The rift, p.27
The Rift, page 27
“Commander!” Ginny exclaimed, “Bridge to sickbay…bridge to sickbay…”
Through the hatchway came Jenna holding a padded plastic case. She saw AJ laying on the floor doubled up and ran to him. Setting the case down she opened it. Inside were stacks of syringes. Grabbing one she pulled the cap off and held it up tapping the bubbles to the end of the needle. Her hands shook…and were slightly covered with hair as she squeezed out a tiny bit of liquid. Then abruptly she injected it into his arm.
“Is that going to work?”
“I don’t know Ginny, I don’t know, I’ve already injected the doctor…myself…the captain and everyone in sickbay,” Jenna said sitting back clutching her stomach.
Adoria lay in sickbay a bandage wrapped tightly around her head where she had struck the console. The doctor had stitched her up and despite her wishes confined her to bed.
“Adoria…Adoria…I need your help, there are two others in your group I need their help too!” Ginny said her loud voice waking her quickly up.
“What is wrong?” Adoria asked sitting up her hand on her head.
“Miss Carter was administering what she believed was an antidote to the virus. She’s collapsed on the bridge…I need your help to finish giving the injections. You and your people don’t seem affected by the virus.”
“I am on my way,” she said getting out of bed and cursing at the thin hospital gown she had been placed in.
Pops wiped the sweat from his face; it was becoming increasingly harder to concentrate as he watched the gauges fluctuate. His hands shook and he watched as hair sprouted on the backs of his hands. Reaching over he rested his hand on the automatic switch over, which would enable Ginny to have total control over engineering. Suddenly he gripping his side, he flipped the switch, then collapsed to the floor curled up in pain.
Rollins peered out over the top of the hatch the sea still swirled with sea snakes. Coming closer was the remaining Seal. Watching, the man pulled hard hand over hand on the railing that led to the hatch. He then looked at the hatch. It was twisted and bent the pinions that held the lid in place on one side were severed. Grabbing the lid he tried to move it. Throwing all his weight into the action he grunted but the hatch wouldn’t budge. If they couldn’t get the hatch closed then there would be no way for them to use the dive entrance to get back inside. They would have to traverse the deck to the rear of the submarine to the aft escape hatch. Turning he looked into the murky depths behind him, it was a long way. He could barely see the lights on the rear of the submarine. Then…it struck him.
“The lights…the Goddamn lights!” he yelled. Grabbing his throat he pressed the communication strap. “Turn off the lights…turn off the lights!” he yelled.
Instantly Ginny switched the lights off submerging them in total darkness. Then he watched as the other Seal turned on his flood light to light the way to the dive hatch.
“Turn it off! Turn off the light…” he croaked gripping his throat strap so tightly he was hurting himself.
The Seal was within grasping range and he reached out taking hold of his hand. Suddenly within the gleaming radiance of the floodlight he watched a huge mouth grab the Seal around the waist. He tried to hang onto the man but the sheer force of the snake’s momentum tore him from his grasp. Over his headset he could hear the man scream in terror which quickly turned into a garbled cry…then nothing.
Rollins was cloaked in darkness once again, he watched the floodlight the Seal had drop, drift slowly to the bottom. As it drifted down he watched as the snakes swirled and dipped around it. Dull thuds and vibrations could be heard and felt as they bumped and smacked against the hull.
“The dive hatch is damaged and won’t close. I’m going to try for the rear escape hatch,” he said pressing the pads on his throat.
Slowly he emerged from the hatchway his body chilled even through the heated suit. Fear was beginning to numb him. Whatever experimental drug they had used on him had done more than control the shakes and alter his violent emotions, it plagued him with the one thing a Seal could never survive with…fear.
