Stories by Kiera Dellacroix

by Dellacroix, Kiera

  She slammed her coffee mug down on her desk, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully, thinking, not for the first time, that she should just call the Commander to the carpet and force her to admit the details of her insidious plan. So lost in her thoughts, she almost screamed in surprise when the alarm klaxon went off suddenly.

  "Dr. Rivers, PO's Percy and Coy and all military personnel report to excavation immediately," McNeely barked over the PA system. "Move it, people!"

  "Oh, boy," Corky said out loud before leaping to get her gear.

  Five minutes later, she was sprinting down the corridor, pausing as she passed through a heavy fire door to wiggle into a safety harness and strap spikes to her boots. The metal tiles of the hall abruptly gave way to ice only a few feet past the door and she clamped onto the guide rope that led down the icy tunnel to the excavation site.

  The corridor made for slow going, being completely carved from the ice and leading down at a forty-five degree angle for close to a quarter of a mile. One slip and it would be a long slide on her ass to the bottom before she was called up short by the safety rope. She moved along as quickly and as cautiously as she could, becoming aware of others making their way down the tunnel behind her.

  Almost ten minutes later, she reached the end and emerged into the circular chamber of the main dig site. The room was a little over a hundred yards both long and wide. A shelf about fifteen yards wide ran the circumference of a gigantic hole in the ice that spiraled downward for another quarter of a mile. One reached the bottom by way of a rather narrow pathway cut from the ice that wound down the interior to the floor of the pit.

  Upon entering, she was assaulted by an unimaginably foul odor, so strong it made her eyes water. "Where's the fire?" she yelled to get everyone's attention, relieved when Clovis emerged from the crowd.

  "Stand by, Doctor," Hanson said as he rushed by.

  "What's going on, Clovis?" she asked.

  "We hit a pocket in the ice," he explained. "The bottom fell out."

  "Oh, God," Corky said in horror. "Anyone down there?"

  "Just Mark, he was the only one in a bad spot when it happened," Clovis said. "He's trapped, we couldn't reach him."

  "Is he okay?"

  "Seems okay but if he slips, he won't make it," Clovis said grimly. "The pocket looks to be about forty or fifty yards deep."

  Corky broke away from her friend and pushed through the spectators to see for herself. She looked over the side to see that the cave-in had taken a good portion of the walkway with it, making it impossible to get to the bottom. Where unfortunately, Mark clung desperately to the ice, precariously close to the edge of a nasty drop.

  "I'm going over, start feeding me slack," the Commander's voice barked over the radio in Reynolds hands. "Get everybody on the ropes, he's gonna be heavy from this distance."

  "We're on it," Reynolds replied. "Slack to come slowly," he added and turned to start issuing orders to the men working on a series of ropes that Corky belatedly noticed.

  She gasped quietly when she realized what was happening and turned a closer look over the edge, following the path of the ropes to the figure in a black sombrero dangling from the end. Anxiously, she watched the Commander level a rifle across the void directly at Mark, instead of a bullet, it fired a bolt and cable that shot across the distance between them and buried itself in the ice about three feet away from Mark's head.

  Corky chewed on her lip nervously as she suddenly let go of the side and started pulling her way across, an exercise that took almost ten minutes before she reached the other side and got a harness and rope onto the man.

  "I'm not convinced the bolts will hold both of us, I'm sending him across first," Malory's voice came over the radio. "Is Dr. Rivers there? Mark fell several meters and took a beating. Be gentle with him."

  "She's here," Reynolds replied. "And will do."

  The crowd watched as Mark spent almost twenty minutes pulling himself across the cable to the other side. Once he got there, Reynolds turned to the men on the ropes. "Pull him up but go easy, he's injured."

  Corky looked over the edge trying to assess the man's injuries from a distance; she turned to get Percy's attention. "Did we bring a stretcher?"

  "Yes, ma'am," he replied and she nodded in approval.

  "I'm headed across," Malory said over the radio.

