by Jeff Walsh
“As a fellow scientist,” Sir Halen said. “Would you care to take a tour of our science station? I believe you'll find it most intriguing.” He smiled.
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“Easy,” Marcus said. His hands raised defensively as he walked slowly backward. “You're supposed to be friendly. Living harmoniously with all life, at least that's what I was told. Why all the stomping and snorting?”
No more than twenty feet in front of Marcus stood a rather large, very agitated, beast.
“Alvin,” Marcus whispered. “Please tell me you can hear me.”
“I sure can good buddy,” Alvin responded in Marcus' earpiece.
“I believe I'm in a situation here.”
“What seems to be the trouble?” Alvin asked.
“There's a rather hairy looking beast that is very aggressively moving toward me,” Marcus said.
“Is this beast about the size of one of your Earth elephants, but with a pudgy snout and much shorter legs?” Alvin asked.
“Uhh,” Marcus paused. “I guess. Yeah.”
“Does it have two very long and pointy tusks protruding from its mouth?” Alvin inquired further. “And does it keep waving them back and forth at you?”
“Please tell me there's a point to these questions,” Marcus blurted out with aggitation. “Not exactly feeling super safe at the moment.”
“I'm verifying my suspicion good sir,” Alvin responded. “I don't believe you're in any real danger. This beast is covered in dark brown hair but has tan stripes running down its back, correct? It also keeps snorting and huffing as it stamps its hoof down over and over?”
“Yup,” Marcus quickly answered. “I'm pretty sure it wants me dead.”
“Oh,” Alvin said. “Based on your confirmation of my description, I believe you're looking at a heelak. Are it's eyes bright pink?”
“Yes!” Marcus blurted out. “Bright pink!”
The heelak snorted loudly at Marcus' outburst and stomped forward a couple steps.
“Whoa,” Marcus whispered. “Please stop. Please stop.” He said to the beast.
“The pink eyes are an indication that the heelak is passing through its mating cycle,” Alvin said. “Were there smaller, more tan versions of the heelak around you when this particular one approached?”
“Yes,” Marcus said. “Quite a few. I picked some leaves from a bush I saw them eating. I was feeding one and patting its head then this one charged out of nowhere.”
“Well,” Alvin said. “It appears this alpha male may have felt threatened by your presence. Based on the actions you say he's taking, I've concluded that he now views you as competition to his heard.”
“What?” Marcus “I'm not competition. I'm human. I'm...married.”
“Well,” Alvin says. “I'm attempting to access a file on the heelak from freenet.”
“I thought you said everything was safe on Wex,” Marcus said. “That's what you said. Every living thing upon Wex communes in harmony with all visitors; I heard you say that. Well, this thing isn't communing or harmonizing.”
“I do apologize,” Alvin responded. “The pods computer system is limited and I may not have had access to this particular information at that time. Give me a moment.”
“Alvin,” Marcus said. “I don't know if I have a moment. Seriously. How do I keep myself from dying here?”
Just then the heelak lowered its tusks and charged forward.
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“I understand your reluctance,” Sir Halen said. “If anything it'll allow you to take your mind away from all that's transpired. Nothing too long, I understand the weight you feel, I truly do. And I don't wish to force you into anything. But a quick break from your thoughts might be pleasant.”
Genny paused, but after a moment agreed.
“Wonderful,” Sir Halen said. “Please, right this way.” He motioned for Genny to turn left up ahead.
The two made a couple quick turns and stepped in front of a lift. Sir Halen pressed his palm against the access pad.
“Sir Halen Uostron,” a computerized voice said. “Clearance confirmed. State section destination.”
“SL43-1,” Sir Halen stated.
The doors to the lift opened and Sir Halen gestured for Genny to enter.
As they did the door shut and the floor shifted slightly. After only a second or two Sir Halen announced, “Here we are.”
