Meteorite Strike

by A. G. Taylor

  Moss slammed his fist down on the desk and grabbed a breathing mask from a hook by the door.

  “I’m going to check this out,” he snapped. “Hold the experiment until I’m back. I want to see this.”

  With that, he disappeared from the lab. Rachel waited a moment before moving to follow.

  “What about him?” the technician asked, jerking a thumb in the direction of Major Bright.

  “You heard Colonel Moss,” Rachel replied as she pulled on her breathing mask. “Hold the experiment.”

  She went through the airlock out of the lab. A Special Forces soldier stood on guard outside.

  “What’s going on here?” she asked.

  “Some kind of explosion at the edge of the dome,” he replied flatly. “Looks like it ripped a hole.”

  “Then get your breathing mask on!” Rachel exclaimed. “The air outside is still contaminated!”

  She looked around the scene of chaos. Smoke rose from the north-west side of the dome and a hot desert air was blowing sand and dust through a jagged tear. Sirens wailed around the base and people ran in all directions, desperate to get to their protective suits as quickly as possible. A group of mirror-masks ran past her in the direction of the smoke, carrying tools to repair the rip. Straining to see, Rachel made out the burning wreck of a military truck near the breach – it looked like one of theirs. Whatever was going on, Rachel’s first priority was to make sure her people were safe. She ran twenty metres to the nearest security post and grabbed the intercom.

  “This is Dr. Andersen,” she said into the mic. Her voice boomed out of the emergency speakers all around the base. “Dome integrity has been compromised. All science personnel are to stay within sealed buildings until further notice. Breathing masks must be worn for movement around the base. This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill.”

  She slammed the mic back into its cradle and made to run in the direction of the tear – if people were injured, they’d need her there.

  “Not so fast, doctor,” a man’s voice hissed from behind her. She stiffened as the muzzle of a gun was pressed into her back. It was impossible to tell whether the weapon was a dart-gun or something more deadly.

  “Back this way. Move quick.”

  A man’s hand grabbed Rachel roughly and pulled her behind the cover of a nearby building. When they were out of sight, he released her arm and she turned slowly. The first thing that struck her was the appearance of her attacker: his face was dirt-smeared and badly sunburned. She thought of the hole in the dome and realized that he must have come in from the outside.

  “Give me your key card,” the man demanded, weapon raised. Rachel now saw he held a dart-gun – non-lethal. He followed her gaze and guessed her thoughts.

  “I could stun you and then rip off your mask,” he threatened hoarsely, as if he was badly in need of water. “This air is still contaminated, right?”

  Rachel unclipped the key-card from her belt and tossed it. The man caught it deftly, keeping his eyes locked on her at all times. By the redness around the pupils, she judged that he was in the advanced stages of the viral infection and perhaps only had a short time before he entered a coma. If he’d been out in the desert, she wondered how he’d managed to fight off the effects of the fall virus for so long.

  “I take it that’s your handiwork,” she said, nodding at the rising smoke from the explosion. “Do you know how many people you’ve put in danger? If you needed medical help, all you had to do was go to the main gate.”

  “I’ve seen the kind of medical help HIDRA gives,” he said bitterly. “Where are my children?”

  Rachel frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Sarah and Robert,” he snapped back. “I’m taking them out of this place.”

  The man’s identity suddenly became clear to her. “You’re Daniel Williams! But you’re meant to be in a coma…”

  Daniel grabbed her arm again and pointed the gun in her face. “Don’t play stupid with me. You’re one of the head scientists, right? You run this place, so you know what goes on. It seems the colonel’s idea of patient care is leaving people for dead in the desert.”

  Rachel shook her head. “I run the scientific operation. Colonel Moss is in control of security…”

  “And you were just doing your job?” he interrupted with a harsh laugh. “He tried to have me killed.”

  “I didn’t know anything about that, believe me. Colonel Moss is out of control.”

  Daniel loosened his grip a little. “What have you been doing with my children?”

