Mark watched the mood deteriorating. ‘Hey,’ he whispered towards John.
John lifted his brown eyes in the Professor’s direction. Mark gestured with his head, nodding at James’ shivering body sitting on the cold floor. John shuffled up next to James, realising that he wasn’t the only one that was suffering. He placed his thick arm around James’ shoulder, reassuring the youngster that he wasn’t alone. Mark showed his appreciation with a wink of his right eye. Heavy sighs continued to abound within the cold atmosphere of the room.
‘Are they going to give us any food?’ said John, clutching his stomach as it grumbled loudly. ‘I’m starving.’
‘I wouldn’t hold out any hope of food. If we do get fed – and that’s a big if – well, it won’t be cheeseburgers and fries,’ warned Hargreaves in a grim seriousness. ‘Expect starvation, as this will no doubt be their next plan of action. Without energy, we’re finished.’
‘We’re finished already,’ said John, looking straight into the General’s face.
Hargreaves shook his head disapprovingly. ‘I know this is going to sound crude, but does any of you have a container, of some description?’
Mark looked around at the others. ‘No, I don’t think so. Why?’
‘We are going to need hydration – our urine might be our only hope of survival.’
‘I’m not drinking piss!’ said John, alarmed, his head flying back in shock.
Hargreaves shot the man a hard glare. ‘You will if you want to live!’
‘It’s not going to work anyway,’ said Mark, his eyelids half closed. ‘We don’t have any containers or lids, so it’s not a solution.’
The four of them once again sat in silence. The room had dropped a degree or two more over the last half hour. Only Mark seemed to notice this, blowing his breath into his clasped hands. He again stared at the others before his eyes wandered, mesmerised, as the soft light scattered the plain walls in patches of weak orange.
‘Funny, I always thought that extraterrestrial materials would feel, well, extraterrestrial?!’ said Mark as he ran his smooth hand over the clammy wall.
‘It’s steel, Mark,’ said Hargreaves with a curl of his top lip as though the statement had offended him. ‘What did you expect?’
The Professor coursed his fingers over the texture before gently rubbing them together.
‘What is it?’ asked John as he raised his head from within the shadows.
‘Nothing. It’s just that as a kid you think of “ships from other worlds”, and you expect their matter to be different, you know, due to their supposed technological superiority.’ He placed his fingers back on the surface of the wall. ‘Maybe the materials are the same, who knows?’
They all looked at the walls as best as they could in the poor light.
John ran his hands over the steel. ‘Feels raised, a bit like old-fashioned artex.’
‘Yeah, I know what you mean,’ replied Mark as he gazed to the ceiling, ‘it’s that pattern-type feel to it. I wonder how they made it, compressed it. I wonder if they have similar machines to ours, that do the same jobs?’
Hargreaves shrugged his shoulders. He had by now given up on constantly dusting off his clothing. He was tired. The last few hours had taken their toll, making him look and feel even older than his already 60 odd years. He laid his head against the wall; he could feel the coolness penetrate through his hair to his scalp. The glow illuminated the flecked stubble upon his face, making it sparkle with every movement.
Mark saw this. He knew why they all failed to keep a routine. But someone as proud as Hargreaves, giving up on his uniform? That was worrying. Deep down he hoped that the General wasn’t starting to flag, as without his knowledge and grit the group would collapse – and he didn’t have the strength to do the job himself.
James climbed to his feet. ‘Food?! Is that all you lot can think about?’ he said, throwing his hands up in the air. ‘Tom has just been taken God knows where, and for what sick purpose we don’t know, and you’re moaning because you’re hungry?’
‘It wasn’t meant like that, James, you know that,’ said Mark as he attempted to diffuse the situation.
James placed his hands over his head, interlocking his fingers tightly as he began to pace the room. ‘This has got nothing to do with you, Mark. Stay out of it!’
