hey guys, and you know who you are, here is my romance themed novel...and i may have to go back over this later and make changes...
Prolouge
Dr. Monroe and Major Andrewson trudged down the hallway to the maximum security wing of the USS. Olympus. The hallway slowly became darker before Monroe directed the officer to a cast iron door.
"It's just through here." He said. "Just let me get my key..."
"Will you hurry this up, I am a very busy man. Do we have our man, or not?" Asked Andrewson, impatiantly.
The Doctor replied "Sir, let me just say that 'I think you will be pleasantly suprised.' "
"I had better," replied Andrewson. "Because with each minute we waste, Ymir's Word gets closer to completing whatever it is they're building."
"Sir, this won't take long at all, I assure you." Monroe responded.
Monroe retracted his key card, and inserted into his labcoat pocket. He then opened the door, and let the major pass. After closing it securely behind him, he sprinted to catch up with Andrewson, already walking at a rather brisk pace.
"Let me see that clip board." the major demanded.
Monroe reluctantly handed it over to Andrewson's outsreched hand, taking it almost immediatley. He hastily read and flipped through the pages, pausing at one page in particular.
"Sergant Chuck Hannigan, eh?" He said at last.
"That's him." The doctor replied.
"So what makes him qualified for the job?" inquired Andrewson.
"Right this way, sir." Monroe said, pointing left down a corridor with a bulkhead three foot thick. They stepped through the entryway and continued on.
"They don't want this guy to get out, do they?" Asked Andrewson, upon observing the bulkhead.
"No sir." the doctor replied.
At the end of the corridor stood two heavily armored guards, faces hid by a ghastly face mask. They looked like alien creatures with only two blue circles amidst the black. They saluted and stepped aside, revealing a sliding door which opened with an electrical "hum", and closed with the same.
But inside was the most intresting part. Inside, there was a large transparant cube made of plexiglass. Threre was a bed, toilet, sink, chairs, a bookshelf, and even a TV inside of it as well. And sitting on the bed reading a book, was Chuck. He was dressed in a white T-shirt and white pants coming down to his ankles. Andrewson stopped and observed him. His impatient expression was replaced by a look of curiosity and wonder.
"Hmmm...dirty blonde hair, about...oh, six foot...maybe six foot one, light tan body, and I think i see hazel eyes. Nothing out of the ordinary. What the hell could a guy like him be doing in a place like this? And why for that matter?" The major asked himself.
"Well I give up; What's he in here for?" he then asked aloud.
Monroe flipped through the clip board, just given back to him as they entered the room, and flipped around until he found the right page.
"He is somewhat unstable, sir. And can be quite dangerous if provoked the wrong way." answered the doctor. "Would you like to meet him?"
Andrewson sighed and said "That's why we're here."
"This way, sir." Monroe said, reaching into his labcoat pocket and removing perhaps the same key card from before, inserted it into the cell's door panel, and stepped inside after the door opened with a 'creak'.
Chapter 1
Well, where do I start? I guess it was way back in the fourth grade. Or was it fifth? Anyway, Life was good. School was easy for me, my family was alive and well, everything was perfect. Or at least as perfect as things can get. Anyways, it started out as a normal day in Memphis Tenessee. My mom had just dropped me off at Jefferson Elementary, and I was completely oblivious to what was to befall me that day. Her name was Linda Alexander. Ah, I remember her so well. Dark amber hair that came down to her neck, enchanting blue eyes. Just like she was when we last parted. And above all, her beauty dumbfounded me to no end. She was a new student, yeah go figure, and was typically shy.
She sat down in the row in front of me, kinda towards the right hand side. And all the while, I watched her with the utmost integrity throughout the lesson. I felt as though I was lost in a swirling vortex of which there was no return. I was only snapped out of it when the teacher slapped his hand on my desk. Scared me right out of my mind. I better diciplined myself from then on, despite the hardship. Soon it was lunchtime, and I was eager to clear my mind. I grabbed my packed lunch and sat down at a table with my friends. Convieniently, Linda had made a friend and sat at the table across from ours.
She made no aknowledgement to my presence, but I watched her anyway as she talked innocently to...who was it now...Janet. I always thought she was okay, but kinds so-so when it came to looks. A sharp slap on the back of my head took me by suprise. "What?!" I demanded. "Carl sitting next to me answered "What ya' looking at?" he asked. "Nothing." He looked over my shoulder. "Ah, eyein' up the new girl, huh?" "No!" I quickly denied. "Aw, come on; admit it. You're a sucker for a girl with hazel eyes." "Her eyes are blue!" He chuckled and said "I knew it. Well, good luck, cassanova." I put the conversation out of my mind and nibbled at my sandwitch.
Afterwords, we all went back to class. Or what was left of it. Through much difficulty, I pulled myself together long enough to learn what was needed. Janet whispered something to Linda, and by chance, looked over her shoulder and smiled at me. I felt relieved and tense at the same time. Sweat collected across my brow, and a knot collected in my stomoch. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the bell rang and school let out. I hurried out of the classroom and to my locker. With much haste, I filled my backpack, and hurried out as fast as I could to the front of the school. My mom was waiting in the car.
