by Nick Braker
Magnus wrenched his eyes from the monitor and the horrid scene outside. Carena had helped them. He knew she would continue to help them. They were all now free from their cells and shackles and had regrouped to plan their escape.
There were no clothes in the facility for Carena or Magnus, so Ruth had given Magnus her shirt to tie around his waist and Giselle had reluctantly agreed to give Carena her shirt. The shirt was long enough to reach Carena’s upper thighs but Magnus got the impression Carena was no longer concerned about her modesty.
Magnus relayed the story of how he had gotten free and had set a trap for his jailers. He told them everything. In different circumstances, he may have been inclined to hold back certain details but their lives were on the line and everything was important.
“No offense to you,” Joannah said, pointing to Carena, “but why didn’t you just kill her instead of having sex with her?”
He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
“I didn’t have a choice,” Magnus said. “Did anyone read the report on Warren’s encounter with the woman outside the Carlyle?” His team all nodded. “Well, I’m with Grep on this. They emit-”
“Kron women completely control the mating process,” Carena said. “Genetic manipulation over a thousand years is responsible. To survive, we modified many components of our DNA-”
“Do we have time for this?” Giselle asked.
“Carena?” Magnus asked.
“I do not know. Tia is waiting on me to contact her as is my-” Carena swallowed, “queen.”
“Katerra?” Ruth asked.
“Yes,” Carena replied, “though she will certainly execute me for my actions.”
Carena looked away.
“Why didn’t you control yourself?” Ruth asked.
Carena hesitated, glancing back. She sat up straight in her chair, facing them.
“I’ve never mated before... I did not know how.”
“Holy shit,” Giselle said. “Why the fuck did your people put you-”
“I don’t know anything... anymore,” Carena said.
Her eyes welled up. She blinked sending tears down her cheeks.
“Your people are not as evil as we’ve been led to believe,” Carena said. “Regardless of the TLA system’s insistence that you will destroy us, I will help you. I have often wondered why we destroy other races based on predictive algorithms.”
“Yeah, that is pretty fucked up,” Giselle said.
“We need to get out of here,” Ruth said, “and find a way back to Earth.”
“You were brought here by our teleportation device,” Carena said. “It is completely destroyed and during the port it seriously damaged our energy production systems. You will not be able to use it to return.”
“You nearly crippled yourselves just to prevent us from stopping your Omarii?” Ruth asked.
“I do not know,” Carena said. “It doesn’t make sense to me but I’m only given enough information to carry out my orders.”
“We need clothes,” Giselle said, rubbing her arms for warmth.
Ruth ignored her. “So, you were telling us... once we enter the north corridor, we set in motion an electronically controlled system that will allow us outside?”
“Yes, the system is installed on all exits from Kron structures and was recently added to this complex. We cannot risk carelessness in regards to the deadly plague outside. The system automates entering and exiting any building, preventing the bacteria from getting inside. It cannot be bypassed and, once activated, we are committed.”
“If we wanted, we could return but we’d have to go back through this system of yours?” Joannah asked.
“Yes, it’s just a safety mechanism,” Carena said, “nothing more.”
Ruth stared at Magnus. The situation was bad and they had little hope of escaping, let alone, getting home. Magnus shifted his weight forward away from the counter he was leaning on.
“We can’t do anything here, so we go somewhere that we can,” Magnus said.
“What?” Giselle asked.
“Let’s get to this central palace Carena mentioned,” Magnus said.
Giselle smacked her palm on her forehead.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Giselle said. “Oh, I remember, because it’s fucking suicidal.”
Carena stood, wiping the remaining tears from her face. “All of our best technology is within the palace complex.”
“You’re going to tell us it’s heavily guarded next?” Joannah asked.
“No. It is not.” Carena answered.
“She’s lying,” Giselle said.