The doors slid open revealing a large lab with machines and contraptions everywhere. Monitors with hoses and wires stood next to beds. Along the right wall were stacks of cages.
“Right this way please,” Sir Halen said.
Genny followed as the two made their way through the lab. She peered around and saw shelves of vials and beakers filled with substances. Cabinets containing stacks of bottles and supplies lined the back wall.
“You see,” Sir Halen said. “My original career within the Central Core started out as a scientist.”
“Really?” Genny said. A small amount of distrust in her voice.
“Yes,” he responded. “Genetics, macro, and micro-biology were my fields.”
Sir Halen accessed another entry pad. He placed his hand upon it after which he typed a code and made a quick gesture with his finger.
“Access granted,” a robotic voice said. “Welcome back Sir Halen.”
Genny and Sir Halen entered a room, dimly lit at first but as they stepped in the lights sprung to life.
“Motion sensors?” Genny asked. “A bit low tech isn't it?”
“This ship houses over three thousand people,” Sir Halen said. “If there wasn't a system to conserve power we'd never get anywhere.”
Genny allowed herself to chuckle at Sir Halen's joke. She looked around and at the center of the room hung two large monitors with dozens of cables, wires, and tubes wound together but dangling free. Along the back wall were three somewhat large metal cages, two of which had the doors open and were visibly empty.
“You see,” Sir Halen said as he strode to the center of the room. “Within the Central Core there often arises a need for specific animals or plants. Species with immune systems, digestive systems, ecological resistances that can be used to help the terraforming process of new worlds.
Genny peered at the third cage. It was pitch black within, and she heard the slightest hint of scratching.
Sir Halen turned to see what had caught Genny's eye. He looked back to her and smiled.
“With such needs,” Sir Halen said. “It is often the case that differing species are difficult to come by. My specialty was genetically altering animals and plants to fit the needs of these differing worlds.”
Genny looked to Sir Halen.
“You what?” She said.
“My apologies,” Sir Halen said. “It sounds far worse than it is. In fact, it is an extremely pain free process. There hasn't been a case of a single loss in over ten thousand varnecs. The splicing is mutual for both animals. We retain their instinctual nature, and they're placed on a planet they can thrive upon. I know on some worlds they use splicing for personal gain and profit; this is not the case within the Central Core. Animals, plants, and people need each other in order to thrive on any given world. How cruel would it be to take one species who struggles in deep cold, and place it on planet with long freezing winters? There's no need for that when we can give that same animal or plant the ability to resit that cold, even thrive in it. We help planets grow.”
The scratching noise from the cage came once again.
“As a chemist,” said Sir Halen. “I thought this might interest you.” He held aloft a vial of blue gel-like liquid. “It's the base component for what we do,” he said. “A solution that allows a clean integration of one genetic code into another.”
“What's in that cage?” Genny asked.
“See for yourself,” Sir Halen said. “I promise it's harmless.”
Genny heard the scratching again followed this time by a tiny series of squeaks.
She slowly approached the cage.
He can't kill me, she thought to herself. He needs me.
“You've no idea of the fierce conditions some planets face,” Sir Halen said. “Nearly uninhabitable for any living creature.”
Genny was nearly at the cage now, the light within still dark. She stopped as she heard the series of squeaks once more.
“Just push the red button there on the cage,” Sir Halen said. “It's the light switch. I think you'll find that species,” he paused for a second. “I believe the word on your world is...adorable.”
She paused a moment at the cage and heard the series of squeaks again.
“Anyway,” Sir Halen said dismissively. “If you'd like I'd be happy to let you inspect this solution. You'd find it most fascinating. It really does most of the work for gene-splicing.”
Genny turned and said, “If merging two species is so typical and easy, how is it you managed to make a name for yourself?”
“I'm glad you asked,” Sir Halen replied. “As you know science is never perfected.” He gestured dramatically. “Instead, we pioneers stand on the shoulders of those before us. Take what is known and push forward. This is the only way true progress is ever made.”
