John witnessed a sea of blue swarming around him. Some walked on their own, standing at about two to three feet tall. Others, much smaller than their counterparts, crawled along the ground like spiders.
“You see, the Carnelians have survived here for many generations, spanning millions of years. And, just like Earth, this planet once harbored a very active population of humans. In time, the Carnelians had devoured, and feasted on most of the unlucky souls, and then transformed others to build their army for galactic rule.”
“Interesting. What does that have to with me?” John asked, trying to buy some time.
“After the Carnelian’s had wiped out the human species, they set out with their armies for other destinations. Earth was one of their targets, but a collision with a asteroid stranded them on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. That’s where my Commander, first encountered them and also had a transformation of biblical proportions.”
“So, now you have a brand-new collection of toys to play with,” John brought himself up to speed.
“Oh, I’d say easily about three hundred and sixty survivors, at least that’s the entire manifest of the Apollo. And, I’m sure there’s more in the toy box,” Black added, fully knowing the entire count of the Apollo’s manifest. “I’m under the impression that a man of President Forsythe’s intellect had more than one ship sent here.”
“You won’t get away with this,” John warned. His eyes watched the Doberman’s eyes narrowing to a hazy yellow mixture. Their constant jawing allowed their sharpened rows of teeth to snap wildly from their mouths.
“I’ll even give you a ten-second head-start,” Black encouraged John to take his offer.
John knew he was a dead man, and decided to make a run for it. His ankle would limit his traction and speed. “I’ll see you on the other side Ken,” John hopped over the log and limped down the dirt path.
Black let the leashes fall to the ground sending the Doberman’s flying through the air, their mouth’s agape, spraying a series of tongues about. The slithery set of tongues for each dog had eventually wrapped around John’s ankles, forcing him to the ground.
“I thought you were giving him a ten-second head start?” Broderick Cole, Black’s first Lieutenant asked.
“I changed my mind.” Black watched in spirited pleasure as the dogs hunted down John and feasted on their prey with sharpened teeth and barbarian pleasure.
“Now, that’s gonna hurt in the morning,” Cole scoffed while he watched the Dobermans pick apart the dead pilot, snapping up shards of skin and entrails. The Lieutenant had served aboard the Apollo before the crash. He then became one of the missing crew members off the Apollo’s manifest. His tight relationship with Kenneth Black had led him down the same perilous path. His own body not yet subjected to the torture that Black had endured at the hands of the previous leader. Cole’s body only recently became a host for the Carnelian’s, his body still undergoing the necessary changes. Cole’s demeanor was abrupt and sarcastic, a perfect fit for Black. Both men awaited their destinies as the muscle pushing the new Carnelian army forward.
Black bent down and hugged his returning Doberman’s. Black pushed his face against theirs, letting their tongues lick all over his face smearing blood and tissue remains across his cheeks. “We need to find the rest of those survivors,” Black urged Cole.
“I think I know where they might be hiding out,” Cole said running his hands through his hair, ruffling his blonde mane. He reached behind his back and retrieved a Plasma shooter that he had armed himself with while he was aboard the Apollo as on of their commanding officers. “Kai, Lon, Hans,” Cole ordered his men. “Follow me.”
The Caves
Bud Stephens ushered his new friends down the dimly lit corridor, showcased by flame powered lamps, flickering towards extinction.
“What is this place?” Shaw asked. Distracted, he nearly stepped on Gillian’s heels. “Come on Grandma, hustle your ass,” he ribbed his friend.
“Grandma?” She mocked him back. “I’d watch that forked tongue of yours,” she warned.
Bud answered the question, “I stumbled across these extensive network of caves while searching for any remaining survivors from Apollo’s crash,” he paused, “I found some alive, some dead, and resorted to killing a handful of old friends, possessed by this alien species.” Bud placed his hand on the wet rocky wall. Taking in a deep breath, he reached for his pocket, fumbling for any remaining stash of medicinal pills.
“Do you need help?” Kaspar asked, watching Bud’s slow descent into the caves.