As I climbed in, she asked "So what happened today; anything exciting?" I took a deep breath and said "No." I looked out the window and saw Linda walking past. I couldn't help but watch her." "Someone special?" Mom asked. "Not exactly." I replied. She started the car. "Well, you'll figure that out when you're older."
Middle school was no better. Eighth grade was worse actually. The work was harder and with my becoming of a young man, certain things distracted me. Mostly Linda. Boy was she beautiful. Her hair long and flowing, and her eyes blue as saphires. And she was definately becoming a woman in more was than one, if you catch my drift.
You know, if you look at who I am today, then you never would have guessed that I was once full of youth, energy, and glee. But alas, love is a mixed thing. It can be the greatest thing in the history of man kind, but when pent up inside can destroy you; change your personality untill the person you once were, ceases to exist.
And that's pretty much what happened to me. I suppose it all started on that gloomy October's eve. Bradey Thompson was his name. Kinda a big guy, rather muscular; we saw eye to eye. I dunno whether he had a grudge, or just plain didn't like me, but he yanked me aside after class one day and said:
"Listen here you asswipe. I don't like you, and I don't like your face!"
"Look dude, get your hands off of me, I don't want any trouble." I responded rather impatiently.
"Oh you got trouble bud. Was that little laugh you got last night worth it?"
"Look pal, I'm only gonna say this one last time, nicely: Get your hands off me."
"Or what?" he said pushing me back. "What'cha gonna do about it?" He was about to do it again when I side stepped him. He reared about and raised his fist in an attempt to catch me off guard. But I was driven by an alien force within me, that made me launch a fast, hard blow to his stomoch.
Even then, I didn't know just how powerful love can be. It gives you a newfound strength to drive on. By now, a crowd encircled the two of us, chanting "Fight, fight, fight!" Bradey came at me again and returned the favor with a fist to the side of my face. Now I was pissed. Adreniline flowing in my veins, I brought my fist straight into his nose, resulting in a sharp "crack" as it broke.
But I didn't stop there; I kept going. Blow after blow landed on his person as he was pressed against a locker. And by some stroke of luck, he dodged an attack as I left a huge dent in the locker where his face should have been. I gave a few more shots at his mid section, cracking a rib or two, before finishing the job with a final blow to his jaw, which left him on the ground, bloody and brused as hell, and barely concious.
The crowd fell silent. As for me, I stood there panting, fist still raised. My lip was bleeding and I had a bruise on the side of my face. Bradey was far worse. His breaths were pained and difficult, blood flowed fresh from multiple wounds, and black and blue bruises covered his face and mid section. People looked at him, then at me and someone said: "Jeeze Hannigan, you are a freak." As I glanced in a random direction and saw Linda, looking at me with a look of fear and concern. I sighed, just as the princepal and two other teachers approached the scene.
When they apprehended me, I made no attempt to resist. I mean, why bother at this point; I'm already guilty of beating the hell out of a guy, why make it wrse? An ambulence was called, and I was summoned to the principle's office. He sat down behind his desk, a look of utmost frustration, concern, and worry on his face. After a long stare off, he finally said:
"Chuck, I'm gonna be honest with you. In all 34 of my years as princepal, I have never seen anything like what you have portrayed here today. I am impressed and horrified at the same time. Furthermore, such an act would have you expelled immediately."
"I understand, sir." I responded with a hint of depressment in my voice.
"But in light of some...evidence," he paused. "an eyewitness, who shall remain unnamed, repoerted that Thompson started this fight, and you utterly pummled him in self defence. Is that what happened?"
"Absolutley."
"Hmm..." he started. "Well then, you're off the hook, but see to it that it doesn't happen again. Am I clear?"
"Crystal, sir." I replied somewhat relieved.
"Then you may go; I have some things to explain to the paramedics." He replied slightly annoyed.
I got up, an walked out of the office. Down the hallway and to my locker. When I got there, I saw Jannet standing at the end of the hallway, watching me. I winked and cracked a smile, as she did the same in return. "Looks like I owe her one." She turned and strode down the hallway, as I did the same. Jannet glanced over her shouldr once more, before didappearing around the corner.
If I had known that was the last time I would have sen her, I probably would have said something to her. But the mixed feelings going on inside me, I was far too occupied to do otherwise. I walked home as I normally did. But the only thing different was that I didn't see Linda at all. Maybe once out of the corner of my eye, but when I turned my full attention, she was gone. Perhaps avoiding me. But I digressed. When I got home, I had my father to answer to.
It took me by suprise that he was home, actually. He was in the marines, and was more often than not orbiting the planet in a space ship. But seeing him home brought happiness and dread to my conience at the same time. It was no worse than I expected. Better actually. He spoke in an authoritant tone, but wasn't angry. He and I discussed the matter, and satasfied, he let me go.
But High school was the major turning poin in my life. I stood six foot two, weighed 300 lbs, mostly muscle, and no one dared mess with me after what happened in eighth grade. Those emotions for Linda really had changed my nature. I mean I still got A's and B's, but my personality had changed a lot. I had changed from a talkitive, friendly guy, into a more serious, more quiet kind of guy. I kept to myself, and others to themselves. Even Linda seemed to be intimidated by me. I felt as though my heart was being pulled in two. Either way I was caught in the middle of some unfortunate thing.
