Rise of the Carnelians (Europa)

by Jason Gehlert

  “Mild ones?” Gillian swirled her own glass of Vodka. It was a little more than halfway done. She never drank the hard stuff, but she was falling for Kaspar and wanted to impress him.

  “We unleashed a sinister species of alien organisms.” Shaw raised his crystal glass once more, and rolled the red rum around inside like a wave on the ocean. “There had to be thousands of the little shits running around after they had infiltrated the space station and the moon’s surface and caves.”

  “We haven’t seen them,” Kaspar replied back.

  “They killed my team. They attacked Reggie first in the hallway, and he tried to escape into the control room. They feasted on him with a fierceness I haven’t seen before. And, I am a hunter. I’ve never seen anything like it. And, to boot, they can fucking regenerate. That’s one of the ways they expand their species. You blow one in half and they completely grow a new body. It’s maddening.”

  “What about the others?” Gillian asked.

  “Ellen managed to escape after being bitten. I think she tried to hide in one of the lockers. These things are fucking deranged. They drove my captain to kill himself, rather than fall prey to their menacing claws. And trust me, he was a stubborn old man. So for them to finally get him to crack, they must have cranked up the pressure.”

  Kaspar was curious about Shaw’s uncanny resiliency. “How did you survive?”

  “I killed as many as possible and then hid in one of the beds in the medical lab. That was the one place where they could not find me, or get to me. They thrive in darkness, hence their free roam over the moon’s landscape. The station was well lit, until they found a way around that problem.”

  “I’m sorry,” Gillian replied with a heavy heart.

  “Don’t be, sweetheart,” Shaw countered, finishing off the rum. “We need to band together and finish them off once and for all.”

  “What do you suggest?” Kaspar asked.

  “They are called Carnelians,” Shaw added. “I know that because they tried to infiltrate my mind, but I resisted. They state that they were on a mission to devour Earth. While they were on their merry way several thousand years ago, a passing comet knocked their ship from its path and sent it crashing into Europa’s surface. A menacing ice age caused by the comet’s collision kept them at bay until we arrived and unleashed them.”

  “They were busy feeding your head with this nonsense?” Gillian couldn’t believe it. “I doubt a species frozen for thousands of years has a stranglehold on the universe.”

  “How do you know that?” Shaw flexed his verbal muscles. “How do we know what the hell is out there? They picked at my brain and fed me this information. They have also encountered the previous team as well. Who knows if they didn’t succeed in getting off the moon by compromising the other team’s crew?”

  “It sounds like a bad sci-fi movie to me,” Gillian responded sharply .

  “I heard about this. I played the captain’s video journal,” Kaspar added to bring Shaw up to speed.

  “Nigel was always in front of that damn camera.” Shaw said fondly, remembering his friend.

  “Well, he gave us plenty of information about these alien creatures.”

  “Kaspar, I don’t doubt Nigel’s video message. It is true, every single word. I am willing to offer my services to your team.” Shaw strolled around the table. He raised his empty glass which only had a few remaining ice cubes clanging about.

  “I would like that.” Kaspar eyed Shaw. He wasn’t particularly fond of Shaw’s cocky attitude, but he did bring valuable information to the mission. “I need to know about these creatures in detail.”

  “Okay. When Ellen returned from one of our routine missions, one had attached itself to the back of her suit and managed to escape into the duct work. Within a matter of days, several more infiltrated the station.” Shaw sucked in the ice cube and cracked it inside his mouth.

  “How so?” Gillian started to carefully taste the Vodka, before allowing it to enter her mouth. She never had the stiff drink before. Her lips bent backwards, curled in anticipation of the Vodka’s incredible strength.

  “Nigel and I found a small hole in one of the outer walls. I suspect after my team accidentally freed from their icy stasis they began to claw and dig their way into the station.”

  “Is the station compromised?” Kaspar asked.

  “Not right now. I personally finished off the rest of the species myself. At least, I thought I did. There is a lower level that has been completely under siege.”

