by J. N. Chaney
Stacy led the way to a food carrousel on our left. There was a stack of dark blue trays along with clean plates and utensils. We grabbed ours and fell in line behind an older woman holding the hand of a young girl. The girl couldn’t have been more than two or three, but I was bad at guessing these kinds of things.
She had dark brown hair with a pink bow, a dirty purple jacket and worn boots. She turned to look up at us with big brown eyes and a smile.
Personally, I didn’t really know how to feel about kids. I mean they were kids, and this one was kind of cute. I smiled back. Stacy went for a full-on hand wave and laugh.
The little girl smiled back before the line moved again.
Stacy and I had found an empty table. My plate was loaded with barbequed chicken and ribs, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a big glass of water to wash it all down.
Stacy was looking at the little girl and her grandmother again, then turned around toward me.
“Man, I love kids,” She said, opening her napkin and placing it on her lap. “That’s part of the reason I do what I do. There are so many innocent lives put in harm’s way, especially children.”
“Mhm,” I said through a mouthful of potatoes.
“Do you have any kids?” Stacy asked gently, scooping up a pile of her own mashed potatoes and carefully putting it into her mouth.
“Nope, and I don’t really want to talk about it,” I said, grabbing a sauce-stricken rib and tearing into it. The meat hit my taste buds like heaven had somehow managed to enter my mouth.
“That was just a polite question,” Stacy said, clearing her throat and eyeing my hands-on approach to eating with disdain. “I read your file.”
“Good for you,” I said, taking note at how much my eating was bothering her. I may have let some mac and cheese dribble onto my beard just to mess with her. “So, what are we going to do next?”
“Nope, no way,” Stacy said, eyeing me. “If you don’t want to talk about your past, I can respect that, but for better or worse, we’re working together. I want to know more about the guy who is going to have my back. You don’t want to get to know me?”
“I know you’re a good liar,” I shrugged. “You had me fooled from the time that I thought I was helping you in the alley to when you tased me.”
“You’re going to have to get over that,” Stacy said with an eye roll. “I lie to everyone so don’t feel bad.”
“You could have taken those guys in the alley when I found you, huh?” I asked, already guessing at the answer.
“I was about to when you showed up. I changed my mind and figured I’d let you do it to secure my cover,” Stacy lifted her glass of water and took a dainty sip.
I stuffed my mouth with as much chicken as it would hold and then took another bite.
“You should know that I take my job very seriously, and I don’t plan on failing this assignment,” Stacy said. Her tone changed, hardened for a moment. “I joined the Civil Authority ten years ago. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I get that this is just an event for you because you’re the only one that knows what’s going on here besides me. But this is some serious business.”
“I get it,” I said, reaching for my own water. “I don’t think this is some kind of joke either. I’m going to find whoever thought it was a good idea to put a beating on me and return the favor.”
“That’s all this is to you?” Stacy asked. “Just a chance for revenge?”
I thought about her question. There definitely was the revenge aspect. I looked over at the giggling little girl and her grandmother eating beside her. I thought about what would have happened to her if the Disciple’s plan had been carried out and one of the rabid animals had found her first.
“No,” I said. “I want to find the Disciple to put them down for good, so we can have a peaceful run in space before getting to the new colony.”
“Good,” Stacy said, reaching for her knife and fork. She began to cut the meat off the bone of her rib.
It was a strange event to watch. I’d never seen anyone eat as methodically and slowly as Stacy. Watching her was almost painful.
“We should—”
Stacy’s next words were cut off as she reached for the holo card in her pocket. It was vibrating ever so gently. She tapped a button, and a message appeared on her screen a moment later.
I could tell there was something very wrong by the expression on her face. She looked up at me with a stare that could have turned me to stone.
“We have a problem,” Stacy said standing from her seat. “We need to go, now.”
Chapter 14
Everything I knew of the terrorist group that called themselves the Disciples was pretty despicable. Founded on the ideology that humans were not meant to evolve past our current state, they hated everything there was to do with any kind of new technology, medicine, or tampering with DNA.
Specifically, they hated the Eternals who had found a way to prolong their own lives through the use of advanced nanotechnology and DNA manipulation. You could imagine how they felt about traveling amongst the stars and starting a new colony on an alien planet.
Attacks had ranged from shooting and bombings, to the hacking of networks and online assassination attempts. But the message Stacy received on her holo card, if it were true, would be a new low for them.
I followed her down to a level I had only seen once before in passing. It was the garden area open to the Transient population. A place where they could go and forget they were on a ship altogether. There were fields of grass, plants, and trees even growing up from the rich soil.
The entire place smelt of the woods back on Earth. Living in the city, I could forget that we still had preserved national parks and forests, but the smells here brought all of that back.
As we exited the elevator, Iris appeared next to us in her ethereal blue glow. I nearly pissed myself. Actually, I think I did a little.
