Wanderers in the Dark : Part 1

by Carlos Vergara

  Eikichi was the most shocked and angered. His face was stern, and hands were clenched into fists like he was ready to wreak havoc on the person responsible for the marks they left on her.

  ‘Alyssa, what happened?’ he asked as calmly as he could.

  ‘Eikichi,’ Alyssa said. ‘I will tell you everything when the time is right. I promise.’ She placed a hand upon his.

  Eikichi looked as if he was going to continue with questions, but he simply nodded. Her response seemed to alleviate his mood, though, he still appeared upset.

  Later, the announcement came as Mr. Atkinson promised. He mentioned the incident, omitting Alyssa’s name, but the students were clever enough to make the connection themselves. The students were informed of actions being taken toward their safety. Security was going to be tightened and a new rule was introduced, where students weren’t allowed to venture through the Space Academy on their own until this matter with the creature was resolved.

  The announcement ended with the information provided on the positions available for students once they’d completed their course, although, he didn’t provide specific details on what they were, or the state of the Edollon––interstellar space station.

  Mr. Atkinson spoke, ‘Information has been posted on the discussion board for students to read and familiarise themselves with.’

  The interest of the event involving Alyssa and the creature was immediately replaced with this announcement.

  Good. Some attention is off me now.

  Alyssa kept to herself as she continued focus in class. She worked on a difficult mathematical problem the teacher assigned the class to complete. She completed the problem and showed her work to the teacher, who gave her full marks.

  She left class early and waited for her classmates to finish. She went on the discussion board to see the information and found many students were commenting about the positions they were going to pick. She didn’t participate and checked what was being offered.

  Alyssa found the article and read it. From the information given, the students had the chance to select one of the three branches to work under. There was the Flight Auditor Company, Space Patrol Regiment and Home Base Corps. In addition to the post, there was a brief mention about Edollon and the progress engineers had made since Mr Thatcher delivered his speech about the solution to humanity’s predicament.

  Edollon was shaping up to be the space station where space voyagers would reside and work. It had been three months since Mr Thatcher’s press conference, and a lot had been done with little construction left to do.

  Before she could read any further, she was startled by Eikichi, who suddenly appeared beside her.

  ‘Did I scare you?’ he asked.

  Alyssa smiled. ‘More like startled me.’

  ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to. After what happened to you, it’s the last thing I’d want to do to you.’

  ‘It’s okay.’

  He sat beside her. ‘How are you feeling now? Are you in still any discomfort or pain?’

  ‘No, not anymore. Thanks for asking.’

  ‘I had to ask, even though you might be annoyed at me for asking you many times already.’

  Alyssa smiled.

  ‘It’s okay.’

  ‘Had I known this was going to happen when we came here I would have stopped you from coming.’

  ‘I know. But it’s happened already. All I can do now is make sure that it doesn’t happen again.’

  The two went quiet.

  Alyssa looked at Eikichi and could tell he was worried for her.

  ‘Did you get a chance to look at the post on the positions we can choose from?’ he asked.

  ‘Yeah, I did,’ she answered.

  ‘What’s being offered?’

  Alyssa mentioned to him the three branches the students got to pick once they had finished their training her on Mars, and then gave him a quick recap of the requirements of each branch.

  ‘Under the Flight Auditor Company, individuals are required to survey and evaluate distant planets in far reaching galaxies that are suitable for humans to live on. The Space Patrolling Regiment is where space personnel are stationed at the space station to communicate and eliminate any possible threats that might be harmful to Earth or Edollon.’

  ‘I get the feeling most of us here are going to choose this position over the Flight Auditor Company,’ Eikichi said.

  ‘So do I. But then, there is the Home Base Corps which positions personnel on Earth to promote tranquillity amongst the citizens. They’re basically like the police with the exception that they’ll know what to do should the time come if the number of space voyagers begin to fall or Earth get attacked by something.’

  ‘Like aliens?’

  ‘Anything really.’

  ‘So, they’re like the reserve, then.’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Okay, maybe people might pick this one instead.’

  ‘It’s a likely possibility.

  ‘Even though we are all doing this… all this training, I think some of us are not going to be mentally ready for the space expeditions.’

  ‘You never know. Depending on how they train us here, it might spur enthusiasm for everyone to pick the Flight Auditor Company.’

  ‘I hope that’s the case. If it does happen, I hope they take us out to another planet for an assessment. Not only would it be a challenge should we happen to encounter, you know, inhabitants – hostile ones, but it’d be an eye-opening experience, I think.’

  ‘That’d definitely be interesting and fun. That’s what it would be.’ Alyssa smiled. ‘Are you starting to like this place?’

  ‘There’s something about what we’re doing. It’s like there’s a sense of––’

  ‘Purpose.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Eikichi paused. ‘Thinking about it now, I could see us and the group roaming about another planet as we search foreign places to figure out if the planet we’re checking out will our new home.’

  ‘I think it’ll be fun, as long as we’re together and safe.’