  “So, that’s why you hid in the bed?” Kaspar challenged.

  “I saw another wave of blue spreading out across the moon’s surface and panicked.”

  “Understandable.” Kaspar polished off his drink.

  “These things adapt to almost anything. They are blue in color, and have four limbs, just like us.”

  “Interesting,” Kaspar and Gillian echoed.

  “What can they do?” Kray asked from across the table.

  “They can either run, walk, or manifest their bodies into tiny balls and roll across whatever landscape stands before them. I’ve also learned that they can survive underwater as well. These aliens have claws that they can retract at a moment’s notice. They are well suited for this rocky environment. Not to mention, it hurts like hell when they dig those suckers into your skin. Reggie fell victim to their claws, and their suction technique.”

  “What’s that?” Gillian prodded.

  “When they open their hands, they have these small suction like openings in the palms of their hands. They use these to suck out your blood, fluids, and brain matter.”

  “Any good news?” Kaspar stared down Shaw.

  “Not really.” Shaw crushed the last remaining ice cube inside his mouth. “They have speed, agility, and determination beyond comparison. I also felt one of them trying to read my mind. I suspect they have superior mental abilities compared to us. Nigel went crazy after some of them swarmed around him inside his office.”

  “Do we have any good news?” Kaspar again repeated the question.

  “They are afraid of light and fire,” Shaw added.

  “Is this conclusive evidence?” Kaspar asked, wanting to know exactly what he was dealing with.

  “I flooded Nigel’s office with light, and watched them burn and sizzle right there. They started to implode and explode their contents all over the place.” Shaw said, hinting at the possible defensive tactic.

  “They didn’t regenerate?” Gillian asked.

  “They were burning and didn’t have that chance.” Shaw gazed across the room. Everyone was glued to his overbearing presence.

  Kaspar took a liking to an idea. “We need to flood the station then.”

  “One problem.” Shaw withdrew a 9mm that he had tucked underneath his red and orange jacket.

  “Where did you get that?” Kaspar asked.

  “Your not the only one with access to the artillery room.” Shaw cracked his jaw, and then snapped his neck around, crackling the bones.

  “What’s the problem, Shaw?”

  “These fuckers ate through the wires, and drowned three-quarters of the space station in total darkness.”

  “Well, we have light in here,” Gillian said.

  “Once the emergency generator falters, we will be sitting ducks. We will get picked off one by one by these creatures.” Shaw grimaced

  “So, let’s give them one hell of a welcome party.” Kaspar smoothed his tongue over his lips. He leaned in closer to his team.

  “This entire space station is riddled with the vermin,” Shaw said. “There’s a lot more to this space station, square footage wise, that you guys haven’t even touched yet. They are in those areas where the darkness is fresh and permanent. I think the only way to survive is to blow this thing sky-high, taking every last one with the blast.”

  “I agree.” Kaspar rose to face off with Shaw. “Are you competent with a weapon?”

  “Yeah. I love picking off those aliens. It�
�s like a video game for me. Only with no points, and I can’t press the restart button if I die,” Shaw responded in a gritty tone.

  “Okay, here’s the plan.” Kaspar drew up the scenario. “Our ship’s damaged, and not infested by these aliens. Ulysses, my engineer, will repair the ship. Shaw, you and I will lay the explosives since the station is under attack. Kray will pair off with Gillian and gather the medical supplies, rest of the food, and pour through Captain Brody’s journal to see if there is any further information about these Carnelians. Right, Carnelians?” Kaspar glanced over at Shaw and threw a gun magazine over to him.

  “Yeah, that’s right.” Shaw curled his lips and tightened his jaw. “I can’t stand that name.” Shaw slammed the replenished magazine cartridge into his 9mm. “Lock and load.”

  “Oh, yeah, one more thing,” Kaspar addressed Shaw.

  “What?”

  “This is my team. We act as a team. No flamboyant shit. No slick stuff, got it?”

  “Whatever.”

