by Ben Hammott
“A wise suggestion, Jack.” Henry studied the long console. “Okay, let's see if we can get this ship powered up.”
After they had brushed away as much of the thin layer of frost covering the control console as they could, they all gazed at the myriad of buttons, levers and screens lit by their flashlights. Strange symbols that might be a clue to the purpose of some of the controls were of no help to them, but a few small, simple diagrams etched into some of them hinted at their purpose.
Max pointed to a row of buttons on a panel with an image he interpreted as shining light. “I think this might be the lighting panel.”
After a brief discussion that resulted with all of them in agreement, Max pressed the first button. Nothing happened.
“Try pressing them all,” said Jane. “Just because the lights didn't come on in here, they might have in other areas of the ship.”
Max pressed every button on the panel.
Four small glass units set in the ceiling, glowed to bathe the room and its occupants in weak yellow light.
Lucy gazed at the lights with a disappointed frown. “I was expecting something a bit brighter.”
Theo pointed at one of the large light panels above the console that had remained dark. “It might be a power problem and the yellow lights are the ships emergency lighting.”
“Still, they're better than no light,” said Jack. “We're lucky to have any power at all given the length of time this ship has been entombed here. I can't imagine any human vehicle remotely functioning to this degree after such a time span had elapsed. It would probably be an unidentifiable heap of rust, plastic and rubber.”
Henry let his eyes wander over the console. “I would assume somewhere amongst all these confusing controls is a way to restore full power to the doors, if that's possible, so everyone keep on searching.”
Henry stared at one of the small console screens. “If these screens are alien versions of computer screens, and if we can activate the ship’s computer, it might provide us with information about the ship’s systems.”
“I'd already thought along the same lines, Henry,” said Lucy, “but there's no obvious button to activate the screens or any computer.”
“The screens are probably to provide the pilot and crew with information about the ship, navigation, etc.,” said Max. “Not the conventional computers we're used to, as there's no keyboard to type in any commands. I suppose they might be touch screens, but they seem too distant from the chairs to be convenient for that.”
“Maybe they're voice controlled,” Lucy suggested.
So engrossed were they with examining everything, all failed to see the thing snake out of the console, move behind Henry's back and rise to his head. When the length of articulated metal was level with Henry's neck, the end peeled back in four segments, darted forward and latched onto Henry's skin. As soon as it touched, an almost silent hiss was created by the air drawn out of the tube to seal it tight against its victim's body. A small, sharp, hollow needle slid out from the center to pierce Henry's flesh. Small filaments snaked out of the needle to attach themselves to Henry's brain stem.
Henry let out a yelp of surprise when the thing attached itself to his neck. He went to grab at it, but his arm wouldn't move, he was paralyzed.
The others turned on hearing Henry's startled cry and noticed the thing hanging from the man's neck. They rushed over. Jack attempted to pull it off. All he succeeded in doing was to drag Henry backward, almost tipping him to the floor.
“What is that thing?” said Max, stepping forward to help.
Jack released his grip on the attachment. “I've no idea, but it's stuck fast to his neck.”
Jane noticed Henry's skin stretch when Theo held Henry's head with one hand and tugged on the thing with the other. “Hold on! You might do more damage pulling it off like that.”
Reluctantly, Theo released his hold.
Jack glanced at Jane when she moved forward for a closer examination. “What do you think it's doing?”
Jane scrutinized Henry's face. His eyes had a frozen look. A wave of her hand in front of the man's face produced no reaction. “Whatever it's doing, it's paralyzed Henry so it can do it." She followed the length of the flexible metal cable down to the console. “It's connected to the ship.”
“Maybe we can cut it off,” said Theo. He pulled out his climbing knife and held it up.
“I'm not sure that would help Henry,” said Jane. “Look where that thing's attached.”
Lucy looked at Henry's neck and the thing attached to it. “You think it's attached to his brain-stem?” said Lucy.
Jane shrugged. “To have paralyzed Henry so quickly, I believe it's a good possibility. Maybe it injected him with something.”
Max pointed to the thing a few inches away from Henry's neck. “If we cut through it here, perhaps it will detach itself.”
“We must be careful we don't harm him,” Jane warned. “Perhaps its best we wait and see what happens.”
“And how long do you propose we wait?” said Max. “What if it never detaches itself, what then?”
Jane continued to watch Henry closely. “This thing has a purpose, and though I've no idea what that purpose is, I don't believe harming Henry is the reason.”
Max was about to argue, when a quiet hiss of air announced its release. Max jumped back when it slithered into the console.
Henry continued his movement from the point directly before he was paralyzed and slapped his hand on his neck. “I think I've just been bitten by something.”
Jane glanced at the others. “You don't remember what just happened?”
“Apart from being bit, you mean?”
“Yes.” Jane examined the back of Henry's neck. There was a tiny dot of blood surrounded by a round, angry discolouration.
Henry was confused. “No, what are you going on about?”