  ‘You’re gonna have to be pick one, Alyssa. If we’re with the group, you know something is bound to go awry, especially with Janice.’

  ‘I didn’t know you had so much faith in her.’

  Eikichi chuckled. ‘You know I’m kidding.’

  ‘I do.’

  Alyssa was glad to see his mood lighten.

  ‘I think we, as a team, would do well together,’ he said. ‘I feel comfortable enough around the group to place my trust in them, and in you.’

  ‘What’s family for if you can’t trust and help one another?’ she said.

  ‘What’s family for, indeed.’

  There was commotion coming from the class.

  ‘Aye, guys! How long have you been waiting there?’ a voice asked.

  They saw Janice walking toward them. She was one of the people in front of the group of students exiting the class.

  ‘Not long. How did you find the question?’ Eikichi asked.

  ‘Doable, though the others might disagree with me.’

  The others joined up with them to share their thoughts on the question.

  As they ventured ahead to their next class, Alyssa had a moment of reflection. While she shared this moment with them, she kept silent, listening and looking at everyone around. Then, it dawned on her. Something she and the group were creating for themselves without realising. Something that was a once dream, and now becoming a reality for her––the dream of being part of a family.

  CHAPTER 19

  DAYS LEADING UP to the planned explosion of the supply ship had been nothing but smooth sailing for Evelyn and her colleagues.

  The detective arranged a meeting with the Army General, speaking with him about the case. She expressed her intentions on the next operation, which at first was met with bewilderment and rejection.

  He didn’t want to allow such an operation to occur on his base, as he didn’t want to bring about the scrutiny of officials above his ran
k into his matters, as well as bring the public’s attention to him.

  Evelyn tried to convince the General that if she wasn’t to be the one to make this happen than the culprit would.

  ‘I doubt that, detective,’ the General said. ‘I have confidence in my security that they won’t be able to get inside the premises.’

  ‘It’s not that I doubt your security, General,’ Evelyn said. ‘It’s just I know the type of person we’re dealing with, and they aren’t your average criminal. They’re intelligent and well informed on how people and things work, everywhere.’

  The General looked at her, as if he was considering her proposal. ‘Are you certain you can catch this person?’

  ‘No. But I know I stand a better chance of catching them if I have your assistance.’

  He paused, taking a deep breath. ‘Very well.’

  The General informed her that she would bear all responsibility should events go south.

  Fine by me.

  With pieces set, the day finally arrived without hearing anything from the culprit.

  Evelyn felt anxious about the plan, but all she could do was stand by the hangar, while personnel carried the boxes into the ship. She suspected the culprit might want to inspect the boxes from afar, so each explosive was set beside empty products. She inspected the ship from afar through a sensory scanner that allowed her to see the supplies and explosives inside the boxes without opening them.

  ‘Mark, Luther,’ Evelyn spoke via her headset. ‘How’s everything looking on your sides?’

  Everything was going smoothly. Neither of them had visibility on any suspicious figures roaming about the area.

  ‘Heidi, how about you?’

  ‘I haven’t seen anything aside from the personnel carrying equipment out and our team members patrolling the area.’

  Law enforcement officers were stationed throughout the army base, patrolling entrances, exits, hallways, and other routes that would be a possible avenue for the culprit to slip through into the area.

  ‘Do you still think this person will show up, detective?’ the General asked as he stood beside her.

  ‘Yes.’

  Evelyn continued to be vigilant, as the time passed. Half of the ship was filled when she received a call on Martha’s phone. She stared at it anxiously.

  The General looked at her. ‘Is it the culprit?

  ‘I believe it is,’ she said.

  She instructed Heidi to trace the call quickly before answering.

  The detective answered the call. ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hello, detective,’ the voice said, ‘I see things are going according to plan. It appears you can follow orders after all.’

  ‘Hmph.’

  ‘Still sensitive about what has happened?’

  ‘Where’s Martha?’

  ‘You’ll see her very soon. I’m a person who always keeps their word, and luckily for her, she hasn’t been harmed since our last meeting, so good job.’

  ‘Don’t patronise me.’

  The culprit was amused. ‘I was expecting a threat, detective, not a snarky response. After all, your friend is in my possession, so I would assume their safety would be paramount to you, or have you got your priorities in a mess?’

  Evelyn didn’t reply.

  The culprit chuckled. ‘Have I offended your ego? I would advise you to put it aside. It can blind you to a lot of things – important things – particularly when moments such as these occur.’

  Evelyn was quiet. She watched the last of the boxes being placed inside the ship, before the rear door was closed.

  ‘Not too long now, detective. This ship will be blown up and your friend will be joining you, shortly. Now to tie the knot to this wonderful occasion, could you be so kind as to put a timer on the explosives you have placed inside the ship. I believe this moment requires a countdown, wouldn’t you agree?’

  The General looked at her, confused.

  Evelyn was confused by the request, as well. ‘Heidi, can you set a timer on the explosives we placed inside the ship to blow for thirty seconds, please?’

  ‘No, no, make it a minute. I want to talk a little longer.’

