Aftereffect, p.6
Aftereffect, page 6
“There’s no more information on these things? What if more people interact with them?”
“All we can do is keep people from coming into contact with those things. I don’t know how you’re running that base, and I don’t really care, but make sure no more civilians get near the Monoliths, understood?”
“Yes.” While it’d been a while since she took orders from anyone, it had been even longer since she took orders from him. However, he wasn’t wrong.
“Pickett,” He pauses, “Do you still have the hologram projector? I have something to discuss with you. Honestly, despite everything, you are one of the few I still trust.”
“I’ll hook it up. Give me a moment.” His request is an odd one. She puts down the phone, locks the door to her office, walks over to the console next to her desk and picks up the little toy car. A slight twist and the toy pops apart revealing a small silver key resting in its hiding spot. The key then goes into a small slot behind a hanging picture, and a seam appears on the wall as she pulls open the safe.
The projector inside is massive, and is bolted into the safe. Secret experimental military technology, a piece that she was confident she’d never use again, and one that the army would probably one day come after. She flips the switch and the fan inside comes to life as light shoots out towards her.
Pickett grabs the phone and brings it to her ear, “Okay.”
After a few moments the beam of yellow light coming out of the projector turns off and is replaced with a dull blue light. Then, in the middle of the room, a small floating globe appears.
“Good, we’re connected.” There is a pause as the globe spins and zooms into North America, somewhere over Ohio. “Project Sanctuary is entering its final stages, and will be launching in about a month.”
“Sanctuary? I thought that was just a rumour.” She almost says sir, but catches herself.
“Its existence was kept secret from nearly everyone, but Sanctuary is to take us here.” The projected earth gets smaller, as the view widens to show a section of the solar system. Venus, Earth, The Moon, Mars, and the edge of the asteroid belt. It then zooms in close to the surface of Mars where there is a small orange dot. “Martian Base Alpha, the first human settlement on Mars.”
No words come to Pickett after hearing this, she just stares at the glowing dot on the red planet.
“Alpha is humanity's only hope of survival. This planet is running out of time. I need your help making sure this operation is completed.”
“So, what’s the part you’re not telling me?” Thomson may think he’s a secretive man, but she had spent enough time with him to know where there was information being withheld.
He lets out a single laugh, “There is a new object orbiting Jupiter.”
“Excuse me?”
“Juno picked it up. It’s hidden amongst the outer moons, but it’s there.” The projected planets zoom out again, this time showing past the belt and revealing the large orange and red planet with a small dot just next to it.
“I don’t understand what that has to do with anything.”
“It seems to be constructed, not natural.” His voice changes again, this time there is almost worry to it. “We believe something is getting closer to Earth, and these Monoliths are connected, somehow.”
“But, that’s not possible.” She objects.
“Normally, I would agree with you. But, no matter how we look at it, it’s there.” He clears his throat, “Nothing's making sense anymore. Things are changing, Pickett, and it’s not about to get any better out there.”
“I can’t do anything to help you. I walked away, remember?” The projection disappears, and she closes the safe door.
“I’m aware. I’m not asking for your help officially. I am asking you as someone who knows what it is you’re capable of. Someone who knows you stand by your convictions.” He’s desperate, which isn’t normal for him.
“You mean a criminal.”
He laughs again, “Yes, I suppose you’re right. What we really need right now are people like you.”
A smirk crosses her face, “Again, you’re talking about a criminal.”
“People who care about the human race surviving. That’s why you left, isn’t it?” His words are sharp. But there was something to what he said that made her think.
“I wasn’t thinking about all of humanity when I made my choice, I was only trying to save as many innocent lives as I could.”
“Well, that’s the goal of Sanctuary. Please, I’m asking for your help in seeing this to the end.”
There is a long moment of silence after those words are said. She had thought this planet might eventually heal, but the Lieutenant General has never been one to exaggerate anything. If this is a concern to him then chances are it should be a concern for the world. With this in mind, she reluctantly agrees.
“Oh, and there was one more thing.” He speaks up before they end the call. “The child was spotted. She was last seen near the ruins of New York, moving west.”
“Are you sure? She hasn’t been seen in years.”
An un-aging little girl who pops in and out of history. The military had been keeping tabs on her before she vanished once again. Her threat level is a concern as she hides within the general populace, which is where injuries have occurred in the past attempts to contain her. She has a track record of causing large amounts of damage to areas, or even civilians, in order to escape.
“We’re positive and have no idea where she’s heading, and haven't had any updates since. For the time being no civilians should leave your base until we know she is clear.”
“Understood.” The Lieutenant General is right, sending out any untrained persons could result in the loss of more residents.
12
THE SECOND CONTACT
LICENSE #3492X3 - DANICA
[MEMORY BANK 20]
LATELY I'VE BEEN REFLECTING ON SOMETHING this guy said during a run about twenty years ago. “We should all be kind to each other; that’s what I think anyway.”
