Ice Rift

by Ben Hammott

The others watched her climb.

  “There's coffee and sandwiches if you want them, Theo.”

  Theo turned to Jack and shook his head. “I just want to get out of here.” He lit a cigarette and took a long drag.

  A low rumble forewarned the start of another ice tremor.

  The ice began to vibrate and quickly grew in intensity.

  Jane halted her climb and prepared to slide down if any chunks of ice fell through the hole. When the ice settled just as suddenly a few moments later, she restarted her climb. When she was only a few feet from the top a loud crack echoed through the cavern. Her worried glance above revealed the cause. Fracture lines spread out from the opening. At the same time as the ice above her collapsed, she released the descender's grip on the rope to send her speeding down its length.

  The others looked in horror at the large chunks of ice plummeting toward Jane.

  When the sides of the hole fell into the cavern, the rope had nothing to rest against. It dropped and swung. Jane fell a few feet before the slack in the rope was taken up. The spike the rope was tethered jerked when the rope’s travel was halted by the edge of the enlarged hole, but held firm. Jane gripped the descender to stop her fall and swung when the rope found its new center of gravity. It saved her life, taking her clear of the falling ice that whizzed past behind her and smashed on the ground. Jane speedily rappelled to the ground and looked at the large pile of shattered ice. She glanced over at her friends. “That was close.”

  With a worried frown creasing his brow, Theo stared up at the roof of the ice cavern. “We need to get out of here. The increased tremors are evidence the rift could break away from the ice shelf at any moment. If that happens, we'll really be in trouble.”

  Jack looked at their only lifeline. “Is the rope still secure?”

  Jane gave it a tug. “As far as I can tell, but we can't leave yet. Lucy's still on the ship.”

  "Its okay, I'll go and get her,” said Jack.

  “No without me you won't,” Jane said adamantly.

  All hell broke loose.

  It began with pieces of ice, large and small plummeting through the enlarged hole, bringing with it a fluttering of snow and ice crystals. A screech of tortured metal drifted into the cavern. Something large and red appeared and jammed itself in the opening. It was the Sno-Cat that had fallen into the rift. The ice groaned from the weight. The vehicle juddered. The ice supporting the Sno-Cat collapsed. It nose-dived to the ground. Ice and snow followed in its wake. Jane dived to the side, but tethered to the rope, she was tugged back. She slipped on the strewn chunks of ice and fell to the ground. She rolled onto her back. The front of the Sno-Cat filled her vision. She needed to move. Her gloved fingers fumbled to release the rope from the harness. Just when she thought she would never do it in time, she was free. She crab-walked out of the path of the falling vehicle. The violent sound of crushing metal invaded the cavern when the Sno-Cat crashed to the ground inches from her feet. Jane shook with the adrenalin rush and her close escape from death. She let out a sigh of relief. Groaning metal indicated the Sno-Cat was still on the move. It toppled straight for her. She rolled to the side. The Sno-Cat struck the ground behind her. Worried she still wasn’t out of danger, Jane climbed to her feet and moved away.

  When the Sno-Cat toppled it had snagged the climbing rope, pulling it taut. The strain was too much for the spike driven into the ice to resist. It was yanked free and shot through the hole.

  Jack saw the spike. His eyes followed its trajectory. He sprinted across the cavern. “Look out, Jane!”

  Unaware of the latest threat, Jane turned. Jack ran toward her. Jack leapt and collided with her. Both tumbled to the ground. The tip of the spike buried itself into the ground in the exact spot where Jane had stood moments before.

  Jane looked at the spike that had nearly killed her. “Thanks, Jack.”

  Jack climbed to his feet and smiled. “I think you escaped death at least three times just then.” He held out a hand and helped her stand.

  Jane smiled at Jack, grabbed his offered hand and stood. “Guess I’m just a lucky girl.”

  “It's customary in these damsel-saving situations for the saviour to receive a reward. A kiss would suffice.” Jack grinned, expectantly.

  “I'm sure it would.” Jane gave him a peck on the cheek.

