by P. R. Garcia
“Should we move the bodies back?”
“No. We won’t be coming back here so they can stay where they are” Dr. Q replied. He hurried to Gayle’s room to see if she knew the tent’s whereabouts and to discover if Alex had been able to calm her down. As he drew closer to the area, he could hear her crying. Thinking it best to bypass her room for now, he proceeded down to Professor Stevens’ room. It was empty. Perhaps he was with Gayle. He retraced his steps back to Gayle’s room, knocked and stepped inside. The sight that greeted his eyes was not what he expected - Gayle laying on a bed crying, all alone.
“Where’s Alex?” Dr. Q asked.
Professor Dilbert sat up in the bed. “I haven’t seen him. Why?”
“He’s not in his room, or in the kitchen,” Dr. Q replied.
A horrified look crossed Professor Dilbert’s face. “Oh, no. He wouldn’t.” She jumped from the bed and ran the few feet down the hallway to where Alex had been staying. Due to his illness, he had been kept separate from the others. Upon entering the room, she too saw he was gone. “Alex, where are you?” she yelled.
Dr. Q walked over to the dresser where a piece of paper laid. He picked it up and read it. He then walked over and handed it to Gayle.
Dear Gayle,
I knew there was no way you’d leave me behind. As since I am dead already, I decided to do what needed to be done. This is for the best. This way you, Lachlan and Max can live and find the cure for this horrible plague.
Thank you for your years of dedication. You are a brilliant paleontologist. It has been an honor working with you.
Lachlan, on the table are two vials of my blood. Don’t forget to take them with you.
Love to you both,
Alex.
“Where would he go?” Gayle inquired. Together, they began to check each room, adding Max along the way. The professor was nowhere to be found. As they passed the kitchen, Max noticed the side door was slightly ajar.
“Professors, the side door’s open.”
“Alex,” Gayle shouted as she stepped outside. Still, no reply. She frantically searched the area, but she was unable to detect any sign of him. Then something caught her eye. She turned and saw him sitting on the step of the Arctic Cat. He sat there stiff, with no coat, no hat, no gloves and no shoes or socks. His body contained no color. It was white as if bleached out, making it blend into his surroundings. Adding to the camouflage was the frost clinging to his hair, face and clothing. Gayle ran over to him, Lachlan and Max right behind her. Even before she reached his side, they knew he was gone, frozen in place. “Oh, Alex,” she cried, falling to the ground. “You could have made it.”
“Help me take him inside,” Dr. Q told Max. “We can’t leave him out here.”
“I’ve got him,” Max said, lifting the fragile body into his arms. He was amazed at how little the professor weighed. “You help Professor Dilbert.”
The three took the body to the living room and sat him in his favorite chair. Gayle put his socks and shoes on, then covered his lap with the blanket he always used. Dr. Q went and retrieved the pipe he sometimes smoked while Max poured a shot of scotch. Both items were placed on the table beside him. Gayle placed a tie around his neck and combed his hair. She then placed a book in his hands.
Dr. Q gave her a few minutes to say her goodbyes before saying, “Time to go, Gayle. We have everything packed so we might as well leave now. Unless you think you can spend the night here with him sitting here.”
“No, I can’t do that, Lachlan.”
Max walked over and poured three more shots of scotch, handing one to each professor. “To a great scientist who dedicated his life to the betterment of mankind.”
“May his death, and the deaths of so many others, count for something.” The three raised their glasses and drank the scotch. They hoped someone would be around to give them such a fine farewell. Professor Dilbert leaned down and gently kissed her mentor on the cheek.
The three quickly finished packing, being sure to grab the two vials of Dr. Stevens’ blood. They turned off the generator, allowing Antarctica’s coldness to permeate the building, preserve their colleagues for years to come. Their last act was to lock the side door and place the key above the door frame on the right side. None looked back as they began their arduous journey to the Aussie Station, dragging their few possessions on the sled behind them.