But I didn't see Janet at all, and that was unusuall to say the least. And then, in my senior year, the singlemost event that would start my marine career took us all by suprise. On March 23rd, 2503, major cities across the U.S were held under siege by an unknown invader. Most of the civilians, including myself, were evacuated onto transports in an attempt to flee the battle torn city. As the transport took off, the sight below us shocked and appaled us. Memphis Tenessee was engulfed in a series of fires, dismembered buildings, and lifeless streets.
We were taken to an orbiting relief ship, the Spirit of Autum. On board, people were reunited with their families, while others, such as myself, were given the bad news that they were either missing, or presumed dead. But flat out I was told that there were no survivors left in Memphis. Not with all the chemical weapons spewn about in the air. I was...well, to be honest, I felt as though it didn't matter. I know it should have, but I felt nothing where the love of my family should have been. I loved them, I always had. But whatever the feelings once were, they were gone and replaced with new ones.
Ones of hate, determination, and among other things, some alien force; the same one as before, but stronger. Along with many others, I enlisted post haste into the marines. My only regret was not seeing Linda among the refugees. I hoped she was alright. Training was easy, took about 3-4 weeks, and was suprisingly enjoyable to me. When they were through with us, I was among the best of them. Every mission was executed to the letter, and with no anomalies, small or no. Later on we had discoverd that the hostels that besieged the U.S was a group of Rebels known simply as " Ymir's word."
A year or so had passed, and the U.S. mostly recovered from the attacks. Ymir's word had been beaten back, to the edge of the solar system, and one final mission remained. I liked this job. It cleared my mind of those haunting emotions for Linda. And for once in a very long time, I felt...happy. Naturally, I was chosen for the mission because of my distinguished service record. That, and my reputation. I never smiled, no signs of emotion were present on my face, I kept to myself, therefore making me quiet most of the time, and my physical stature was indeed very intimidating.
I was chosen to lead a squad of special ops into the enemy's fortress, kill their leader, and bring the conflict to an end. Simple right? I wish. The ops were exceptionally qualified, don't get me wrong. It's just that some of them lacked their heads in the heat of combat. They, as well as I, preped for combat in the armory. Knives, sidearms, and other assorted weapons were chosen, equipped, or stowed in rough sacks. a pair of faint footsteps protruded from the hallway outside. I looked over my shoulder, and to my supridse saw Linda standing in the doorway.
Chapter 1
Now I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I love this job. Being in the marines has freed me from the imprisonment of my own emotions. And I guess not having Linda around was the best part. Not that I didn't like her or anything, but she is, or was I should say, the cause of the emotional turmoil in my life. Anyway, for the first time in years, I felt my old self coming back little by little.
But seeing Linda again swiped all of it away from me, and once again imprisoned me in a sea of eternal emotion. She stood in the doorway beautiful as ever. More actually. Her dark, flowing amber hair was cropped so as to fit marine dress code, her saphire blue eyes were the prettyest shade of blue like the sky, and her figure was...well...I think you already know where I'm going.
She was out of my life for so long that I forgot just how beautiful she really was. Linda looked around the room, and when seeing me, she took a moment to recognize who I was before she asked:
"Chuck, is that you?"
Oh, how I forgot her voice. Her beautiful, flowing voice. A chorus of a thousand angles couldn't have sounded more beautiful. It was almost entrancing. But I digress.
I was just as suprised as she was. "Linda?"
By now everyone in the room as listening in.
"Uh, could I talk to you for a minute outside?" She asked, trying to sound like it was marine business instead of a reunion. It was probably for the best anyways. We stepped outside, out of earshot of the others. She then embraced me, and I could only do the same in return. And I don't know why she did. Perhaps I was the only recognizable person she'd seen in years, or it could have been so much more than that.
Slowly I could feel my alter ego breaking free. Soon I would be no different than I was in high school. It was like I had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality; whenever one was on the outside, the other lurked within. And I lived in fear of the "other", every day. She then retracted herself, and asked:
"So what happened, Chuck? All those years ago?"
"I...My family is dead." I started. "The marines seemed to be the only sensible option."
Linda lowered her gaze, and said "So is mine. I would have gone back, but there wasn't anything to go back to."
Seeing her like this was too much for me, and I was eager to change the subject.
"So what outfit are you with?" I asked.
"307th spec ops." She replied, looking up. "How 'bout you?"
"101st division." I answered.
A moment passed. Then two. We were both at a loss for words, for one reason or another.
"So what brings you here?" I asked.
"Oh, I was assigned to Operation: VANGUARD and was told to report to the armory." It was then that I knew something was going to go amiss sometime in the future. And while I didn't know what it was, it always nagged in the back of my head.
"Small world afterall, I was too."
"So do you know who's leading it?" Linda asked again."
"That would be me." I replied.
"Next time we meet, I'll probably have to salute you, sir. So when do we leave?"
"1500 hours. I would get ready."
"Sure thing. Well, see you around Chuck...er, sir." Linda replied before disappearing around the corner, and into the armory. I watched as she did so. It was definately coming back. My alter ego, if you will. It and all the overwhelming emotions that came with it.
Before long, my wrist communicator buzzed. I answered it and said:
"Captain Hannigan, go ahead."
"Hannigan, report to my office ASAP."
"Copy that, I'm on my way." I replied.