  Rachel pulled free of his grasp. “I’ve been protecting them!”

  Daniel shook his head. “You’re just as much a part of this as—”

  “FREEZE!”

  They both looked round. The Special Forces soldier from outside the lab stood a few metres away. He had an automatic pistol aimed at Daniel’s head.

  “Drop the weapon,” the soldier ordered. “I will shoot you.”

  Daniel’s shoulders slumped. He handed the dart-gun to Rachel with a final, accusatory glance.

  “Looks like you helped catch the intruder, doctor,” the soldier said, moving forward with the gun still raised. “Colonel Moss will be pleased.”

  Daniel laughed humourlessly. “Yes, well done. You should feel proud of yourself.”

  “Hit the ground,” the soldier barked. “Hands on your head.”

  Daniel lay face down as the soldier advanced. Rachel stepped back, weighing the dart-gun in her hand.

  “Are you okay, Dr. Andersen?” the soldier asked as he put his boot on Daniel’s back and reached for a set of wrist restraints on his belt. “Did he hurt you?”

  “Not as much as this will,” Rachel answered. She raised the dart-gun and shot the soldier in the neck. His body stiffened and his hand shot up to the embedded dart. A second later he toppled heavily over and landed face-first on the ground.

  Daniel turned his head and looked at her. “Changing sides, doctor?”

  Rachel shrugged. “I’ve exhausted my diplomatic efforts with the colonel.”

  Daniel pushed the unconscious soldier to one side and got to his feet. Rachel offered him the dart-gun but he picked up the automatic instead.

  “This will be more persuasive,” he said, sticking the weapon in his belt. “Where’s Sarah being kept?”

  “In one of the observation cells,” Rachel replied. “Colonel Moss is keeping her prisoner with the other kids.”

  Daniel’s eyes flashed anger, but he said nothing. He snatched the wrist restraints from the fallen soldier. “Let’s stash this guy before he comes round.”

  “There’s a storeroom where we can hide him,” Rachel suggested, “but you might want to grab his uniform first. And wash your face. You stand out a bit at the moment.”

  He nodded. “Good idea. Thanks for sticking your neck out.”

  “Colonel Moss has been having it all his own way for too long,” Rachel replied. “It’s time someone stood up to him.”

  Daniel grinned. “Then let’s do it.”

  Sarah ignored the soldier as he entered the room and walked round the side of her bed.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you,” she said firmly from where she lay, keeping her eyes locked on the ceiling. “I’m not doing what Moss wants until I’ve seen Robert. If you try to get me out of this bed, I’ll scream.”

  The soldier towered over her with his back to the mirror.

  “I see you’re as friendly as ever,” he said quietly.

  Sarah looked round at him in disbelief. “Dan—!”

  She stopped herself as Daniel shook his head slightly and jerked a thumb in the direction of the mirror. Mandy would be listening in.

  “I’m taking you to the colonel,” he said as he began to unhook the restraints holding her in place. “No more arguments.”

  “Okay, fine,” Sarah said aloud, moving to a sitting position so she could whisper to him. “I thought you were dead!”

  Daniel shook his
head. “It’ll take more than a short walk through the desert to finish me. But my doctor tells me I might not have long before the fall virus really takes hold, so we’d better move fast.”

  “You there,” Mandy’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Who gave you authorization to take this patient?”

  Daniel looked back at the mirror.

  “Colonel Moss wants to conduct more tests on her,” he said, trying to sound as official as possible.

  “I didn’t receive that order.”

  “Well he’s kinda busy with the security breach right now…” Daniel began.

  Mandy cut him short. “Stay there. I’m calling through for confirm—”

  There was a hissing sound through the speaker, as if a sleep dart had been fired near the mic, followed by a thud. Daniel and Sarah looked at one another.

  “Mandy’s taking a nap,” Rachel said from the mirror. “Well, don’t just stand there! Get moving!”

