Dying Planet

by C. O. Amal

  “I sort of know.” Johana answered.

  “Sort of?” Rayan said.

  “I work for the NASA and earlier today we got a specimen from the Martian soil. And the specimen had a virus on it. It contaminated the whole NASA research center. Marselia virus is highly contagious. The infected persons are releasing an airborne version of the virus as a gas. That is why the virus is spreading quickly” Johana said.

  “So, the outbreak happened here originally started from your research center?” Rayan asked.

  “No. The outbreak happened here because someone from mars, who had been infected, came here.” It is from that infected, the outbreak happened here. We had deployed some men here to contain the disease. But, I fear for them.” Johana said.

  “I saw some men in biohazard suits. But, they all fell under the disease.” Rayan said.

  Johana drove the car through the gravel road.

  “Do you think the military will come to contain the situation? Rayan asked.

  “If they would, they should have done it already. The disease may have spread throughout the country because of the presence of airborne version. Our only hope is to get out of Los Angeles, may be go and hide in a bunker or something like that.” Johana said.

  “So, where are you going to now?” Rayan asked.

  “I have kids in my home all alone. I have to get to them before the virus spreads.” Johana said.

  “Where are your children?” Rayan asked.

  “They are here in Los Angeles in Centorus.” Johana said.

  Centorus is a small town with population about hundred.

  “Can I come along?” Rayan asked.

  “Of course, you can. Besides, my husband is outside United States, in Africa. We could help each other.” Johana said.

  Rayan smiled. Johana drove the car towards Centorus.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 9

  City of Centorus, Los Angeles

  Rayan and Johana reached Centorus at night. The streets seemed to be abandoned, not normal in these times. Johana reduced the speed of the car. They watched each house they had passed for any danger. No danger so far.

  Finally Johana stopped in her house’s driveway. They got out of the car and carefully moved towards the house. The house has already been lightened. The power is still working. Suddenly the front door opened and two kids came out of the house.

  “Oh! My dear, children, are you guys alright?” Johana asked.

  “We are alright, mom. But the people on the streets were not fortunate like us. They killed each other. We were waiting for you to come.” The elder kid answered.

  “Rayan, meet Josh and Sam. My children.” Johana said to Rayan.

  “It’s nice to meet you guys.” Rayan said.

  “Rayan, come inside we have lot to discuss.” Johana said.

  Rayan and Johana went inside the house. Johana shut the door behind her.

  “Josh, Sam, did you guys come in contact with any infected people?” Johana asked.

  “No, mom.” Sam said.

  “Did you guys smell anything weird?” Johana asked.

  “No.” Josh said.

  “Good. Take your face masks from the closet and wear them. We are going to a safe place in the morning.” Johana said.

  “Okay, mom.” Josh said. With that Josh and Sam went upstairs to take their face masks.

  “Rayan, make yourself at home. Feel free to use the refrigerator, there may be something to drink.” Johana said.

  Rayan walked toward the refrigerator and he opened its door. He took a bottle of fresh water and drank from it. Suddenly a sharp screech emanated from outside. The creatures have found them. All the creatures nearby rushed forward towards Johana’s house.

  Johana and Rayan exchanged a panic glance. They ran upstairs.

  “Josh, Sam, come here, we are leaving right now.” Johana said.

  Josh and Sam quickly came towards Johana.

  “What should we do? The creatures are on your doorstep.” Rayan asked.

  “We should somehow reach my car. I have a gun here somewhere. Let me take a look at my bedroom.” Johana said.

  Johana quickly got inside the bedroom and came out with a pistol and a box of bullets in her hand.

  “Where did you get a gun?” Rayan asked.

  “It’s my husband’s. He is an ex-military.” Johana said.

  Johana took a hand bag from the corner and placed the gun inside it with the box of bullets. Then she went near the refrigerator and took three bottles of water. The creatures began to thrash at the front door.

  “We should take the fire exit. While the creatures are busy at the front door, we have a slight chance of survival.” Johana said.

  All followed Johana to the fire exit. There is an escape ladder on the back of the house. Johana carefully climbed down through the fire escape ladder. Others followed. After they reached on the ground Johana motioned at them to follow her. They followed her towards the parked car. She pressed the remote switch of her car key to unlock the door. The door opened but then the creatures rushed at them after hearing the beep sound indicating that the door has been unlocked.

  Johana, Rayan, Josh and Sam quickly got inside the car and locked the doors just in time. The creatures collided with the car door. They began to thrash at the car windows. Josh and Sam screamed with panic. Johana put the car in ignition and drove away from the house. The creatures followed the car. Johana accelerated the car to the maximum speed and the car rushed through the road. The creature can now be seen as tiny spots, through the back window.

  “Where are we going to?” Rayan asked.

  “I haven’t determined yet.” Johana dialed a number on her cell phone. “… Shit, no network …” Johana threw the phone to the back seat.

  “What do you mean you haven’t determined? You must have a destination in your mind.” Rayan asked.