‘Really? Let me tell you how I feel.’ Mark rose to his feet. ‘Just because I act calm, it doesn’t mean that I am! Tom has gone and I’m gutted, yet I’m trying my hardest to keep it together, not only for my own sake, but for the group’s. I know that if I fold, then I’m no use to anyone – another dead weight.’ He pointed his finger at James, and moved closer towards the teenager. ‘Has it ever occurred to you that I’m constantly wondering who’s next? Knowing that if I’m the last to go there’s still no escape, that I’m only prolonging the inevitable, eh? And if I’m last, there’ll be no one left and I’ll be on my own. Let me tell you, it scares the shit out of me. So don’t go you go thinking that you’re the only one suffering!’
The others dropped their heads.
James went almost nose to nose with the Professor. ‘You think that none of us are thinking the same, Mark?’ he said, ‘I’m fucking terrified!’
Hargreaves shifted his heavy build in between the two squabbling men. ‘Stop this bullshit and pull yourselves together, you’re supposed to be men!’ he shouted, straight to the point. ‘While we are alive there’s always a way.’
The two of them looked to the General. His tough stare made them feel like they were young boys being scolded by their strict father. ‘Where the hell did that come from, Mark?’ he smirked, singling out the Professor. They looked away, ashamed. Hargreaves hovered, waiting for the mood to settle before they all dispersed several feet apart.
‘Do you think there are other ships, with other humans on them?’ John asked, yawning as he changed the subject.
‘Who knows? For all we know we could be the last of the human race,’ replied James, his mouth bending downwards. ‘Maybe the Earth has gone.’
‘Don’t be stupid.’ Hargreaves stood straight, pushing his barrel-shaped chest out like a strutting peacock. ‘I guarantee you that the Earth and the human race are alive and fighting.’
‘Yeah,’ agreed Mark confidently for the benefit of the group. ‘The leaders of the world will still be holding their respective cabinets together somewhere.’
‘He’s right,’ added Hargreaves. ‘As I said, while there’s life there’s fight.’
‘But how do you know?’ said James with a shrug of his slim shoulders. ‘We could be here because the planet has gone; we could even be just a few of thousands of other humans on this ship, we did hear other voices after all.’
The others looked back to the floor, each silently pondering the possibilities.
John sat with his arms wrapped around his body. The rolled up fur hood of his parka jacket was tucked snug against his neck, offering some warmth against the chill. He stroked his greasy hair repeatedly. Dark marks underlined his eyes as he looked up at Hargreaves. ‘How long have you been in the military, General?’
Hargreaves slowly turned his head in John’s direction. ‘45 years. I left school at 16 and signed up – it was the best thing that I ever did. They taught me to be the man that you see today. I’ve seen it all: wars, the world, the amazing wildlife, everything.’
‘Are you married, do you have a family?’ James asked, joining the conversation.
Hargreaves’ tone deepened. ‘No. My wife died several years ago, so I went from semi-retirement back into full swing. We never had children. Marie always wanted them, but now I see that it was a blessing.’
‘A blessing?’ said James as he shook his head. ‘What do you mean?’
‘He means that with all that’s happened, he hasn’t got kids out there to worry about – there are no threats to be used against him,’ said Mark as he cut in.
A glaze appeared over Hargreaves’ eyes. ‘Precisely.’
John raised his eyebrows at the admission. ‘What a tragic line of thought.’
‘Why is that tragic? If it comes to the crunch I won’t be the one spilling the beans on anything. I don’t know about you lot, but this is the point; I have nothing to lose, nothing to be taken which can give them an advantage over me. Besides, I’ve been trained in how to cope with torture in every possible scenario.’
‘Fair play, General, fair play. But you’re forgetting one thing,’ said John with a wry smile across his round face. ‘This isn’t your standard scenario. This is the likes of nothing that anyone has ever seen before.’
Hargreaves coughed as the mist gathered in his throat. ‘Military procedures are one and the same, whoever the enemy.’
John rolled his eyes. ‘General, I mean no disrespect, but surely you can’t be that naïve? None of us know the type of torture that these fuckers might have in store for us; I’m sure it will involve alien technology of some description. God forbid that they decide to use it on us,’ he said with an air of caution as he placed his head against the wall. ‘Mark, am I right?’