  “Listen, you are our main weapon against these aliens. You have key intelligence that could prove vital. It will mean nothing if we go off hot dogging.”

  “Agreed,” Gillian and Kray added.

  “Yeah, sure. A team,” Shaw muttered.

  “And, we don’t leave anyone behind. That’s another one of my pet peeves.” Kaspar’s eyes shifted about, showing Shaw that he meant business.

  “Leave no one behind. Especially the cute red-head,” Shaw replied, shooting off wink in Gillian’s direction.

  “Especially her.”A good feeling rush over Kaspar while he peered over at Gillian.

  “Christ, another one with Adrian’s inflated ego,” Gillian shot back.

  “And feisty. I like that.” Shaw opened his eyes wide and let off a deep chortle.

  Kaspar immediately stepped in.“Back off.”

  “Why? Is she yours?”

  “As a matter of fact, we are together,” Kaspar said. He was speaking truthfully from the heart, only he hadn’t shared his feelings with Gillian yet. Kaspar never was one for finesse when it came to his emotions. He always seemed to blurt them out at the wrong time.

  Gillian peeked over at Kaspar with a rising glow to her face. She felt a warm feeling inside her. To have such a gruff man utter something mildly romantic, made her feel like she was walking on air.

  “Really? You dig her?” Shaw asked.

  “Yeah, I do. I dig her. I find her attractive, witty, and a great listener. She also has great freckles, and an adorable smile. After all, she’s put up with my stubbornness all mission long. If that’s not reason enough to like her, then I don’t know what is.” Kaspar let off a deep breath. “Why? Do you have a problem with that, Shaw?”

  “Nah. I respect your team concept. I also respect when a man stands up for what he believes in. I see you not only believe in your mission, but your feelings for the red-head over there. Mr. Kaspar, you have my loyalty to your team and I will do my best to assist you in any way possible.”

  Shaw responded in a totally different way than Gillian thought he would. She underestimated the gruff hunter. Shaw extended his hand to Kaspar for a handshake to complete the deal.

  Kaspar, who felt a bit warm from sharing his feelings, quickly shook Shaw’s hand and turned away.

  Shaw shifted his attention to Gillian. “Hey, red-head, whatever spell you have over this guy, keep it up. It takes a lot to make a gruff, stubborn man feel emotion. Trust me, I felt that way a long time ago.” Shaw passed by Gillian and tapped her on the shoulder in a friendly manner, continuing his way towards the exit.

  “Is it true?” Gillian asked when she walked over to Kaspar.

  “Yeah,” Kaspar softly replied. “I like you, Jilly. I like you a lot.”

  Gillian let off one her adorable smiles, displaying the dimples on the corner’s of her mouth. “I like you, too.” She planted a soft kiss on Kaspar’s cheek.

  Kaspar turned around and returned the favor. He pressed his lips firmly against Gillian’s and pulled her closer to him. The two shared a warm embrace, finally setting off the fireworks that had been building since the Abagail’s launch four years ago. Leaving Gillian to catch her breath, he turned on his heel and followed Shaw out the door.

  Kaspar caught up with Shaw in the corridor.

  “Are we back to man-land yet?” Shaw asked, taking notice of Kaspar’s weak moment back in the mess hall.

  “I feel better than ever.”

  “Good. Listen, there’s something else I’d like to share with you,” Shaw said with a concerned tone in his voice.

  “Which is?”

  “I didn’t want to spook the other two back there.” Shaw cocked his head toward the galley.

  “What’s up?”

  “These aliens; I believe they can control you. They can control you with their mental abilities. I saw it when Nigel started his downward spiral. I actually think one of those shits had gotten inside his body and controlled him that way.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “I have a feeling. Usually when my gut twists and turns, I’m usually right.”

  “What can we do?”

  “Listen, just take notice of any abnormal behavior in your team.”

  “Like?”

  “Mood swings. My captain had many of them. And, he was a quiet guy, mostly,” Shaw said. “I think they wanted off the moon in the worst possible way.”

  “How do you know this?” Kaspar asked.

