by K. A. Kerr
Tarik decided he would be better off just reading the signs and exploring the ship during free time. Zoning out of the conversation he linked to the ship computer to get an overlay map. The design was simple enough to follow, two “up corkscrews” and two “down corkscrews” when the Beetle was in single ball formation. When it was extended to three balls, diagonal walkways extended between the balls. Since almost all travel was done in single ball formation the empty space is particularly helpful for maintenance.
Tarik only had a basic concept of spacecraft systems, enough to keep him alive in an emergency but not enough to take a job as a mechanic or flight ops. The concepts were interesting and occasionally he would deep dive on technical information but mostly he was good with his hands not so much with machines. He could shovel rocks, fire a laser, operate a loader and in a pinch pilot a life pod. Fixing them normally resulted in hours of cursing and more damage than what originally existed.
“On your left” shouted a man behind Tarik.
Quickly Tarik pushed his body again the right side of the hallway to avoid the runner. A Human-Dereft male hybrid ran passed him with more runners behind him. The hybrid was physically flawless. Shirtless the man ran in combat boots, loose fitting pants and a pilots helmet with the visor off. The hybrid had the height and musculature of a Dereft, the low body fat and skeletal structure of a human male. The hybrid took confident strides past him, a slight smirk on his strong jaw line. He was quite frankly the most beautiful man he had ever seen, a jogging Adonis. Tarik was confident in his sexual identity and wouldn’t say he was attracted to the man but he could see how working with a hybrid would cause him to question himself regularly.
Just then another Hybrid who looked nearly identical to the first ran past, this one with a red triangle on the sides of his helmet. Then another with a Blue Circle. Then five more with different shapes and colors painted on their helmets.
“It’s a good thing those guys are sterile, huh? Leaves more women for us ugly guys.” Bink said putting an elbow into Tarik’s ribs and laughing. “They run like that every day, something one of them read about an old earth commander who had made all his men run two marathons a day. Personally, I think some training is good but those guys take it to an extreme. Every day they do at least two corkscrews if not more.”
Another few minutes of walking the corkscrew had passed when they finally arrived at the logistics room. The waiting room was very plain, containing no seating, just a counter and nobody behind it.
“So Machine will be here shortly to get you setup. He will link to your log; map you to your room and events. Any questions before I leave you?”
“Yes, why does everyone keep calling me Jimmy?”
Bink let out a laugh, “I’ll hook you up with the highlight reel, just some gallows humor, but it’s happened often enough to keep the tradition going. New recruits have a bad habit of fucking up is all.” Bink sent Tarik the video file and left him in the waiting room.
Tarik glanced behind the counter and didn’t see anyone in the countless rows of shelving. The logistics officer must be occupied with the incoming inventory. Tarik took a seat in the corner and pulled up the video file titled “Jimmy: Best of highlights”. His eyes glazed over turning red to let anyone who came near him know he was in full immersion.
A young human could be seen nervously checking his equipment on a rocking drop ship. The boy had a baby face and had to have been in his young twenties. He was skinny enough that he should have been on a bulking diet.
“Hey Jimmy, did you make sure your Grav Boots are set to .97 standard?” An unseen gruff voice questioned.
Jimmy checked his wrist computer, obviously an older model. Tarik would guess this video was at least 30 years old. “Yes sir.”
“Ok then, let's get ready to go. As soon as the rear opens I want you to get to some cover and wait for the blinder before you move to assault.”
“Oh yeah, I’m going to kick some ass, you watch!” Jimmy was pumping himself up getting ready for a fire fight.
As the rear door opened, Jimmy rushed straight out into a rocky landscape. Jimmy opened fire and was screaming at the top of his lungs overloading the squad channel. In his overzealous attack, Jimmy couldn’t hear the blinder countdown. The view switched from the drop ship to the body cam of a squad mate. The squad mate was screaming at Jimmy. Telling him to get to cover but with no effect. The blinder countdown reached three seconds and the camera was obscured by rock as the squad mate took cover. A bright flash filled the screen and a deep metallic hum was the only available audio.
