Phoenix In Chaos (Exodus)

by Robert Stadnik

  “Captain,” came the sound of a distorted electronic voice. A pair of hands grabbed John by the arms and threw him hard against the wall, stunning him as he fell to the floor.

  Unlike the captain, Evan got a clear look at the intruder. The computer module sat on the shoulders of a humanoid body. The creature turned towards Evan, who fired several rounds from his pulse gun. The humanoid collapsed and Evan raced to the captain’s aid.

  “You alright?” said Evan as he helped John to his feet.

  “Yeah,” said John, pointing his gun at the humanoid creature laying on the floor. “You think it’s dead?”

  Evan didn’t have a chance to answer. Some noises caught their attention and the pair looked to see several more humanoids with computer modules at the rear entrance of the shuttle. John fired his gun several times, forcing the creatures to retreat away from the shuttle.

  “Computer, close rear door!” yelled John. “Evan, get us out of here!”

  Evan jumped in the pilot seat and had the shuttle off the ground seconds later. John, still standing guard near the humanoid body, opened a channel to the science team. “Shuttle Four to science team,” said John. “Assemble and prepare for immediate evac. Repeat, prepare for immediate evac.”

  “What?!” said Michael Wilkin over the speakers. “We’ve haven’t even started…”

  John wasn’t in the mood for an argument. “This is your captain. You got two minutes to get your ass in gear. That’s an order!”

  “Y..ye..yes, sir.”

  When the shuttle touched down at the clearing, the entire science team was waiting with all their equipment packed. John hustled them into the shuttle. Several team members asked about the body laying on the floor, but the captain gave them no answers, only instructing them to stay clear of it.

  Back on PHOENIX, the entire shuttle team was taken to medical for decontamination. The humanoid body was taken there as well under full security escort. John debriefed his senior staff as he watched the medical team begin their examination of the body.

  Along with a security detail, Doctor Myers and two nurses were in the main surgical bay, sealed by force fields, examining the humanoid. John, Julie, Thresha and Chris Anne were in the observation area. John was still physically shaking from the whole experience.

  “Captain, you’re alright,” said Chris, trying to calm him down. “You’re safe.”

  “I know,” said John. “It’s just that…, if you would have seen…” He couldn’t muster the words. The image of the geologist’s head in that jar was fresh in his mind.

  “You are attempting to cope with the experience,” said Thresha, who could sense the captain’s fear.

  “I never imagined witnessing something so terrible,” said John.

  “You don’t have to talk about it,” said Julie.

  “His head, I saw his head,” said John. He wanted to shake that horrible image, but he couldn’t.

  “Captain, do not speak of it,” said Thresha. “Not until you are ready.”

  Julie checked her DAT. One person was unaccounted for from the science team: Jeffrey McCail. She had no doubt it was Jeffrey’s head John saw on the planet. She shuddered at the thought of dying by decapitation.

  Doctor Myers emerged from the surgical bay and approached the group. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

  “No shit,” said John.

  “The body is organic, and it’s human. DNA testing confirms the body is Jeffrey McCail.”

  “How the hell can that be?” said John. “That’s impossible!”

  “Captain, we’re looking at some very advanced technology here,” said Myers. “Now you said you saw Mr. McCail’s head in the cave?”

  John nodded as he tried to block that image out of his mind. “It was in a container. His entire spine was also in it.”

  “Some sort of computer module and artificial spinal unit was grafted onto the body,” said Myers. “I would speculate both devices were meant to replace the head and spine.”

  “Doctor,” said Julie. “Jeffrey was only missing for a little while. How could what’s left of him move around so soon after such an invasive procedure?”

  “There’s no evidence of surgical scarring or bruising,” said Myers. “The medical knowledge to pull off such a feat without leaving any surgical evidence would be far advanced of what we know. It’s really quite remarkable.”

  “Remarkable isn’t the word I would use,” said John angrily. “A member of the crew is dead.”

  “Hey, easy captain,” said Chris, rubbing him on the back.

  “Whoever did this has demonstrated some very advanced techniques,” said Myers. “Certainly far more than what we’re capable of.”

  “What would be the purpose of doing this?” asked Thresha. “What benefit would be gained from altering an individual in such a manner?”

  “Captain, Drix is waving at us,” said Julie. The Cresorian was in the surgical bay examining the module.

  “All of you wait here,” said John. “Doctor.”

  John and Myers entered the surgical bay as the others remained outside.

  “The captain is greatly disturbed about what happened,” said Thresha.

  “I don’t blame him,” said Chris. “I couldn’t imagine seeing something so horrible.”

  “The captain’s strong,” said Julie. “He’ll get through this.”

  John and Myers joined Drix by the surgical bed. “The module is attempting to reactivate itself,” said Drix. “I have placed a block on its reactivation protocol.”

  “Have you seen this technology before?” asked John.

  “No, but it is highly advanced. I am detecting a complex network of pathways that seem to emulate humanoid neurologic structures.”

  “Captain, that would make sense,” said Myers. “The computer module acts as a replacement for an organic head. The pathways Drix found may act as a replacement for humanoid neurological functions.”