  Disappointment spread across Jack's face. “Oh, I was expecting more.”

  Jane smiled. “Yes, I'm sure you were.” She glanced up at the enlarged hole high above. “We're not out of danger yet. We're stuck down here now.”

  All heads swiveled to look back along the ice tunnel.

  “Something wicked this way comes,” said Jane, fearfully.

  Jack glanced up at the hole in the ice. “And we have nowhere to run.”

  Three Hunters had followed the scent of the humans to the engine room and had spread out to search for them. One had arrived at the hole in the hull and followed the scent to the sloping ice tunnel. It had dug its claws into the smooth ice and climbed up. When it heard the sounds of the strange creatures drift from a passage in the ice, it had howled its hunting cry and rushed through the ice tunnel.

  Jack glanced around the cavern for a weapon and picked up the ice pick he'd laid aside. The others copied him.

  Theo smelt gasoline. He looked at the battered Sno-Cat. Fuel dripped from its ruptured tank. He remembered the crew of the Nostromo fought the Alien with flame throwers; they didn't have them, but they did have something. “What about fire?”

  The others looked at him. “If we soaked something in gasoline and tie it to a stick or something, we could light it. Most creatures are afraid of fire so maybe the monsters are too.”

  Jack agreed it was worth a try. “It could work.”

  “We don't have a stick,” said Jane.

  Jack glanced at the Sno-Cat “Yes we do― the wooden seats.” He rushed over to the crashed vehicle and crawled inside. He tore away the foam seat and used the ice axe to pry a slat free.

  Jane handed him a wool jumper when he climbed out.

  She nodded at Richard's blue bag and smiled. “I'm sure he won't mind.”

  Jack wound the jumper around one end of the wooden slat and tied it in place with the arms.

  “Hurry up, Jack, its coming,” warned Richard, who kept his gaze directed along the ice tunnel.

  Jack spotted the Hunter making its way cautiously toward them. He knelt, bathed the cloth in the puddle of gasoline until it was saturated with fuel and crossed over to the others. He held the makeshift torch out to Theo. “Light me.”

  Theo struck his lighter and touched flame to the fuel soaked cloth. It whooshed ablaze. Dark smoke rose when the cloth took hold. The smell of singed wool filled the air. Jack held it out in front and waited.

  The Hunter halted and stared at the flames. It gazed around the cavern and, for a few moments, focused on the hole in the roof. It looked back at the humans, shrieked and rushed at them.

  Though all eyes were concentrated on the creature's every movement, Richard nevertheless couldn't prevent himself from stating the obvious. “Here it comes.” He backed away.

  Jack waved the burning stick from side to side. The creature was almost upon them and seemed unafraid of the fire. When it was barely two yards away it leapt to the side. Its claws dug into the ice and propelled it along the wall. Shards of ice sprayed from each claw to leave a gouged trail in its wake. Their eyes followed its climb up the wall toward the roof.

  Jack's eyes shot to the opening and guessed the creature's intention. It was trying to escape. He dropped the torch, ran over to the metal spike, tugged it free and followed the creature's path through the cavern. He drew the spike back javelin style and put all his strength behind the throw. The spike sailed through the air.

  The Hunter squealed when the spike struck it a glancing blow on the shoulder before sticking in the ice. It lost its grip and fell. Its claws shot out to reclaim a purchase on the scalloped ice. Trails of ice sprayed out from
the creature's slide down the wall, leaving behind deep-clawed gouges. It slowed and stopped. It turned to look at the group and snarled.

  Jane hurled her ice axe.

  Though her aim was true, the creature had moved before the axe struck. It bounced off the wall and clanged to the ground.

  The creature reached the roof, climbed along it and slipped out of the hole. It had escaped.

  Richard let out a sigh of relief. “That's one less nightmare to worry about.”

  Jane glared at Richard. “You couldn't be more wrong. It's free now. On a planet where it doesn't belong. If it reaches civilization who knows how many will die at its hands.”

  “But we're hundreds of miles from anywhere and anyone. It won't be able to survive the cold for long, will it?” said Theo, uncertainly.