  “This thing is spreading fast we need to get out of this place before we become infected. Based on the records, this thing can even affect plant life and other living organisms.” Johana said.

  “What? So, this thing indeed will spread quickly.” Rayan said.

  “Yes, it will. Our only chance is an isolated place. Do you know about anything like that?” Johana asked.

  “No. I don’t have any places in my mind. May be we could go to some remote island or something like that.” Rayan said.

  “That’s a good idea. We could go to an Island. According to the scientists who have studied the Martian specimen, the Marselia virus cannot spread through salt water; in other words, salt water destroys the virus completely. An island surrounded by the ocean is a perfect place to hide from this.” Johana said.

  “But the government will contain this, right? They have to contain it.” Rayan asked.

  “So far did you saw any government workers? No soldiers are deployed so far. I think they may have been infected.” Johana said.

  “Did you guys have any luck on the cure?” Rayan asked.

  “As far as I know, there is no cure. We have sent samples to WHO research facility. We haven’t heard from them after that.” Johana said.

  “So, what do you think we should do?” Rayan asked.

  “We should go to an Island as planned. That’s our only hope.” Johana said.

  “Then we should head to the nearest harbor.” Rayan said.

  Johana rushed the car until they reached an inter section connecting two roads. The street sign indicates that, left road leads to Los Angeles harbor. Johana accelerated the car in the direction of the harbor where they could possibly find a boat and go somewhere far away.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 10

  Washington DC, White House

  “Mr. President, we need to take a decision now. We don’t have time to waste.” General Williams said.

  “So, the ‘project mars’ was a failure?” President asked.

  “Yes, president, it was a total failure. They failed to contain this. Now it has spre
ad to our entire country. We have delayed all flights leaving from, and entering to, our country. We are trying all we can to contain this, but with the presence of airborne virus, we don’t stand a chance.” General said.

  “So, what should we do?” President asked.

  “At this time you should declare martial law. And should give permission to exterminate all of our infected citizens, before this goes out of our hand.” General said.

  “Are your soldiers prepared for this?” President asked.

  “Half of my battalion is infected by Marselia. Only half remains and they are well prepared.” General said.

  “Then martial law is in effect from now on. I give permission to exterminate the infected persons.” President said. “Also, I want full information about which cities fell fully under this plague.”

  “We will get you the records.” General said.

  “Then, this meeting is dismissed.” President said.

  Everyone went out of the room. President walked toward his personal chamber.

  “Do you think we will be safe here?” First Lady asked.

  “Soldiers have surrounded the building. No infected will come near this place. Soldiers are well trained to handle these problems. So, don’t worry about a thing.” President said.

  “Did you watch the news? The disease has spread to Canada. They have reported minor outbreaks all over there.” First Lady said.

  “What? But the General said all possible exits from our country are sealed. How did it got out.” President asked confused.

  “News reported that, it spread possibly through birds.” First Lady cleared her throat. “The airborne version of the Marselia virus is affecting all plant and animal life forms. I think we don’t stand a chance for surviving against this. What do you know about the origin of this disease? Did General mention anything about that?”

  “The virus was originated from planet mars.” President said with a deep sigh.

  “What?” First lady asked confused.

  “Yesterday a mining team on mars had found some biological matter buried deep under Martian soil. Some of the men were exposed to a strange gas, possibly the airborne version of virus, during the extraction process. They turned in to those creatures shortly after the cargo arrived here. Some infected persons managed to escape from mars and Landed around Los Angeles. The first outbreak had reported from that location. Then somehow the scientists experimenting on the specimen were exposed to the virus from the NASA’s research facility in Los Angeles. The major outbreak had happened from Los Angeles.” President said.

  “So, it spread right under our nose.” First lady said.

  “Yes, indeed.” President said.

  Suddenly gunfire erupted from near the building.

  “What is it?” First Lady asked.

  President went near the window and observed the surrounding. The infected people are storming at white house. It seemed that the gunfire is only attracting more infected people. Soldiers are inside biohazard suits. But they didn’t stand a chance against the might of the creatures. The creature took over the place quickly. Soldiers were ripped apart by the creatures.

  “We should head to the bunker right now.” One of the security guards came to the President’s personal chamber and said.

  “Is it that bad?” President asked.

  “Yes, Mr. President. Come on, we don’t have time to waste.” The security said.

  “All of you walk to the bunker right now.” President said to his family.

  Everyone followed the security to the bunker. The front doors are shut. But the infected are trying to thrash open the door. Finally they reached a room with a steel door. The security pressed some buttons and the door burst opened. The door is an air tight door. Nothing gets in. Everyone entered inside the bunker. The walls are filled with rows and rows of canned food.

  “How long do we have to stay in here?” President asked.

  “This bunker is designed to support life for up to two weeks. We will stay here as long as it takes.” The security said.

  “What happens after two weeks?” President asked.

  “We will monitor everything from here. Once those creatures are gone, we will go outside.” The security said.

  “Let’s wait then.” President said.

  “But, what about the civilians.” First Lady asked.