  “That would explain how the body was able to move around,” said John.

  “It’s possible the module itself may be sentient,” said Myers.

  “Your theory is sound,” said Drix. “However, I have not heard of artificial sentient beings in existence.”

  John wanted to put the entire body in an airlock and flush it into space, but he knew they needed to get some answers.

  “Pulse guns at the ready,” he told security. “Drix, remove the activation block. We need to know if this thing can tell us anything.”

  The Cresorian removed the block via his DAT and suddenly the module lit up. It made some mechanical sounds and various colored lights blinked on it.

  “I am in the medical bay on the PHOENIX,” said the module.

  “That’s correct,” said John, trying to hide the fear in his voice.

  “I am unable to move this body. My sensors indicate it is in a state of decomposition.”

  “The body was killed by several shots from a pulse gun,” said Myers.

  “Shots fired when you attacked me,” added John.

  “Captain Roberts,” said the module. “I am grateful that you brought me back to PHOENIX. It allows me to express the Io’s desire to enhance the existence of all races.”

  “The Io?” asked John.

  “The Io is who bestowed this wonderful gift to me.”

  John didn’t like the module’s use of the word gift to describe the murder of a crew member. “Who the hell are you?”

  “It is I, Jeffrey McCail. Geologist and member of your crew.”

  The response shook John. “Jeffrey’s dead. I saw his head on the planet.”

  “You are confused. Organic neurological biomatter is inefficient. The Io simply transferred the neurological essence of myself into this unit, and opened my eyes to the possibilities. Humans have far more potential than they realize. The Io can do so much for you and our crew.”

  “You’re not a member of my crew,” said John as he gritted his teeth.

  “Captain,
I was a member of the EXODUS Project for seven years. I’ve been in a relationship with Betty Christen of the engineering department for two years.”

  “Shut it off, Drix,” said John, unable to listen to the module any longer.

  “Captain,” said the module. “The Io can ensure our success against the Screen.”

  “I said shut it down!” ordered John. Drix quickly powered down the module as the captain and doctor left the surgical bay and returned to the observation area.

  “How the hell does it know about us?” said John. “Is it possible McCail’s mind is in that thing?”

  “I don’t see how,” said Myers. “A copy of his memory engrams, maybe. But transferring organic synapses to an artificial device is impossible.”

  “I did not sense anything emotional from the device,” said Thresha. “Perhaps if I tried to telepathically link with the module…”

  “Absolutely not,” said John. “I don’t want to endanger you. Doctor, can you remove the module from Jeff’s body?”

  “I believe so.”

  “Do it, and dispose of the body according to Jeff’s wishes. Drix, examine the module with the computer and AI departments as you see fit. But when not being examined it’s to be kept under tight security control.”

  “Yes, John Captain.”

  “Julie, set a course out of the system.”

  “You don’t want to try and contact the Io?”

  “As far as I’m concern, what they did to Jeff clearly indicates they’re hostile. I want us out of here.” John left medical, but Julie caught up to him.

  “Captain, a member of the crew was murdered. Protocol dictates that we conduct an investigation and try to make contact with the…”

  “No one steps foot on that planet,” said John vehemently. “Julie, we need to get away from here.”

  “You’re scared,” said Julie.

  “Your damn right I’m scared!” John made no effort to hide his feelings. “Now I’m giving you an order and I expect you to follow it.”

  Julie had never seen John so afraid before. What he saw down on the planet really got to him. “Alright, I’ll have PHOENIX out of the system within the hour.”

  John said nothing more and left Julie in the corridor. She returned to medical and rejoined the group.

  “Is there anything I can do to help the captain?” asked Thresha.

  “I think he just needs some time to process what happened,” said Julie.

  “I don’t think anyone would be coping well after seeing a chopped off head,” remarked Chris.

  “The captain wants us out of the system and that’s what we’ll do,” said Julie. “Chris, can you check if there’s a Betty Christen on board?”

  “I already did,” said Chris. “Like that thing said, she’s an engineer.”

  “Someone better talk to her,” said Julie. “If that thing is correct and Betty and Jeffrey were a couple, she’ll need some counseling.”

  “I’ll take care of it immediately,” offered Chris.

  The group dispersed, but Julie remained in medical. She looked at the body laying in the surgical bay. She felt a twinge of fear as she looked at the computer module. The idea of Jeffrey’s mind being in that module disturbed her.

  Betty Christen was approached by Ecerson and Chris Anne in engineering. She had heard that something had happened on the planet, and when the two appeared, she knew it had to do with Jeffrey. They broke the news to her in the chief engineer’s office, and they spent the next few hours consoling her.

  John retired to his quarters for the rest of the day. He was relieved when he saw the ship had jumped out of the system. He took a shower, trying to shake the awful images in his mind. But he couldn’t get rid of the image of Jeff’s head. Was he alive when they decapitated him? Or did they show mercy and knock him out first? John wanted to believe the geologist felt nothing, but the horrific look fixed on his face led John to believe that the crew member was quite aware of what was being done to him.

  John emerged from the bathroom tying his robe around him when his door chimed. “Who is it?” He wasn’t in the mood for any company.

