by Ben Hammott
Lucy nodded. “I think so.”
“You will cross with Sergei and Babinski. Watch what they do and copy them. Just make sure you time your leap when the barge has reached the top of its rise or you'll be crushed.”
“Thanks,” said Lucy, worriedly.
Brusilov smiled. “You'll be okay. Compared with what you've been though lately, this will be easy.” He moved away to talk to his men.
Lucy stared back at the ship that seemed to tower above the small barge when they drew near.
Brusilov pointed at the net slung over the side of the ship. “Get ready.”
Lucy, Sergei and Babinski lined the side of the barge as it approached the climbing net and were thrown to the deck when a wave smashed the barge into the larger vessel and squealed along its length until they parted. They quickly scrambled to their feet and watched the net draw closer.
Sergei went first. He placed a foot on the side as the boat began to rise and sprung when it reached its peak. Babinski did exactly the same and both clung to the netting. Lucy stared at the net as she geared herself to make the crossing. When the end of the net drew nearer and the barge rose again, she placed a foot on the side and jumped just before it dropped. Her hands clawed at the netting and as soon as they touched they enclosed around it. Her body hit the hull harder than she would have liked, but she had made it.
“See, that wasn't so bad, was it?” called out Babinski, a little way above her.
“Look out!”
Lucy turned. Brusilov had his hands cupped around his mouth, as the barge rose up towards her. She jerked her legs clear as the barge's stern struck the ship and slid by.
Brusilov physically relaxed when he looked back to see everyone was okay and climbing up to the crew waiting by the rail above. He crossed to Nikolay peering from the wheelhouse. “That went smoother than I imagined.”
“Let's hope our boarding has the same outcome,” replied Nikolay as he steered the barge around for their turn.
“As it is customary for the Captain to be last off the ship, I'll take over.”
Nikolay smiled. “That only applies when the ship is sinking. This barge can handle a bit of wind and a few rough waves. Besides, I designed her. She's a stubborn bitch and needs a bit of coaxing to perform the way you want her to and only I have the touch.”
Brusilov placed a hand on the man's shoulder. “Okay, Nikolay. I wouldn't want to be accused of interfering with your girl, but as soon as we're at the net, you leave her.”
“Don't worry, Captain, I'll be right behind you. She knows this ain't no long term relationship.” Nikolay nodded ahead as they approached the ship again. “Better get ready.”
Brusilov turned to see the bow of the ship plough through the waves a short distance away. He nodded at Nikolay and went to stand at the side.
Nikolay stared at the approaching ship and coaxed the barge to carry out his bidding. As soon as they were level with the net he would rush for the side as the Captain disembarked and leaped for the net. As the bow of the ship slid by, he sensed eyes upon him. He glanced up at the crew lining the ship's rail, but it wasn't from them. When he glanced around the barge his gaze halted on the slightly raised deck hatch. He sensed a presence In the darkness below and then noticed the eyes peering out at the ship. When the two vessels were practically touching, the blackness seeped out like an escaping oil slick.
Nikolay shot a glance at the Captain leaping for the net. As soon as his foot left the side Nikolay turned the barge away.
Brusilov glanced down when he noticed the barge turn away but saw no sign of Nikolay on the net. He looked at the wheelhouse and saw him still at the controls with his attention focused elsewhere. Brusilov followed the man's gaze to the dark menacing form flowing over the deck towards the rail. It was the thing from the spaceship. His hand grabbed the alien weapon from beneath his jacket and fired at the monster stretching like soft tar for the ship. The monster screamed when the bolt of light passed through it and collapsed half over the rail. It jerked back aboard the boat when a wave struck and shredded its form.
When a second shot burnt away more of its body, it drew itself into one solid shape and looked at Brusilov as he fired again. Prepared this time, EV1L parted its elastic form and the ball of light passed harmlessly through the gap and exploded on the deck.
Those gathered at the rail stared at the dark monstrous form.
Lucy shivered in fright on seeing EV1L again.
