by Ben Hammott
The whirring drone of the fan slowed.
The green light on the cell's lock turned red.
The click of the electronic mechanism was loud in the silence that had prevailed. Even the constant creaks and groans of the spaceship had ceased. It was as if the vessel held its breath. Lucy stared at the red light that flashed intermittently on the cell door.
A series of hisses emanated from the darkness within the cell.
Something groaned.
Whatever had been imprisoned inside the cage had awoken and was free.
Cloaked by the darkness, the Tentacle Monster attacked. Knocked off balance, Lucy fell to the floor. As the Tentacle Monster's cold limbs wrapped around her body, Lucy lashed out with a fist. The monster screeched when the punch popped one of its eyes. She gripped the monster's slimy head, her thumbs slipping in the gaps between its teeth, and kept its head at arm's length. She rolled over when its tentacles slithered tighter around her arms, legs and body, clambered to her feet and rushed at the wall. The monster slammed against the bars of the cell. Caught off guard by the unexpected halt in the darkness, the momentum shot Lucy forward, stopping with her head only inches away from the monster's snapping mouth. She jerked away, but it was a stalemate. The monster wasn't going to release its grip on her and Lucy couldn't or she would be killed.
When Lucy sensed movement in the cell, she leaned her head to the side so she could see around the monster and peered into the darkness. Suddenly the Tentacle Monster screeched as it was yanked backwards, dragging Lucy with it. Her head slammed into the bars, the blow cushioned by the Tentacle Monster's thin body being pulled through a gap between the metal bars. She moved away when the tentacles released their hold upon her. Silence filled the void left by the ceasing of the Tentacle Monster's screams.
As Lucy dashed across the room to retrieve the spear, she noticed a square of red light that hadn't been there before. She rushed over to investigate. It was a cupboard and through the transparent door she saw objects bathed in the red glow that by their shape could only be weapons. She pulled the door open, snatched up the two weapons and fled through the exit.
The squeal of the cell door's protesting hinges drifted along the dark corridor behind her.
EV1L stared at the open lock of the door trapping it in its cell. Though touching the bars would cause it pain, it was its only escape. It had been imprisoned for long enough. A smoke-formed hand reached out from its hazy mass. Oily darkness poured down the limb to solidify the hand when it gripped a bar and pushed open the door. The metal around its touch grew bright and seeped along its hand. A mouth formed amidst the smoke and let out a pained scream that only ended when its hand released its hold on the metal. Drained of the energy it had gained from the recent meal it had hungrily consumed, EV1L's mass had shrunk and turned the wispy grey of early morning mist.
The strange two-legged creature that had escaped would have provided it with a little extra of the sustenance its mind and body desperately craved. As EV1L slowly exited its cell and floated across the room, wisps of its form drifted free and dissipated into nothingness. EV1L was dying. To survive it needed to find further sustenance quickly.
A Sudden Change of Direction
SO FAR RICHARD and his two escorts' journey towards the exit had gone without a hitch. No monsters had made an appearance and they had taken no wrong turns.
Richard was aware if their good luck continued they would soon reach the cargo bay and once through the hangar he was out of the damn spacecraft, free and safe. He wasn't sure what would happen next. Transporting him back to civilization wouldn't be a priority of the Americans or the British. He'd probably be confined aboard the American ship until the salvage operation had been completed before any transport could be arranged. Anything was better than being aboard this death ship. Once he'd left this godforsaken frozen world, he would never return.
Richard paused at the top of the staircase and glanced at the two Clickers the SEALs had killed earlier highlighted by Jenkins flashlight.
Talbot glanced around worriedly, his weapon light searching the darkness. “Why have you stopped?”
Richard pointed at the corpses. “Relax. The Clickers haven't been eaten. It's a good sign the area's free of monsters.”
Richard's observation brought the soldiers a little comfort. They too would be glad to reach the exit. Though they wouldn't be allowed to leave, duties around the hangar were far preferable to roaming through the ship where death could strike at any moment.
Talbot took the lead down the staircase and along the corridor at its base. He stopped after a few feet and stared ahead as his eyes and flashlight searched the darkness.
It was Richard's turn to worry. He frowned. “What is it?”
Talbot shook his head. “I'm not sure. I thought I heard something.”
“Maybe it was just the ship creaking,” suggested Jenkins, hopefully, who had turned to point his weapon back along the corridor.
“Maybe, but shouldn't one of you go and check?” Richard suggested. “Your orders are to protect me.” He was so close to the exit now he didn't want to take any risks.
Talbot scowled at Richard. “If you think your death would cause anyone concern, think again. All our lives are expendable when compared to the salvaging of alien technology.”
Richard was under no illusions the man's words weren't the truth. “That's as maybe, but if my life's at risk, so is yours. I'm only trying to keep you alive.”
“That will be a cold day in hell when I put my life in your hands, however…” Talbot looked at Jenkins. “Keep me covered while I go check.”
Jenkins nodded and pushed Richard to the side so he had a clear view of the corridor. They watched Talbot cautiously approach the intersection and after a brief pause he disappeared around the corner.