  “Commander Olson.”

  “Come in.” John felt obligated to meet with her, especially after barking orders at her earlier. He was scared, but it was no excuse to behave the way he did to Julie. He should have done a better job of holding his emotions together.

  “How you doing?” asked Julie as she came in. John plopped on the couch. Julie could see he was absolutely exhausted. The day had taken its toll on him.

  “I’ve been better.”

  “We’ve left the system with no further incidents,” said Julie. “We continued to scan the planet as we left, but never picked up any life forms.”

  “We never picked up life signs while on the planet,” said John. “But believe me, they’re down there. Evan and I saw them.”

  “Something’s come up that I need to tell you about, but I don’t want you to get upset.”

  “What?”

  “The hangar bay contacted me as PHOENIX was leaving orbit to report one of the shuttles missing.”

  “Oh shit!” said John, remembering that they had left one of the shuttles on the planet’s surface.

  “Captain, it’s ok. I had a couple of plasma missiles launched on the area of the shuttle’s location,” said Julie. “It’s in a million pieces by now.”

  John leaned back on the couch. “I can’t believe I made such a stupid mistake.”

  “You went through a traumatic experience. Don’t blame yourself,” said Julie. “I had a warning beacon deployed to warn passing ships to avoid the fifth planet.”

  “Hopefully, no one else will fall victim like Jeffrey did,” said John.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t more sensitive to what you were going through,” said Julie. “I’ve never known anything to rattle you so much.”

  “I’ve never been more scared in my life,” said John. “From the moment I entered that cave I had an ominous feeling. Julie, I don’t know who these Io are but every fiber of my being says they’re evil.”

  “I won’t argue with you on that,” said Julie. “Unfortunately, we lost a crew member, but it could have been a lot worse. At least they didn’t get on the ship.”

  “I’ve been trying to get the image of Jeff out of my mind, but I can’t,” said John. “What if they had caught me? I could’ve been turned into a cyborg or android or whatever the hell you call what they did to Jeff.”

  “John, stop with the what-ifs. You made it back in one piece. You just need some time.”

  “You’re right. I just…, I just wonder if they really did transfer Jeff’s mind into that thing.”

  “The module did have knowledge about Jeff’s personal life,” said Julie. “There’s a Betty Christen on the ship and Chris confirmed with her that she and Jeff had been romantically involved for years.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  “Not well. She’s taking Jeff’s death pretty hard. Chris is keeping her company and helping her through the grief.”

  “You think that module could be him?” asked John.

  Julie shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It could just be a copy of his memories, but I don’t know. Drix says the module is far more advanced than anything he’s ever seen, and Doctor Myers testified to the medical advancements he saw.”

  “Let’s say for arguments sake that thing is Jeff,” said John. “Do we keep him switched off permanently? That’s like keeping someone in prison. Jeff’s a victim, and we could be compounding the issue by keeping that module off.”

  “I’m no lawyer,” replied Julie. “But it’s safe to say our laws would consider the module a non-sentient life form, that Jeff died on the planet. The module did say how better we’d all be if we wound up with our heads replaced. I didn’t know Jeff, but I’d have a hard time accepting any crew member thinking this was a good idea. They may have transferred Jeff’s mind into the module, but it’s a computer. They cou
ld have inserted programming to make Jeff side with them.”

  “We just don’t know enough to know what we’re dealing with,” said a frustrated John.

  “If it helps, I’m in agreement with you,” said Julie. “We should keep the module turned off.”

  “Your opinion does help, thanks,” said John. “Let’s just hope the Io stay stuck on that planet forever.”

  “Listen, I may have something that might help take your mind off what happened,” said Julie.

  “I’m gamed for anything.”

  “Every night at 2200 hours the Aldarians conduct a meditation ceremony in the coilquin. I’ve been going for the past couple of months and find it’s a great way to clear my mind.”

  John hadn’t set foot in the Aldarian temple since it opened. Like most humans, he had little need for spirituality or religious ceremonies. But he felt it was a good alternative to the only other thing he believed would rid his mind of Jeff’s death: getting drunk.

  “Sure, why not,” said John.

  The pair made it down to Central a little after 2200 hours. John could hear the soothing sounds coming from the coilquin. He wasn’t sure if it was people chanting or some device creating the sounds. Whatever it was, it had a calming effect which the captain welcomed.

  The coilquin was not unlike the setup of a church. There were rows of seats, fashioned from Aldarian crystals. Despite their hard materials, they weren’t uncomfortable to sit on. In actuality, sitting on the benches was like sitting on soft pillows. No one could explain it, even the Aldarians.

  The overhead lights bounced off the benches, given off a soft, gentle glow. In front was an elevated altar, where the Yearden sat on a floor pillow. Two assistants sat on either side of him. Nothing else adorned the altar.

  The coilquin wasn’t even half full, but what surprised John was the number of humans present sitting alongside the Aldarians. There must have been at least a dozen of them, their eyes closed as they were in deep meditation. John had no idea that some of the human crew members came to the coilquin to find peace from whatever was troubling them. It was a surprise, but a pleasant one. They had come to embrace a piece of Aldarian culture for themselves.