All eyes turned to the Professor. Mark looked from side to side. ‘Don’t ask me,’ he said as he tried to pull himself out of the conversation. ‘I know no more than you do.’
‘Come on, Mark, you’re the expert. What would you say?’ pressed John.
Mark sighed. ‘I’m going to have to sit on the fence here. I agree with the General – military procedures are normally the same, whoever you’re up against. But I also agree with you, John. No one can be trained for events such as these, they’re impossible to predict.’
Hargreaves smiled. Who’s naïve now?
John tutted as he rolled his eyes again. ‘Good job, Mark, you’re a great help.’
‘Forget it, I’m not taking sides. I only offer my opinions,’ replied the Professor as he ran his hands through his thick hair. The shadows cast his height against the wall, making his silhouette look down upon the others through the haze. ‘Sorry, but you asked.’
James sat quietly, he hadn’t said much over the course of the last hour. ‘Are you alright?’ asked Mark.
‘As well as anyone can be in this situation, I guess,’ came the exhausted reply. He scratched his head before pulling his jacket cuffs back over his hands. ‘I’m starting to retrieve pieces, you know, of what happened before we wound up here.’
‘Really? That’s good, isn’t it?’
‘Yes and no. I mean it’s good to get the truth, yet there are some things that have happened that I don’t wish to remember. It’s only fragments though, could be mixed in with what other people have said.’
‘Such as?’
James shut his eyes firmly for a moment, then opened them wide, stretching the skin around them with the base of his palms. ‘I keep getting this feeling of family. It was what the General said, about not having kids? It got me thinking about myself, but it was all a blur. Now I keep getting these images in my head of…’
‘Go on,’ said Mark with a gentle nod of his head.
‘A sister, I’ve been getting vague images of having a sister. Things like childhood, short blasts of playing together in a garden, stuff like that.’
‘That’s great, James. It gives you hope, it gives us all hope.’
Hargreaves suddenly lost his cool. ‘If you are playing happy memories, keep them to yourselves!’
‘Now come on, General,’ said James, obviously annoyed.
Hargreaves pointed aggressively at James, his finger wagging back and forth. ‘How many times have I got to tell you people? These grey bastards are more than likely watching us, listening somehow. Keep your shit to yourself, and that goes for all of you. They are most likely taking all of this down to use against you.’
A sympathetic expression crossed Mark’s face. ‘He’s right, James.’
‘Fuck you! If I’ve got a sister out there – any family at all – then I need to know that they’re alright.’
Mark placed his hand upon James’ shoulder. ‘Calm down, we’re only trying to help you. What you do affects all of us, we have to be smart.’
Hargreaves flung his arms into the air. ‘That’s what I’ve been saying all along for Christ’s sake!’
Mark threw Hargreaves a cold stare. ‘Yes, General, you’ve made your point.’
John’s whispering voice came shooting through the air as his face came into view. ‘I’ve had enough of this, General. What can we do, tell us what you want from us?’ he asked. ‘We’ve got to get out of here, we haven’t got a choice anymore.’
The others looked to John, and then to Hargreaves. Cautiously, the General moved to the back wall. He subtly gestured with his eyes for them all to follow his lead.
‘Okay. When those bastards last came into the room, did any of you notice if they had any weapons on them?’ he whispered quietly.
Their heads closed in together.
‘No, I don’t recall seeing anything,’ replied John. ‘It’s only been hand to hand combat, I didn’t see any weapons strapped to their bodies.’
Hargreaves looked to the others. ‘Anyone else?’
‘No, you?’ said Mark as he looked to James.
Hargreaves got them to remain standing, not too close, but enough distance between them so as not to arouse suspicion. ‘We need a plan,’ he said, partially covering his mouth to hide what he was saying. ‘We know that by causing havoc in here – banging on the walls like Tom did – they will come immediately.’ He then wiggled his fingers, suggesting that they all cover their mouths. ‘I think that we can take them down, problem is where do we go once we’re out of the door? As you’ve seen yourselves, the corridor runs a short length to the end. But do we go left, or right?’
