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Post by Ayen on Mar 10, 2012 2:53:26 GMT -6
For centuries Earth stood as the third planet from the sun, ocean of blue and tints of green, which made up the continents. For centuries it stood as the only known planet where life was possible. Now it joins the others in the system as a planet absent of life. Where ocean of blue was once clearly visible there is nothing but dried up gray, the tints of green replaced with red, bright, burning.
Earth was no longer a place of life.
All that remained of civilization was a single ship in orbit.
The human race faced extinction.
Captain Tori H. Jacobs stood in her captain quarters at the right of her work desk, overlooking the decayed Earth. Time was lost to her as all she could think about was the final moments of the planet before they took off. Her eyes closed as flashes of blood touching the ground filled her mind, screams echoing through her brain, images of ink black tendrils coming for her, for them.
Multiple voices, people shouting, unable to make out anything being said. One voice stood out among the rest, inhuman. Cackling surrounded it, everything else was drowned out as the voice forever etched itself into her skull.
We are the seeds of your destruction!
Haunting.
The screams got louder alongside the sound of gunfire. People were dying all around her. There was nothing she could do but run, run to the ship. It was the only means of escape, a gift of the gods. It could only hold a few. The screams of humanity could be heard behind them.
Tori!
Tori!
TORI!!!! “Tori?”
Tori came back from her memories and turned around to face June.
“Are you all right?”
“Had better days, June. What do you got?”
“Everything on the ship appears to be operational. Weapon systems, shields, armor plating, warp core. There's enough food to last us for a while. We should have everything we need---”
Tori walked over to her desk and sat down while June spoke, cutting her off near the end of her sentence--- “To live here while we wander out in space, you mean.”
“Until we find a new world.”
“You really think there's anything out there to find aside from balls of gas?”
“There has to be. We're just one system – there's a whole galaxy out there!”
“What about the A. I?”
“EDI is unable to fully take control of the ship unless given access through the A. I Core and even then she's limited to her own programmed protocols she must follow. There is nothing to indicate that she would turn on us in the future.”
“We can't run a ship with just seven people, June. What are we going to do about all those unmanned stations?”
“EDI can make up for the lack of personnel. That is if we give her full access to the ship.”
“So our choices are either run back and forth this ship station to station or put our fate into the hands of an A. I from a different dimension. Great.”
Said Tori sarcastically.
“You're the Captain. It's your decision.”
“Not exactly comforting.”
June walked up to the left of Tori and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“If anyone can lead us through this, you can.”
Suddenly the comlink activated and a voice was heard on the other side addressing Tori,
Captain, do you read?
“Loud and clear. What is it, Joker?”
We're picking up something coming out of Earth's atmosphere. Captain, it's THAT thing!
“It can space travel?”
“Joker, lay in a course out of here. June and I are on our way down.” “Don't need to tell me twice.”
Joker began setting a course out of orbit while Tori came down to deck two, walking past the Combat Information Center alongside June and made their way to the Bridge where Shinta was waiting for them. “Tori. I heard we're getting ready to leave orbit.”
“You heard right.”
“I'll assume I don't have to tell you about the personnel situation.”
“I already told her, Shinta.”
“We don't have much of a choice right now. If that thing catches us while we're still in orbit we're screwed.”
Once they arrived on the Bridge where Joker was located a small round blue virtual ball appeared next to him.
“I trust Ms. Evans already told you that I can assist the personnel situation, Jacobs.”
Tori looked over to EDI, keeping her distance from it as she was weary of it still.
“So I'm told.”
“Course locked in, Captain. Ready at your mark – that thing is getting closer.”
“Get it up on the view screen.”
The window in front of them was replaced by a monitor which showed the large creature surrounded with various, uncountable tendrils covering up its body, red eyes looking out ahead towards the ship with the last remnants of Earth. Remnants it must destroy. The viewing screen went blank and Tori looked back to the others who were waiting for her to make a decision. And she didn't have a lot of time to make it.
“Tori, what is your decision?”
“June, unlock EDI and give her full access to the ship – Shinta, I need you to monitor the creature, let us know what it's doing beforehand.”
The two nodded and hurried to carry out Tori's orders as she contacted Lily down on deck three in the Main Battery room,
“Lily, please tell me you have our weapons online.” “Hey, give me a break. I'm working with alien technology here. You're lucky nothing blew up yet.”
“We don't have time! We need weapons online now!”
“All right! There. Torpedoes ready to fire.”
“Joker, fire torpedoes! We need to buy time while June works on the A. I Core.”
The creature drew near only to run right into a swarm of torpedoes from the ship's guns blasting into it many tendrils, but the creature kept coming seemingly unharmed as its tendrils came to wrap around the ship and crush it but the ship was able to evade the tendrils sent after it and began creating distance with the monster.