  A low trembling roar rolled through the ice.

  The cavern walls shook. Chunks of ice fell and exploded on contact with the ground. The cavern was becoming unstable.

  One large chunk narrowly missed Jack, showering him with ice shards when it crashed to the ground. “We can't remain here much longer.”

  Jane looked at him. “I agree. The cavern could collapse at any moment. We'll have to return to the ship, find Lucy and then plan our next move.”

  “Go back to the spaceship!” said Richard, appalled at the idea after having spent so long escaping from the monsters within. “You can't be serious.”

  The falling chunks of ice increased.

  Jane glanced at Richard and smiled. “You can stay here if you want.”

  Richard scowled at her. He felt the creature hidden beneath his jacket move.

  Two howls rang out. Richard sighed.

  Their glance alongside the lake revealed the approach of two more Hunters.

  “We can't let them escape like the last one,” said Jack, defiantly. He snatched up the flaming torch and moved into the tunnel to prevent them from scaling the walls like the last one.

  Jane retrieved her thrown ice axe and along with Theo also armed with an axe, they stood beside Jack.

  Richard shook his head in dismay, retrieved an axe from the stack of supplies and joined the others.

  The monsters advanced.

  Base Camp Monster

  SCOTT SIPPED HIS STEAMING mug of coffee and stared out the window at the raging blizzard caught in the powerful lights positioned around the camp. When another strong gust shook the cabin his thoughts turned to his friends in the rift. “I hope they're okay.”

  Pike, busy reading Ben Hammott's latest novel, The Lost Inheritance Mystery, a humorous Victorian mystery revolving around the search for a lost inheritance worth millions, dragged his attention from its pages and looked at his anxious friend. “If they're in the cavern, they'll be fine.”

  Scott noticed something move outside― a shadowy form. His eyes peered at the spot, but detected no other signs of movement. “I think someone's out there.”

  Pike joined him at the window and peered at the storm raging outside. “Are you sure?”

  Scott shook his head vaguely. “No, but I'm going out to check.” He placed his cup on the table. “It might be Eli lost in the blizzard.”

  “Okay, but don't go too far, or you might not find your way back.”

  Scott staggered and was almost blown off his feet when he exited the hut and stepped into the biting wind. He pulled the door shut and scanned the area, but saw nothing that could be a person. Hunched against the storm, he made his way to the position where he thought he'd seen someone. His eyes scanned the ground for footprints. If there had been any, the wind had wiped them clean. He set off to search the camp's perimeter.

  When he passed the storage sheds he heard a noise that sounded like something banging. A few more steps brought the swinging door into view. He was certain he'd latched it shut. Either the wind had freed it or someone had entered. Believing it might be Eli seeking refuge from the storm, he entered to find out.

  The cabin shook and creaked with the wind gusts beating furiously against it, and ice pellets constantly pinged against its metal sides. He switched on the light, casting yellow illumination through the storeroom, and slid the dark goggles onto his brow. His eyes scanned the length of the room, halted on a dark area at the far end and focused on a slightly lighter form amongst the shadows, but it was difficult to tell exactly what it was.

  “Is that you, Eli?”

  No answer.

  Though he sensed something was wrong, he couldn't pinpoint the reason. When he advanced a few nervous steps, the pale form moved further into the corner until it was out of sight behind some stacked crates. The way it had moved, more like an animal than a human, creeped Scott out.

  He moved a few steps closer and thought he heard breathing. He pushed the parka hood over his head. “Is anyone there?”

  When he received no reply, he moved closer until he drew level with the end crate.

  He couldn't explain his hesitation or sense of apprehension. There were no large animals in Antarctica, so it could only be one of the group, Jack or his passenger. He forced his nervousness aside and stepped nearer. There was something vague hunched in the shadow-filled corner. He fished a small flashlight from his pocket, switched it on and shone it into the darkness.

  What shivered in the corner wasn't human. Its head turned to look at him. Claws lashed out. Scott staggered back and fell. The terrifying monster climbed upright.

