Aftereffect, p.13
Aftereffect, page 13
Lex doesn’t say anything right away. “We don’t have time for this. The longer we stay the more in danger we are.”
I nod. “I would have died in that Menth lab.”
Those words linger.
She turns away and tries her best to calm herself. What she says next is harsh but not unexpected. “Fine, but if they break anything I will break them. Your debt, your responsibility. Got it?”
“Thank you.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t thank me, they all look like they’re going to be a handful.”
Charles grabs both the kids and then makes eye contact with me.
I hope she’s wrong, but in all fairness she’s probably going to be right.
27
TESTING
ZATH'S EYES WIDEN AS THEY ENTER THE MASSIVE UNDERGROUND HANGAR. The vessel, housed inside, was like nothing he’d ever seen - comparable to a skyscraper in size. There are bridges connecting from the hangar to the entrances of the vessel lined with people moving slowly. The scene reminded him of the time he took a cruise with his parents when he was young - difference being, this is no vacation.
“C’mon,” Pickett barks, “Cook called ahead and gave us clearance. We have to look over the take-off mechanisms before we run the tests.”
Pickett told them that the military was planning on running a pre-launch test, to make sure all the components are working together properly and to iron out any last minute hiccups before launch.
They are led into the Sanctuary and up to the main control room. More scientists and people in the military scurry around the room. The mechanical components look otherworldly, and the layout looks sporadic. There are buttons and screens, all of various colours, scattered throughout the room. The metal housing for controls looks thin, like it was really more of an afterthought, than a critical part of the design. Though, Huang did say it was alien technologies found over the years. It was entirely possible this whole vessel is a collage of differing pieces, hidden under a thin layer of human design.
Pickett’s phone rings and she quickly answers it, “Cook, is your team at the location? …Mhm… Alright. Tell the team they are to fire three flares toward the lake. First blue, then red, and finally Green.” Muffles can be heard coming through her phone as she pulls it away from her ear, “Now hurry up and get here, or you’ll be left behind.” She ends the call.
A random scientist joins the group briefly. He follows Pickett around with a clipboard and pen, checking items off as she gives the all clear for each. Just as quickly as he joined the group, he leaves to deliver the checklist elsewhere. Wires, buttons, tubes, screens, and even the seats had been counted. Running through every possible bad case scenario before departing, and making sure she had a way to deal with it.
“Pickett,” Zath looks at who’s talking - the clipboard man came back. “The pulse thrusters are warming up.”
She nods, “Alright, my team and I will head back up to the surface. We're going to get an outside view of the tests.”
As they get back up to the surface, another group of military scientists leads the group to a viewing station above the hangar. Sirens blare, and the ground trembles as the earth literally rips apart to reveal the vessel resting just under its surface. The once large field slowly comes apart, from the middle, while the trees around rustle with the vibration of the doors opening.
The soldiers here seem less interested in their team than when they were with Cook. Zath watches as soldiers run around, barking orders to one another.
A different siren sounds this time, as the vessel's front begins lifting, aiming its nose higher and higher into the sky. It’s not a fast process, nor the quietest. The gears crash and bang as they turn to lift the heavy structure. Sanctuary is even more impressive with most of it protruding from the earth. The view underground only allowed one to see a small portion of it’s true size, but once towering above them all Sanctuary cast a shadow that seemed to go on forever. Its exterior is a silvery brown with windows scattered throughout the structure.
Finally, the sirens and the crashing stop as the vessel's front half protrudes from inside the hangar. Pickett says it’s exactly seventy-three degrees from the ground.
“Wait, what about the people inside already?” Zath turns his head slightly, “Being at that angle must not be very comfortable.”
“They probably haven't even noticed.” Huang leans into him with a hushed voice, “The vessel is equipped with an artificial gravity generator. Pretty standard in most alien space vessels from what I’ve gathered.”
“You say that as if it’s common knowledge.”
Huang smiles slightly, “And you don’t really seem all that surprised.” He stands up straight before glancing at Zath again, “Welcome to the know.”
“Thanks, I guess…” Once again the image of Pickett handing him the uniform runs through his mind. A man’s gotta eat. It was those words that started all of this for him, and if he’s keeping with that saying, he’s had more than his fill. His response was ignorant, however, he’s not sure if he’d change it. Where would he be if he turned her offer down? Still underground, unaware death is all that awaits him?
A voice on the speakers comes on, “Initiating Pulse Thruster test… In 10…”
As the number drops, the sirens start once again. This is followed by an extremely loud whining noise, changing to a screech that feels like it could shatter glass. When the countdown hits one the screech cuts completely, and for a moment there is complete silence before a ground shaking roar bellows out from the hangar.
In the know, he guessed there really was no other way to describe it. The knowledge of the state of the world, and the knowledge of where the human race is headed. The cruel reality of the entire situation. Nuclear fallout is one thing, abandoning the only planet humans have is a completely different beast. It was almost like knowing the meaning of life, or perhaps death, and not being able to tell anyone.