Ruth moved to stand in front of Carena. The two women faced each other. Ruth grabbed her by the neck. “Let me be clear,” Ruth said, “if this is a trap or if you morph at any point, I will kill you before you can blink.”
Carena was unable to speak. Magnus touched Ruth’s shoulder.
“Let her go,” he said, gently. “She’s not the enemy. She has nothing to gain by lying to us.”
“Look at it this way. These Kron aren’t going to expect us to head deeper into enemy territory but the bigger reason is we need to get off this planet or at least contact Earth. We can only do that there. Anywhere else will take time that we don’t have.”
“Ruth,” Joannah said, “we’re fucked either way. At least the palace gives us a chance. We can’t stay here and we don’t dare brave the atmosphere longer than necessary.”
Ruth released Carena who grabbed her neck rubbing it gently from Ruth’s grip.
“There must be protective gear to get through that,” Ruth said, pointing to the monitor that showed the view from outside. “It’s in the exit corridor, right?”
Magnus pursed his lips, raising an eyebrow.
Carena nodded. “Once we suit up, I’ll start the sequence which will allow us to leave.”
“Enough,” Ruth said, “it’s time we do leave. I’m not going to stand around while our captors figure out we’re not prisoners anymore.”
“Uh oh,” Giselle whispered, leaning toward Magnus.
He shrugged and he raised his eyebrows at Giselle.
“When she gets like this,” Giselle whispered, “it’s do time.”
“Yeah,” he whispered to her, “as I’ve learned.”
Giselle and Joannah followed Ruth. She headed directly toward the north corridor, the exit out of the prison. Magnus motioned Carena to follow him. Once there, Carena opened the security door. The lights inside the small chamber flared and the lights behind them winked out.
“Ladies first,” he said.
Magnus entered last and the door closed automatically behind him. The computer spoke something unintelligible.
“Let me translate.” Carena said. “The computer stated the system is activated and we have two minutes to suit up.”
The room measured twenty feet wide and fifty feet long with environmental suits lining both walls. The suits were ivory colored and the helmets had large, front facing glass plates. The suits were light and made of smooth, rigid cloth. The group putt the suits on over their clothing. Carena returned Giselle’s shirt and used the suit to cover herself. Carena positioned the helmet and twisted it, locking it in place. A gentle hiss pressurized it.
“Uh oh,” Magnus said, holding up the suit in his hands.
Ruth’s eyes went wide.
“Wait,” Ruth said, locking her helmet in place, “are there any larger sizes?”
Carena’s jaw dropped open.
“No,” she said, shaking her head inside her helmet. “By the queen’s blessing, that is the largest we have.”
“Oh hell,” Giselle said, locking eyes with Joannah. They exchanged knowing looks.
“What the-” Ruth said, moving to Carena. “He’ll die!”
Magnus intercepted Ruth, holding her back from Carena. Ruth jerked away from Magnus’ grip, still glaring at her.
“Everyone,” Ruth ordered, “right now, find the largest suit. Move.”
Giselle and
Joannah split up, examining the suits on both sides of the small room. They each grabbed the largest from each side, rushing back to Magnus. They held them up next to him. The two helmets were large enough but Magnus’ bulk would not fit in either suit.
“Automated environmental containment cycle beginning,” the computer said with Carena interpreting.
“Order the computer to stop,” Giselle yelled.
“I am so sorry, Magnus,” Carena said.
Magnus didn’t blame her. Carena’s life had gone a full 180 degrees. The alien woman was trying to help as best she could but the simple things that she would normally take for granted were never questioned. The idea that the suits would not fit him was the last thing on her mind right now. He was surprised she could function with everything that had occurred.
“Countdown beginning,” the computer continued.
“It will not respond,” Carena said, shaking her head. “Its design is to prevent contamination-”
“10-”
“I don’t give a fuck-” Giselle continued.
“9-”
“Enough,” Ruth ordered. “Magnus.”
He could see it in her eyes. Ruth was tough but she cared deeply for him. Did she love him? She probably thought she did.