Bud clutched his chest. “Ah, it’s only my bum ticker. I‘ll be fine.”
“Is there a problem back there?” Shaw turned around.
“We need a short rest,” Kaspar ordered. “My crew’s exhausted.”
“I’m fine.” Bud tried reasoning with Kaspar. “No rest for the weary.”
Arguing his point, Kaspar continued his directive, “I’m the Commander of this crew, and I say we stop and rest.” Kaspar led Bud over to a series of rocks.
“Don’t argue with him, it’s a lose-lose,” Shaw said, leaning up against the wall to catch a breather. “We’ve all been down this road before. Once he gets in that stubborn mode, its hard to crack that shell of his.”
“I hate to agree with Shaw, but it’s senseless to argue with him,” Gillian propped her tired body against another wall, directly across from Shaw.
“Wow, it’s my lucky day,” Shaw added. “Red’s on my side for once.”
“Don’t get used to it. I don’t think your ego can take any more hot air,” Gillian chucked a few small pebbles at Shaw’s direction.
Bud squeezed off the white top, pouring the contents of the orange bottle in his left hand. His dirty fingers thrust the pills in his waiting mouth and followed it with a hard swallow. “Ah, that’s better.”
“Are you going to be okay?” Shaw asked. “I mean, I really don’t any other tour guides out here on the jungle. At least, you don’t have any of those critters walking around inside you.”
“Thanks for the pep talk.” Bud’s jowly cheeks pulled back with a sly grin.
“Yeah,” Shaw paused. “The ladies tell me my greatest strength his my sensitivity.”
“I think you mean your insensitivity,” Gillian barked back.
“Don’t worry about her Bud,” Shaw replied with a huff. “Her bark’s far worse than her bite.”
“Okay, everyone calm down a bit,” Kaspar interceded while he walked around inspecting the cave’s features. “Seriously, are you going to be okay?”
“A few years ago, I had a devastating heart attack,” Bud enlightened the group of his malady. “I basically flat lined until my daughter fought tooth and nail to bring me back from the other side.”
“You have a kick-ass daughter,” Shaw added.
“She gets it from her mother,” Bud responded with a soft chuckle. “Her mom’s full of fire and grit. A true lady.”
“Are they here with you?” Gillian asked.
Rubbing his chin, Bud continued recounting his story, “My friend, or, ex-friend, Kenneth Black backstabbed me, kidnapping my family, and he’s been dogging me ever since. I lost them in the crash and when I found them in the jungle, Black turned on me and with the help of his men, taking my family and about thirty other survivors. I also have a grandson as well on the planet, and another one aboard the last ship from Earth, The Athena.”
“We will help you find your family,” Shaw offered.
“Black and I were reunited after the crash and I pledged to help him find survivors if he helped me find my family. The core groups of survivors are with my old friend Captain James Page. They are finding shelter in the Apollo itself, living off whatever food they can find on the ship and around in the jungle.” Bud took a deep breath. “And, only I know where they are. It drives Black frickin’ nuts that he has no idea where they are.”
“Where’s he located?” Shaw asked, while he drew a picture of Gillian in the sandy cavern floor.
/> “The deal is, this planet seems to split into two separate sides. Light,” Bud was interrupted by Gillian.
“And dark,” she finished off his sentence.
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“I was able to survey the planet before our crash,” Gillian turned her head clockwise trying to figure out what the hell Shaw was actually drawing.
“In any case.” Bud rubbed his hands together. “These aliens prefer the dark, utilizing the cover for their hunting. The light seems to be our only saving grace at this time.”
“But?” Shaw interceded, not fully satisfied with the answer.
“But?” Bud responded with a quirky tone, not sure where Shaw was going with the questioning.
Shaw wanted an answer. “Yeah, what else are you not telling us?”
“Does he always do that?” Bud asked Gillian.
“Does what?” Gillian asked. “You mean finish your sentences and that weird ability to know what the hell is going on?”
“Yeah, that.”
“I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I thought all men were clueless.” She scooted over and took a look at Shaw’s picture.
