by Jeff Walsh
Marcus complied and the man nodded dramatically. He waved for Marcus to follow him around to a display case. The little man slid open a door on the back of the case and held up a perfectly smooth metallic orb no larger than a fingernail.
“He should be showing you a small round object, metallic, maybe an inch around,” Alvin said.
“That's it,” Marcus announced.
“Good job sir,” Alvin said.
The little blue man gestured for Marcus to follow and the two walked over to another counter. The little man grabbed a tablet and began to punch away at its surface.
“Shreen tuh bi unin kredeet?” The little man asked.
“Repeat after me good sir,” Alvin said. “I'll be paying using CC Obits, is that acceptable?”
The man nodded and smiled. He tapped the tablet a few more times and slid his finger across it.
“Wry trevin CC elritch.” The little man said.
“Account H-49-ZZ-01-IAN,” Alvin said slowly allowing Marcus to repeat. “Once he confirms the codes he's going to ask you to type in your access code. This'll be the hard part. I can't see the pad, so I'll need to describe the symbols to you.”
Marcus breathed deep. Sweat began to form on his brow.
The little man stuck out the tablet for Marcus to take. He peered slightly at Marcus, taking notice of the nerves.
Marcus took the table and across the screen were dozens and dozens of symbols.
“I downloaded your alphabet into this comm,” Alvin said. “I'll describe the symbols using combinations of your Earth letters and numbers. It should be sufficient.”
The little man began to look quite curiously at Marcus who was wiping the sweat from his brow.
“Sorry,” Marcus said to the little man. “Bond-o-Threads are malfunctioning. They keep insulating me like I'm on some ice planet.”
“Ahhh, gokcha eeb bonna fuind,” the little man said.
“Well done sir,” Alvin said. “He offered to take a look at your clothing for a discounted rate.”
“Just the trans-comm today, thank you,” Marcus replied.
He slowly typed in the symbols Alvin described. Surprisingly Alvin's descriptions were quite clear and precise. He finished with the access codes and tapped the large green icon at the bottom of the tablet just as Alvin directed.
“If we did this correctly,” Avlin said. “The screen should go white with some black symbols on it. If not, get ready to run again.”
Marcus's eyes grew wide as he watched the tablet screen. A spinning icon indicated it was processing the codes. A moment later it went white with black symbols and Marcus relaxed. He handed the tablet back to the little man, who in turn smiled and placed the trans-comm unit into a small box and placed it on the counter.
“Thank you,” he said.
“Griin drush, eet gokcha eeb bonna fuind, prit obbin, prit obbin,” the little man said.
“He's offering you a better deal to fix your clothing,” Alvin said.
“It's really okay,” Marcus said. He took the box and stepped away. “I'll have my ship's computer fix it for me.”
The little man puzzled his face for a moment, then shook his head and bowed to Marcus.
Marcus shot a quick bow in return and walked out of the shop.
He looked around for the reptilian once more, but saw no one. Marcus hastened his steps as he made his way back toward the main corridor and toward the pod.
He checked to make sure no one was around once more and said, “What was that about?”
“Did something happen?” Alvin replied.
“There at the end,” Marcus said. “When I told him I'd just fix my clothes on my own. The little guy looked at me weird.”
“Ah yes,” Alvin said. “There was no real need to correct you, but having a computer like myself or even the Platnium's on-board AI is very rare. Luckily, there was no one there to hear you other than the shop keeper.”
“Alvin,” Marcus said coldly. “There were three other shoppers all of which were talking with clerks of their own.”
“Well,” Alvin said. “That might not be good. I'd suggest you make your way back to the pod quickly.”
҉
“Down this corridor and it's the first bay door on the right,” Bartl yelled.
He spun and fired three shots, two of which took out guards, the other bounced off a drone's shield and was absorbed into the wall.
“Keep moving,” Taam yelled to Anthony. “Don't look back, just get to the bay door.”
Taam dove forward and pushed Anthony to the side. A series of plasma canon blasts and heat-sink fire launched down the corridor.
Anthony's Bond-o-Threads were singed across his right side. His suit had created a facial covering as Taam pulled him down and to the ground, preventing his face from taking any damage.
“On my mark,” Taam yelled to him. He fired off three more shots before shouting, “Move, move, move!”
Anthony sprung to his feet and darted down the corridor again. He could hear Taam and Bartl exchanging fire with the guard and drones. His own breathing rang in his ears as he glanced toward his arm. It stung, but only slightly. He watched as his suit repaired itself, the burnt material fluttering off as he darted down the corridor.
Anthony could see the bay door Taam and Bartl mentioned. He hoped it wasn't sealed. Bartl assured him it wouldn't be. He slid to a halt, almost passing the doorway, and as he did it slid open.
He leapt inside and peered around. Workers spun in place, shocked to see Anthony jump through the doors. Even more shock came as Bartl and Taam leapt through the doorway. Another series of heat-sink and plasma canon fire launched down the corridor.
Bartl stood, fired his dark-matter pistol into the air and said, “Everyone out!”
Sirens began to ring out; red lights began to spin.