____________
Even though the three scientists maintained an exercise routine while at the Station, all three were amazed at the struggle of their hike. After only four miles, their gate slowed to a crawl. They were breathing heavy, sucking in mouthfuls of cold air that burned their lungs. Their legs ached from walking across the terrain that fluctuated between semi-frozen ice to pools of watery muck, forcing them to pause often to stretch sore muscles. They each took turns pulling the small sled of supplies, passing the task on to the next one when their arms and back could pull no more.
At five miles they could go no further and decided to stop and rest. The short distance should have taken them an hour. When Dr. Q looked at his watch, it had taken them almost two. Their lack of endurance was going to make reaching their twenty miles per day impossible.
But at least it was a lovely day. There were no clouds in the sky, and it was a bright blue, the brightest all remembered seeing. The land was flat, offering no rocks or outcrops for sitting. The air was crisp, a warm +28F. If there was anyone still keeping records of the Antarctica's temperatures, Max was sure this day would go down as one of the warmest ever recorded for that date.
Dr. Q and Professor Dilbert spread out the found thermal tent, keeping it flat on the ground. They placed the three sleeping bags on top giving them ample protection for their bottoms from the icy cold ground. Using a small trowel, Max chopped out some small chunks of ice and placed them in a coffee pot. Next, he assembled their small burner, putting their pot on it to melt the ice. Before long the ice had transformed into bubbling, boiling water. Placing coffee inside three cups, he poured the hot water over the powder, stirred each and handed one to the two scientists, keeping the last for himself. Along with the warm coffee, they dined on field rations and freeze-dried apples. It wasn’t the best-tasting meal, but it wasn’t meant to be. It was intended to restore their energy, boost their stamina, enable them to walk further.
After an hour rest, the small group set off again for the Aussie Station. Their bodies rejuvenated, they were able to increase their pace. With twenty hours of sunlight a day, they didn’t need to worry about nightfall. But try as they did, their bodies couldn’t make it past fifteen miles. Exhausted, almost too tired to care, they somehow managed to set up the thermal tent. Barely able to keep their eyes open, they quickly scarfed down another container of field rations, washing it down with a half bottle of water each. Within minutes after eating, all three were sound asleep, fully clothed and huddled together for warmth in their sleeping bags inside the tent.
Dr. Q woke the next morning and saw the three had barely moved all night. Max laid immediately next to Gayle on the outside, and she was between the two men. He noticed empty boxes of field rations lying about. They were lucky that the night temperatures had not dipped down too low, for they had taken no night precautions. He knew how dangerous and reckless their actions had been, ones that could not be repeated. They had to follow Antarctica field protocols if they wanted to reach the Station.
“Max, Gayle, it’s time to wake up,” Dt. Q stated, looking down at his watch. He couldn’t believe they had slept eight hours, thus putting them already an hour behind schedule. “Come on, you two. We’ve already overslept.”
“Oh, I feel like a truck ran over me or something,” Gayle stated, sitting up and stretching her back. “Is the entire trip going to feel like this?”
“I think our lack of setting up night camp correctly adds to your body being sore,” Dr. Q said. “From now on, we must stop at least an hour before we become too exhausted to take care of business. A handful of field
rations isn’t a sufficient meal to refuel our bodies at night.” He looked over at the stirring grad student. “Come on, Max. Get up and start the coffee. Gayle, break out some breakfast and an energy bar for each of us. We need to be packed up and on our way in forty minutes.”
Max sat up, rubbing this tussled curly hair. “Wow, did I sleep in my coat all night? And boots?”
“Another thing we cannot repeat if we want to survive,” Dr. Q said.
Their bodies protesting at standing, each did as requested. Concerned after what had happened, the doctor gave Gayle, Max and himself a brief physical. Everything was fine. Apparently, their exhaustion was from their exposure to the elements and the long walk. He hoped their second day would be better. And it was.
By the third day, their bodies adjusted to the endeavor and they were able to walk twenty miles. On day four, they made twenty-two. Finally, on the sixth day, they say the Australian flag flapping in the cold breeze, silhouetted against the blue sky. They had made it!