Though it looked different now, darker, thicker, and slightly glossy, Babinski recognized it as the thing that had taken Mikhail and Rozovsky. He glanced around the deck and shouted, “Quick, someone, fetch me a rope.”
Babinski snatched the rope from the man who brought it to him and turned to the rail. “Nikolay,” he shouted as loud as his lungs would bellow.
Nikolay tore his eyes away from the monster and glanced up at the men.
Babinski waved the rope when Nikolay looked up at him, and when the man nodded, Babinski threw the coil and kept tight hold of the other end.
Nikolay caught the rope, lashed it around his waist and ran to the side of the barge.
EV1L saw the movement, avoided another light ball and rushed for the man.
Nikolay jumped onto the low rail and leaped from the barge.
EV1L watched the man disappear beneath the waves and turned back to its attacker. Though the human aimed the weapon at him, it didn't fire. Both of them knew it was now trapped on the vessel moving away from the ship.
Babinski and four other crewmen pulled on the rope.
Nikolay gasped as the freezing water sucked all the heat from his body. Knowing he had only seconds to live, he pulled his steadily resisting body to the surface. Fighting a losing battle against the cold and the waves that threatened to carry him away from the ship, he shivered uncontrollably as he looked up the side of the hull and saw the men looking down at him. The rope yanked him nearer. His freezing hands attempted to grip the taut lifeline, but he couldn't close his fingers. They dropped by his side as blackness overwhelmed him.
Babinski and the men dragged Nikolay through the waves and up the side of the ship. As soon as he reached the top, two men hauled him onto the deck. The medical officer standing by ordered the men to strip off his wet clothes and his naked body was scrubbed with dry towels. After fresh dry ones cocooned his body he was carried below deck to the infirmary.
When Nikolay opened his eyes twenty minutes later, he was in a warm bed.
“Welcome back, comrade.”
Nikolay turned his head and saw Brusilov's smiling face. “What happened to that thing?”
“It's trapped aboard the vessel and on a collision course with an iceberg. It won't survive for long.”
“I jammed the wheel,” Nikolay explained.
“I guessed as much. Now rest. We'll soon be heading back home. Our mission wasn't as successful as I had hoped, but we're not returning empty-handed.”
Nikolay nodded, remembering his lost comrades. “I hope the Federation appreciates the sacrifices.”
“We'll see. I am sure Moscow's propaganda machine is already working on the public account of our predicted success, but behind closed doors…” he shrugged. “Now get some rest, we're heading home.”
Nikolay closed his eyes.
Luck of the Devil
WHEN CONSCIOUSNESS RETURNED to Richard's battered body, his eyes opened to darkness and pain. A hand went to the main source of his discomfort, causing him to grimace from the touch of fingers probing the lump formed on the side of his head for cut skin and blood. They found neither. Satisfied his condition wasn't life-threatening, he sat up and listened. The usual groans, metallic squeals and loud rumbles of the ship welcomed him back. He wondered how long he had been unconscious―not long he thought, or some monster would have found and feasted on him. His hands searched the floor around him for the weapon. Panic threatened to overwhelm him when they failed to find it. He rolled onto his knees and ran his hands over the floor as h
e moved through the room. A thankful sigh escaped his lips when a hand touched the cold metal of the familiar weapon. He fumbled for the flashlight's switch and, hoping it still worked, flicked it back and forth. Darkness remained. Richard's breathing increased with the sweat of fear that formed on his brow. Darkness meant death. He calmed his breathing and ran his fingers over the flashlight until he found the possible cause for the light's dysfunction. He tightened the loose battery screw cap and blinked from the bright light that invaded the dark room. When his eyes had adjusted, he roamed the light around the crew member's room he had stumbled into.