“Down there,” Taam said as he pointed to the other end of the bay.
Bartl dashed toward a work station and snatched a thin strip of metal from his pocket. He slid it into an open port and began to work the console. His hands were a blur as he slid them across the interface.
Anthony followed Taam's instructions and dashed toward the other end of the bay. As he passed Bartl he saw a screen flash with what looked like a download prompt. He turned back and saw Taam following, albeit defensively behind him.
“Hurry it up old man,” Taam yelled.
“Doors are already sealed,” Bartl yelled back. “But this station has minor bridge access. Be right with you, just go.”
Taam turned and darted toward Anthony. He was fast Anthony noticed. He grabbed Anthony at the shoulder and ushered him along. The Platnuim came into view and the two stopped just behind the cargo bay door.
Taam brought his wrist unit up and punched in a code. A second later the entire bay went dark. The alarms grew louder and a computerized voice came over the ship's intercom.
“Three unauthorized passengers in SB-009, decompression initiated.”
“That took no time,” Taam said.
A sudden rush of wind pulled Anthony forward and less than a second later he felt as though he couldn't breathe.
His Bond-o-Threads reformed over his mouth and Anthony caught his breath through the newly formed breathing apparatus.
Taam worked his wrist unit and a breathing apparatus appeared over his mouth as well.
“You little blatnard,” Bartl yelled. “You know I don't wear that crazy clothing you all got wrapped on yourselves.”
Anthony couldn't see for sure, but somehow he knew Taam was smiling.
Bartl started to cough. “C'mon then,” he said.
Taam paused a second, then worked his wrist unit.
The bay door to the Platnium opened and Bartl hobbled aboard.
The door shut and Anthony heard a hissing sound.
Bartl breathed deep and coughed a couple more times.
“You really are a little flurtnad,” he said. “You know that?”
Taam's breathing appara
tus broke apart into tiny little squares and trickled away from Taams face. He was chuckling.
“I keep telling you, you'd never know the difference between what you're wearing and what I've got on.”
“I'm not wearing no skin hugger suit,” Bartl protested.
Anthony paused a moment and thought of his clothing once more. A quick puff of smoke and he was wearing far more comfortable attire.
“Can we get out of here?” Anthony blurted out.
“You know you're going to have to light drive from a standstill right?” Taam asked Bartl.
“I'm aware,” Bartl replied.
The three darted through the hallways and into the Platnuim's bridge. Anthony took a seat and strapped himself in.
Bartl laughed and said, “I see you're getting used to being in space.” He pointed at the straps.
“I think I'm getting used to being in space around you two at least,” Anthony replied.
“Fair enough,” Taam replied. “Computer?”
“Yes Captain,” the computer replied. “Are you aware your blood is--”
“We're going to need light drive from this position,” Taam interrupted. “Plot a course that the Imperium won't be able to trail.”
“Unadvised,” the computer responded.
“I know the risks,” Taam said. “Do the math and raise the shields.”
“Of course captain,” the computer responded.
“This is dangerous,” Anthony said. “I'm picking up from your conversation that what we're about to do is dangerous.”
The ship shuttered for a moment.
“Computer,” Taam said. “Report.”
“Two dozen plasma canons are being fired at the Platnium's mid section,” the computer responded. “By my estimation they will breach the hull in 3.56 hecatryls.”
“They won't have that long,” Taam said.
Anthony lurched forward and covered his ears as a high pitch hum rang throughout the ship.
“What is that?” He yelled out.
“Light drive is charging,” Bartl yelled back. “Ship has to over charge it since we're at a standstill.”
“Light drive is fully charged,” the computer said.
Taam leapt up and over the side of his chair, smashed the big red button and strapped himself in.
“Punch it,” he said.
“Warning,” the computer said. “Initiating light drive will cause major damage to the Imperium.”
“You're darn right it will,” Bartl said and laughed.
“Understood computer,” Taam said. “Now, punch it.”
“I hope you understand Gen,” Anthony thought to himself.
Then they were gone.
҉
Genny's eyes cracked open. Everything looked as though it were cloudy. Lights shone down so bright they burned her eyes. She attempted to speak, but her throat felt torn and dry.
Her body felt odd, everything she saw was spinning, and her thoughts were sluggish.
Memories of Sir Halen flooded her memory. He'd assaulted her, injected her with something. She attempted to lift her hand to wipe her eyes, but it was held in place by something. Blinking quickly, she attempted to clear her vision. Slowly things came into focus. Her stomach lurched and she panicked at the sight.
Tubes and wires, which ran up and into canisters that were locked into a machine above, were inserted into her arms. She could now see straps wrapped across her wrists and waist. She guessed her legs and feet were bound as well since she was unable to move them. Her eyes darted around and she finally took notice of another series of wires that ran down toward the top of her head. She jostled and felt them within her scalp.
“You're recovering,” Sir Halen said.
He stepped into her view. He looked different. His skin was a softer pink, and his hair was no longer yellow, but now more of a blonde.
“What have you done?” Genny asked, her voice raspy. Every word burned her throat as it came forth.