“7-”
“-You better-”
“6-”
“-hope that Aliri-”
“5-”
“-augmentation of yours-”
“4-”
“-can keep you alive.”
“3-”
She grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to face her.
“2-”
The others stood, fully suited, watching Magnus and Ruth. She embraced him, holding him in her arms. Her helmet’s glass facing touched his forehead.
“1-”
“I love you,” Ruth whispered.
Magnus pulled her closer, squeezing her tight.
“I’m not dying here,” Magnus said.
Chapter 13
KADA
Kron - Capital City of Citron
Several hours earlier
Katerra
Katerra had ordered an additional surveillance system installed in Magnus’ cell without Carena or Tia’s knowledge. She watched Carena as she cared for Magnus, listening to their conversation. Tia’s presence would interfere so Katerra had ordered her to return to Citron. She wanted Tia out of the way, giving Carena and Magnus time together.
The bonds still held the human to the prison’s floor as the two talked. Carena’s affinity toward the helpless, her naivety and her knowledge of xenobiology made her the perfect subject. Katerra now knew the data they had on human physiology was in error; likely being filtered and changed by the multi-phased probes controlled by the Aliri. Alestron wanted Katerra to believe the humans were not similar to her species but Katerra knew better now and planned to keep that knowledge to herself. Only Kada could be trusted with her plan and Katerra had taken extraordinary steps to ensure Agneta and the rest of her people remained ignorant.
“You are similar to our Omarii then?” Carena asked. “They are what you would call warriors.”
“I suppose,” Magnus said, “though not as craz..., wait, why are your Omarii chosen?”
“What do you mean?” Carena asked.
No, do not tell him about the Omarii. He must not know how the humans are affecting them.
“Every single one that I’ve met was insane,” Magnus said.
“It is a side-”
Katerra slammed the button connecting her station to Carena’s comm-device on her wrist.
“Report,” Katerra ordered.
Carena jumped at the sound of her voice.
Good.
“My queen,” Carena said.
Magnus shook his head at Carena mouthing the word please.
He wants her to lie for him. Good. Lie, Carena. Lie.
Carena stared at him, her eyes filled with fear.
“Carena, report,” Katerra said, raising her voice.
“My queen,” Carena responded. “The human females are still unconscious. The male recovered-”
“As expected,” Katerra said, interrupting her. “He has shown great resilience and physical prowess. He is one of their best. Tia reports that he was rendered unconscious by her demonstration. Has he recovered from it?”
Magnus shook his head more. Carena paused.
“No,” Carena said, swallowing. She covered her mouth.
“I see,” Katerra said. “Contact me as soon as he does.”
Katerra cut the connection and leaned back. Her plan was moving along and soon Magnus would be completely in her control.
Now, only a few small details remain. Come to me, Magnus.
Kron - Prison complex just outside Citron
Tuesday, October 27, 1987 - 05:35pm
Magnus
“Positive pressure will help keep the bacteria out of the room but we cannot stay here,” Carena said.
The prison facility’s exit hatch opened automatically as part of the preprogrammed process. The wind shifted wildly outside, throwing dirt and ash in all directions. Lights flared along poles ten feet high. They were arrayed in a straight line, leading away from the prison facility. Kron’s atmosphere darkened the lighted poles and, in the distance, the poles faded from sight.
“Too rota toll a ex is,” the computer said.
“Oh no,” Carena said.
“What do you mean oh no?” Giselle said, yelling into her helmet’s mic. “What was that gibberish?”
“The computer said we have approximately one of your Earth minutes left to exit,” Carena said, “but it’s not what the computer said. There is a storm coming. Positive pressure is not going to help. We must move quickly.”
“Where the hell did this storm come from?” Joannah yelled. “It wasn’t here a moment ago.”
“Magnus will die out there,” Ruth yelled in her helmet. “We need to get him into this vehicle you spoke of and then to Citron.”