Richard climbed to his feet and walked over to the bed sealed behind a curved door with a window set in the side. It must be one of the escape pods Jane, Lucy and Jack had come across. He pressed the largest button on the small control panel and the door slid open, activating an automatic light. He looked longingly at the comfortable, ready-made bed inside. A few hours rest seemed like a trip to paradise at the moment, but he turned away. There would be plenty of time to rest when he was off this doomed floating sarcophagus. He crossed to the exit and listened for a few moments before risking lighting up the corridor with the flashlight. Satisfied it was free of anything furnished with teeth and claws, he headed in the same direction he had been going before he was knocked unconscious. He hadn't gone far when what sounded like an explosion reverberated through the ship. Richard sighed. What now?
The gentle roll of the ship that caused him to stagger from side to side quickly increased and slammed him against the wall. He crashed to the floor and rolled when the ship tipped him in the opposite direction. Richard grabbed at the edge of a door frame to halt his next roll when the ship tilted back. Something bad was happening.
*****
Jack had regained consciousness shortly after the helicopter landed safely on the container vessel and was being carried to sickbay. When his gaze had failed to alight upon Jane and he was informed of what had happened, he had struggled free from the men trying to calm him and rushed through the ship's corridors. As soon as he had discovered the commander's whereabouts, he went to seek him out.
Jack strode angrily into the pilothouse and confronted Thomson, “What in the hell are you playing at? Jane's still aboard the spaceship.”
Thomson glared at Jack, briefly considering having him slapped in irons and regretted those days had long passed. “I'm sorry Jack,” he said, his voice unemotional, “but I'm not going to risk anymore men or equipment on a foolhardy rescue mission. The iceberg's about to roll and the storm's increasing by the minute. We need to get moving or we could lose everything.”
Jack held back the fist that wanted to smack the overbearing bastard in the face. “Jane's life might be expendable to you, but I'd sacrifice all the alien technology aboard this ship to save her.”
“Of that I have no doubt, but that decision is not yours to make.” Thomson glanced at the vessel's captain. “Get us out of here.”
Captain Ramos shot an apologetic look at Jack before nodding to his first mate.
The man increased the speed of the large vessel and pointed the bow in the direction of the open sea.
Jack glanced out through the window at the two crewmen securing the small helicopter they had recently arrived on. He wouldn't leave without Jane. He rushed from the pilothouse, down the staircase and across the swaying deck.
The two men lashing the helicopter to the deck clamps, let out surprised yelps when they found themselves pushed aside and knocked to the ground.
Jack released the straps, jumped aboard the helicopter and started the engine.
Admiral Thomson and the captain stared at the helicopter as the rotors spun.
“What's that damn fool doing?” yelled Thomson.
Ramos hid his smile from the angry commander. “I thought that was obvious, sir. He's stealing the helicopter and going to rescue his girlfriend.”
“If he thinks I'm waiting for him to return, then he's very much mistaken. I'm willing to lose a helicopter and a stupid hothead. It's the alien spaceship and artifacts that are important. Take us home, Captain.”
Ramos had little choice but to obey, but he would take his time. If Jack didn't get himself killed, he'd make sure the ship was close enough for him to reach. Good luck, Jack.
As one of the deckhands climbed to his feet and dived for the helicopter door, Jack lifted it off the deck. When he rose above the containers shelter, the wind shunted him to the side. Jack quickly compensated and turned the helicopter towards the iceberg. The snow and ice particles beating incessantly against the screen hampered his vision. He glanced down at the angry sea, its tall waves distinguishable by their whitecaps in the gloom of early evening. He was well aware his chances of survival were slim, but he could never forgive himself if he didn't try. Death would be preferable to a lifetime of guilt. Fighting the gusts battering the helicopter, Jack headed for the iceberg.
*****
Pieces of ice rolled down the sides of the pile when it moved. A clawed hand appeared, pressed talons into the ice and dragged the Hunter free. It climbed to its feet, winced from the pain in its back, and headed for the exit.
When Jane awoke, wincing from the pain in her head and noticed no sign of the helicopter, she realized she had been abandoned. Pieces of ice breaking from the ice wall exploded around her and forced her groggily to her feet. Her eyes flicked to the tunnel and stared at the shape she recognized passing through the halogen lights. Doesn't it ever give up? She moved over to the shipping container and hid behind it as the one-eyed Hunter padded out of the opening.