Neither Jenkins nor Richard noticed the floor hatch lift slightly behind them or the tentacle that slithered out and searched for the disturbance it had heard above its domain. It moved between Richard's feet without detecting his presence, but when its probing tip touched Jenkins' boot, it seemed to sniff the strange object. Satisfied it was something that could be consumed, it rose into the air and coiled back like a snake about to strike before shooting forward. It wrapped around Jenkins's ankles, clamped his legs together and pulled. Jenkins toppled to the floor when his feet were yanked out from under him. Richard was knocked off balance when Jenkins crashed into him and collided hard against the wall before dropping to the floor.
Jenkins screamed as he was dragged backward. His hands scrabbled about for something to stop him. The only thing within reach was Richard's leg, and he grabbed it.
Richard recovered from his shock and glanced at the hatch cover that slammed loudly against the floor, the tentacle attached to Jenkins' ankle snaking from the opening, and Jenkins's terrified expression.
“Help me,” pleaded Jenkins.
The man's desperate plea fell on deaf ears; there was only one person Richard planned on helping, and it wasn't Jenkins.
“Let go of me!” yelled Richard savagely. Ignoring the man's screams, he kicked at Jenkins' hand with his other foot. When he was free, he crab-walked out of the man's reach as Jenkins grabbed for his foot again.
Running footsteps approached from behind Richard as Jenkins was pulled through the opening so forcefully the back of his head slammed against the edge. Talbot ran past Richard and threw himself to the floor. He thrust his arms into the hole to help his friend, but Jenkins was already out of reach. Highlighted by the rifle falling with him, Talbot watched Jenkins disappear into the darkness until he was lost from his sight.
Talbot turned and glared at Richard accusingly. “What the fuck just happened.”
“Hey, it wasn't my fault. Something grabbed him and pulled him into the hole. I told you weapons wouldn't protect you from everything in this ship.”
“And I bet you're so pleased you've been proven right,” Talbot replied angrily.
Richard shook h
is head. “Not at all! We now only have one weapon. The good news is that we don't have far to go now, so I suggest we move before that thing returns.”
Talbot turned away before he struck the man, and shone his light into the hole. “Jenkins!” he shouted.
Richard climbed to his feet. “You're wasting your time. The man's already food for whatever monstrosity lives down there.”
The stare Talbot aimed at Richard was fierce and angry. “Go if you want, but it's my time to waste and I'm not leaving until I know for certain if Jenkins' alive or dead.”
Richard, oblivious or unconcerned by the man's temperament, continued to rile him. “Stick your ear in the hole and you'll probably hear his bones crunching.” Richard's eyes flicked to something behind Talbot. “Shit, we need to leave, now!”
Talbot spun and dodged back to avoid the tentacle zooming towards him. He aimed his weapon and fired a short burst, cutting the tentacle to shreds. A screech drifted up the shaft and something thumping on the metal sides quickly followed.
Richard backed away. “Well done, now you've really pissed it off.”
“And you think that makes it any less friendly than it was before?”
Richard shrugged. “It can't have helped.”
Talbot cautiously approached the opening and peered inside. A mass of tentacles surged up the shaft. He fired into the hole. Tentacles peppered with bullet holes shot from the opening and grabbed him. They twisted around his legs and waist and pulled him off his feet. Talbot tried to aim his weapon at them, but his shoulders slammed into the floor when he was jerked towards the hole.
Richard's first instinct was to flee. His second was there might be monsters between him and the exit. Unarmed and without a light he might not make it very far. He sprinted for Talbot and grabbed the rifle.
Talbot kept a tight grip on the weapon and glared at Richard. “Let go of the damn rifle and grab my arms.”
“I can't kill monsters with your arms. Let me have the rifle and I'll save you.”
“Like fuck you will.” As Talbot slipped into the hole, he grabbed Richard's leg, tripping him to the floor.
Richard kicked at Talbot's head in an attempt to release the desperate man's grip, but it was too late. Both men were pulled into the shaft and both screamed as they fell.
*****
With the route to the weapon store memorized as much as they could in the brief time they had managed to study the map before it went dark, the SEAL team moved through the ship towards their goal. The threat of constant attack by the spaceship's vicious inhabitants hampered their progress as every open side door, turning and intersection had to be checked before they could progress past it.
Their latest holdup was a staircase leading down to a half-landing before turning back on itself. They briefly paused at the top to look below and alert for monsters they slowly descended with their eyes searching below for anything that might be waiting to surprise them.
When Sullivan reached the bottom with the others close behind, he turned his light each way along the corridor and called out, “It's clear for as far as I can see.”
Colbert pulled the image of the map into his thoughts and pictured the staircase they had just climbed down. “Head right.”
Sullivan and Cleveland led them along the corridor.
Another boom like the sound of a distant explosion vibrated through the ship, a reminder from the iceberg that they were at its mercy. Creaks, groans and the distant sounds of collapsing metal followed in the wake of the disturbance.
Sullivan nudged Cleveland with his elbow. “I know this mission has turned out to be the shittiest one yet, but if we ever get out of here we're going to have a great story to tell our kids.”