  Sarah didn’t need telling twice. She jumped out of the bed and dressed in seconds while Daniel watched the door. Rachel joined them as they ran for the exit.

  “I have to get back to Colonel Moss,” she told them as they scanned the dome. “I’ll try to keep him distracted for as long as possible. Robert’s being kept over there.” She motioned to one of the other buildings. “We probably have about an hour before Mandy and that soldier wake up. After that, I’ll try to hold things up as much as possible while you escape. Good luck.”

  She walked down the ramp, but Sarah ran after her, catching her arm.

  “Thank you,” Sarah said as she threw her arms around her. “Come with us.”

  “I have to stay for my scientists,” Rachel said, pulling away. “Colonel Moss is going to go crazy when he finds out I helped you, but I can’t just run away.”

  “It isn’t going to be safe for you here,” Daniel said.

  Rachel shrugged. “Even the colonel would think twice about harming a high-ranking scientist – I hope.” Her voice trailed away, not sounding very convinced. Then she said with resolve, “Just get out of here and tell the world what Colonel Moss is doing. We’re about three hours’ drive from the edge of the quarantine zone, but there are HIDRA checkpoints set up on all roads leading out. The colonel probably has men loyal to him stationed on all of them.”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Daniel answered. “First we have to make it out of the base.”

  Rachel nodded and wished them luck once more. Sarah watched her walk away and then turned to Daniel, a wave of concern washing over her as she saw him leaning against the side of the building, his face full of fatigue.

  “Are you okay?”

  Daniel nodded and pushed himself up. “For now. What’s the plan?”

  Sarah bit her lip.

  “You get us a vehicle,” she said, looking at the airlock in the distance. “I’ll get Robert. I’ll need some help breaking into his cell.”

  Daniel frowned. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to pick up a friend.”

  25

  When Rachel returned to the lab, she found Colonel Moss already there and standing in front of the observation window. As she entered, he turned and fixed her with a cold stare.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.

  “My men have the situation under control,” he snapped. “The breach is being stabilized. Where have you been?”

  “I needed to check some of the sleeper caskets before transportation,” she replied, casting an eye over the monitoring equipment. “You wouldn’t want any of the patients dying in transit, would you?”

  Colonel Moss gave her a cold smile that told her he really didn’t give a damn. In her absence he’d ordered the scientists to begin the experiment without her. Impatient as ever, Rachel thought. The fool.

  “From now on I want you close,” he said, keeping his eyes locked on Bright. “Just in case there are complications.”

  Rachel sighed. “You’re injecting one of your men with something we haven’t even properly tested on lab rats, Colonel. Of course there are going to be complications.”

  She beckoned over the nearest lab technician.

  “What’s Major Bright’s status?” she asked.

  “We injected the first modified viral sample five minutes ago,” the man responded. “His heart-rate went through the roof. We thought we were going to lose him, but he pulled through. Somehow.”

  Rachel stared at Major Bright through the glass as he strained against the wrist bonds holding his arms in place. His eyes were wide and bloodshot. She hadn’t thought it possible, but he actually looked madder and meaner than normal.

  “Of course he pulled through,” Colonel Moss snapped. “He’s ex-SAS. Now inject him with the virus farmed from Octavio.”

  Rachel turned to face Moss.

  “Colonel, this is madness,” she pleaded. “We don’t know what—”

  Moss held up a hand to silence her.

  “I’ve been patient for two years. Now I need results. You’ll inject Major Bright with another sample or you’ll take his place in the chair, Dr. Andersen.”

  Rachel sighed and looked round at the technician.

  “Do it,” she ordered. “If he survives that, give him the other four samples. The colonel wants results.”

  Moss nodded with approval and tapped the glass like someone trying to get the attention of an animal at the zoo. Major Bright’s head jerked round at the sound. His eyes glared at them as if he didn’t really know what he was seeing.

  “Well done, Rachel,” said Colonel Moss. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”

  “Sarah!” Louise cried as the soldier showed her through into the room. “You’ve already been today.”