Chapter 2
I off keyed my communicator, then ran my hand through my hair, and scratched the back of my neck. It took me a moment to take all of it in before I headed off towards Col. Hendricks’s office. And who is he, you ask? Well, I really don't know personally. But I've heard that he's a pretty okay guy. Not too stuck up his own ass like some of the officers here, but certainly no pushover either.
Not exactly a friend, but definitely someone you could count on. As I headed up to his office, I couldn't help but feel my alter ego awakening inside me. Come to think of it, I had talked to a psychiatrist about it, and she said that I should "Find something to occupy my time." Yeah, whatever that meant. Well, I suppose there is some wisdom in what she said. Something to occupy my ego would prove beneficial for both me and Linda.
And what occupied my time? I picked up a primitive puzzle known as a “Rubik’s Cube” on the black market. Ironic I know, but what can’t you find there? Well, it definitely served its purpose though. I was occupied for three weeks straight. Then I learned how to solve it. And then what happened? Well, I threw it in my table drawer where it sits to this day. Anyway, I walked on to the Colonel’s office.
I went down a flight of stairs and around a corner or two, where lower ranked personnel gave me a sharp salute. I did the same in return. “If only there were more marines like them, then the UNSC might have something to be proud of.” A locked door impeded my progress, and I was forced to backtrack. I then came to what was pretty much the heart of the Cairo. Oh, my apologies for not mentioning this sooner: The Cairo is one of many space stations orbiting around earth. Each one housed three divisions of battle ready marines, as well as their numerous engines of war.
As I was saying, the heart of the Cairo was pretty much just that. On this floor, intelligence, weapons deployment records, you name it, and it was most likely on this floor. And the offices of those in charge were closer to the north east wing. I approached Hendricks’s office, and was stopped at the entrance by two armed security personnel.
“State your business.” One of them ordered.
I pulled out my ID and presented it to the guard closest to me. “Colonel Hendricks requested me in his office.” I explained.
The guard with my ID looked over it with the utmost care. He double-checked the fine print, and satisfied, handed me the ID. “Have a nice day, sir.” They replied, while stepping aside with a smart salute.
I sighed and put my ID in its proper place inside my pocket. I could never get over the extra tight security the brass had put out due to increased activity by Ymir’s Word. Reports indicated the possibility that we had already been infiltrated from the inside by a double agent. But the evidence to support that data was very farfetched and in my opinion was most likely made up as someone’s way to his five minutes of fame.
Either way, it was probably for the better anyways. I mean, in this day and age, anything that can happen, will. And personally, if the worst were to happen, I’d rather be ready beforehand. The entrance behind me grew smaller and smaller as I traversed the hallway leading to the Colonel’s office. I knocked on the polished oak door, and was greeted by a distained “Enter.” I did as I was ordered, and opened the door. The room within was of decent size, was well lit, and had a large window extending from the far wall over, that gave a beautiful view of earth. A desk was placed in the center, and seated behind it was Hendricks.
He was very well occupied with paperwork spewn about his desk. My footsteps gave me away. He put down whatever it was he was doing, looked up and said:
“Hannigan, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I would have been here sooner, but security has gotten tighter than usual around here.” I replied.
He stood up, reaching for something in his desk drawer. “Well you got me there. Oh, this is the latest Intel on your assignment, just updated a couple of hours ago.” As he said this, he whipped out a folder marked “Classified.” He handed it to me, and I accepted it. Flipping it open, I briefly looked over the contents. The Colonel then stood up from his seat, grabbing another file, and walked over to a filing cabinet.
As I glanced through the folder, many things caught my eye. Maps, weapons specs, personnel info, parameters, and standing orders. Hendricks then said:
“And this just arrived five minutes ago,” as he walked over. He gave me the paper. The intro was pretty much protocol stuff, but the main message said this:
Due to increased amounts of hostile activity in sector 45-j, and by order of commanding officer Colonel Michal Talbert, all marine personnel and corresponding equipment are given new orders to report to rendezvous point Alpha as of 1200 hours today. All other activity is hereby postponed. That is all.
“Let me guess: Ymir’s Word has something to do with this, right?” I asked slightly agitated.
“Right on the head, Hannigan. I just don’t see while why all of the marines are being pulled into this,” replied the colonel.
Then something hit me. “Um sir, if you don’t mind me asking, if by equipment they mean modes of transportation as well as ordinance, then how are we supposed to get out of here?”
Hendricks replied: “I asked Talbert the same question, and he said ‘It’ll just have to wait then.’ But if you want to know what I think, then listen closely.” He beckoned me closer, then whispered: I think there’s a transport left in hanger 84-G.” Then in a louder tone he concluded “Dismissed.”
I saluted, as did he in turn. Then I turned and ran out of the office. Through the door, down the hallway and past the two security guards from before I ran. Well, not exactly ran, but I definitely wasn’t walking either. It took about three minutes before the armory came into view. I dashed in the door and stopped abruptly.
“What’s up sir; why the rush?” Asked…oh who was it now…um…Jenkins.
“Change of plans, we gotta go now.” I replied grabbing my duffel bag. “Let’s go!”