She watched him for a moment. Sir Halen continued on, almost ignoring Genny now as he was lost in his own tale. The dramatic gestures and vocal inflections almost appeared rehearsed.
Turning her attention to the cage once more Genny tuned Sir Halen out for a moment. The squeaks came again. She focused on the cage.
Sir Halen continued on about his valiant efforts in science.
Slowly, Genny reached over and pushed the red button. The light snapped on and there in the back of the cage was a small white, fluffy, creature. It occurred to Genny that it almost looked like a baby rabbit with its long ears resting down its back. It was all curled up and sleeping. As it exhaled she heard the series of squeaks once more and watched as its back legs kicked causing the scratching sounds.
“It's snoring,” she chuckled. She breathed a sigh of relief. “I think it's dreaming.”
Then from either the sound of her laugh or the sudden light, the small fluffy creature opened its round little eyes. Pearls of blue gleamed as it looked to Genny. It's little ears rose into the air.
Genny relaxed a moment and took a deep breath.
“You're right,” she said to Sir Halen. “It is adorable.”
She felt a sudden pinch at the back of her neck. She turned, and there stood Sir Halen. His face cold and blank only inches from hers. She looked down and saw that within his hand was an empty syringe, a drop of the blue, gene-splicing, liquid fell from the tip.
She stumbled to her left. The room began to swim. She stepped forward a few times but lost her footing and collapsed. She tried to push herself to her feet but slipped and crashed to the ground once more.
The light in the room danced and swayed. The sounds of boots stamping the floor echoed in her ears. Her eyes struggled to focus, but managed for only a second to see a dozen soldiers entering the room. Sir Halen stepped in front of her. She tried to look up, his face a blurred shadowy figure.
“Boundaries must always be pushed for those who wish to claim power,” she heard him say.
She blinked once; everything was became more foggy. She blinked again; everything went black.
Chapter 13
Bartl stood with his back against the far wall, pistol in hand and ready to fire. The hall had grown oddly silent with only the slightest of sounds to indicate the guards still moved about just outside. Bartl remained unflinching at the back of the room. He steadied his breathing, readying himself to open fire the moment the door was blown, but it seemed to be taking far too long.
“What's wrong with you lot?” Bartl exclaimed. “Need me to step outside and show you how to properly blow a door?”
Silence loomed.
Bartl lowered his pistol slightly. His breath abated as he listened intently, but there was not so much as a scuffle.
“What are you missing, old man?” He said to himself. “Why haven't they blown the door yet?”
Bartl looked around the room. He peered at every corner and nook. Slowly he made his way around the perimeter, never getting too close to the door, never making even the slightest noise. He found nothing, heard nothing.
He crossed the room and accessed the computer once more, pistol raised and pointed at the door.
“Enter Release Passcode,” flashed across the screen.
Bartl looked back to the door.
“Trans-warp is still offline, so their defenses are still up,” he said to himself. “But it doesn't take this long to blow a door.”
He made his way to the center of the room, turned and shot the wall. A blast of purple dark-matter smashed against it. The wall rippled as the dark-matter dissipated.
“Okay, the energy displacer is still online,” he said. “You aren't worried about blowing a hole in your ship. What's with the waiting?”
Bartl spun on the spot and raised his pistol as a series of thuds echoed just beyond the door.
A moment of silence followed, then, knock knock, came from the door.
Bartl froze, eyes wide, nerves on end. His finger twitched slightly as it hovered over the trigger.
Knock. Knock.
Bartl narrowed his eyes as his mind raced.
Knock. Knock.
“Really?” He blurted out. “You're knocking?” The agitation was clear in voice.
Bartl cautiously strode across the room listening intently.
A few steps from the door, knock knock, came again.
Bartl stepped forward and said, “Computer, release OSH seal on door OP-R39.”
A light hum rang throughout the room.