As the flash subsided the squad mate looked out from behind his cover. Jimmy was still standing in the open area stumbling around aimlessly. The assault team opened fire on the enemy. The same squad mate started screaming for Jimmy again. The squad mate started to come out from the rock ready to grab Jimmy when the enemy had regained their senses. Fire from both sides erupted and Jimmy was stuck in no man's land. A second passed and Jimmy was shot in the face by a projectile round. As Jimmy’s body fell to the ground, the video faded.
Now a hybrid was on the video pacing back and forth. Jimmy had aerial insertion gear on his back and a breathing mask over his face. A buzzer sounded and the rear door started to open. The hybrid must have mistimed his run because the jump light was still red and the door had not yet locked into place. Now running at full speed the hybrid stepped onto the door ready to descend to the planet below. Then the drop ship hit turbulence and the door jolted upward. Jimmy cracked his skull on the upper door frame and fell out of the drop ship in an uncontrolled fall.
The next video showed a Gorrex with only blue plumage indicating a young female. The female took a handheld explosive from its vest and threw it. The throw was weak and had no follow through. The explosive landed but a few feet in front of her. She howled as the shrapnel tore through her.
The video continued on with countless “Jimmy” deaths. Most of the mistakes were fatal, some just incredibly embarrassing. A Dereft shot herself, a human managed to kill his whole squad, a Flarr walked into the drive of the drop ship, this pattern continued for nearly fifty new recruits. Species, gender or age didn't seem to matter. The only real qualifier seemed to be inexperience and bad luck.
Tarik ended the video and sat back to take it all in. He assumed the point of calling him this cursed name was to goad him into being a better soldier or at the very least an obedient one. If he is going to survive long enough to earn his name back he'd have to do as he was told or he'd end up another Jimmy highlight.
3 - Assessment
* * *
As Tarik thought about the implications of his choices he was interrupted by a mechanical whine behind the desk. A mostly machine face stared at Tarik. Blue lights for eyes, a near perfect oval face. The being had no nostrils or mouth that was visible. Pieces of dark fur protruded from the back of the mask indicating a once organic past.
“I'm Tarik, the new contractor.”
“Designation is irrelevant; I am logistics office for the ship. You will submit weapons for review.”
Tarik unslung his Kami rifle and placed it on the counter. “What species are you?”
“Species is irrelevant, I am Machine.” The machine picked up the rifle and started its evaluation. “Kami raid equipment. Equipment has been altered. Code has been changed to designate Kami as primary targets. The self-destruction mechanism will need to be turned off to be used by contractors.” The machine set the rifle into a bin and sent out scanning lasers. “Size is in stock. Weapons will be repaired and equipment issued after assessment.” The machine set a jumpsuit on the counter “Training clothing issued. Lodging, seating and event logs have been updated. Visit medical facilities, human fluids rich in iron are difficult to remove.” The machine grabbed the bin with metal claws, spun around and propelled itself away by an unseen force, disappearing into the stacks.
“Well that wasn't strange at all.” Tarik said to the empty room. He picked up his jumpsuit
still confused with the encounter and headed to medical.
The walk to medical was uneventful; Tarik used the time to go over the planned events. It appeared he’d have a few hours until end of day meal. After that he was afforded eight hours of sleep, then an appointment to the gymnasium for his assessment. His schedule had numerous blocks of time thereafter which were censored with a note that they were dependent on his assessment. Most of the ship and organizational information had been blocked as well.
Arriving at medical he was greeted by an assistant who was by far the most polite person he’d met on the ship. Another Flarr, young and pretty as far he could imagine a Flarr being. She was not nearly as wet looking and her sharp teeth did not seem as hostile. The assistant escorted him to a gray room with an examination pod and three chairs.
“My name is Tilla, I will be assisting today. The medical officer will be right with you, please have a seat and expose the wound for treatment. Is there anything I can get for you while you wait?” Tilla said in an inviting voice, pointing to the examination pod.
“I think I’m fine for now.” Tarik said.
Time passed a Tilla sat in a chair looking over Tarik. She made no effort to take notes or even check on the wound herself. Tarik took off his shirt and checked on the wound sealant himself. Several minutes of uncomfortable silence passed as Tarik wondered why the assistant was even in the room if she had no intention of performing any procedures. Tarik sat back in the pod waiting for further instruction.