The others did the same and hastily followed me out of the room, Linda bringing up the rear. We ran as fast as our extra weight would allow us. Down a corridor, down a flight of stairs, and across a few large walkways above the main floor. Finally, after sidestepping a marine or two caught in the way, we arrived in hanger 84-G. I stopped and looked around for our mode of transportation.
On the other side of the hangar, three squads of marines filed in. Spotting the last transport, I exclaimed: “There!”
We hurried down a flight of stairs, and pushed past a pilot destined towards the transport.
“Hey! Hold up!” He ordered. I ignored, as did the others, and came up to the transport, piled in, and closed the hatch. Linda immediately sat down in the pilot’s seat, and started the vehicle up. And just when we were about to be apprehended by security, we were off, leaving the Cairo behind us.
Chapter 3
There were five of us altogether: Donny, Linda, Zeon, Marcus, and yours truly. We were on a mission, and we wouldn’t stop until it was complete. Or we all died, whichever came first. If only I could have foreseen this grim fate, none of this would have happened, Linda and the others might have still been alive, Ymir’s Word defeated, and I would have lived happily ever after. But does life work that way? I think not. Anyways, as far as I could tell, my squad was pretty much your average patch job marines. Or so I could tell from their dossiers.
“Here are their dossiers, Hannigan. You might want to look them over,” said Hendricks.
“Is that all, sir?” I asked.
“That’s all Hannigan. Dismissed.”
I saluted, as did he in return. I then made my way out of the polished oak doors and toward the barracks. On the way, I glanced through the top ones.
“Private first class Donny Williams. Born: May 11, 2481. Location: Sicily, Italy. Dark hair, brown eyes, weighs roughly 240 lbs, 6”1’. Likes battle rifles…and so on and so forth…ah, oddly enough doesn’t have an Italian accent, is pretty serious most of the time, and is a pretty likeable guy. Hmm…interesting…now on to the next one.
Sergeant Zeon Brigham. Born February 12th, 2479. Location: San Antonio, Texas. Dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, 6”0’, 253 lbs. Likes knives…who doesn’t…also prefers to dual wield his weapons. Like most marines, he keeps a cool head in battle…and so on…and is also a pretty okay guy.
Corporal Marcus Nolan. Born: July 18th, 2484. Location: Sydney, Australia. Stands about 6”.5’, amber hair, blue eyes, roughly 265 lbs. Specializes in electronics, is a bit of a smart ass at times…go figure…is pretty much a tech expert that is talented in rifles and grenades, who keeps things light by cracking a few jokes.”
I don’t think there is really anything I can tell you about Linda that you don’t already know. Or I don’t know for that matter.
“But I digress. Corporal Linda Alexander. Born: December 2nd, 2480. Location: Erie Pennsylvania. Blue eyes, dark amber hair. Stands 5”11’, weighs 155 lbs. Is especially talented in sniper rifles, but can perform most combat roles efficiently. Also takes things somewhat seriously, but is nice to be around. And trust me, I would know.”
And me? Well, I think you already know that much. Anyway, they were my squad, and I was their leader. All five of our lives rested on my shoulders.
As Linda steered the transport back and forth between an asteroid field, a message began on the intercom. “Attention. You are not authorized to pilot that vehicle. Return to base immediately or-…” Donny pushed a buttin and cut it short.
As Linda steered the transport back and forth between an asteroid field, a message began on the intercom. “Attention. You are not authorized to pilot that vehicle. Return to base immediately or-…” Donny pushed a buttin and cut it short. “Like we care,” He then justified.
“I know I don’t” added Zeon.
“Me neither,” I said.
“But,” started Marcus, “we’re gonna have some explaining to do when we get back, sren’t we?”
“No we won’t,” stated Linda. “We have our orders, they have theirs.”
“And besides,” I added. “if Talbert wasn’t so over reactive about things, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I blame him.”
They all agreed.
“So sir, where are we headed to,” asked Linda.
Thinking back to the mission specs, I remembered, faintly though, where our leads led us. “Let’s stop on Carver V first, Linda. But I think we may have to go into cryo sleep for this one.”
“And probably slip space.” chimed in Marcus.
“Just get us there.” I ordered Linda.
“Yes sir.” she replied. “Imputing coordinates.”
As she did so, the rest of us made our way to the cryo bay. Six pods lined either side of the chamber, with a clear case and a control panel beside them. We each picked one, and the caskets slid open.
“Entering slip space in five.” said Linda over the radio.
The others slid in their pods and the lids closed with a quiet “hiss.” Linda made her way back and pushed a few buttons on her cryo pod. I walked over as she climbed in.
She lay down and seeing me said “Goodnight sir.”
“Night.” I replied.
A button was pushed by me, the pod went dark, and closed with another silent “hiss.”
Then I walked over to another empty pod next to Zeon’s, hammered a few buttons, and slid into the casket just as the lid closed, and my vision went dark.
Chapter 4
I walked down a dim corridor with fluorescent purple lights laminating the length of it. A high pitched, yet hushed chiming was the only thing I heard as an exit to the endless hallway appeared. Small at first, but gradually growing, a door could be seen at the end of the corridor. It slid open in three parts with a “ding”. I walked cautiously through. The following room was completely dark, except for the light from the corridor, which disappeared with the closing of the door.