Gripping the rail he began to pull himself hand over hand towards the hatch moving slowly in hopes that the snakes eyesight was poor. The distance seemed like miles, his breathing increasing. He began to mumble a prayer, softly at first then louder and louder as each second passed. Without light he couldn’t see a foot in front of his face and would be going totally on feel when he reached the hatch. As he moved slowly on something bumped into the edge of his mask knocking him back. He knew it was a snake, they were slithering and swimming all around him. Something brushed against his back and he moved quickly forward. His imagination was working overtime and he visualized one of those huge mouths appearing out of the darkness and engulfing him. Louder he began to pray until he realized that the creatures might be able to hear him…or sense the vibrations in his voice. His hands were shaking violently now and spasms rocked his body. The virus was beginning to claim him too.
He finally came to the end of the rungs and felt for the hatch cover and the recessed wheel to open it. Moving slowly he felt for the access panel near the ship, pulling open the small flap a green light shone out. He closed the flap quickly for fear it provided enough light for the snakes to see him. Ginny had already flooded the tube in preparation for him. Grabbing the wheel he slowly wheeled it open then opened the hatch. Lights shone up at him, lights that were bright enough to illuminate the outside.
“Dear God I’m so close…so close,” he mouthed.
Slipping down into the hatchway he lowered himself to the bottom of the tube. Suddenly from outside one of the snakes, attracted by the light twisted its way through the hatch opening it’s mouth agape as it moved down the tube. Rollins watched it enter the hatchway moving quickly down towards him. He had nowhere to go and until the hatch was closed there was no way to open the inner hatch without flooding the boat.
Reaching down he drew his diving knife and slashed at the beast. It recoiled as the knife cut into it then lunged. Rollins Moving to the side, narrowly avoiding it’s snapping jaws. Swinging around he buried the knife as deeply as possible into the side of the beast head. Instinct caused it to lash back and forth to try and dislodge the knife, it’s head struck Rollins driving him hard into the wall of the tube crushing part of the breather he wore on his back. Suddenly the pump to his breather shut down. The beast lashed back and forth smacking into one side then the other…there was no choice.
Reaching into his belt he drew out the detonator. Pressing a button the arming light began to blink…there was no choice…then his thumb pressed down on the detonator.
The blast was enormous starting from the bow of the ship and heading quickly aft. The submarine rocked with each blow. Wrapping his arm around one of the rungs he looked up as the snake shot forward again it’s jaws agape. Suddenly the blast closest to him blew causing a vortex in the water. It yanked the snake out of the hatch only to disappear into the darkness beyond. Rollins hung on as the suction nearly yanked him out also.
Ginny sensing the explosions applied full power to the engines. The props churned at top speed, the momentum bouncing the submarine forward then it began to rise from the churning coffin where it lay.
Gasping for breath Rollins began climbing the tube to the top where he had to close the hatch. Every moment was excruciating, every minute an eternity. Finally he hauled the hatch closed and wheeled it shut.
“Drain…drain…tube…” he gasped holding his helmet.
Ginny understood and quickly began draining the tube. Rollins drained to the bottom with the water. When he hit bottom he reached up and unclasped the helmet, then tossed it to the side. Moments later he began vomiting up the liquid that was in his lungs. It was painful and he wasn’t sure if the pain was from the liquid or the virus but he doubled up in pain.
The hatch opened and Adoria quickly moved forward. Taking the needle she jammed it into his neck injecting the antidote. Rollins yelled in pain but it was quickly over and Adoria withdrew.
“Christ lady, can’t you be a little more gentle?” he said rubbing his neck.
“Forgive me, I had no choice. I was instructed to administer this drug to everyone on board,” she said backing up and allowing him through the hatch.
“If you’re giving them…then what happened to the crew?” he asked.
“Almost all of them are incapacitated. The computer is controlling the ship, myself and two of my people are injecting everyone we can find.”
“That’s good…that’s real good…because I…don’t feel…so well,” he said clutching his side and collapsing.