“”I overheard Black chatting with his men about a solar eclipse?” Bud shared the information.
“Solar eclipse?” Gillian snapped her head back around in Bud’s direction. She enjoyed conversation involving science and logic.
“Yeah, that’s what I heard.”
“If that happens, then the entire planet will be submerged in total darkness for quite some time. And, if these aliens truly thrive in the dark, then there will be no safe place to hide for the survivors.” Gillian looked over at Kaspar who returned from his walk.
“Hey Boy Scout,” Shaw rose from the ground. “I’m glad you could join us.”
“What did I miss?” Kaspar asked.
“Bud’s family is missing, the solar eclipse is nearing, and Gillian enjoys sunsets and purple flowers,” Shaw answered back with his usual sarcastic dryness. “Just a normal day on New Earth.”
Gillian looked down again at the picture Shaw was carving in the sand. It was a rough sketch of her and the Commander watching the sunset.
Shaw continued, “You know, I have a real problem with this Black character. I don’t like it when someone messes with another man’s family. I think it’s time that someone taught this Mr. Black some manners.” Shaw walked over to Bud and placed his hand on the Bud’s shoulder. “You have my word on that.”
“Thank you.” Bud slapped Shaw on the forearm. “I would have to say Gillian’s wrong about you Lieutenant Shaw.”
“About?” Shaw asked.
“You are a sensitive guy,” Bud responded.
“Let’s keep that between us, okay?” Shaw whispered back. “I don’t want to ruin my image.”
“Yeah, got it. No problem.” Bud walked over to Kaspar. “I think we need to find the survivor’s camp, reload on supplies, and figure out a way to get Black and his men off our ass.”
“No argument from me,” Shaw said walking by Buds.
“Or me,” Gillian added. She unleashed a dorky grin, brushing past Shaw. “Hey there, Mr. Sensitivity.”
“Oh enough already,” Shaw chatted back. “Keep it in your pants Red, let’s not make the Commander jealous of our relationship.”
“Oh, he’s not paying attention to me right now,” Gillian retorted. “He’s too busy being in his element, planning something with his new buddy.” She motioned over to Kaspar and Bud chatting up a storm on the other end of the cave.
“Well, it’s good to see he’s making friends,” Shaw added. “I personally thought our Commander’s personality was made of granite.”
“Okay guys,” Kaspar said turning to face the group. “And gals.” He winked at Gillian. “We have a plan, a working plan that should get us to the Apollo by morning’s break.”
“Once there,” Bud interjected, “we will need to immediately stock up on weapons, food, and water, and then head in an easterly direction to the jungle.”
“Why east?” Shaw wanted to know.
“I’ve seen some their camps. Black and his men have several encampments spread out over the eastern end of the jungle. He prefers to reside as close as possible to the volcano.”
“Volcano?” Gillian’s interest peaked. “This planet has a volcano?”
“I suspect that’s where the alien creatures are living. Its dark enough in the volcanic chamber, and definitely warm enough for them to harvest their colony, without fully eradicating their existence. It’s reminiscent of the live by the sword, die by the sword metaphor.”
“I see you have done a lot of research on this haven’t you?” Gillian mused.
“When you’ve been stranded here for a specific amount of time, you start finding things to occupy your wandering mind.” Bud, with ginger steps, headed for the other end of the cave, following the swaying lights hanging erratically from the rocky ceiling. “Ever since Black took my family, I kept my nose close to the ground, and well, had to resort to some immoral actions in order to regain lost ground,” Bud’s tone displayed a wide range of emotion, from anger, remorse, and retribution.
Shaw followed suit graining his teeth against another in feisty passion. “I’m in.”
Kaspar and Gillian brought up the rear, their hands interlocked, smiles drawn on their faces.
“Yeah, I figure we have at least a week or so until this eclipse thing. Then its balls to the wall,” Bud shouted back. “I’ve done some secret missions, spying on Black, gaining critical intelligence that could help us stave off whatever he’s got planned.”