I remember the look on his face as he said those words–an optimist. It truly is a shame he was born on this planet.
Every expedition–every planet–we have ever begun working on had one thing in common; the race as a whole thrived in this weird centre of morally grey actions. The end of their civilizations were their own fault. It’s an ironic balance of comedy and tragedy.
I take a deep breath and continue walking. My tracker indicates I’m in New Mexico. It’s strange, I expected it to be colder this time of year, but the weather on this planet has almost completely declined–especially over the last decade.
Across the way is a group of kids kicking a ball on the street. This roadway is filled with debris and probably hasn’t seen a vehicle in years.
“Hey, lady! Watch out.” A boy no older than thirteen motions towards the ball flying towards my head.
I raise a hand, catch it, and then look at the worn exterior. It feels a little deflated “Thanks.”
All the kids look on in amazement. “Woah, that was so cool! Are you like some kind of ninja or something?”
I toss the ball back to them. “I know a ninja, but I am not one.”
Within seconds the game resumes and I continue my walk. The air is rather dry.
What was it that guy said back in Nebraska?
“Hey, lady, wait up.” The same boy from before jogs up to me. “Where you going?”
I pause. “Mexico, but I think I took a wrong turn somewhere.” Truth is I think I inputted the coordinates incorrectly.
He chuckles. “You know this is New Mexico, right?”
I nod. “Yep, saw the signs back there.”
“Where did you even come from?”
Man he has a lot of questions. “North, why?”
He shrugs. “We’re not exactly a travel destination.”
I sigh. “Not that I don’t enjoy the company, but can I help you with something?”
He slows his pace. “Oh, sorry. If I’m bugging you I can go.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t mean… No, it’s fine.”
I glance down at my tracker and continue my route. I know I need to reroute to the south, but something is emitting some pretty strange readings. Lex might want me to check it out.
I stop.
Actually Lex also told me to stay safe. That means I might have to curb my risk-taking nature for a little while. Maybe I should just keep my mind on the mission. I turn slightly as my scanner shuts down.
What the–
“You think a lot don’t you.” The kid just keeps making his presence known.
I look him in the eye. “What’s your name?”
He smiles. “Santino, but you can call me San.”
I need to get my bearings. “Alright, San. You seem to know this place pretty well. Where is the best place to go for a taco?”
He chuckles. “What makes you think the tacos around here are any good?”
I shrug. “Oh I don’t know. I just ran into this guy a couple days ago who was insistent that I haven’t lived until I’ve had a taco de res. I’m curious…”
There are vibrations emanating from the ground. Something feels very off. I turn away from the kid towards a large isolated building in the distance. It doesn’t look like there are any roads, just desert.
“Hey, you alright?”
I don’t answer him. My arms are starting to feel extremely heavy. It’s as if something is shifting gravity. Within a few seconds the vibrations stop and my body feels lighter. “It was nice talking to you, kid.”
My walk becomes a light jog and then a full sprint towards the building. I don’t hear what the kid says nor do I look back to see if he’s still there.
I look down at my tracker and see that it is still emitting a signal. I input a quick code and put all my body’s energy into my legs.
At least if something goes wrong Lex will know where I am.
I stop as I come to a gated perimeter. Within seconds I am kneeling to inspect the ground. If Oren were here he’d tell me to arm myself, so I pull my weapon from my holster and proceed to jump over the fence in one strong leap.
The ground craters as I land.
There it is again–the vibrations.
My scanner still isn’t working. I take a deep breath and press forward, weapon at the ready.
Humans often ask what would happen if they died tomorrow. The concept of a proper afterlife is both intriguing and terrifying at the same time. For us there is a moment of darkness before our memory bank upload begins. As long as it isn’t interrupted we can be reloaded into a new body with ease. I know I shouldn’t worry about Oren–even if the worst were to happen the chances of us not being able to restore him is relatively low.
Still, that moment during the upload is terrifying. I don’t wish it on anyone.
“Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.” I read the plaque aloud and then inspect the area. In front of me is a door with a handle wrapped in bubble wrap and a sticker above the lock.
Cherry blossoms?
“Hey, lady!” Not again. I turn back and see San on the other side of the fence. “This place is super dangerous.”
Within seconds my arms are becoming heavy again. That is when I feel it–a seismic shifter. Shit.
The ground between us begins to crack and continues to spiderweb outwards. For a moment the world feels like it is moving in slow motion. The cracks begin to cave in as the ground collapses. San screams and before I know it I am falling.
It’s important to remain calm.
The trajectory is deep and I feel bits of debris hitting me in all directions. When my legs finally hit solid ground the impact is hard. My skeleton is built to withstand this kind of force.
I take a moment to adjust to the darkness–the only light is a slight green glow in the distance.
“Help!” San.
I reach into my pack and feel around for a flashlight. Within seconds it’s in my hand and the beam of light shines forward towards an empty abyss. “San?”
“Over here!”
I’m in some kind of maze of cavernous rooms. Its architecture reminds me of an ancient tomb. I move carefully through the mess of sand and concrete until I see him.