  The screeching cry that reverberated throughout the hut brought Scott to his senses. He threw the torch at the nightmare made manifest and rushed from the cabin. He slammed the door shut behind him to trap the monster. The build-up of snow in the entrance prevented it from closing. The pale form emerged from the corner and skulked forebodingly toward him. Scott shoved the door harder. The snow bunched up against the base of the door when it juddered forward. A final forceful shove rammed it into its frame. He slid home the metal latch and backed away. The door shook when the monster slammed into it.

  Scott's gaze fell upon the door catch; it wouldn't last long against such force. He desperately searched the area for something to block it with, but there was nothing. Everything had been stowed away before the storm hit. His eyes rested on the garage door and pictured what lay within. He rushed over to the garage, pulled the doors open and climbed into the remaining Sno-Cat. He turned the key. The engine turned, but didn't catch. The second attempt brought it to life; it roared. The headlights sent two light arcs across the camp. They roamed across the buildings when Scott drove out of the garage. Hundreds of individual pieces of snow and ice flashed through the light beams before disappearing into the surrounding gloom. Scott steered the vehicle over to the storeroom and edged closer until the front jammed tight against the door. Whatever that thing was, it was now trapped.

  “You've gone crazy man,” Pike replied when Scott told him about the creature. “There ain't any monsters here or anywhere.”

  Scott pointed out of the window. “Then why did I block the storeroom door with the Sno-Cat?”

  Pike saw the hazy red shape of the vehicle through the driving snow. “Because your concern for the team out on the ice has made you stir crazy. You're seeing things. It's the only rational explanation.”

  Scott looked at his friend. “Come on Pike, you know me. Do you really think I've suddenly gone mad?”

  Pike scratched his head. Scott was one of the sanest people he knew. He shrugged. “But what other explanation is there? I can't believe something like you've just described is out there, trapped in the storeroom. It's not possible. No!”

  “If our roles were reversed, I'd think the same. However, it's out there.”

  Pike shot a nervous glance through the window. “You're really creeping me out, man.”

  “You're lucky, you didn't see it. It's like something that's escaped from the underworld or a horror movie set.”

  Though skeptical a monster existed, Pike thought his friend believed he was telling the truth.

  “Come on. You want proof,
I'll give it to you.” Scott headed for the door.

  Pike knew he had to find out for himself to reassure himself Scott hadn't gone crazy and locked one of the team in the storeroom. “Okay, I'm coming.”

  The two men approached the shed and stood beside the front of the Sno-Cat.

  Pike stared at the door. Nothing banged on it. Apart from the vehicle jammed against the door, everything seemed normal. He wore a frown when he looked at Scott.

  Scott knocked on the door. Nothing happened. “It probably realized it can't get out and stopped, or maybe it froze to death.”

  Pike wasn't reassured about the man's sanity. If he'd gone temporarily crazy for some reason, someone might be imprisoned inside; they wouldn't last long in this cold. “Maybe we should move the Sno-Cat and take a look inside.”

  A loud metallic squeal cut off Scott's reply. It had come from around the side of the hut. They cautiously moved to the corner and peered around the side. A flap of metal that formed the end of the hut was bent out. Insulation flapped in the wind.

  Scott grabbed Pike's arm and shouted, “It's free! We have to get back inside. We're sitting ducks out here.”

  Though still not convinced a monster existed outside his friend's mind, Scott's obvious fear was very convincing and very unsettling. Pike followed Scott's hurried dash to the main hut.

  Pike watched Scott strip off his cold weather gear with a worried frown that refused to go away. Though something seemed to have forced its way through the side wall, it wasn't necessarily Scott's monster that was responsible; a man could have done it. His doubts remained only because Scott's present behaviour was so far outside his normal character.

  Scott noticed Pike's concerned expression and mistook the reason for its presence. “Don't look so worried. It can't get us in here.”

  Pike followed him into the mess hall. “Are you certain you saw what you believe you saw? You said it was dark. Maybe it was Eli or one of the others?”

  Scott walked over to the window and peered out. “So you still don't believe me?”