  "Understood," Reynolds replied and turned to face the laboring men. "Watch the Commander's ropes, she's moving."

  By the time Mark was pulled over the edge, the Commander was three-quarters of the way across the cable. Percy and Coy rushed forward to assist the man and Corky's eyes again fell to the figure still below, watching with horror as the bolt on the far side broke free from the ice. "She's falling!" she yelled.

  "Brace!" Reynolds bellowed.

  Corky covered her mouth with a hand as the Commander tried to get her feet in front of her to soften the impact. She was only partially successful and was slammed against the wall with stunning force; the men on the ropes grunting with the effort of her falling weight.

  "Get her up here now!" Reynolds ordered, dropping his radio onto the ice and running over to grab a spot on the rope.

  Every available man rushed over to lend their strength to the effort and Corky nervously watched the figure below for any signs of life, surprising herself with the relief she felt when the Commander lifted an arm and spoke into the radio.

  "I'm okay, go easy."

  Shoulders slumped in relief and Reynolds clapped Clovis on the shoulder before getting up and retrieving his radio. "Good to hear," he said.

  "Dr. Rivers," Percy said. "Isaaks has a broken arm, other than that, just a few scrapes and bruises."

  "Get him to Medical, I'll be along shortly," she said distantly.

  "Right away."

  Corky loitered for a few minutes, feeling it her duty to hang back and see if the Commander needed any attention, or at least, that was what she kept telling herself. Presently, the men rushed forward to help her over the edge and she stood shakily, leveling a grin at everyone present and sparing a quick smile in Corky's direction.

  "Fuckin'A, that hurt," she exclaimed boisterously, receiving a round of relieved laughs and chuckles.

  "Chief Reynolds," she barked after they had subsided.

  "Commander," he said, coming to attention.

  Malory studied him carefully, again struck by the Chief's uncanny resemblance to a younger Sean Connery; a man she harbored a secret attraction to. "Tomorrow you'll explain to me why the people working down here didn't have radios, forcing someone to run all the way to the compound to raise the alarm."

  "Yes, Commander."

  She walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Well done," she complimented and looked around. "All of you, very well done. Is Mr. Isaaks okay?"

  "A broken arm, he'll be fine," Corky said. "I'd like you to report to Medical at your earliest convenience."

  "Alright," she agreed and Corky turned to begin the climb back to the compound.

  "I want to speak to everyone tomorrow at 0900 in the mess hall, excavation is put on hold until I make some decisions and this area is off limits until that time."

  A few faces appeared to protest but she cut it off quickly. "No exceptions," she warned. "Mr. McNeely, a word, please."

  III

  Malory walked into Medical close to an hour later feeling bone tired. Dr. Rivers was still working on Isaaks so she slumped into a chair by the door and waited. She could hear Corky talking to the injured man in low tones behind the divider and her eyelids started to grow heavy. She thought about just going back to her quarters but her shoulder was screaming at her to stay put. Reluctantly, she acquiesced to the demands of her body and leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes.

  When Corky emerged, she was surprised to find the Commander asleep, her stupid fucking sombrero sitting in her lap. After much consideration, she decided to let her be and quietly summoned Coy to help Mark back to his quarters.

 
; It was the arrival of the young Petty Officer that woke Malory and she suffered a few seconds of disorientation, regaining her bearings as Mr. Isaaks was being ushered past. He stopped in front of her and held out a hand, she stood to take it.

  "Thank you, Commander," he said. "That was a brave thing you did."

  "You're welcome," she said with a tired smile.

  "Commander, would you join me back here, please?" Corky asked.

  "I'll let you get to it," Mark said, releasing her hand. "Thanks again."

  "Anytime," she said, watching Coy lead him out of the room before turning to face the doctor.

  Corky stared at her for a long moment. "Are you injured?" she finally asked.

  "Yes."

  Corky chewed on her lip. "Come have a seat," she said and gestured to the exam table behind her.

  "Would you summon, Mr. Stokes first?" she asked. "I was going to do it but I fell asleep."