Max pointed to the console. “You see that round indent in the console?”
Henry peered at the indicated spot. “Yes. What of it?”
“Something came out of there and attached itself to your neck.”
“It paralyzed you,” Lucy told him.
“For about two minutes,” added Jane.
“Impossible,” said Henry, but he could tell by their serious expressions that they told the truth.
Jane stared at his face. “How do you feel?”
“I feel fine. Only my neck's a little sore where something…well, whatever happened, but I still think I was bit by something, an alien mosquito or insect.”
Theo scoffed. “What! That survived eight thousand odd years entombed below the ice in this cold room?”
“Actually, Theo, in your planet's measurement of time, this spacecraft, as you call it, has only been on this planet six thousand seven hundred and fifty-four years, three days, five hours, twenty-one minutes and seven seconds.”
Startled by the unknown female voice their heads swivelled to the door. All expected to see someone there, but there was no one.
They looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
“Who said that?” asked Max.
Though he'd voiced the question at his friends, it wasn't any of them that answered.
“I have no name. I am part of what you call the spaceship, whose name in my language will mean nothing to you as there is no direct translation, but Goliath is a fair approximation. It is a world builder. In terms I believe you will understand, I am an intelligent machine that can think and find solutions to problems. I also navigate the ship and control almost every system on board. To answer your next question, our planet was about to be destroyed by something you call a supernova. This deep-space spaceship is one of a fleet constructed over many years to allow our species to escape annihilation and re-establish itself on another suitable planet.”
“It's some kind of advanced computer,” said Max, in awe.
“That is a fair description,” stated the computer.
A hiss of air caused them to glance
at the air vents.
“Life support systems have been activated.”
The others looked at each other worriedly.
The computer detected their concern. “If I wanted to cause you harm, I would have done so already. Your breath was causing a buildup of carbon dioxide. From my link with Henry, I detected this would be harmful to you, hence my decision to restore life support to keep you all functioning. I could, just as easily, suck all the oxygen from this room.”
Jack asked the computer why it used a female voice to communicate.
“I detected the male of your species are protective of females. I also detected from your voice pattern, Jack, and your mannerisms when you conversed with Jane, you would like to mate with her, so I chose a female voice to seem less threatening.”
Jack and Jane blushed from the smirks directed at them.
The computer continued using a man's voice. “If you prefer, I can speak in a male voice?”
“No, the female voice is much better,” said Max.
“You said, you ‘chose a female voice to seem less threatening.’ Does that mean you're a threat to us?” Henry asked.
“Of course,” replied the computer, matter of factly, reverting to the female voice.
“In what way?” Henry pressed.
“In every way,” stated the emotionless voice.
They were all surprised by the blunt answer.
“That is not to say I will harm you.”
“Yet you just attached something to my neck?”
“It was essential I link with one of you to learn your language and knowledge of your planet. I chose the most intelligent brain in the room.”
Henry rubbed his neck. “I suppose I should feel flattered.”
“What planet are this ship and crew from?” asked Jane.
“There is no translation into your language. It was once a planet twice as large as your Earth, but is now debris floating through space. It was similar in many ways to your Earth, hence the reason I selected it to land my ship on when it was damaged by a meteorite storm.”
Jack, still concerned with the threat the computer posed them, asked, “Do you plan to kill us?”
“I will not lie to you. It is an option I am processing. But let us not dwell on the many ways I can end your existence, I have questions of my own. Your answers will depend on my future calculations concerning your lives. Obviously, I am aware many of your Earth years have passed since I first arrived here. I am also aware the crew vacated the ship long ago, the captain is dead and the majority of the cargo is still viable.”
“And that cargo is?” asked Jane.
“A selection of species and plants from our planet to ensure the successful regeneration of our new world.”
Lucy was shocked. “It's an ark!”
“We saw some of them,” said Theo. “Hundreds of giant creatures.”
“They are our labour force.”
Jack glanced at the dead pilot. “What killed the pilot and why did the crew leave?”
“An intruder from planet DX666 was responsible for both actions. Which I am certain will explain my mistrust of Goliath's current intruders. You!”
“What happened?” asked Henry.
“The intruder came aboard when a possible planet, DX666, was visited to collect fresh food rations. It killed many of the crew before the captain realized it could not be defeated. He issued the order to abandon ship and plotted a course to take the ship into deep space. He was killed before he could escape. I have no information as to what happened to the crew. Perhaps they are still floating in space or all have perished.”
“I'm sorry for your loss,” said Henry. “I assure you we mean you no harm.”
“Harm me you could not,” stated the computer. “That you might harm the vessel under my protection, or its cargo, though, is possible.”
“We have no intention of damaging your ship or cargo, the opposite in fact,” said Theo. “We want to learn from it. It's far more advanced than anything we have on Earth. Damaging it is the last thing on our minds.”