Sam felt the warmth of the sun on his face. He could see the seagulls flying overhead but couldn’t hear their cries, nor could he hear the crashing of the surf. As he watched the surf wash over his feet he felt a chill rumble through him. Looking up he watched the seagulls’ dance along the air currents and for a brief moment he wished that he could sore with them. A gentle touch on his arm made him turn and look away. Standing next to him was a beautiful woman her hair a silken brown her eyes glimmering in the afternoon sunshine. Her lips where full and she smiled invitingly at him, the gold band on her finger reflecting the sun. She was his wife and the only woman whom he had truly loved. Taking her into his arms he felt her breasts crush against him and the moistness of her lips. Unknown to him, the sky had turned suddenly black and huge thick clouds had rolled in. Suddenly she was yanked from him and he watched her as she was pulled out over the ocean, her arms outstretched for him to save her. He screamed her name over and over as he struggled to grab her.
“Ginny! Ginny!” Sam yelled.
“Sam my love…what’s wrong?”
Sam opened his eyes, blinking them rapidly. His arms were outstretched towards the cabin ceiling. Sitting up he felt a chill run through him, then intense heat. Feeling his forehead he wiped away the sweat that had formed. He was burning up with fever. His throat was sore and he ached all over.
“Ginny, where am I…what happened?” he asked grabbing the sheet and wiping the sweat from his brow.
“You’re aboard the Barracuda, do you remember? You were infected with a virus…a virus that was turning you into a caveman,” she casually explained.
“Yes…now I remember…trapped…trapped on the ocean floor. Why do I feel like hell?” he said coughing.
“The cure was found by Commander Calkin…Jenna gave you and everyone else aboard…the flu.”
“The flu? Great, well I guess it’s better than scratching my armpits and swinging from a tree,” he said coughing again.
“Or dragging your women around by their hair…I’d like to see you try that one on me!”
“Where’s AJ?” Sam asked.
“Recovering like you in his cabin. Oh you may want to thank our alien guests, the virus didn’t affect them so when everyone went down they administered the antidote.”
“What’s the status of the ship?” he asked. “Actually, how long have I been out?”
“Seventy six and half hours, our guests also kept everyone from dehydrating,” she explained.
“Status of the ship?”
“We are holding position under a large ice flow, the flow is moving slowly south. You should also know that the other nasty aliens have maintained position over the icepack. It is my guess…they don’t believe we are dead.”
“Well we’re not,” he said angrily as he quickly stood up, then abruptly leaned against the wall.
“Remember Sam…you still have a nasty bout of the flu,” she reminded him.
“Thanks, I want you to get in touch with all senior staff, I want them here in fifteen minutes,” he said.
“Yes sir…Captain sir!” Ginny said her voice stern.
“And Ginny…”
“Yes captain sir?”
“Thanks, none of us would be here if it wasn’t for you,” he said softly.
“I love you too,” she said her voice giddy.
Everyone assembled in the captains quarters, they all had the flu but for the most part only looked tired…not prehistoric. Sam went to the head of the table and sat down.
“Captain Rollins, how are you feeling?” Sam asked.
“I’ve got a sinus infection that giving me one hell of a headache. But other than that I suppose it could be worse,” he said pinching the top of his nose.
“I want to thank you…and your men. Ms. Carlson informed me of what transpired outside when you and your men set the charges. We owe your team Captain, thank you,” Sam said smiling slightly.
“Ms. Carlson?” Adoria asked.
“Ginny” AJ explained.
“I called this meeting to determine our next course of action. Our submarine has been patched up and we seem to be on the tail end of that virus problem and our water system has been adjusted to remove the organism, which means we can go home. My question is does anyone have any ideas on how?” he said looking around the table.
“We have all the information on the Zeallions. At least what we were able to save,” Lomkin spoke up.
“OK, how can we use that to our advantage?” Sam asked.
“Well for starters we know a lot about their weapons. They are energy based and require a lot of reserve power to use. When a ship uses them, many of their onboard systems take a back seat so to speak,” Lomkin explained,
“That would leave them vulnerable.” Adoria said.