Cleveland humphed. “It's alright for you, you're white. I've seen the movies. The token black man never survives.”
Sullivan laughed. “Yeah, you're right. Maybe I shouldn't stand so close, collateral damage and all that.”
“Quiet you two and concentrate on the mission,” Colbert ordered. He knew it was only nervous banter, a way to push aside their anxiety, but he needed his men to stay focused.
“Sir, I think we have a problem,” said Cleveland.
“You ain't farted again have you Cleve?” asked Crowe.
“You'll wish that was the problem,” replied Cleveland, stepping aside so those behind could see the mass of wreckage blocking the corridor.
It looked like a couple of floors had collapsed. The floor they stood on sagged on one side towards the buckled wall and creaked unnervingly when they approached the blockage. Pieces of unrecognizable machinery lay entangled in the twisted lengths of metal and floor plates.
“I guess we go back and search for a workaround,” said Stedman.
Colbert stepped nearer the barrier and examined the wall for a few moments before he knelt and aimed his light through the small gap caused by the buckled wall panel. The beam penetrated a space that might be a room. He slung his weapon over his shoulder. “Sullivan, give me a hand. I want to see if we can enlarge this hole.”
The two men gripped the loose edge and forced it back with a protesting groan until the gap was big enough to crawl through. Colbert crouched and again shone his light into the room. “Hold here until I've checked it out.”
After crawling through, Colbert swept his light around the room. He searched low, high and everything in-between. Only when he was satisfied it was free of any monstrous threat, did he start taking in the room's details. The beds situated at each end of the room were surrounded by strange mechanical arms. Cables hung from the circular pieces of equipment against the wall that looked like it might be some type of scanner that could move the length of the bed. Broken monitors and pieces of medical equipment were strewn across the bloodstained floor. The floor-to-ceiling transparent walls once forming what might have been a quarantine compartment lay in pieces on the floor. Even in its current state, it was obvious this room had once been a sterile environment and probably an operating theater, or some kind of medical facility. Screens as dead as the ancient corpse in the corner―patient or medical personnel was impossible to tell from the disarrayed skeleton―were placed around the room.
“You okay in there, sir?”
Colbert turned to see Crowe's head poking through the gap in the wall. “It's clear. Tell the others to come in.”
As Crowe disappeared to inform the others, Colbert crossed to the double doors, each set with a window in the top half, and peered out into a corridor vastly different from the others they had journeyed through. Apart from being wider, everything was white―the floor, ceiling, doors and every pipe, cable or fitting fixed to it. Colbert briefly focused on the identical set of doors opposite before glancing at the exits at each end of the short corridor that led left and right. All were closed. He moved to the door control and pressed the button. He wasn't surprised it didn't open; the whole level seemed to lack any power. He turned on hearing the others enter. “We need something to jimmy the door open.”
The men glanced around the room for something suitable.
Cleveland picked up a tool with one flat end and the other shaped like pincers. He held it up as he crossed to Colbert. “This should do it.”
Colbert glanced at the tool. At about eighteen inches long, it wouldn't offer much leverage. “Give it a try. Ramirez, Stedman, get ready to pull the doors open.”
Cleveland forced the flat end between the doors and was surprised by how easily they parted when he pushed the lever to one side. Ramirez and Stedman pulled them apart wide enough for them to fit through.
Colbert stepped into the sterile, white corridor and looked at the door that led back to the corridor with the blockage. It was obvious from the bulge in one side of the door, the frame and the wall that it wouldn't open. The door at the opposite end of the corridor would take them away from the corridor and their route to the armory. That left the door directly opposite the medical room. He stepped back, glanced at Cleveland and nodded at the door
.
The men set to work and it was soon opened, setting free a fetid whiff of decay and acrid-scented air that wafted over them. The vision that greeted them was equally unpleasant. Though the bloodstained beds that lined each side of the room and the skeletal remains of long dead patients that occupied some of them were a concern, it wasn't these that caused them the most alarm. This honor fell to the large, brown cocoons hanging from the ceiling throughout the room.
Not one of the men believed it would be a good idea to go anywhere near them.
“Close the door,” Colbert whispered.
The men were glad to do so and slid them together.
Colbert nodded at the door along the corridor. “Let's try that one, but only open it a crack until we find out what's on the other side.”
As soon as the door was open a few inches, Sullivan aimed his light through the slit. At first he saw nothing, but as his eyes adjusted he glimpsed something―two small points of lights.
“What do you see?” asked Ramirez, placing his eye to the gap when Sullivan moved.
“A couple of lights, so maybe the power's on.”
A rhythmic thumping emanated through the door gap.
Ramirez saw the lights now bobbed up and down and were growing bigger and then the monstrous head rush into the light.
Sullivan looked at the floor when it started vibrating.
Ramirez stepped back. “I suggest we move as that direction is definitely not an option.”
Cleveland peered through the gap. “What did you see?”
“What do you think I saw, a bunch of pixies sitting on toadstools singing a merry song? It's another damned monster, and it's coming this way.”
“Do you see it, Cleve?” asked Colbert.