“From the knowledge I gained from linking with Henry, I know your current intentions are, as you have said, to learn all you can about this spaceship. I also detected a problem. I am trapped in ice and will soon be submerged. My cargo will not survive this catastrophic event. This is not acceptable.”
“I'm sorry, but acceptable or not, unless a miracle occurs that's exactly what will happen,” said Henry.
“Can you perform this miracle, Henry?”
“No. However, there might be one organization on Earth that might be able to help. Its name is NASA. For this to happen though, we'll need your assistance.”
“Explain.”
“Can you communicate with anyone on our planet?”
“That is not possible due to the damage caused when I landed on this planet. Some of my systems and sensors have malfunctioned. To keep the cargo alive I am running on reduced power to conserve energy.”
“Then we are your only chance. Help us and we'll help you.” said Henry. “Can you power-up all the doors so we can leave to contact NASA to come to your aid?”
“It is done, though due to faulty sensors I am unable to determine if every door will function.”
A rumble spread throughout the ship.
All instantly knew its cause. It did not bode well for Henry's ten-day calculation.
The room trembled.
“The ice is on the move again,” said Max.
“Computer, can you plot us a safe route to the engine room so we can get off the ship?” Henry asked.
“If you go to the secondary control room in the cargo section of the ship, you will be able to activate a detailed internal blueprint of the ship. This will enable you to plot a suitable route. I have translated the controls into your language.”
“How do we find this room?” asked Jack.
“One of you not presently in this room has already been there. Find him and you find the room.”
“Eli or Richard,” said Lucy.
Theo shook his head. “Eli's dead. It must be Richard.”
“Eli, dead! How?” asked Lucy, surprised and saddened by the news.
“One of the monsters killed him,” replied Max, sadly.
Lucy remembered the scream she'd heard shortly before they entered the biosphere, but before she could mourn his loss, the vibrations grew in strength. They were forced to grab hold of something or be thrown to the ground.
“I detect extreme pressure building on the hull.”
“It’s the ice the ship is trapped in squeezing the hull,” Henry told the computer. “It’s a sign that soon it will break free from the ice shelf. We have less time than I first predicted.”
“That is not acceptable.”
“Acceptable or not, there's nothing any of us can do to prevent it,” said Jane. “You chose one of the worst places on the planet to land.”
“It was chosen for its remoteness and lack of habitation by indigenous life-forms. It was a logical decision.”
A powerful vibration sent them all tumbling to the floor.
A loud crack echoed around the room.
Their eyes darted to the window. Fractures appeared across its surface.
“Breach imminent in control room viewing port. Lowering safety shutters. ”
Nothing happened.
“Shutters failed. Report added to the repair crew list. Breach imminent. Evacuate control room. Door will be sealed in twenty seconds.”
The door swished open.
“We have to get out of here,” shouted Jane.
The strong vibrations made it impossible to stand. On their hands and knees, they scrambled for the door, grabbing their bags on the way.
Max paused by the door and looked back into the room. “I’m sorry, Computer― more than you will ever know― that this ship is doomed, but we'll do all in our power to try and save it.”
“Thank you, Max, but you will fail. I calculate your chances
of survival are zero point five percent.”
The door began to close.
Max glanced at the spider web of cracks creeping across the window. “I don’t understand. How can you be so certain?”
The window exploded with a deafening crash.
As glass and ice shot across the room, Max pulled his shoulders back through the doorway. Ice and glass slammed against the door, some shooting out into the corridor and down the steps.
Just before the door closed fully they heard the computers last words.
“They are coming. RUN!”
They are Coming, RUN!
SHAKEN BY THEIR SUDDEN forced exit from the room, they remained on the floor and the steps to catch their breath and their thoughts.
Jack was the first to stand. “What did the computer mean, ‘They are coming!’”
Henry climbed to his feet and grabbed at his aching back. The continuing thought that he was getting too old for these types of adventures made him realize this would probably be his last outing. “I'm not sure, but I think whatever ‘they’ are, it's not something we should hang about to meet.”
Suddenly, a veritable explosion of terrifying, nerve-shattering screeches and howls blasted along the corridor, clutching them all in its fear-installing embrace. Those that hadn't already done so, jumped to their feet. With matching expressions of dread they gazed toward the horrendous sound. All were momentarily stunned by the number of creatures careening around the corner so fast they smashed into the wall. There was a moment of terrified silence. Nobody breathed. Monsters filled the full width of the passage with their grotesque bodies and spine-tingling shrieks of rage and fury. Creatures scrambled over those in front in their haste to be the first to reach the food they glimpsed ahead.
Jane, Lucy and Jack recognized the disfigured saggy-breasted female at the front from their previous encounter with it in the dormitory. She must have followed their scent. Now joined by her tribe, they thought a similar outcome where they all survived was unlikely. The creatures wanted blood, their blood, and nothing was going to stop them. The Dormitory monsters moved toward them like a malevolent plague burdened with death and pain.