  Okay…

  The timer began to count down from a minute.

  59.

  58.

  Despite feeling anxious, Evelyn was relieved, as she suspected by the way the culprit had been talking to her, that they weren’t aware of the ruse she had created.

  ‘I take it you’re watching me and everyone here, this very moment, yes?’ she said.

  ‘I am. Though my attention lies with you,’ the culprit said.

  ‘How flattering.’

  ‘You should get some rest, detective, when this is all over. I see the formation of dark circles under your eyes has gotten worse since our encounter. No doubt your attempts in finding me have had a poor effect on you.’

  ‘I can rest once I find you and lock you up in a jail cell.’

  The voice laughed. ‘I look forward to it. I believe that will be an interesting encounter when we meet one another, face to face.’

  ‘It sure will. So long as it’s your face I’m looking at.’

  ‘Don’t you worry, detective. When you see me, it will be me.’

  A moment after, she received a text on her phone from Heidi, which lifted her spirits. She was informed that culprit’s position had been located with Mark and Luther on their way there. ‘Perhaps, that might happen a lot earlier than either of us had anticipated.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Things might go according to your plan. However, they can only happen while you remain in hiding, and it seems to me that your time in the shadow is over.’

  ‘Because you know where I am, and your men are coming after me.’

  Evelyn was surprised.

  ‘Do you believe that I’m blinded by my own arrogance? I might be here out of hubris, but don’t think for a second that I’m not aware of what’s happening in front of me.’

  Seconds later, Evelyn received a MMS to her phone, of an infrared image taken from above the ship. It displayed zero heat signatures around the ship except for a large source in the middle. It was a person placed inside one of the containers.

  ‘What is this?’

  ‘It seems this pursuit of capturing me has made you blind, detective.’

  Evelyn stared intently at the image. ‘No…’

  ‘Tick tock, detective. Do you really think the timer is going to stop?’

  Her eyes darted back at the timer 26 seconds.

  ‘Shit!’ the General admonished.

  ‘Heidi, stop the countdown for detonation right now,’ she shouted as she bolted out of the room.

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ Heidi answered.

  The detective shouted instructions at the pilot not to move and open the rear door. Some of her colleagues ran to toward her to assist in clearing away boxes and containers to get the person inside the ship.

  ‘Okay, the countdown has been terminated.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  The culprit spoke, ‘Oh no, I’d hate to see something else happen.’

  Evelyn eyes widened. She glanced at the hangar and saw the lights go off along with the power to the entire area go off.

  ‘Ma’am,’ Heidi said.

  ‘I know,’ Evelyn said.

  ‘I can’t gain access into the system, and the countdown is still going.’

  Evelyn bit her lip as her anxiety was building up. She continued with her colleagues in removing the last boxes off the container, which had a person inside.

  ‘Ma’am, you have thirteen seconds to get out of there.’

  The detective pulled the lid of the container and found a weakened Martha who appeared on the verge of unconsciousness, missing half an arm and leg.

  Martha tried to speak, but only air came out.

  ‘Save your breath,’ Evelyn said. She looked at her colleagues. ‘Come on, we have to get out of here now!’

  Evelyn and colleagues carried Martha
away from the ship before it exploded, sending everyone within the blast radius flying into something, whether ground, wall, or hangar.

  When the smoke cleared, Evelyn pushed herself to her feet, but she struggled as the explosion had left her rattled. Her first concern was to check Martha and found her pulse was faint.

  ‘I need an EMT now!’

  ‘How’s Martha, Evelyn?’

  ‘Weak.’

  An emergency team arrived on the scene and quickly assessed Martha before taking her away on a hover stretcher.

  Once Martha was taken, Evelyn contacted Heidi. ‘Heidi, what’s the situation with Mark and Luther?’

  Heidi responded. ‘They’re currently in pursuit of the culprit, heading back into the city.’

  ‘They have eyes on them?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good, tell them they have permission to shoot on sight.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. Will you not be joining them?’

  ‘I will, but first I want to wait with Martha while the medic arrives. When they arrive, then I’ll go.’ She followed her colleagues, who were carrying Martha to the hangar.

  Elsewhere, Mark and Luther were in hot on the culprit’s tail as pursuing them by car on the underground highway, heading back into Interpol. Their firearms were locked and loaded for a takedown.

  Mark looked over recent surveillance footage and found the culprit was disguised as one of the personnel who’d placed the boxes and containers on the ship.

  ‘No wonder we didn’t notice them,’ Mark admonished. ‘They were already there before we were.’

  Luther swerved off the highway, trying to bridge the distance between him and the culprit.

  ‘Can’t you get closer?’ Mark asked.

  ‘No, there’s too many vehicles in front of us,’ Luther said. ‘We’ll have to wait until we get closer to the city.’

  As they approached the city, they swerved onto the road leading to Quad Ring when the culprit made the turn on it. This gave them a chance to get closer. The distance between them and the culprit still didn’t give them a view to identify them as he was he was wearing a kabuki mask.