An older male human entered the room. He had a look upon his face as if Tarik was another annoyance in a day filled with an endless series of annoyances. His lab coat looked like it was two sizes too big. He was a very pale man with a bald head and gray facial hair. Tarik believed he was Asian but could not be certain. Without introducing himself the man put on a pair of goggles and sat next to Tarik.
“Has he interfered with the examination pod?” The man asked in a high pitched voice to Tilla.
“No doctor, he has been not acted in an illicit manner.” Tilla answered.
“You were given instructions to have him strip. Why is only his shirt off?”
“He is only wounded in the shoulder doctor. I did not wish to cause him more anxiety.”
The doctor scowled at Tilla “When I give instructions I expect them to be followed. Remove his clothes.”
Tarik made a move for his belt to start taking off his pants. The doctor placed a hand over his stopping him. “I gave her an instruction, not you.” The doctor moved Tarik’s hand from his belt and placed it back on the armrest.
Tilla placed her hands on Tarik’s belt and began to undress him. Tarik, not wishing to anger the doctor further, allowed Tilla to remove his clothes. After removing his pants and boots, Tilla stopped and glanced at the doctor before reaching for his underwear. The doctor seemed to be enjoying this while Tilla seemed to be nervous. Tarik was uncomfortable, wanting to say something but unsure of his place here since he had only arrived a few hours ago. Tarik didn’t want to enable this pervert but he also didn’t know if that was what transpired here. Was this doctor some creep? Or was the doctor just trying to get his assistant to do as she was told. Because of the Flarr anatomy, with shorter arms and an elongated snout, Tilla’s nose brushed against his penis repeatedly as she removed his underwear. The warm wet feeling was different and not at all unpleasant. Under different circumstances Tarik would have welcomed this type of attention from the Flarr. With the doctor so close it quickly turned Tarik off. Tilla’s shoulders puffed up during the process, with her nose into Tarik’s crotch she picked up on his sexual pheromones, an instinctual reflex but noticeable to everyone in the room.
“Very good. I expect that next time I order this to be done it be completed before I enter the room.” The doctor said to Tilla. The doctor turned his face to Tarik “Sit back while I finish the examination and mend your shoulder.”
“May I be excused doctor?” Tilla asked.
“No you will complete your duties as instructed, push your shoulders back you are making the patient nervous.” The doctor snapped at Tilla.
A grid pattern of lights covered Tarik’s body; Tarik felt the chair move away from him as anti-gravity kept him in place. His body levitating, a scanner disc moved underneath of him and sent a probe into his anus. A quick pinch and it exited without even offering to buy him a drink. He felt the chair form beneath him again.
“Everything looks in order with your biography. Your right leg was crushed once; does it give you any trouble?” The doctor asked.
“No, I was told it healed properly.” Tarik answered.
“Very good sit back while I mend the shoulder and do not move.” The doctor instructed.
Restraining straps came across Tarik’s wrist, elbow and chest. A spray of local anesthesia came down onto his shoulder. The doctor leaned in close over the wound, motors whining in his goggles as he adjusted the magnification. The doctor wiped the gash with sterilizing pads removing the sealant. Blood began to ooze from the open wound as the torn veins were exposed. The doctor then pulled an apparatus from the bottom of the pod; a circular object with multiple holes and sharp pointed thorns was placed over his shoulder. He didn't see but heard and felt the blood being suctioned away. Tarik began to feel light headed when he felt pin pricks. The flow of blood slowed as the injections began pumping him full of regenerative cells and chemicals. A few minutes passed and the doctor appeared pleased with the work. Lifting the apparatus away and placing it back in its hold, the doctor examined the new skin.
“That should be healed in time for your military assessment. If it tears open during the testing we can close it up and try again.” The doctor ordered. “You are free to go. Unless of course you wish to have my assistant dress you.” The doctor gave a smirk.
“I think I can handle it doc.” Tarik said.