  “I felt one of them reading my mind, searching for ways to escape the moon. I think that’s why they infiltrated the captain’s body. They needed him to fly the Amity out of here, to wherever they were headed.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Yeah. The problem was, the Amity was crushed beyond repair. It would’ve taken a lot more than one person to fix that baby up.”

  “Well, our ship has an engineer who could fix it.”

  “Watch him closely. He might be one of their targets. Can he fly?” Shaw inquired.

  “Yeah, he’s my second-in-command.”

  “Definitely watch his back,” Shaw warned Kaspar.

  “We lost our team out there.”

  “I know. That young guy had one already in his system. I had to kill him. Once they get inside you, it’s all over. I’m sorry.”

  “War has its casualties. It’s rough. He was our only medical officer,” Kaspar responded with a heavy heart. “Ulysses went after him, though. We leave no one behind.”

  “I admire that nobility. But at what cost?” Shaw approached the artillery room.

  “We were brought here to help colonize the moon. That’s going to be difficult if these aliens are proving to be a problem. I’d hate to blow up everything we’ve worked for to eliminate the threat. Then where do we go?”

  “Captain Brody was an avid astronomer, as well. In his notes, I think he might have found another solution.”

  “Which was?”

  “Fuck if I know. Your girlfriend seems to have the brain capacity to understand his notes. I bet she’d be able to figure it all out. He was very secretive when it came to his journals.”

  “So, there’s more than the video journal?” Kaspar asked following Shaw into the weapons’ room.

  “Oh, hell yeah. Captain Brody always believed in the old-fashioned way of communication. He embraced the technological revolution, but at night, when he was alone in his quarters, he preferred to write. He said one day he’d write his memoirs. The first man to colonize Europa. I think the title of his book was actually going to be Europa. A stupid title if you ask me. Who the hell would title a book Europa?”

  “Well, we don’t have a lot of explosives,” Kaspar noted taking inventory of the weapons.

  “We’re going to have to compromise,” Shaw said.

  “We can always open the bullets we will not need for our weapons for gunpowder. Leave a trail to a designated area where we will get more bang for our buck.” Kaspar surveyed the room for a map. “This station
has four corners?”

  “Yeah, and a huge epicenter where the main generator is.”

  “Maybe we can lead a trail into the generator, and then ignite the gunpowder from a distance.”

  “All of our neat toys were damaged on either the Amity’s crash or were left on the moon’s surface.”

  “That’s nice. We will figure this out. Any other way to kill them off without blowing up the space station?”

  Shaw rubbed his chin attempting to locate a thought. “I got nothing right now.”

  “Any liquid nitrogen on board? Dynamite? C-4?”

  “Not to my knowledge. We didn’t really have a lot of time to explore the station.”

  “Is there another hangar located on the station?”

  “We found space suits, the generator room, and yes, now that you mention it. Reggie found another series of docking bays on the opposite side of the space station.”

  “Where’s the main map for this place?”

  “The captain had it in his office. He never let it out of his sight.”

  “I’m going to need to take a look at the map. I want to memorize this place inside and out. I will try to find a way to do this without blowing up the entire station.”

  “All I can say is, good luck,” Shaw offered uncertainly.

  “We’re going to need it.”

  Adrian gripped the harpoon gun tightly and approached the chamber’s doors. He pressed the button and waited. His eyes stared out of his cracked helmet and patiently waited for the doors to open. There was no rush. One of the helmet’s mini-flashlights was crushed, while the other emitted a dim light into the dark distance. The helmet suffered major damage from Adrian’s attack inside the caves. He definitely was on the short end of an ass-kicking.

  The darkness seemed to empower Adrian. His step was brisk, his entire body seemed to flow with a relentless desire to escape from this moon, at any cost.

  Ulysses noticed the reddish light for the chamber doors was rapidly blinking on the control panel. He made his way down to the departure room, picking up Reggie’s idle weapon in the process. “Just so I feel better,” Ulysses mumbled and he headed down the corridor.