  Sarah motioned for her to sit on the bed and grabbed the Monopoly board from the side.

  “Aww, not that again,” Louise moaned, flouncing her arms. “I’m bored. I don’t like this game. I don’t like any of the games they gave us. I want to go outside.”

  “Come on,” Sarah cajoled. “You know they won’t let us do that. Play with me…”

  Just pretend you’re having fun, she told the younger girl. We’re getting out of here now. I need you to help us.

  Louise nodded, her mouth open a little as she started to help Sarah set up the paper money in the tray.

  “I didn’t know you were coming again today, Sarah,” Magda said from the mirror. “Who brought you over?”

  From the corner of her eye, Sarah saw the green light on the door handle turn red. Magda had just locked them in.

  “They let me come by myself,” Sarah replied, not looking round. “As a reward for good behaviour.”

  Magda laughed. “From what I’ve heard, you haven’t been behaving well at all…”

  Sarah shut out her voice and concentrated on Louise.

  I want you to do something for me.

  What is it, Sarah?

  Do you think you can try to break the mirror again?

  The younger girl frowned and shook her head. But I was told not to…

  You want to get out, don’t you?

  But Magda will be angry…

  It’s okay. Nobody’s going to tell you off. Do it for me, okay?

  Louise looked uncertain for a moment, but then nodded. She walked over to the mirror and closed her eyes. For a few seconds nothing happened. She looked back at Sarah.

  I can’t…

  An alarm sounded in the dome outside. Louise’s eyes widened with fear as she heard it.

  “What’s happening out there?” Louise asked. “Those alarms have been going off all day.”

  “It’s okay,” Sarah said, moving over to place a hand on the younger girl’s shoulder. She directed her mind beyond the walls of the room, out into the area under the dome. Already damaged by Daniel’s entrance, the dome had begun to sag and tear even further – it looked like the whole thing was going to come down any minute.

  “Sarah, I wa
nt you and Louise to sit down on the bed,” Magda ordered with a distinct edge in her voice.

  Sensing that time was running out, Sarah grabbed Louise by the shoulders and turned her round, perhaps a little too roughly.

  You can break the mirror, Louise! YOU MUST!

  Sarah stopped as she saw the girl’s eyes begin to fill with tears. She put her arms around her.

  I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout…

  “Sarah, are you listening to me?” Magda demanded again.

  The younger girl let out a sob and pulled away from Sarah’s embrace. Wiping away the tears from her eyes, she looked back at the mirror with a frown.

  “Louise, be a good girl and sit down on your bed,” Magda ordered. “I’m sending in the guard.”

  I don’t want to stay here any more! Louise’s mind screamed out.

  She held out her hand at the mirror, fingers splayed. The image in the glass distorted strangely, like a funhouse reflection. The centre began to push inwards as if some unseen force was pressing on it. A crack began in the top right corner and grew towards the middle. Another appeared in the bottom left.

  “Stop that!” Magda ordered, a note of panic in her voice. “Step away from the glass! Sarah, make her stop!”

  But it was too late for that. With a mighty crack, the mirror exploded into the other room, leaving a gaping hole. On the other side of the gap Magda sheltered in the corner, showered with shards of broken glass. Sarah looked at Louise, first in surprise and then with a spreading grin. She threw her arms around her again.

  You did it!

  There wasn’t a moment to lose. Rising, Sarah jumped through the hole and pulled Louise after her.

  “Stay where you are!” Magda cried. Sarah sensed she was afraid of them. Good.

  “Hello, Magda,” said Sarah, taking a step forward. “I’m leaving now and Louise is coming with me.”

  Magda brushed pieces of mirror off her coat and stood up. She produced an electric stun gun from her pocket and levelled it at Sarah. “I want you to go back into the room, Sarah. There’s an emergency in the base and it’s not safe. Being shocked by this thing isn’t a nice experience. Come one step closer and I’ll hit you with it twice.”