The Hunter gazed out to sea. It had missed its chance to escape and now it was trapped. It glanced at the metal container when it slid across the ice and then turned its gaze back to the distant lights of the human ship.
Jane moved along the back of the container as it skewed nearer the ice tunnel and peered out at the Hunter. As her hiding place slid towards the edge of the ice ledge, she had no option than to sprint for the tunnel while the Hunter looked the other way.
The Hunter turned lazily and watched the human flee along the tunnel. It wasn't alone as it thought. It headed back through the tunnel to seek her out.
*****
As Jack neared the iceberg, he peered through the hampering weather, but saw no sign of Jane on the ice ledge. The sea's turbulent, angry swells rocked and pitched the huge expanse of ice and broke away lumps of ice, both large and small, from its towering walls. The shipping container hanging over the ledge slid forward, tipped and sunk beneath the waves. Just as he feared the same thing might have happened to Jane, he glimpsed movement in the tunnel. Though nothing more than a fleeting shadow, it might have been Jane seeking refuge from the storm and falling ice. He lined the helicopter up with the entrance and looked along the tunnel bathed in the bright halogen lights, some of which had fallen over, but the tunnel was empty any movement. Jack coaxed the battered craft nearer. Knowing he had to be certain if Jane was inside or not and the helicopter wouldn't be safe on the ice ledge, he flew into the tunnel.
Jack shot anxious glances at the ice walls zooming by a few feet from the rotor tips as he concentrated on keeping the craft in the middle of the passage. It seemed like an eternity before he emerged into the large hangar and was able to relax his grip upon the controls slightly. He hovered and turned the helicopter as he searched for Jane. When he saw no sign of her, the thought that she might have slipped off the ice into the sea filled him with dread.
His eyes searched the collection of cargo transport spaceships gathered at the far end of the hangar and glimpsed movement. A smile formed when Jane appeared and waved. She was alive!
He urged the helicopter a little closer before setting it down on the swaying floor, but when Jane remained by the cargo vessel, he sensed something was wrong. He unstrapped himself from the seat and searched for a weapon. All he found was a flare gun and three flares, so he loaded one cartridge before climbing out.
He looked over at Jane. “What's
wrong?”
The one-eyed Hunter stepped into view on top of the cargo ship Jane hid beneath. The Hunter and Jack stared at one another.
Jack raised the flare gun and pulled the trigger.
The flare gun wasn't designed for accuracy and sent the glowing missile streaking across the hangar in a wobbling, slightly curved trajectory. It missed its target by a few feet and exploded in a shower of bright light against the far wall. Jack loaded a fresh cartridge and moved nearer, his eyes never wavering from the threat on top of the cargo ship.
Wary of the weapon it carried, the Hunter watched the human approach.
Jack halted a short distance from the craft and glanced at Jane. “When I fire the next flare, run to the helicopter and don't stop until you're safely inside.”
Jane nodded and watched Jack aim the weapon. As soon as the flare shot from the gun she sprinted across the room.
The flare was closer this time, causing the Hunter to dodge aside to avoid it when it skidded along the top of the spacecraft.
When Jane grew level with Jack, he joined her dash for the helicopter and loaded the last flare while he ran.
The Hunter leaped from the cargo ship and pursued the humans across the hangar.
While Jane climbed through the open door and squirmed past the pilot's seat, Jack turned and fired at the approaching monster. Though the flare curved down and bounced across the floor, it was on target. The Hunter swerved to avoid it, stumbled and rolled across the floor. Jack climbed into the helicopter, shut the door and increased power to the idling rotors.
Jane gazed past Jack and through the side window. The Hunter regained its footing and ran towards them. “It's coming.”
The iceberg rolled steeply, tipping the helicopter at an angle and causing it to slide across the floor with a piercing, metallic screech. The untethered cargo ships also moved in the same direction. Two crashed into each other before separating. One struck the wall, another headed for the center of the room and the helicopter.