“Maintaining the test for approximately 10 minutes, please stay clear of the hangar until the test is complete.” The voice returns over the speaker when the sirens end, though Zath can hardly make out what was said. His hands found his ears, instinctively, once the screeching started.
He looks back and there are smiles on many of the faces, but Pickett’s is just as stern as ever. She looks focused, or perhaps deep in thought. Whatever it is, it looks like it’s taking up all of her mental capacity. It’s the same look she had when she offered him this new life. She must be running through every scenario in her head, trying to figure out how to get all of us off this rock.
Eventually the roar begins to weaken, and the sirens finally end. “Test complete.” The speaker shouts, “Military units are free to roam the launch site.”
“Come on.” Pickett’s voice towers over the ringing in his ears, “We’re heading down to the hang–”
Chatter quickly fills the air, as everyone looks to the sky and points.
“U.F.O!”
In the sky, gracefully and silently descending, is a spacecraft. Guns immediately are raised, and Pickett launches into a sprint down the hill towards the hangar. Without thinking, Zath finds himself tailing behind her, as Huang shouts that the team is moving. He’d come this far. Why not go all the way?
As it gets closer to the ground, its size becomes more and more impressive. It is smaller than Project Sanctuary, but it looks infinitely more sophisticated. Pickett reaches the field, next to the open hangar, first. Legs extend out the bottom and the ship prepares to land.
“No one is to open fire, do you understand me?” Pickett barks harshly, with a terrifying look on her face.
A moment after the ship makes contact with the ground, a hatch opens and a ramp protrudes to the ground. At the top, a little girl.
“Well,” Pickett smirks. “That worked better than anticipated...”
28
THE ART OF DIPLOMACY
DANICA USED TO REMIND ME ABOUT THE POWER OF MOMENTS. In many ways they are more important than any other body of time. This framework is adjustable to any given situation. Because of this a moment can be a few seconds or completely linger on to dwell with silence.
This one right here feels different. I’ve seen humans laugh and cry–I’ve seen them celebrating with a round of drinks and lead witch hunts with cross-hilt daggers.
This woman is neither desperate nor weak–she is comfortable in her uncertainty. That in itself is more than I can say for most beings who I have crossed paths with. This planet is interesting. It is a shame we won’t be studying it further.
“So… how long are we supposed to stay like this?” The human, Charles, speaks and I’m almost certain it is to no one in particular.
Oren pauses. “You should go gather the children.”
“I… um… I think I’m getting some mixed signals here. First you tell me not to go exploring–or touch anything for that matter–and now it’s ok? I just want to be clear what the rules are.”
“Oren.” I speak without breaking eye contact with the woman in front of me. Her expression shifts as my next words are unrecognizable to human ears. “This is their chance to disembark. Get the humans off the Oshi now. Threaten to turn their organs into mush if you have to.” The Zpectrite language is both complex and enlightening to some. Very few outside of our species can understand it.
“Hey,” The woman shakes her head. “You’re Lex, am I correct?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Trust me, it does.”
I take a step towards her. “Perhaps I am mistaken, I thought your species had more conviction when they spoke.”
“True, but I’m also aware of who I’m talking to. You know what happened to Thomson, don’t you?”
“None of this is your concern. This is a drop off. Take your people and we’ll be on our way.”
“My people? I don’t understand.”
There’s a slight shuffle behind me as Oren motions to the large human. Charles. It’s important to keep this short. They disappear back into the Oshi and for a few seconds I feel more like a gatekeeper than anything. “Your people–the ones you left floating around Jupiter.”
Laughs, “I think you’re mistaken. We do not have people anywhere near–”
Charles emerges and walks carefully down the ramp with the two smaller humans only a step behind. “Woah, are we in America?” Koari.
“Why does it have to be America? Maybe we’re in Europe.” The girl pauses to take in her surroundings.
Charles glances over his shoulder. “Come on, no detours.”
“Holy fuck.” One of the men steps out from behind the woman. “Charles?”
Their facial expressions shift, and I can see the events objectively. “What is the range of the translator?”
Oren looks back to the interior of the Oshi. “At least five hundred meters.” He walks to my side. “I’ll set a course for Zairon…”
The moment I turn away the woman takes a step up the ramp.
“Lieutenant General Thomson was after the Core, why? How does it relate to the mission?”
“George was in charge of a lot of missions. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
“Project Sanctuary. The vessel just over there. He seemed to have believed you could help in some way.”
“Ah, the giant cliché. George made a lot of assumptions during his life. This one went too far, especially for a species as young as yourselves. We don’t help lower lifeforms. It is not our way.”
“I am not him, do not hold me to that same standard.”
“You’re human, and I get the feeling you think we owe you something. To be clear we don’t.”
“Well, it sounds to me like we’ve been hosting you for quite some time. At least hear me out before departing.”
I motion to return to the Oshi, but Oren catches my shoulder. “Lex…”
“This is a waste of time and the longer we’re here the more dangerous this gets.”
He looks at the humans gathered below. “Their planet is dying.”
“And you forget that this is their own doing.” I sigh, he’s not backing down. “Fine.” I then redirect my attention back to the woman. “The Core is useless to you. Find another way to save your species.”
