. Tell them to come with us. We’re getting out of here. And fast.”
Sarah took off, heading towards the villagers on wobbly legs; the women watched her fall, landing on all fours in the middle of the road. Unsteadily she rose to her feet, continuing on to the gathering throng of humanity. Some ran off into the village, others headed their way. A giant sky cart fell from the roof, shattering into thousands of pieces at it landed on an old barn. Shrieks and cries rang out from the advancing villagers, children screaming, women trying to comfort them as their men herded them urgently. “What the hell is going on?” Pete said as he reached the doorway.
“There has been an explosion. The planet is unstable,” Kyra said, matter-of-factly. “You all need to come with me. We have no time. We must get out of here.”
Pete turned, cupping his hands to his mouth. “Everyone follow us. We’re getting out of here.”
Countless villagers came around the corner, old and young, trying their hardest to navigate the shifting country lane as it buckled and writhed. A crack opened up in the tarmac, Loz falling into it face first. Others came to his aid, lifting the young man to his feet, shepherding him towards the waiting group. Distressed animals ran for shelter in the neighbouring field, their calls drifting over to Caroline and the others. “What about the livestock?” Gemma said.
“We’ll have to leave them, hun. They can’t come with us.”
Tears formed at the corner of Gemma’s eyes, the injustice of their situation starting to boil over. “They will die?”
“So will we if we do not leave immediately,” Kyra said. I’m not sure how long all this will hold for,” she said, motioning with her hands. “It may already be too late. We must leave, now.”
Caroline looked over the villagers. “Is anyone left behind?”
Mutters and hushed conversations erupted amongst the villagers, heads shaking and shoulders shrugging as a few more came jogging along the lane. “Hard to say. The call went out.”
A large crack reverberated behind them, the walls of the enclosure beginning to splinter. “Right. We go. Now!” Kyra shouted, heading through the doorway onto the walkway beyond.
“You lead them,” Caroline said to Gemma and Katie. “I will take up the rear.”
“I’ll stay with you,” Sarah said, a nasty welt appearing on her forehead from her earlier tumble.
“Right. Follow me,” Gemma called, heading through the doorway after the retreating Kyra. Villagers filed in, some becoming squashed as they fought to get into the tight confines of the steel walkway. On the other side of the glass, a huge reptilian beast headbutted the glass, clearly spooked by the shaking of the earth around it. Villagers screamed and hollered as they barged past each other, heading towards the metal ladder that led to the level below. After a few minutes, the last of the villagers were inside the walkway, queuing like they were waiting for a bus. Gradually, the numbers dropped until only a few remained.
Caroline stood at the doorway with Pete and Martin, as a far-off droning noise carried to their ears from the village. They all turned, their mouths falling open at the sight in front of them. Black wraith-like figures floated towards them, their forms shifting in the artificial light. “What the fuck are those?” Pete said, gripping the doorway in fear.
“No idea,” Martin replied, his throat feeling dry. A knot forming in his gut.
“Whatever they are, we’re not hanging around to get to know them,” Caroline said urgently as the three shapes came within a hundred yards of them, red eyes seeking them out from their black silhouettes. The woman headed onto the walkway a few paces behind Martin, towards the familiar blonde figure who was stood waiting. Caroline ushered Sarah towards the ladder hurriedly as Martin dropped to the level below. Pete was twenty feet behind them, his gaze still fixed on the advancing ghost-like creatures. He stumbled on the metal grating, tearing his gaze away when the glass enclosure next to him shattered, showering the thin corridor in glass. The beast ploughed headlong into the opposite wall, splintering the glass.
“FUCK! GO!” Caroline screamed as the beast advanced on them. Sarah fell from the ladder, landing heavily on the walkway below. Pete landed on his chest, looking up at Caroline as the atmosphere from the enclosure pinned him to the ground. He tried to call out, his arm barely lifting from the ground as gravity bore down on him. Caroline felt it too, struggling to edge backwards towards the ladder behind her. They locked eyes, the world around them freezing momentarily. Pete was about to mouth something when a large pair of jaws and teeth clamped onto his leg, pulling him backwards. Caroline screamed, pushing herself backwards in a futile attempt at escape. Then, she was falling, landing awkwardly on top of Sarah and a few other villagers who were lying prone on the ground. Strong hands hoisted her to her feet.