‘Why are we covering our mouths?’ asked John curiously, looking round at the dark faces.
‘So they can’t lip read what we’re saying,’ said James.
‘They can’t do that through the mist, it’s too hazy. You’re just being paranoid.’
‘Just do as I do,’ said Hargreaves, now becoming frustrated. ‘Pretend you’re scratching your chin, your stubble, anything … Not too obvious though.’
‘So which way did Daniel go?’ asked John, now rubbing his chin.
‘Either way it didn’t do him any good, did it,’ said Mark. ‘This needs serious thought.’
‘You’re right, Mark, but our options are limited,’ said Hargreaves. ‘We have no idea what is waiting for us at the end of that corridor. Christ, Daniel might not have even made it past the end for all we know! Add to this that we have no idea the size of this ship, and how many corridors, well, you get the idea.’
‘Yeah, could be like running through a maze, except that this maze is filled with aliens that want to kill you!’ said Mark, almost jovially at the ridiculous sounding statement.
‘Okay, but how do we find out how big the ship is? It’s not like we can go walkabout is it. Even I know that a military tactic would be to send out a scout to test the waters, so to speak,’ said James. He waited anxiously for Hargreaves’ response.
‘You’re spot on, James. This would be the first and natural choice, but who’s going to go on the scouting mission?’
John chuckled gently. ‘Whoever goes is going to die, just like Daniel. So what good would this do, right?’ he said with a hint of sarcasm, yet truth. ‘It’s not like anyone’s going to be able to run around the entire ship and report back is it?’
The triangle lit up once again. Its red glow danced upon the wall as its beam blasted powerfully through the mist. Fear was palpable; stifled whimpers echoed as the group waited. Shuffling together, they watched without blinking as the panel ran through its common sequence.
‘Stand tall people!’ ordered Hargreaves as he readied himself for battle. ‘We’re about to find out the answers to our questions.’
The door whizzed open. Three Greys again stood in the high frame before entering the room. Their smooth heads peaked above portions of the haze, scan
ning the room robotically for their captives. This time they held small metallic weapons, like cylindrical stun guns. The group herded together as the aliens prodded the crackling electrical devices through the mist. With a speed that wasn’t expected of their build, two of the creatures moved in and grabbed the General.
‘Come on then you slimy bastards!’ Hargreaves raged as they gripped his arms.
He fought them hard. Limbs flailed wildly as Mark and John grasped at his blazer. The General’s age was beginning to show as the effort sapped his strength. His tough body loosened somewhat as the aliens gained control of the fight.
‘Watch those fucking things, John!’ warned Mark as the third alien drove its weapon towards them. ‘They must have been listening somehow.’
‘Do you think?’ shouted John as he leapt forwards then backwards. ‘That’s what we need, weapons.’
‘Then get the bloody things!’ cried Hargreaves as he forced himself to fight harder.
The two men tried to evade the oncoming attack as the device was jabbed at them. James stood hunched behind them.
‘James, help us,’ begged John as he glanced to where the young man had frozen.
A loud crackling buzzed through the air followed by a gurgling cry. One of the Greys had attacked the General in the neck with the weapon, sending a massive static shock through his large bulk. He dropped to his knees as the others looked on. The alien grasped him by the throat – watching with fascination as the veins bulged. Its fingers and thumb almost met each other as they squeezed ever tighter round the rough skin of his neck. Its interest soon piqued as it slammed the General’s head into the wall.
The glimmer of life in his eyes slowly fizzled out like the orange embers of a hot rock, cooling as the heat no longer surged through it. A tiny breath left his broken jaw, which hung at a repulsive 45º degree angle. The alien repeated its action, and smashed the human’s head back into the wall – harder. It stared curiously at the side of the cracked, bashed-in skull. Blood poured from the wounds, racing down the creature’s hand that still forcibly held the pulverised human. It sniffed cautiously at the red liquid, carefully turning the General’s body around as it inspected the resulting damage.
Blurred Vision: Seven billion voices about to be silenced Page 10