My vision went completely dark. Enough so, in fact, that I couldn’t see my hand two inches from my face. Then some distance away, a circle of white light emerged from the eternal darkness surrounding me. And inside the circle stood three figures. I made my way over to them. I stood only feet away, and was able to determine that they were armed marines. They stood back to back, whispering to each other, as if awaiting something.
They stood there, as did I, for several minutes. Or so it seemed. Then out of the darkness, eerie whispers surrounded us. They spoke in some alien tongue as they moved to and fro. The marines, as far as I could tell, were somewhat scared, but they leveled their weapons as they aimed back and forth. Then a clacking shuffle of…well, I think they were claws, could be heard behind one of them. All three of them turned to face the oncoming sound.
Time passed. But as for how much, there was no way of telling. I too was frightened. My heart pounded with every beat. Tha- thump…tha-thump…tha-thump…. And my breath came in long, strained strides. Just then, the darkness, which I then learned filled a large room, lifted and was replaced by dampened light. It wasn’t as bright as day, but compared to pitch black, it was undoubtedly better. I could see again, and really I wish I couldn’t have.
Over where the shuffling of claws had come from, stood a creature from hell itself, standing on all fours, with two rows of long, sharp teeth forming a seemingly perfect smile, as far as animal qualities went. But I suppose it wasn’t smiling at all. No, it was barring its teeth. I could see no eyes or nose on it, but I could see a lean body, strong limbs and paws with razor sharp claws for toes and/or fingers, and from what I could briefly observe it had a tail.
It was rather large, whatever it was. And it growled in the most horrifying of ways. The marines aimed their rifles, and were about to fire when the thing moved. And my god was it quick. For a brief second I lost sight of it, but it reappeared behind the biggest of the three marines. It leapt on him quicker than any Chita could have, and bit into the back of his neck, slashing his back with its claws.
Taken aback, I saw the creature with its blood stained claws and teeth, charge towards the remaining two opponents. By now they had emptied a clip and a half in the marauder’s general direction, only to miss. It swiped with its tail, knocking them over, and then bit one of the marines’ throat, tearing a chunk off, leaving a gushing flow of blood as he coughed and grew motionless.
A knot collected in my stomach as I watched. And then I grew nauseous at the sight of the blood. Stooped over, I looked up and saw the last man standing get the tip of the creature’s tail driven through his face. Queasiness took over my person at the sight of the dead bodies, and I fell to my knees, still taken aback. Then the creature looked at me. It barred its fangs and charged.
Instantly, I was on my feet and running. But where? Good question. I could see no sign of an exit or doorway, but then again with the creature snapping at my heels I could have missed Linda standing in the same room. And that would be something ironic. In the midst of my run, I spied a door that wasn’t there two minutes ago. But at this point I wasn’t in the mood to question the laws of probability or physics. Behind me, I could hear the creature’s even breath as it chased me all the way to the door.
Then for no apparent reason, I stumbled, and fell to the floor face first. I looked over my shoulder, and saw my pursuer leap the remaining ten feet between us, snap its fangs repeatedly, and come closer and closer to where I lay. Really, I was about to just accept my fate. I mean, if I died right there, right now, what would change; who would care? My family was good and dead, I had absolutely no obligation to keep living, I had only one reason of my own to keep living, and that was Linda.
But even I had my own doubts. Was she nothing more than a lost cause? Was I choosing a path that would only subside in a dead end? Did she even have any feelings toward me? I didn’t like to think of that certain possibility; it was really just too much to fathom at the time. Just the thought was…no, I won’t reopen that wound. Not in this life. But I digress. Exactly as the creature was about to take me, a shot rang out from behind me, and nailed the creature straight in the head.
It then listed to my left, skidded, and stopped motionless on the ground. I breathed a very heavy sigh of relief. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that the door was open, and a figure stood there for a moment, then turned around, and disappeared. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t. When I got up, my legs were still a bit woozy. The door was still open as I went through it. And I was surprised when it didn’t close behind me. But there was one thing that did take me by surprise, mild as it was.
A closed door stood not twenty feet away. There was nothing peculiar about the door, nor was it different than any other. Just like the last, it had three parts that slid back simultaneously; absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about it. The one thing that did dawn upon me unprepared was this deep fear of what was on the other side. Slowly I walked foreword, hesitating with every step. And also with each step my dread of what was on the other side increased greatly.
Time itself seemed to stand still. My breathing had become irregular, and I could feel the throb of my every heartbeat. Nearing the door, I reached out my shaking hand to push the mechanism off to the side. I pushed the button, and the door slid open. I closed my eyes to relieve the tension, but really it hadn’t worked like I wanted it to. I stepped through the door, sweat dripping off my brow.
Once through, and fearing the worst, I opened my eyes. And what I saw was more horrifying than the biggest fear a person can have, and the most devastation an entire civilization can endure in a single day combined. Linda, with a very large, very deep gash along her chest, lay dead on the floor. There was no way, on earth, nor in heaven, to describe how I felt. I tried once, but all I got was “Like my very soul was painfully ripped out of my body, and sent into an eternal abyss, leaving my cold empty body behind.”
I tried to run to her, but alas, something pulled me backwards away from her. I turned around and saw a white vortex drawing me further and further inside, until Linda was gone, and bright light blinded me.