  "I think if you're hurt we've put it off long enough."

  "Please."

  Another long stare, this one of a curious nature. "Alright," she said, moving over to the phone to summon Clovis.

  They waited in an uncomfortable silence, fidgeting uneasily until Clovis stuck his head in.

  "What's up, Corky?" he asked, his eyes lighting up when he noticed the Commander. An action that didn't go unnoticed by the doctor and she felt a twinge of jealousy.

  "Actually, I wanted to speak with you," Malory said. "At the meeting tomorrow I want you to explain to me, as if talking to a child, exactly what it is you expect to find under the ice."

  He looked at her confusedly. "You weren't briefed?"

  "I'm not one for deciphering scientific texts, Mr. Stokes," she said. "That's why I want you to explain it to me tomorrow in Fisher Price terms."

  A scathingly insulting comment was perched on Corky's tongue but with an effort she swallowed it before it could be voiced. She could plainly see how tired the woman was and it occurred to her that she was vastly overmatched in the bitch department if hostilities were to flame anew.

  "Alright," Clovis said.

  "Thank you," Malory said. "That's all, Mr. Stokes."

  He knew a dismissal when he heard one. "Goodnight, ladies," he said with a departing smile.

  Corky waited until the door closed behind him to speak. "You ready now?"

  "Alright," Malory agreed, walking over to the table to take a seat.

  Corky moved to follow her but was called up short.

  "Lock the door, please," Malory requested.

  "Why?"

  "Just do it, please."

  Corky pursed her mouth thoughtfully and did as she was asked. "Alright, what's the story?"

  "My left shoulder."

  Corky moved forward. "Let's lose the jacket and shirt so we can have a look."

  "You'll have to help me," Malory admitted. "I can't raise my arm more than a few inches."

  "Jesus," Corky whispered. "Why didn't you tell me something earlier?

  "Because I was needed and there was another in worse shape."

  Corky shook her head and gently helped her out of her parka. "I'll have to cut off the sweatshirt if you think it would be too hard to lift over your head."

  "Cut it off," Malory answered quickly.

  Soon the sweatshirt was reduced to a rag and Corky examined her quickly, noting the surgical scars discreetly placed along her collarbone and shoulder. "What happened here?"

  "Old injury."

  "I see, well you have a hell of a bruise on your shoulder, I'd like to x-ray."

  "Okay."

  Twenty minutes later, Malory was lying down on the examination table, staring up at nothing and waiting for Corky to deliver the bad news. She could hear her grunting over the x-rays and had come back to the table once to poke and prod her aching shoulder, with what she suspected, was a little more force than absolutely necessary.

  "Well, Commander," she suddenly exclaimed, walking back to the table and hovering above her. "It would seem to me..."

  "You can call me Malory," she interrupted.

  Corky blinked. "Excuse me?"

  "You can call me Malory."

  "Why would I want to do that?"

  "Because its my name?"

  Corky looked at her thoughtfully. "I think I'll stick with Commander."

  Malory sighed. "Sorry to hear that."

  "Uh huh," Corky said. "You ready to hear your diagnosis?"

  "Shoot."

  Corky straightened into her most professional stance and spoke solemnly. "It seems you're suffering from... an owie."

  Blue eyes rolled. "Can I get a second opinion?"

  Corky chuckled. "In a few months, sure."

  "And what treatment would you suggest for this heinous injury?"

  "Amputation, of course."

  "Why am I not surprised?"

  Corky smiled. "Nothing's broken but you did sprain your shoulder. You've had a lot of prior work done in there, must have been pretty bad."

  "Yeah."

  "Hmmm," she grunted. "I'll give you some meds for the pain but it'll get better quicker than you think, just don't overuse it or abuse it."

  Malory nodded.

  "Can I ask you a question?"

  "Okay."

  "What does the 'Q' stand for?"

  A confused look.

  "As in Malory Q. Lovecraft."

  "Oh. It stands for Quinn."

  "Quinn?"