As they drew closer, they could see the signs that the Station was void of life. The flag was tattered and torn, showing that it had been hanging on the flag post for days, even weeks. The Arctic cat’s sides were buried in snow that had been blown across the land. Clearly, it had not been moved for some time. Dr. Q made a mental note to make getting the vehicle up and running and put away a top priority. It might be their only way to get off the island in the future. Up ahead was Captain Willis’ helicopter. It too appeared to have remained motionless for days, a huge snow drift covering the pilot’s side. Was the crew really dead as they feared?
“Gayle, we have no idea what we will find inside,” Dr. Q stated. “Why don’t you stay out here until Max and I check it out?”
While Professor Dilbert appreciated the gesture, it couldn’t be any worse than what was back at the other Station. Besides, she was an equal member of the team and wanted no special treatment. “That’s not necessary,” she replied, turning the door handle and stepping inside. She waited a minute before breathing in the air, expecting to smell the scent of blood, death and decaying bodies. There were neither, only a musty, damp smell.
“Hello? Anyone home?” Max yelled when he stepped inside, pulling the small sled in with him. “Is anyone here?”
“Let’s spread out and see if we can find anyone,” Dr. Q suggested. “Gayle, check out the rooms up front. Max, you search the storage areas. I’ll check the rooms down the hallway.”
Without a word, the three went to their designated locations, each expecting to see the worse. But they could find no one or any indication of what might have transpired there.
“Maybe they’re out in the field surveying the penguins,” Professor Dilbert suggested.
“Everyone?” Max asked. “Even the pilot?”
“The caterpillar and plane are outside,” Dr. Q reminded them. “I don’t think they would have walked somewhere.”
“Maybe someone else picked them up?” Max said.
“Possible” Dr. Q answered. “Let’s look around outside. I’ll take the plane. Gayle, you check the cat and Max, the outside storage shed.”
Professor Dilbert walked over to the caterpillar and tried the side door. It was locked. She tried the other doors with the same results. Crawling up one of the snow piles, she peered inside the long window. Nothing.
Dr. Q was surprised to find the helicopter’s doors opened. He quickly looked around inside and saw no one. As he climbed back down, he heard Max yelling. Turning, he saw him waving and pointing towards the storage shed.
“Did you find something?” Dr. Q asked when he and Professor Dilbert arrived.
“I think so,” Max replied, pointing once more to the shed. All could see that pinned to the window of the door was the same yellow contamination flag that hung on their former Station. Cautiously, the three walked over. Lifting up the warning flag, they saw a handwritten note taped to the inside of the window.
DO NOT ENTER
We have contracted the LO Virus. Since this disease is highly contagious, I am locking myself inside with the other bodies. This will keep us from, hopefully, spreading the disease to those of you who find us. God help us all.
Prof. Graves
“Do you think he might still be alive?” Max asked.
“Only one way to find out,” Dr. Q said. He tried the door, but it was locked. He could hear the rustling of chain links as he pulled on the door handle. Professor Graves had apparently secured the door from the inside to ensure no one entered. Walking around to the side of the shed, Dr. Q stepped up on a snow bank to peer inside through a small window. Cupping his hand over his eyes to block out the sun’s light, it took several seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness within. The first thing he saw was a body sitting in a chair, its mouth open, its eyes wide with no indication they saw anything. Streaks of dried blood covered the person’s face, eyes, ears, mouth and clothes. The frozen skin had a grayish cast to it. There was no doubt that the face staring into nothing was Professor Graves. Dr. Q searched the area and soon located numerous bodies carefully laid out on the floor, each reverently covered with a blanket or tarp. He counted eight bodies on the floor. The Australian team consisted of Dr. Quillback and four others. Captain Willis and Professor Graves’ two grad students made up the rest. They had their answer as to why no one had been answering the radio.