  “We have given them warning to stay indoors at all possible. We have issued all warnings. Now, their fate rests with them. We can’t risk going out there.” President said.

  “President said right. We can’t risk going out there. We will wait for help. We have informed the UN about this. They will take necessary actions any minute from now on. WHO is still working for the cure. We haven’t heard from them yet. But soon, they will find a cure.” The security said.

  Suddenly the steel door began to vibrate. The creatures are outside and have somehow detected the people inside the room. Security personal quickly switched on the CCTV camera.

  “It seems that the creatures have found us.” The security said pointing at the monitor.

  The monitor is filled with the images of the creatures. Their body is filled with bruises. Some of the creatures had lost limbs. Some creatures’ face is missing large chunk of meat. All of them are thrashing at the door at unison. The door is vibrating at maximum level. Suddenly the door’s hinges broke and the door fell inwards. The creatures rushed toward the fresh meat. Scream of the victims lost in the growl of the creatures.

  The white house finally fell under the might of Marselia.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 11

  UN Headquarters, New York City

  “These creatures are storming to every populated areas. It seems that they are always hungry for flesh. We need to find a solution now, before the creatures storm here also.” An old man in his fifties said.

  “It’s your duty to contain this situation. We can deploy our soldiers if you want. What is Mr. President has to say about this?” Russian representative, a middle aged man, asked.

  “We have lost contact with the White House. I fear for the worst.” The old man, American representative, said.

  “We all have to take a decision now. We may deploy soldiers here or we may choose to stay in our country blocking all possible exits.” Russian representative said.

  “With the presence of airborne version, nowhere is safe. Also this Marselia virus affects plant and other animal life forms. So we are looking at a major catastrophe.” American representative said. “These beings, infected people, appeared to be releasing this airborne version in a larger scale. It will reach about five feet from an infected. Even though the life time of airborne version is less, it still poses a great threat.”

  Suddenly gunfire erupted from outside the building.

  “It looks like they have reached here too.” The American representative said looking through the window. “Quick, move to the upper level, to the helipad.”

  Everyone starts to move to the upper level through the stairs. No one wants to take the elevator. They were afraid that the power would go out during the elevator journey. The creatures stormed at the surrounding buildings. People’s desperate scream can be heard everywhere. Now each person’s fate rests with them and god.

  Finally they reached the helipad. A blue coloured helicopter with UN logo is parked there. Everyone opened the helicopter door and entered. The small helicopter’s back seat got filled with ten people. The pilot entered in his seat.

  “Where are we going to?” The pilot asked.

  “We should head to any of the military ships. It’s our only way to survive.” American representative said.

  “Okay, we will head to USS Mariner. I heard that she is around New York harbor.” The pilot said.

  All nodded. The pilot switched on the engines. The rotor started to rotate at high speed. The helicopter slowly began to rise from the helipad. When the helicopter is at a safe height, the pilot rushed the helicopter in the direction of Ne
w York harbor.

  “What is that pungent smell? It seems that this place is filled with a strange odor.” The Russian representative said.

  “It may be the rotting smell of those creatures.” French representative suggested.

  The helicopter finally reached the New York harbor and safely landed on the USS Mariner. The ship is huge, with plasma cannons. A soldier came near the landed helicopter and opened the door for them. Everyone landed their feet on the ship. The ship is floating on the ocean water about one mile away from the harbor.

  “Is everyone alright?” The soldier asked.

  “Yes, we are fine.” The American representative said.

  “So, where is this ship headed to?” Russian representative asked.

  “We are waiting for any survivors. We have deployed ships nearly in all ports for survivors. We can’t go near the city because the place is filled with the airborne virus. The creatures are continuously emitting the virus.” The soldier said. “Come with me, I will lead you to our captain.”

  Everyone followed the soldier. Suddenly the Russian representative fell down possibly due to tiredness. The soldiers nearby quickly came to help him. They helped him stand up, but then, the Russian representative shifted his head in an odd manner and he jumped on top of a soldier and he bit him on the neck.

  “We have an infected aboard …” Soldiers yelled.

  Quickly the other UN members also turned.

  “Kill them before it’s too late.” One soldier yelled.

  The nearby soldiers aimed their assault rifles. But the creatures were quick. They rushed at the soldiers. The fallen soldiers quickly turned. Some soldiers fired their guns. The shots hit some of the creatures on the chest, but the creatures kept on coming.

  “Shoot at their head.” One soldier yelled.

  But it was too late for a resistance. The ship got filled with screech, scream and gunfire.

  “What is happening down there?” One of the fallen soldiers’ radio beeped, presumably the captain, trying to contact his sailors.

  The ship’s atmosphere quickly got filled with the pungent odor. Soldiers covered their nose with their hands. Captain came to the bridge. The site in front of the captain horrified him. The creatures are everywhere on the ship. Some of the creatures are eating on the corpses of the soldiers. Captain quickly went inside the ship’s control room and he shut the door behind him. The crew looked at him with panic eyes. Panic is in everyone’s face.