  Malory smiled slyly. "Yeah, I was named after a song. Wanna hear it?"

  "I'll pass," Corky said quickly. "But are you up for another question?"

  "I guess."

  "You sure about that?" she asked. "If you answer honestly, there'll be another question. Maybe a few."

  "Go ahead. I'm lying here in my bra, you have me at your mercy."

  "Why did you single me out for abuse?"

  Malory sighed. "Because I figured the sooner I got past your attitude and forced a confrontation, the sooner we could be friends."

  Corky had been wary of the answer and was actually surprised by the seemingly honest response. "I see."

  Malory turned eyes in Corky's direction. "Is there another question?"

  "Why did you kiss me?"

  "Because I'm attracted to you."

  "What made you think I would want to be kissed by another woman?"

  "Nothing, I just wanted to do it."

  "So you didn't know I was gay?"

  "Had no idea."

  "That took guts."

  "Perhaps."

  "Why did you have me lock the door?"

  "Because I'm the Commander," she said. "Now, as much as I enjoy the interrogation, I would really like to go to sleep. Could you help me get my parka on so I can return to my quarters, please?"

  Corky stared at her for a long moment, finally nodding her consent and helping her with her jacket.

  --------

  Malory shuffled out of her quarters the next morning and made her way down the hall, entering the mess hall and going immediately for the coffee, refusing to acknowledge anyone until she satisfied her craving.

  Once the coffee had provided her with the required early morning stamina, she turned to face the crowd and seated herself at the front of the room. "Chief Reynolds," she said. "You have an explanation for me?"

  Dr. Lenard spoke up in a rush. "Commander, it seems that several of us are to blame for the lack of radios, we...uhm... often forget to take them."

  "I see," she said. "Mr. McNeely, your opinion, please?"

  "It'll take a week or more to recreate a safe working environment," he reported. "And I'll need some help."

  "Very well, you're in charge," she said. "Use whoever you need, I want to see a duty list by the end of the day."

  "Done," he answered with a nod.

  She considered for a moment. "When the Sergeant Major informs me he is satisfied with the conditions in excavation, we can resume our dig," she said finally. "No one is to be found in that area without his permission until that ti
me." She looked around for objections and was pleased when she saw none. "Also, in the future, anyone caught working down there without a radio or a safety rope will be relieved and confined to quarters for a time to be determined by myself. Any questions?"

  None were forthcoming so she turned to Clovis. "Mr. Stokes, do you have a lesson plan prepared for me?"

  "You bet," he said.

  She stood and gestured for him to take the floor, taking his chair when he got up and shooting a wink at Dr. Rivers, who had been seated next to him. To her dismay, the doctor pretended not to notice.

  "Okay," he said gruffly, clearing his throat. "What we expect to find, what we hope to find, is a spacecraft, or more accurately, pieces of a spacecraft, that we assume crashed into the ice at some point in very distant history."

  Malory was dumfounded. "What?" she blurted in surprise.

  Clovis looked at her confusedly.

  "I'm sorry, please continue," she said, embarrassed and choosing to ignore the few quiet snickers.

  "From sonar readings and estimated projection, it seems the craft crashed into the ice with enough force to break apart at impact."

  "How long ago was this?"

  "Impossible to tell," Clovis replied. "It would depend on a lot of variables, it may have crashed with enough force to basically bury itself. We think that's part of the equation but undoubtedly, it's been here for thousands of years."

  Malory leaned against the back of her chair thoughtfully. "Why do you assume it to be a spacecraft?"

  "Because we've uncovered several small pieces of material that apparently broke off of the main craft already. It's of a composition we can't identify, the atomic structure is extraterrestrial."

  "And the main craft, is it still intact?"

  "It seems there are three large sections still relatively intact," Clovis said. "It is from those pieces that we hope to gain the most knowledge."

  She grunted. "Alright off the subject, why did it smell so bad in there yesterday?"

  "I would assume stale air."

  "You don't sound convinced."

  "We haven't had the chance to investigate."