AN UNEXPECTED GUEST
Mr. Fitzpatrick looked up into the late night sky. There was only a sliver of moon to offer any illumination, making the sky alive with flickering dots of light. Indeed a beautiful sight, but he wondered how the Airlander would ever find him or land. He estimated it was less than two hours until the morning sun would be emerging in the east, giving away his and the birds’ position. Tilting his head to the side, he listened intently for any hidden dangers. He heard nothing. It was eerie being on the African savanna at night with no sounds of roaring lions, laughing hyenas or trumpeting elephants. Hopefully, the hum of the Airlander’s engines would break the night’s stillness soon. If there were dangers out there waiting to attack him and his rescuers, they had to arrive before the sun began to rise. Where were they? Had something already happened to them?
He looked over to his left. He knew the three cages containing the vultures were just several yards away, but they too were not discernable. This was crazy! There was no way they were going to find him without some kind of signal from him. A small fire, a torch, something to indicate where he stood. But they had insisted that, for his and the airship’s protection, he emit no light. Waiting was hell. He wondered how people managed to do it all the time. If they didn’t arrive before sunrise, he’d have to accept the fact that the Airlander had been shot down crossing the border or over the great savannah.
He jumped in fright when he heard one of the vultures screech and beat his wings. Dumb bird. But then he remembered vultures had a keen sense of smell. Maybe they smelled some animal, some scavenger that was still alive. Could the birds see in the dark? He didn’t know. Should he be worried? Did the bird know something he didn't? Taking several steps closer to the cage, he surveyed the darkness before him. Even though the caged birds could give him no protection, he felt a little bit more comfortable beside them. Trying to make his eyes see through the blackness, he suddenly realized a huge section of the stars were gone. They were replaced with an ever enlarging oval of black as if a void had opened and swallowed the night sky. The Airlander. That’s what spooked the vulture. Somehow it heard or sensed the ship. Finally, he heard a very soft, almost silent “thud” as the Airlander landed on a grassy patch fifty yards away. No lights gave testament to the massive airship that had just arrived. Nor were there any sounds of motors, opening doors or walking feet. Just that one gentle “thud” that might have been his imagination.
Not sure exactly what to do, he just stood there, staring into the shadow of nothingness. If it really was his ride, he figured someone would exit the ship and come and get him. They certainly couldn’t expect h
im to come to them when he wasn’t even sure they were there. As he continued to argue with himself on what to do, two glowing blue lines appeared in the blackness. They were just floating in the air, advancing closer. Was he hallucinating? Then he heard a voice. “Mr. Fitzpatrick?”
“Yes.”
“Walter Fitzpatrick?”
“That’s me. Are you here to pick me and my cargo up?”
“Yes, Sir. Lt. Montgomery and Captain Jaime at your service,” the voice said. “If you would hold out your hands, I will give you something to help you see.” Doing as told, Walter held out his right hand and felt something drop into his palm. “They’re night-vision goggles. If you put them on you’ll be able to board the Queen Victoria. Are those the vultures over there?”
“Yes,” Walter said, amazed at how much he could see with the night-vision glasses. There were two men in biohazard suits standing before him, a strip of glowing blue tape across their chests. “They’re in the cages. I need that large box beside them as well as the two bags with me.” The sound of shuffling feet broke the silence of the night. Fearing a lion or hyena had finally appeared, he turned in concern only to see six soldiers in biohazard suits run by. They ran over to the cages. The men slipped long polls inside two of the cages. With a pair on each end and one pair in the middle, the six soldiers quickly carried two of the cages to the Airlander.
“If you will follow us, Mr. Fitzpatrick,” the man announced as he picked up Walter’s two bags. “We have a section quarantined off for you and your birds in the ship. I’m afraid that due to present circumstances, it is necessary for you four to ride alone and sealed.”
“You’re not leaving the one bird or my box, are you?” Walter asked as he hesitantly walked towards the ship. “The box has all my research that Dr. Q needs. And I know he wants all three birds.”
“Don’t worry, as soon as my men secure the first two birds, they will be back for the other one and your research.”