“San, are you…” I stop as my mind begins to assess what it sees. Both his shins are shattered. I kneel next to him and clear away the debris.
He looks up at me. “It hurts so much.”
“I know, just try and stay still–”
Movement erupts behind me. I turn just in time to be hit back against the wall. The flashlight drops next to San. I know what is happening almost instantly.
I feel a sharp pain in my left arm as I am lifted off the ground and pinned against the wall. Jagged rocks dig into my back as I attempt to push back against the chiton exterior of the being in front of me.
San shines the light over in my direction and I find myself staring into black eyes.
A Menth.
There are no words. It digs one claw deep into my arm and presses the other against my neck.
My weapon–where is it?
“Fucking rad eater.” I kick hard and feel the servos in my elbow disconnect as the Menth flies backwards.
San moves the light to try and follow the action and that is when I get a glimpse of a structure in the background.
A monolith.
My left arm hangs limp and I struggle to track the movement of the Menth.
“Lady…”
I follow the beam back to San and quickly step between him and the beetle-like alien who looks poised to charge. “Turn out the light.”
He stutters. “What… why?”
“Just do it.”
The darkness returns and I am ready, but just as I start to hear its steps the room fills with blinding light.
“Tango in sight, fire!”
The room erupts in gunfire and I turn to shield San. Several bullets ricochet into my side, but I don’t move. When it stops I hear boots scuffling against the ground.
“Daniels, check to see if it’s alive.” A man’s voice booms over radio static and I take that as my cue to stand up.
This room isn’t a cavern at all.
It looks like a trap. Everything from the walls to the lights lining the ceiling look deliberate.
“Negative, sir.” Soldiers quickly converge, but my eyes are only on the Menth motionless on the ground behind them.
“Damn it. Tell me we got something useful.” The radio crackles.
I cradle my arm, trying my best to hide the exposed circuitry from the men now turning their guns in my direction.
“Hands up, now.” One officer steps forward–he’s wearing enough armour to confidently jump into gunfire.
I take a deep breath. “The kid behind me is hurt; he needs medical attention–”
He doesn’t move. “I said hands up, now.”
There is no doubt in my mind that these men would shoot without hesitation. I let out a sigh, allow my left arm to fall to my side and raise my right hand. He lowers his weapon slightly as two men quickly move past him. The stock of a rifle hits me hard in the face and I’m on my knees within seconds. The officer and I make eye contact as his soldiers slip a pair of cuffs around my wrists.
I hate the military.
13
NEW ROLE
“ZATH," PICKETT BARGES INTO THE SMALL MEDICAL ROOM, “Come with me.”
Without much thought Zath stands, takes off his bluetooth headset and follows Pickett. He had only been in the sickbay for a few days, under the guise of Trauma Recovery. He knew they were trying to keep everything hidden from the rest of the residents. At one point he did think they might try to kill him, but after some time passed he ruled it out. Pickett leads him past her office and up to a military-only floor he’d never been to before. For a brief moment, the thought of them killing him returns.
Pickett points to a room, past the groups of her people in black watching them, “In here.” The door closes behind them and they’re alone. This room doesn’t look much different from her office on the civilian level. “What’s going on?” He says as he takes the seat she offered.
“I need you to think, really hard, about your current situation.” Her tone is harsh, “You’ve stumbled across something that could end up killing you.”
“The Monoliths?” Their eyes meet, “But, who exactly is going to be killing me because of them?”
A smirk crosses her face, “Not me, if that’s what you’re implying, but you should be careful who you share that information with.” She stands and walks around the desk. “Predictably, the military has taken an interest in these structures. I was told to keep you under control.”
“I kind of figured.” Zath coughs slightly. “I may be young, but I’m not stupid.”
“Fortunately for you, I don’t take orders anymore.”
“What does that mean?”
“We intercepted a report. A group has neutralized an alien life form, in New Mexico.” Silence, as she returns to her seat. “And there are reports of an unnatural body orbiting Jupiter, or at least, so I’ve been told.”
“Why are you telling me all this? Weren’t you just saying I knew too much?” His mind races to find any sense.
“Both routes were cleared before you and Charles left for your patrol. On both routes you found a Monolith.”
“We also found these…” Zath pulls the ruby red shades out of his breast pocket and tosses them onto the desk between them, “But you didn’t pull me away from everyone because of that.”
She stares at the flame shaped sunglasses, and then back to Zath. “I know it’s hard, but things aren’t getting better out there.”
“I still don't understand why you’re telling me all this.” Zath shoots her an annoyed look, like she’s wasting his time.
“It’s difficult to still consider you an ordinary civilian; I’m offering a way to take the military’s eyes off of you.” She stretches her back, holding her left elbow behind her head. “I’m aware you have no interest in joining the military, and technically I no longer have the authority to grant you that rank. However, I can call you someone of importance to this mission, and then you’d have more liberties than a civilian under watch.”