The roar of the wind swirled around them, forcing the black ash and dirt into the room.
“Move,” Magnus and Ruth both said at the same time.
“Get in that thing,” Magnus ordered, pointing to a strange looking vehicle about fifty feet from the airlock door.
It sat motionless, even under the force of the wind. The vehicle had four large, gray wheels that were heavily grooved. He estimated the wheels were twice his height. The cabin had a rectangular metallic base with a half-sphere glass dome on top allowing visibility around it. Carena went first. She struggled with the wind which forced her to lean right as she worked her way to the vehicle. She stooped down, moving under it to the very center of the vehicle. She tapped a switch on the bottom and a small hatch opened. The hatch also served as a ladder. She quickly climbed inside.
“Magnus is next,” Ruth ordered, pushing him out of the airlock.
“Wait,” Carena said through her helmet mic, “let me get the cruiser closer to the exit door.”
Would Carena leave them behind? This would be her chance. Magnus had been wrong before and Carena’s alien biology could mask her real purpose.
“Magnus,” Ruth said, changing her mind. “Wait.”
The vehicle moved but Magnus could not discern any visible start up. It was powered like everything here, alien. The vehicle rolled forward and then turned left with all four wheels rotating together. Carena had lined up the vehicle’s backside with the prison’s exit door. She drove it backwards to the door and again the monstrosity sat motionless. Magnus’ shoulders relaxed, Carena was helping them.
Magnus held his breath as he stepped out into the harsh alien world. The wind pushed at him, trying to blow him left. Several desperate steps later, he reached the back of the vehicle. He used the large wheel on his right to buffer some of the wind as he struggled to reach the hatch. He dashed toward it, grabbing one of its handles. The wind howled as it blew over everything it touched, making it difficult to hear. He hooked his left
arm on the handle and held it up to shield his eyes while he secured his footing and looked back, waving them forward with his other arm.
Ruth yelled something at him but without one of their helmets, he couldn’t hear her. Giselle went next. She stepped through bracing herself as the wind slammed her left before she could get a good hold.
“Shit,” Giselle screamed as it knocked her down, spinning her along the ground away from the safety of the room and the cruiser. “I’m—” Giselle’s arms splayed wildly trying to find purchase to stop herself.
Magnus had to save though his body needed air. His lungs began to burn but he couldn’t let her die. He had to do something. He dove toward her, remembering the lower gravity. The wind pushed him farther than he wanted and he landed a few feet past her. He had misjudged the wind but the mistake had worked in his favor. She rolled into him. Magnus encircled his arms around Giselle, holding her and stopping her from rolling farther. He struggled to his feet, keeping her steady in his arms. The black ash and debris carried by the wind had dropped visibility to a few feet. He held his left hand up trying to shield his eyes. He searched the area trying to find the vehicle. Magnus couldn’t see it but he knew roughly which way to head. He searched Giselle’s face getting her attention and then pointed back into the wind. She nodded. Together they leaned into it, struggling as they worked their way back to the cruiser. The wind buffeted them, threatening again to send them flying away.
“Giselle, are you two okay?” Ruth asked. “We can’t see you.”
“Yes, we’re on our way back,” Giselle said.
“Alright, Joannah, let’s do this together,” Ruth ordered, locking arms with her.
Giselle pushed her helmet closer to Magnus, relaying their words to him. He nodded and pointed to his EP.
“Our EPs are working again?” she asked.
Magnus nodded pointing his finger between the two of them. He could hear her through his EP. For some reason, it was working but only with Giselle. She nodded, understanding.
The wind’s speed grew and the roar aggravated an already bad situation. He couldn’t hear anything except for his EP and the howl of wind that carried the deadly bacteria. He continued to hold his breath as they worked their way back to the cruiser. His EP picked up Joannah and Ruth’s rushed breathing. Were they in trouble? He couldn’t afford the air to ask the question.