“Where’s Pete?” Martin said, breathlessly.
“Gone. That thing got him.”
“We need to move,” Sarah shouted. “We’re losing ground on them.”
“They all looked along the walkway, watching as the small glass door that led to the main building beyond started to warp.
“Run,” Caroline shouted, limping towards the doorway as quickly as she could. Martin was next to her, holding her under the arm to speed up their exit. A minute later they were all standing in a low corridor, the grey walls moaning under the weight of the structure above them. “That way,” Caroline said, spotting the fleeing villagers as they disappeared inside another doorway.
They all came to rest inside the docking bay, Kyra standing next to the glass doors. “No,” she cried.
“What is it?” Caroline asked nervously.
“We’ve lost power to the doors. They won’t open.” She swiped her pilot, a small holographic image appearing before Caroline’s eyes. “Torben. We are in docking bay VK208. The doors have no power. What do we do?”
Caroline tried to listen in on the conversation, the noise around them growing louder as thuds and crashes echoed through the massive structure. “What did he say?” she asked as Kyra strode towards her.
“He is almost here. We need to head back into the corridor. He’s going to blow the doors. Get everybody out. Now.”
Minutes later, Kyra was standing next to the doors, Caroline next to her, watching expectantly as Shimmer050 approached. A bright light came from the front of the ship, the ship’s speed decreasing until it hovered a few hundred yards in front of them. Below the ship, darkness fell away into the bowels of the planet, debris falling from the surrounding structure into the inky blackness. “Kyra. Can you hear me?”
“We’re here. What are you going to do?”
“Rex is going to bring us in real close, then rotate the ship so the ion drives are facing the bay. That’s how we’ll blow the doors. You need to retreat to the corridor. Stay on the line.”
“Okay. We’re moving out of the bay.” She took the Welsh woman’s hand, guiding her across the low-slung space towards the door the led to the villagers. Slamming the door shut, Kyra looked at the mass of people. “Brace yourselves. He’s going to blow the doors.” The villagers complied, many moving further along the corridor, hushed tones carrying in all directions as they pulled loved ones to safety, children being cradled protectively against the coming onslaught.
“Are you ready Kyra?”
“Yes, Torben,” was her brief
reply as she huddled next to Caroline and Gemma. From underneath the door, a blinding light engulfed the corridor before a blast shook the villagers, who cried out in anguish. The door blew outwards, shattering against the stark concrete of the corridor’s wall. Dust and debris blew across the area, covering the cowering villagers as Kyra and Caroline gingerly stepped into the hangar. Shimmer050 gently touched down, ejecting steam from its hull as the ramp dropped steadily.
“Kyra,” Torben shouted, running from the ship towards her. She came to him, her boots crunching into shards of glass as they came together, embracing fiercely as villagers piled into the docking bay.
“Oh, thank god you’re here, Torby. I thought I’d lost you.” She kissed him, welcoming his arms as they embraced her.
“Everyone inside,” Rex shouted, changing his dialect smoothly so the villagers understood his command. Villagers filed past him, being directed to the same holding room that they’d travelled in to this distant point.
“Torben, this is Caroline, Gemma and Sarah,” Kyra said breathlessly.
“Hi,” the captain replied. “We need to get moving. I have a feeling the whole place is about to collapse.” A noise by the doors made them all turn as three dark shapes entered the hangar. The whirling forms hissed at them, their eyes turning from red to green in the shrouds of their shifting heads. “I’ve seen them before,” Torben said. “They are from a nearby system.”
“What are they?” Caroline asked, edging backwards.
“Svargens. And they are not friendly. Let’s get out of here before they ruin our day.” They needed no further coaxing as the roof above them started to buckle. Less than a minute later, the ship backed out of the hangar, Rex propelling them away from the stricken attraction. He increased altitude until Shimmer050 hung motionless a few miles above the planet. They sat there for minutes, watching as glass domes across the landscape imploded in succession. “Let’s get away from the planet’s orbit, Rex. If the worst happens, we could either be dragged into the planet’s core or vapourised.”