“Keeping you humans around wasn't going to work,” Sir Halen said. “You're unpredictable. One moment you're cooperative, the next belligerent and obstinate. So, as I always have, I did what must be done for the good of the Central Core.”
Genny began to panic, every limb felt weightless one moment and heavy the next.
“Instead of being forced to deal with your kind,” Sir Halen continued. “I chose a different path.”
He held up an empty vial of the blue genetic solution he'd shown her earlier.
Genny's eyes grew wide.
“Now we no longer need to deal with you or your friends,” he said. “I sacrificed my heritage for the good of the Core. What do you think? A little bit of you in me and a little bit of me in you. We just swapped some genetic code around, and now I'm the first and only genetically crafted human to exist.”
He took a deep bow.
“It's quite the marvel really,” he continued. “Inter-species genetic manipulation is frowned upon even in the Core due to the unforeseen dangers, but we made a little exception in this case.”
A series of beeps came from a console behind Sir Halen. He paused his dramatic dialog and turned.
“What is it?” He asked one of the workers.
Genny couldn't see whom he was addressing.
“You've taken on the human code flawlessly sir,” the voice said to Sir Halen.
“Of course I have,” he said.
“But she's adapting to your code as well,” the voice said.
“Yes, that's simply a part of the process,” Sir Halen replied.
As Genny began to process the violation she'd just suffered a cold, blind rage began to build up within her.
“Yessir,” the voice said.
“Is there a problem?” Sir Halen asked.
“It's your genetic code,” the voice said. “We carefully acclimated your physiology to match the human structure. We made sure all the changes were assimilated easily. But we intended to dispose of her body, so there was no need for a transition procedure.”
“What are you saying?” Sir Halen demanded.
“The human gen code is taking on anomalous properties due to the addition of your own,” the voice said. “Her physiology is adapting in extreme ways.”
Genny began to pull against her restraints. Sir Halen had infected her with his own genetic makeup. She'd been defiled, transformed into some monstrosity, and now he intended to throw her out like trash.
She pulled hard; the muscles in her arms burned. Her skin felt tight across her limbs. She could feel a strength coursing through her limbs. A raw power she'd never possessed.
“What do you mean she's adapting?” Sir Halen asked.
Genny snapped her restraints and sprung to her feet.
Everyone in the room spun and looked at her.
She peered around for only a moment and took notice of a dozen people dressed in medical garb and lab jackets. Everyone stared at her with shock and awe.
Genny ripped the wires and tubes from her arms and head. The wounds healed almost instantly.
The large machine above, holding the genetic canisters, began to let out a long series of beeps. The sounds were ear piercing, but as she looked around, no one else seemed to be affected.
Genny reached up wildly and swatted at the machine. A primal force was screaming in mind, it clouded her thoughts as a darkness crept over the edge of her psyche. To her astonishment the machine ripped from the ceiling and hurled toward Sir Halen and the others.
They dove out of the way.
The machine smashed through the console they were sitting at then through the wall. The large machine tumbled over itself a few times as it crossed into the next room.
The floor shook as the rather large machine bounded three times across the next room before burying itself into the wall.
Genny peered down at her own hands; the shock of what she'd just done left her breathless. She squeezed her eyes shut; whatever was happening within her mind, this dark animalistic instin
ct, she fought against it.
A half dozen of Sir Halen's personal guard bolted into the medical room, lowered their heat-sink staves, and fired. Genny's eyes sprung open just in time to see her attackers.
Genny spun and ducked; the beams struck across her back. Each blast burned. The heat felt like it had pierced into her bones. She screamed out.
Her mind felt as though it were being swept away into darkness as the pain intensified. Yet as her thoughts became more clouded, the pain also began to subside. Her mind was numbing her body.
Genny rose from her crumpled defensive position. She crouched and turned toward the guard. A sense of rage filled her. Genny lunged for them.
In one push she flew twenty feet across the room and landed a right hook into one guard. He spun in place and fell unconscious to the floor. With a wide sweep slash her other arm smashed into the chest of another guard. The impact sent him off his feet and into two others.
Genny had struck with such force that the entire group was tossed into the opposite wall and crumpled to the floor.
Sir Halen pulled himself to his knees and watched as Genny manhandled his guard like they were nothing.
Genny kicked forward into another and sent him flying backward. He smashed through the wall and tumbled lifelessly across the ground. A feint click, no more than a whisper, caused Genny to spin around with a quickness she'd never before possessed. She'd heard the footstep of a guard taking up a position behind her.
The only remaining solider had lowered his stave and taken aim. Genny smacked away his weapon before the highly trained man could even react. She grabbed him by the neck, and hoisted him off his feet. Turning to look back toward Sir Halen, she saw him climbing to his feet. Genny pivoted and hurled the guard at him.
The guard slammed into Sir Halen and a few of the other medical staff, knocking them all from their feet.
With the imminent threat subdued; her mind cleared slightly. Everything had happened so quickly. Her mind processed every soldier's movement. She'd heard every step they'd taken. Looking down she saw that her clothes had been replaced by a medical gown of some sort. Genny could smell the burnt cloth from where the beams had struck her. It was an acrid odor.