“Very, that’s something we can use to our advantage,” Sam added. “What else?”
“The rift is definitely their way of terra forming the planet. What we do know…or surmise, is that they don’t know that for some reason their unit has formed a portal or time displacement window to our future,” Lomkin explained.
“That would mean that we…will have to close the rift on this side,” AJ said.
“That means one of two choices, one we try and get everyone we can through the rift then destroy it. Captain, what are the chances of placing nuclear charges around the rift with a detonator we can use as we’re going through?” Sam asked. “Or we all sacrifice ourselves and destroy the rift with us here.”
“Well, the charges can be placed, that’s no problem. The problem will be overtaking their forces on or around the rift. We don’t know if those structures around the rift have an oxygen atmosphere inside. If we have to work in suits it’s going to make it more difficult,” Rollins explained.
“What types of weapons does your species have?” Adoria asked.
The room grew quiet; it was like she had said a taboo word, something that wasn’t supposed to be spoken. She looked around the table slightly alarmed over the silence.
“We have enough firepower on this vessel…if combined, to destroy a fairly large section of the planet,” Sam explained.
“What types of weapons?” she asked again.
“Projectile weapons, nuclear weapons…”
“The atom!” Adoria looked at him with surprise.
“Why is that so alarming Miss Adoria?” Sam asked.
“Two centuries ago our people harnessed the atom for the first time. We made weapons too, weapons that nearly wiped our species off the planet. They are primitive weapons, dirty weapons…but very, very effective,” she stated.
“And what are you inferring?” AJ spoke.
“What is the yield of these weapons?” she asked.
“Look Miss Adoria, we are very uncomfortable talking with you about this, one of your own has already killed many of my men,” Wil said cradling his arm in a sling.
“What?” she looked at him surprised.
“Nobody has told her?” Wil asked looking around the table.
“No, it never came up and with all that happened…well,” AJ began to say.
“Explain?” she asked her expression grave.
“Vack…turned us in to the Zeallions, he was working with them,” Wil said softly.
“That is impossible! Totally impossible! He was one of our warriors!” Adoria said rising abruptly from her chair.
“Who do you think put this bullet in me?” Wil said moving his arm.
“B…but…I can not believe such a thing!” Adoria stuttered.
“They knew we were coming and I bet they also know about the rift being a time portal too,” Wil added.
“My God! That would mean …”Neil said aloud.
“Yes, they would be massing to invade your time period,” Adoria said sitting down clutching her hands together.
“OK people, let’s assume the worse. The Zeallions are massing to invade our time. That will up the stakes…and that makes us all expendable,” Sam said tapping his finger on the tabletop.
“I say let’s kick some alien butt,” Pops said softly from the far end of the table.
“Captain, how many of your Seals are left?” Sam asked.
“Eight, not including the Lieutenant and myself. What do you have in mind Skipper,” Rollins asked.
“We need to get into that complex next to the rift, shut down the unit…destroy it,” Sam asked.
“We have two backpack nukes…” Rollins said looking around.
“Backpack nukes? I thought that was a Russian thing?” AJ asked.
“It is, we acquired some after that hundred or so, nukes went missing in the early nineties,” Rollins said smiling. “The yield should be enough to do the job.”
“What is the yield of these weapons?” Adoria asked again.
“The backpack nukes are at the most around the one kiloton range. What the ship has are called MIRV’S, each warhead carries ten smaller warheads, each of those is around the 5 kiloton range,” Sam explained.
“My God!” Jenna breathed.
“Those yields are small, what if captain…what if, I could increase those yields by a factor of 100?” Adoria asked.
“You know how to do that?” Pops asked.
“It is quite simple actually, ancient history for us you must remember,” she said looking around at everyone.
“OK, so we destroy the machinery around the rift, but what about the rift itself?” Jenna asked.
“To destroy that deep of a chasm, we’re going to need some of the nukes in the silos,” Bob Burt piped in.