That dream worried me to no end. It was so life like, that if I had woken up at any time I would have sworn that it had just happened with that small piece alone. And if I was pre warned about its level or realism, I would have definitely rethought that course of action better. But the past is in the past now, and I find it best to just pick up and move on. So as I was saying, after being engulfed by that white vortex, I woke up in a brightening cryo pod, with the lid opening with another silenced “hiss”. I yawned, and stretched my arms.
For some odd reason, cryo sleep always made my body tense up. And why was yet another question that goes unanswered in my lifetime. Anyways, I stepped out and stretched the rest of my limbs and neck. Looking around, I noticed something rather odd. All the other pods were still in “sleep” mode. They were still dark, and showed no hint of their contents. What was weirder still was that other than mine, the only other pod that was standby mode was Linda’s.
Coincidence? It sure seemed so at the time, but I was wrong. Dead wrong. Well, Linda was nowhere to be seen, so I made my way to the cockpit. And do I have to say who I found there? I didn’t think so. She sat in the command chair, starring out the window and into the void of slip space. I sat down across from her in the other chair. She noticed me and asked:
“Your pod woke you up to?”
“I think so.” I answered.
“Well, we should be coming out of slip space in twenty, so I guess it’s no big deal.” Linda replied.
For the next eighteen or so minutes, we talked about this that, never getting farther than what our lives were like before fifth grade. It turns out that her father was a well known politician. Tyler Alexander I think it was. I had to do a bit of research, but apparently he just barely made the election into senator for the state of Missouri. Talk about impressive.
You know what my dad did? Two words: Court marshaled. He got court marshaled. And why? Well mom never really told me. I looked into it myself, and evidently he was caught in the middle of some rather deplorable event and was sent to the stockade, where he later somehow pulled the trigger on himself three days before his release. And the question as to why he did that is quite unanswerable. And by god I hated him for it.
Still do, as a matter of fact, but I have just come to accept it as inevitable. Everyone dies sometime, and that’s the end of it. Unfortunately…well, as I was saying, we talked about this and that for eighteen minutes or so. Then a rather uncomfortable silence fell between us. Each passing second seemed to take minutes at a time. And all the while I couldn’t help but wonder that one big question: How does Linda feel towards me? Is she a lost cause, or is she the most worthwhile thing in my life?
I had to know. Swallowing this lump in my throat, I started:
“You know Linda, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for quite some time now.”
“Yes Chuck?” she replied, as if anticipating something.
“Uh…I…” I began, but then an internal debate had started within me.
“Come on, just ask the dam question,” said my alter ego.
“No...No, I can’t. This is not the time, nor the place.” I replied.
“Not the time? Give me a break. All these years without a single opportunity and now of all times you let the fear of her reply hold you back.”
“I know that; I have always known that. But all I’m saying is that in this time and place, I happen to be a commanding officer, I am the commanding officer, and I am the commanding officer who will see the success of this operation, without any mishaps. And what’s more, the last time I checked the rules, fraternization on any level is strictly against regulations, and is punishable by…well it’s punishable, and let’s leave it at that.”
“Hmm…oh very well, I’ll bide my time. But all I’m saying is that you can’t resist forever. And when you do decide to find out, it will be far too late.”
It then receded, and I felt control returning to my body. But the one thing I couldn’t get over was how right he was. Then I realized that I had left Linda hanging. But how was I to approach this? Delicately of course, but…oh, the hell with it. I’d just come right out and say it. Just get it over with and deal with the reality, harsh as it may be. Well, here went nothing.
Regaining my composure, I started:
“Linda, I-“
But as if on cue, Marcus, Zeon, and Donny entered the cockpit. A thundering voice shook my mind:
“GOD DAMMIT!”
Well, there went probably my one chance. I would get…uh…let me see, there was that one, then that other…I’d say three chances before this was all through. Anyway, they came in right on cue, just as I recovered from that booming voice.
“Is it just me or does cryo sleep make your body tense up?” asked Zeon sleepily.
“Naw, happens to me too.” I replied.
“Woah Captain! How…How long’ve you two been awake?” asked Marcus.
“About twenty minutes, why?”
“Oh no reason, it’s just that here I am walking in on you and Linda sittin’ alone here for twenty minutes, and I’m thinking that you two are, I don’t know…gettin’ it on?” Marcus asked shrugging his shoulders.
I was about to retort, but Donny cut me to the quick:
“Marcus, thinking about that kind of stuff is too much for your brain to handle, sit down before you hurt yourself. And besides, this is the captain we’re talking about. He isn’t like that, are you sir?”
“Of course he isn’t. So, we’re comin’ out of slip space or what?” Zeon inquired.
Just then the ship slowed, as did the passing lights and flashes of slip space, until the familiar dark void of space could be seen clear as day. Or something like that.
“Well, never mind.” he then finished.
A quick purveyance out the windshield of the cockpit emitted a light blue planet with patches of green and spiraling white along its surface drew closer and closer. This was Carver V.
“We should be landing shortly.” said Linda, as she broke the silence. “Might I suggest that you boys get the gear together?”
“Now that’s not a bad idea.” Zeon answered. “Let’s go guys.”
All three of them then rose and left the room. I was about to do the same when Linda stopped me.
“You were going to tell me something, Chuck?”