“Holy shit!” I said, balling my hands into fists. Not that I wanted to hurt her. I couldn’t if I tried. It was just my go-to reaction when I was scared. “You’ve got to give us a head’s up before you appear like that.”
“What is a head’s up?” Iris asked, tilting her head to the side.
“You know, like uh, advanced warning that you’re going to appear,” I said.
“I’ll note that down for next time,” Iris nodded.
“So, what do we have here?” Stacy asked.
Iris motioned us to follow her as she took the lead down an aisle of massive planters full of wildflowers. If it weren’t for the overhanging lights and steel walls, I would have sworn I was taking a stroll in some kind of fancy park. I guess that was the point of all of this.
“I noticed an abnormality in the growth of the plants in the green room,” Iris explained quietly, so she wasn’t overheard as we crossed the level. “I did not warn the workers here lest we set off a panic. If I’m right, we have a very serious problem on our hands.”
“Great,” I said shaking my head. “Why couldn’t you have just called us over for some good news. Like you wanted to see how our day was, or you had cookies to share.”
“Ignore him,” Stacy said. “Iris, what exactly are you talking about? What abnormality did you come across?”
“Perhaps it’s better if I show you,” Iris said, motioning with an open hand to one of several large greenhouses on the opposite side of the level. There were square greenhouses all lined up together at the rear. Each one was made up of fogged glass and steel supports. The roof came to a point as it sloped up.
I breathed a heavy sigh, wondering what it could be now. I also wondered how I managed to get myself into this mess for the hundredth time. I was here now, and that’s what mattered.
Images of the little girl eating with her grandmother crossed in front of my mind. Maybe I didn’t care what happened at one time. Maybe I just wanted to keep my head down, but I hated to admit that Stacy was right on some level. I couldn’t just stand and allow this Di
sciple terrorist to have his or her way with the ship. There were too many lives on board.
Iris paused for a moment at the door, waving her hand past a scanner. It immediately clicked open and afforded us entrance.
I walked inside the greenhouse behind Iris and Stacy.
Inside, I was surprised to find we were alone. There were troughs lined up with more rich soil and fruits and vegetables growing out of them. It looked like a chef's dream.
“Each greenhouse carries budding plants, as well as seeds we plan to use for the new colony when we arrive on Kronos Five,” Iris explained to us as she pointed to a misting system that ran just above us. “One of my tasks is to monitor the health of this food source, as it will be paramount in our key of surviving in our new home. A system warning went off, indicating the water level coming from the misters above fluctuated for a brief second.”
Iris looked at us with her crazy blue eyes as if we were supposed to know what she was talking about.
“And?” Stacy said, trying to piece together the facts that Iris assumed we would understand.
“Someone is tampering with the water supply,” Iris said, taking us even further into the room.
My boots stepped in small puddles where the water had gathered from the mist units overhead.
“I tested the water supply to make sure my findings were not unfound,” Iris said. “There is an alien element that has been added to the system. As soon as I detected it, I ran extensive tests accelerating the effects the foreign element would have on our plants if it could continue to water them.
Iris waived us deeper into the room, leading us to a trough of shriveled cabbage. There was a smell of rot coming from the vegetables. The vibrant green the heads of cabbage usually wore were now molding and brown. Leaves fell from the center as though it had been left out in the hot sun for days on end.
“I used the tainted water supply to test these cabbages. There was no change at first, so I increased the dosages to a more potent level. In a week, all the vegetables will look like this. The water is also unfit for human consumption or for use topically. Rashes will break out in weeks if it is used to shower. In a month’s time, organs will shut down if it is consumed.”
Stacy and I shared the same look of disbelief on our face. I knew the Disciples were nuts, but to do this to one hundred thousand people who were just searching for a new home seemed low, even for them. Death by thirst was one way I never thought I’d go out. It would drive people mad here on the ship.
“Have you already told Elon and Arun?” Stacy asked the Cognitive. “Who else knows?”
“They both know, and now so do you,” Iris said looking at the two of us. “No one else is aware. The slightest whisper could cause widespread panic. Elon and Arun are with the emergency water reserve now, ensuring that it is well-guarded with every security measure at our disposal.”
“There’s a reserve water supply?” I asked, feeling a slight sense of relief. “Iris, you’ve really got to lead with information like that next time.”
“Yes,” Iris said, opening her palm. A holo image appeared in the space above her hand. It showed a room with massive water containers on their sides. They looked big enough to float a boat, but I knew with a hundred thousand mouths to quench, the water would go quickly.
“Will it be enough to last us until we reach Kronos Five?” Stacy asked the question I couldn’t bring myself to.
“Without showers and only used for drinking...” Iris paused for the briefest moment as if she were doing some internal math. “Yes, but only if we are careful and ration it wisely.”
The tension in my shoulders relaxed but only for a moment. I understood what we were up against better than most. Telling everyone aboard that their water was going to be rationed would cause panic and worry no matter how we positioned it.