Bartl stepped forward and the door slid open. Every guard was lying unconscious on the floor. Each drone had been powered down.
Bartl lowered his pistol. “It's about farukin time,” he yelled out.
From his left he watched as the a section of the wall across from him began to break apart into tiny rectangles that spun in place. A moment later Taam appeared.
“Not even a thank you?” Taam asked.
“How long have you been running that cloak?” Bartl demanded.
Taam just looked at him.
“Taam!” Bartl yelled out. “How long?”
“It was the only way,” Tamm replied.
“Don't tell me you've been cloaked since we boarded?” Bartl blurted out. “We've been on this ship for at least two hours.”
Taam winced as he attempted to hold back a cough.
“How bad is it?” Bartl asked.
Taam raised his wrist unit and punched at the key pad. He dropped his hand down and looked to Bartl.
“How bad?” Bartl asked.
“Forty-three percent saturation,” Taam replied.
“You frackin blatnard,” Bartl cursed. “I told you not to install a perception cloak into your suit. The rads it pumps out are too high. Your blood is practically poison at this point. Short bursts, that's all it can be used for, short burst camo. You've been running it non-stop since Alvin flash-jumped you onto the back of our pod.”
“I just told you, it was the only way to safely get the other two, and you, out of here,” Taam said. “If you hadn't played hero and turned back they would've grabbed Marcus and me. Then you could've gone off after the matrix and the zorg by now.”
“Don't you pin this on me,” Bartl said, his finger in Taam's face. Bartl spun and cursed under his breath. “Let me see it. I need to know how long until it's too late?”
Taam coughed and a black oily liquid shot out. Taam wiped at his face and spat to the ground.
Bartl looked to the ground and stared at the oily mixture. He shook his head and looked back at Taam. “Two, maybe three before it's irreversible.”
“Anthony and Genny have been split up,” Taam said, changing the subject.
Bartl paused for a moment then asked, “Where?”
“Anthony is locked away in S7-A,” Taam an
swered. “Genny and Halen left the Chamber and took a long stroll through the ship. Last I saw them they were at the engine room.”
“What's your call on this?” Bartl asked.
Taam coughed slightly once more and worked his wrist unit again. A slight hiss carried through the air and Taam breathed deep and exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Those injections are only dulling the pain,” Bartl said. “If we don't get you to a med bay either on the Platnuim or here on the Imperium, soon, there aren't enough pain suppressors in that suit to keep the reality of what you've done at bay.”
“I'm fine,” Taam responded.
“I'm sure you are,” Bartl said. “Let's get a move on before more drones and guards show. I'm surprised we've been left undisturbed this long.”
“Calm down, were fine for a bit,” Taam said. “I sealed most of the entryways leading here in order to give us some time to plan our next move. Halen probably has every soldier onboard trying to get here, but it'll take them some time.”
“Do you know where Halen was taking Genny?” Bartl asked.
“We'll need to find a terminal with bridge access in order to locate Genny,” Taam said. “At this point she could be anywhere. Halen was trying to make her to feel safe and comfortable, so my guess is they were eventually headed to the royal quarters twenty decks up.”
“Anthony is only two decks away; they took him to S7. We can use the maintenance shafts to reach that level,” Bartl said.
“Then it's agreed,” Taam said. “Anthony, then Genny. You do know it's not the most advantageous for us to go that route, correct?”
“I saw it,” Bartl said. “They're still our responsibility. Anthony, then Genny, then burn light and find Marcus. Where'd you send him and Alvin anyway?”
“Wex,” Taam responded.
“Nice choice,” Bartl said. “He shouldn't get into too much trouble in paradise.”
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Marcus laid splayed out on his back. His eyes darted back and forth gazing at countless stars above. The colors of the night sky flowed from deep purples to orange into a rich dark blue then back to purple.
“Will my suit always do stuff like that?” He asked Alvin. He let his hand glide along the soft grass, each blade tickling his palm.