I sighed, and then replied: “I’ll tell you later.”
Chapter 5
Have you ever heard of the Amazon Rainforest? It’s long gone now, but when you think of dense foliage, thick humidity, and lots and lots of bugs, animals, and the like, picture all of that covering eight hundred square miles. That was our first encounter on Carver V. And boy was it memorable. But I’m getting ahead of myself here, so let me tell you how it went.
We were about to enter the planet’s atmosphere, when we detected an unidentified object on our radar.
Marcus watched the radar with great intensity. “What the hell is that?” he asked himself. A very large, very intimidating object drew closer and closer at an increasing speed.
“Sir, you might want to see this.”
I walked over to his post and saw for myself what drew us closer to an ever impending doom.
“Should we be worried?” Asked Donny, after he walked over and saw it too.
“You bet we should; Linda, hard to port!” I exclaimed, running up to the cockpit.
Looking out the cockpit window, I could see the foreign object. With the quick glance before Linda jerked the ship hard to the left, I identified it as what seemed to be a large chunk of debris. But where did it come from? I’d like to know myself. The collision alarm sounded, as my heart pounded and sweat ran down my neck. Linda then reached up, flipped a switch, and the alarm stopped.
All was then quiet, as each passing second seemed take hours. Finally a horrible scraping sound pierced the void, and we were clear. Then, something strange happened. The radar screen filled with static, and the image was lost. But that was just the start. Everything in the cockpit began to go haywire. Navigation lost all accuracy and skipped all over the place, all the gauges spun wildly, and according to Linda, steering response was at zero.
“Linda: status report.” I ordered.
“Nothing is working like it should. That encounter back there must have screwed with the CPU, and scrambled the EMP grid. In English, we’re going in hot.”
Then the ship shook uncontrollably, and for some reason had started to grow hotter. We hadn’t known it at the time, but we had entered the atmosphere, and the ride was in no way smooth. The vessel jerked left, right, up and down shaking its contents. At one time I remember my back painfully meeting the floor, and my forehead the co-pilot’s seat. Yeah, ouch.
Then gradually things smoothed out and the temperature cooled some. Out the windshield I could see a vast blanket of lush green vegetation far as the eye could see. And it was drawing nearer and nearer. And all the while I could hear the whine of our decent, and the groaning of the hull. I looked around and saw everyone recovering from the rough reentry. I looked back and immediately saw the forest canopy envelope the front end of the drop ship.
“Brace for impact!” Someone shouted.
Everything went dark followed by scraping, grinding, and finally a very abrupt, very hard collision with the ground. Time passed. But I must have been unconscious because I don’t remember a whole lot. I reached out and felt around for a glow stick. Finally, my hand touched a long, smooth cylinder. I picked it up, snapped it, and was rewarded with green light mildly laminating everything within a five foot radius.
My body ached like crazy, more places more than others. On the side of my right bicep I felt a warm liquid, and a sharp growing pain. Flinching, I grabbed a nearby med kit, opened it, and inspected its contents. After some rummaging, I found the items I needed. Some sort of anti-bacterial agent and a bandage roll. Amidst the pain, I was able to apply the agent and properly treat the wound.
That aside, I remembered the others.
“Okay, who’s not dead? Sound off.” I called out.
Then some feet away, more green lights protruded the darkness, followed by mild groaning. With a grunt of discomfort, I got up and walked toward them.
“I’m here.” replied Donny, with mild pain in his voice.
“Yeah…me too.” said Marcus.
I walked on until my nose hit something hard.
“Oh, dammit!” I yelled.
“You okay sir?” asked Zeon.
I managed to reply “Yeah, I just...hey can someone find a light switch or something?”
“Found one.” replied Linda. Then strobe lights flickered, and came on.
“They won’t last for long, but we shouldn’t be here all that long.” she finished.
“Good point,” I said through a cradled nose. “Everyone, grab your gear and find an exit.”
I walked to the cargo hold and found a whole mess of various items spewn about. The list was just too great to name. But I found my duffel bag and slung it over my shoulder, taking out my Dk-55 assault rifle, and slinging it over my other side. As I strode down the hull, I saw many punctures, hanging wires, and sheets of metal contorted beyond recognition. Finally I found a hole big enough to fit through, and crouched.
Outside was a small clearing, with mild green vegetation growing on the ground. Broken branches and the like littered the crash site, as well as rays of sunlight. To my right I saw Zeon and the others. They too had a rough landing. Bandages were visible on all of them,
“Alright is anyone seriously hurt?” I asked.
No one answered.
“Excellent, then let’s move…” Then it hit me. Where were we? And which way was the right way?
Marcus pulled out his PDA, pushed a button or two, and then said “Fort McHenry is roughly fifty seven miles west from here, so…that way.”
He pointed in front of us.
“Alright then, fan out and prepare to sweep the forest.” I ordered.
Everyone picked up their gear, took out their remaining weapons, and spread out. I began to do the same when I saw Linda stumble. Then I noticed the bandage on her leg. I outstretched my hand and helped her up.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Linda? That wound looks serious.” I asked.
“It’s just a flesh wound sir, I’m fine.” She replied moving on to catch up with the others. I took a glance behind me and surveyed the decimated transport one last time before turning around doing the same.
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Death Comes Swiftly 2.0