If we told them there was a Disciple saboteur on board, there would be widespread mayhem. There was no doubt in my mind about that. Dissention would be sowed, and fingers would be pointed.
“What if this is what the Disciple wants?” Stacy asked, staring at the rotting heads of cabbage. “What if his or her mission is to just create as much chaos as possible in hopes we’ll turn on each other.”
“Then they’re going to be sadly mistaken when I get my hands on them,” I said, cracking the knuckles on both of my fists. “We’ve been chasing this person, and we’re always a step behind for the last few attacks. If I were him, I’d keep going.”
“If I already went after the animals and water, where would I be next?” Stacy asked out loud, catching onto my train of thought. “Iris, what system controls the recycled air in The Orion?”
“That would be level five and the oxygen reclaiming process,” Iris said. She changed the holographic picture in her palm to a room filled with humming machines. “But like everything else it is carefully guarded and—”
“Carefully guarded doesn’t really apply to someone who’s invisible.” I said. “Not when they can sneak in with someone who has access to the room.”
“Iris, what’s that?” Stacy nearly yelled as she stabbed a finger at the image in front of us.
I followed her eyes to a large square machine of some kind that let out a billow of smoke. My heart seized in my chest. The smoke looked like it was hitting someone or something hunched down by the ground. The invisible figure was only able to be seen by their outline, thanks to the steam behind them.
“Let’s go!” I said racing for the door.
“Iris, tell Elon and Arun, and have as many suits as you can lock down the level,” Stacy said, already turning to join me.
“Understood,” Iris said as we ran for the elevator.
It was impossible to tell if we were going to be too late. I had no idea how long the terrorist had been there and how long it would take them to finish whatever it was they were doing.
Stacy and I sprinted for the elevator like the god of Hades was behind us. We pushed past people, receiving shouts of anger in return. If they only knew what we were up to, they would be shouting for us to hurry.
I didn’t want to think what chemical agent the Disciple would be introducing into our air system. I ran faster.
Chapter 15
I sprinted faster than I could ever remember going before. Once we reached the elevator on the garden level, Stacy swiped her magic holo card and got us a lift to level five. It felt like an eternity but, couldn’t have been more than a minute.
“We’ll probably get there first,” Stacy said, removing her blaster from a holster on the small of her back and checking it. “Stay behind me.”
I wasn’t that familiar with the model of blaster she held, but I was a fan of the old school ballistic weapon previously used on Earth. They were more of historical items now. What Stacy carried reminded me of a fat 1911 with a few extra buttons by the grip. I assumed that’s where the user toggle was between deadly force and a stun bolt.
“I’m not arguing, you’re the one with the blaster,” I said, eyeing it again.
“Iris, talk to me,” Stacy said as she pulled out her holo card with her other hand. “I need directions.”
“I’ve lost sight of the Disciple,” Iris gave us the bad news in her usual crisp tone. “I’m checking alternate cameras now to see if I can pick up his trace. He was last spotted down the right corridor, leading to a room on your right where the oxygen purifiers are held. I’ve also routed all available Civil Authority Officers to the level and informed Elon and Arun.”
“Thank you,” Stacy, and the elevator doors opened in front of us.
She burst into the hall, running down through an open room and to the right.
I followed behind. My heart was pumping and not just because my legs were racing but because the adrenaline was kicking in. What kind of moron with no skin in the game sticks his neck out to go on a hunt for an invisible terrorist?
Maybe you’re invested in the success of this mission more than you think, a voice said in my head.
The room in front of us looked a lot like the hologram Iris showed us. The room was alive with puffs of steam and smoke coming from square machines taller than I was. There were hundreds, hell maybe even thousands of pipes running from the machine up to the ceiling and to another room or possibly another level. I couldn’t be sure.
The hissing coming from the machines and the dull humming they made, ensured we would neither be able to see nor hear the enemy coming.
“Well, this is something out of a nightmare,” Stacy breathed just above a whisper and motioned to her left.
“We should split up,” I whispered back. “If we go left and he gets out of here on the right, we’re done for. I’ll take the right. You go left.”
The look in Stacy’s eye told me she wanted to disagree but saw the value in the plan. Instead of words, she just nodded. “Be careful.”
“Of course, it’s me you’re talking about.”
“I know. That’s why I’m saying it,” Stacy said, moving down around the left side of the machine.
She was quickly consumed by the smoke and steam shooting from the machines in front of us.
I lifted my fists to a position just below my jaw. I knew right now it wouldn’t do much, but it felt comfortable, and I could be ready to block a blow to my head in a split second.
I crouched low to the ground, trying to use the steam and smoke spitting out of the machines to my own advantage. If I couldn’t see him then maybe the steam would help in masking me as well.
I was practically shaking as I moved deeper into the room. I wasn’t scared. I was a coiled spring ready to pounce in the blink of an eye. I refused to let this guy get the drop on me for the second time that day. The dull ache in my ribs was a reminder to what had happened only hours before.