“This bastard’s never gonna see what hit him.” Shaw felt empowered once again, reminiscing about his fight with Adrian aboard the international space station.
“We have to move if we want to get their before dusk,” ordered Bud.
“Dusk?” Kaspar asked.
“Yeah, we were fortunate enough to land on the lighter side of the planet. However, when dusk approaches, you still hear rustling in the trees, and surrounding bushes. You can still feel their presence.”
“Bud, are you sure the survivors are still alive?” Shaw asked. “When was the last time you were with your friend?”
“I’m hoping so,” Bud replied. “I left the Apollo site roughly three to four days ago, Earth time,” he muttered. “My internal clock still runs on Earth time.” Bud reached the end of the cave, pushing aside the dangling vines and weeds, and sidestepped the small pool of water.
“Are we close?” Shaw said walking alongside Bud.
“We have to cross this small lake and head through the waterfall on the other side. Then, once we pass through the waterfalls, the Apollo is smack dab right in the middle of the meadow.”
“Meadow?” Kaspar asked while he bent down and splashed the water over his face. “Isn’t that a bit obvious?” The water dripped from his red beard.
“Like I said before.” Bud reached down and withdrew a small canteen hanging from his belt, refilling it, then topping it off with a hard drink. He then tossed it at Kaspar. “Dusk seems to keep these creatures at bay, and Black has no idea where the Apollo landed after the crash.
“Wasn’t he on board when she crashed?” Shaw asked after taking his turn at the canteen.
“Black and a few other members of the crew were knocked unconscious and before anyone could do a head count they wandered off to the jungle never to return,” he paused, “until I found them later on in their new capacity.” Bud again refilled the emptied canteen. “Now, let’s move before we start losing daylight.”
“No argument here,” Shaw picked up the slack and followed closely behind the determined Marine.
Kaspar and Gillian again interlocked hands and casually splashed through the water en route to Apollo’s location.
The Hunt
“I saw an entrance up ahead,” Cole insisted.
“Where?” Black turned to his Lieutenant.
“Somewhere in here,” Cole fru
strated, tore apart the jungle’s vines and snapped the hanging branches in half in a desperate attempt to find the mysterious entrance.
“My patience wears thin Cole,” Black growled. “We need to find them,” he ordered.
“We will,” Cole said. He continued his rampage through the jungle.
The Doberman’s keen senses picked up on the macabre of scents on the ground, barking wildly, instigating a new direction. “Ah yes, leave it to a pair of dogs to do what you can’t.” Black leaned over and grabbed his prized dogs by the scruff of their necks. He elevated, even hastened his pace, leading the pack of hungry Doberman’s through the horned brush.
“Showoff,” Cole grumbled while his men followed Black into the heart of the jungle.
“Dusk approaches,” Bud noticed the dimming horizon. He titled his ear to one side and raised his hand.
“What is it?” Shaw turned around, straining to listen.
“Dogs. And, they are barking.”
“So?”
“Those are Black’s dogs,” Bud added. “And trust me, you definitely do not want to be staring at those boys face to face.”
“Why?” Shaw asked.
“Let’s say Black keeps them very hungry and on a very short leash.” Bud darted up the hillside, his rifle dangling across his back. “We need to head to higher ground.”
“Why?” Kaspar broke free from Gillian and jogged to catch pace with Shaw and Bud.
“It’s only a matter of time before Black and his men break through those caves and find us.”
“What do you suggest?” Kaspar asked looking around. “A stakeout?”
“I like the way you think.”
“You can see everything from up here,” Shaw knelt down beside Bud at the very pinnacle of the hilltop.
“That’s the point Lieutenant.” Bud removed his rifle and armed the accurate weapon. “They won’t know what hit them.”
“We can’t make it back to the survivors in time?” Gillian crouched down besides Shaw.
“Not with them so close on our tails,” Bud attempted a trail run with the rifle.
“You hold that thing like an expert marksman,” Kaspar noticed Bud’s crisp handling of the weapon.
Wrath of the Carnelians (Europa) Page 16