The doctor and Tilla left the room allowing Tarik some privacy. “Again, this is not strange at all.” Tarik said to the empty room as he put on his assessment jumpsuit.
As Tarik left the room, he searched the medical offices for Tilla. He wanted to ask about the strange dynamic and to see if she possibly needed help. While looking through medical he saw no other patients, Tilla and the doctor also appeared to have left. With entire medical section empty, and no one else to ask, he decided he should just stay in his quarters until he knew more.
Tarik took a horizontal pathway to the downward corkscrew according to his overlay. As he neared the doorway to the corkscrew he noticed a wall panel removed and a pair of feet sticking out of the wall. The feet dangling and the sounds of the unseen owner banging metal together within. As he got closer the body started to remove itself from the recess, a steady stream of curses flowing the entire time.
“Come on you stupid piece of shit. Get the fuck in there.” The voice belonged to a female. “Got ya! Ha! That’s right you dumb cocksucker, you won’t beat me!”
The body wiggled the rest of the way from the hole until a smallish human female stood before him. She had a tool belt around her waist, containing several devices Tarik had no idea what purpose they could serve. She had auburn hair that had been pulled into a bun with the exception of a single strand that curved around her almond face, the tip of the strand touching her chin. A grease stain on her cheek helped to hide a patch of freckles. She wore dark coveralls and simple brown boots that looked as if they had been drug through gravel. If she was surprised to see Tarik standing there she did not show it.
“Hey, give me a hand with this panel will ya?” She grabbed one end of the wall panel and prepared to lift.
Tarik grabbed the other and lifted his end off the floor. They swung around and put the bottom lip of the panel into a groove. Tarik held the panel steady as the woman removed a tool from her belt and secured the panel to the wall.
“Rye told me we got a new military guy; I’m Daze by the way, what’s your name?” She asked.
Shocked that Daze didn’t just call him Jimmy like ev
eryone else he actually had to think what his name was “I’m Ji- I’m Tarik, nice to meet you.”
Daze finished securing the panel and stood up to look Tarik in the eyes. ”Yeah those military guys are weird calling new people Jimmy, like they expect you to blow yourself up; they never give anyone the benefit of the doubt.” She smiled. “I guess they don’t want to be disappointed, some strange military trick or something, but what do I know, I’m just a grease monkey. Thanks for the help.”
“Not a problem.” Tarik said.
She stepped in close. “You're cute, don’t get killed and we’ll catch up later.” She kissed his cheek and started walking down the hallway. “You better get to your room soon; we’ll be making for orbit shortly.”
Tarik admired the sway of her hips as she walked away. “Nope, nothing about this place is strange at all.” Tarik said to no one. “Why am I talking to myself again?” Tarik shrugged and entered the down corkscrew.
As Tarik entered his room, it seemed like the only familiar thing. Normally a loner he could see himself spending most of his time here. Because of the way the room had been set up it was hard to gauge the size. The walkway looked to be three feet wide and eleven feet deep. To the right was a recess only a foot deep, Tarik guessed this was to stock his gear on pop out hangers. A small closet at the end of the recess about two feet by two feet; had a biometric lock intended for personal effects. The bed measured eight feet long by four feet deep, situated in the middle of the left wall, raised about eighteen inches from the floor it had an overhang that started at Tarik’s shoulders. Tarik rested his hand on the overhang and the wall changed from the eggshell color it had been to an asteroid field. Tarik fearing he had been jettisoned exhaled all his breath and headed for the doorway. Realizing the door was still open and there was still atmosphere, he calmed himself and came to the conclusion that this entire room was a smart wall. He’d seen smart screens before but an entire room constructed of smart walls had to be expensive. Why would they waste the money making a bunch of contractors comfortable? He touched the same spot of the overhang and wished the asteroid field to be denser. The rocks came in on him, again almost to the point of panic, he wished them to stop and they did. A yellow warning streamed across the walls telling him to prepare for undocking and orbital insertion. Tarik laid down in his bunk as the ship started to rock. Tarik started to relax but dealing with his instincts after the long and strange day had left him drained, he decided to skip end of day meal hoping for a few hours of rest and no more strange encounters.