“We are trying–”
“It will literally rip you apart.” I can’t deny that I am starting to get pissed off. This is not how we operate, nor is it how we conduct ourselves in the presence of others. Oren knows this and yet here we are. Perhaps I am getting to be just as soft as he is. What would Danica do? Honestly her input wouldn’t be any better than his.
“But the project uses technologies we have no experience in. We’re aiming to colonize Mars.”
“There is no greater wisdom than understanding one’s limitations. You want me to guide you, but you can’t even guide yourselves. Mars was the same as Earth once. All things must come to an end eventually.”
“Even you?”
“Especially me.”
“So then, you’d see to the extinction of a whole planet?”
“Believe me, this would not be the first time.”
Those within earshot are now visibly worried. It’s evident in their whispers and their mannerisms. The moments of dread are the ones which truly define substantial points in history. We are not meant to meddle, nor are we supposed to have this much contact. I walk past Oren, up the ramp and into the Oshi.
“So, what? That’s it? We’re just shit out of luck?” The soldier who addressed Charles pushes past the woman and starts yelling in Oren’s face. “Fuck you and fuck this!”
“Mind yourself.” I am grabbing his throat and pushing him down onto the ramp within seconds. The soldiers surrounding us have raised their guns and Oren instantly steps between us as if to shield me from the bullets. The soldier is shocked. Snapping his neck would be easy–just like with Thomson.
He looks up at me as tears run from the corners of his eyes. “I didn’t want any of this… none of this. It’s not fair.”
He isn’t a threat.
“Stand down, everyone.” The woman raises her hands.
I let go of the soldier. “What’s your name?” My question is directed towards her.
“Pickett.”
I nod. “You’re well-informed on most things. My name is Lex.”
I step back and head up the ramp. Oren never turns away from the humans as he follows without question. After a few minutes of studying their movements, I raise the ramp and close the cargo doors. Most of the soldiers are quick to back away, but Pickett stands looking on with the soldier who yelled in Oren’s face. His eyes are despondent and I feel a familiar tug in my chest.
“What are we doing, Lex?” Oren kicks the scraps of a wooden table and leans against one of the crates.
I pause. “We should see if Danica has any input.”
“I thought she was shut down.”
I nod. “Yes, but now that you’re here I think we should see if we have the means to wake her up.”
29
LIMBO
THE HATCH ON THE SHIP CLOSES, BUT IT DOESN'T LIFT OFF. Pickett watches it as she speaks. “Charles, what happened? Tell me everything.”
Melisa huddles closer to him after hearing the harshness in her voice. “You know her?”
“Yes,” He smiles at her, before looking back at Pickett. “She’s in charge of the base I used to live in.”
“Charles,” Zath steps towards him, his neck still red from where Lex had grabbed him, “All of this could have been avoided if you’d just listened to me. I told you not to touch that fucking thing!”
Charles drops his head slightly, “I know. You don’t know how much I wished I just listened to you while I was up there.”
Zath pauses and stares at him, “Well, you’re back now. But I have to know what happened to you?”
Starting from when he met Xelxion, he explains everything that has happened. Ending up on a space station and meeting the other humans up there. Details on the Menthiopods, and everything he had learned about the Zpectrites. Charles chooses his words carefully when explaining what happened to Michael - especially concerning how Charles was the one who shot him - and how Oren stole a ship to escape before they joined Lex on the Oshi. Even as far-fetched as his story sounds, Charles notices no one seems surprised. Not even Zath.
Suddenly the scene plays through Charles’ mind again.
Koari had talked him into exploring the station as the children had found a really weird room that Melisa was waiting for them in. On the way, the boy mentioned that the lab where Oren was being kept was unguarded, and it would be easy to stop in for a quick peek. It seemed harmless enough, and it sounded like he’d done it before. Shortly after they entered though, Michael came in after them, seeming unlike himself.
“Why the fuck are you two here? This is supposed to be a non-human zone, remember?” Michael’s tone was agitated.
Michael’s tone was agitated. “Hey Koari, Michael seems upset. Why don’t you go find Melisa and I’ll chat with him for a bit.”
Koari looked up and nodded, “Okay.” He gave one final look at Michael before running across the room, past Michael, and out the door they came.
“Koari wanted to show me this room. More importantly, what are you doing here?” Charles inquired, almost playfully.
“That’s none of your business. Just hurry up and get out of here.”
“If I’m leaving, you’re leaving with me. You’re the reason we aren’t even allowed in here in the first place.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion. It was supposed to be me.”
“What are you talking about?”
Without warning a tray hit the ground as Michael began to pace around the room. “Fuck everything. I was the first one… this is my thing.”
“You need to relax–”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” Michael reached behind his back and pulled the M9 out and pointed it at Charles.
Time became still with the appearance of the gun. Slowly, Charles raised his hands. Michael’s eyes were focused on the man between him and the tube. “Woah, let’s calm down.” Charles knew his mistake the moment the words came out. “Look I don’t know what you’re after here, but it’s not going to end well for either of us when Xelxion finds out.”