“No good! It's still chasing us!”
“June, I hate to rush you but---!”
“Almost done...”
The ship continued to evade as many tendrils as it could but some hit weakening the shields. Despite previous failures Tori ordered to fire weapons again, this time aimed at the tendrils trying to surround them. It managed to break through but the tendrils quickly regenerated after they made it by the shortly lived clear path and continued their pursuit. Just when capture by the creature appeared likely EDI spoke up,
“I now have direct access to all unmanned stations.”
“Joker, get us the hell out of orbit!”
The ship charged up and then in the blink of an eye disappeared from the sight of the creature. Tori sighed a sigh of relief, wiping sweat from her forehead as Joker sat back to relax in his chair.
“Not for nothing, Captain, but I wouldn't have waited on June, to leave orbit.”
“Due to lacking available personnel for all stations leaving orbit would have proven difficult, Mr. Moreau. Allowing me to take control of the ship was the best course of action for Captain Jacobs to take.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“That was too close,” said Shinta, returning to the Bridge.
“I can't believe that thing can live out in space. What is it? Where did it come from?”
“It's hard to say for sure. If June's theory is correct then multiple realities do exist and they're on a collision course for destruction. Who knows what we're find out here and what reality they'll come from.”
“Tell everyone to assemble in the War Room. We need to plan our next move.”
Tori entered the white and brown War Room, standing at the end of the rectangle shaped table looking at the rest of the crew, her friends. EDI appeared at the panel directly in front of Tori as she looked down towards the A. I. Shinta stood on the opposite side of Tori with Lily and June on the right and Nex and Mary on the left.
“What do we know so far about The Creature?”
“From what we have observed on Earth The Creature is capable of draining all life it touches through its tendrils. Had it managed to capture the ship it would have drained our shields and crushed us. The Creature possesses strength, speed, agility, endurance and reflexes unlike anything I have witnessed. Our recent encounter suggests that it can also endure the environment of space.”
“Is there any chance it can catch up to us?”
“Without further analysis of The Creature itself I cannot answer that query. If it attacks us again then we will know.” “Wonderful, not only do we have to live here forever we have to flee from a big ass monster that wants us dead!” said Nex sarcastically.
“Without the appropriate upgrades I cannot guarantee survival in a prolonged encounter with The Creature.”
“Where are we supposed to upgrade this thing? You're not even supposed to exist in this reality!”
“If my theory is correct we could find a dimensional rift – like a “hole in space.” That could lead us back to EDI's reality.”
“What are the chances we find a rift back to her own reality?”
“It is, as you humans say, “a long shot” but worth investigating.”
“EDI and I will be able to analyze any opened rifts in space we come across to determine where it leads. If it leads anywhere we can find upgrades we can work from there.” “Are we actually considering fighting this thing?” asked Mary.
“We can't run forever, Mary. Sooner or later we'll have to face it.”
“And we need to be ready when and if that time comes.”
“That thing took on every military power on Earth singlehandedly and reduced the planet to a barren wasteland. What makes you guys think we can do any better?”
“I'm inclined to agree. It's a big galaxy – maybe we can hide out in an asteroid field or something...”
“Cowards. That thing took out Earth, don't you want payback?”
“We're all that remains of Earth, perhaps all that remains of humanity. We shouldn't jeopardize that by going off looking for revenge.”
“Easy, Mary. We're just looking for ways to defend ourselves if that thing attacks again.”
“Right. I-I'm sorry...”
“What's our next step?”
“Mars is the closest planet to us right now. The space armor on the ship can also work as space suits allowing us to land on the surface of the planet. We can be the first humans in history to go to Mars.”
“Is this really the time to be playing astronaut?”
“It's believed that Mars once inhabited life like Earth. We may be able to find something there that can help us. Additionally, with the technology available here we could also establish a colony there.”
“What good is a colony with The Creature on our tails?”
“Eventually we'll have to start growing our own food. Colonizing a planet is the best way we have to do that. If we can find salvageable water on Mars we'll be able to use that too. It's better than wandering around the galaxy forever.”
“Colonizing won't matter as long as The Creature is still a threat. It'll wipe out whatever life remains on Mars just like it did with Earth if we don't find a way to stop it.”
“I suppose you're right.”
“Still, a little exploration never hurt. Who knows what we might find on Mars. Could be something we can use to help us against The Creature.”
“Joker, lay in a course for Mars.”
On it.
“So we're decided. Our top priory is to do everything we can to stop The Creature once and for all, even if we have to do it alone. Is there anything else?”
“There is one thing, Tori. It's not something I expect us to do straight away but I think it warrants discussion.”
“What is it?”
“We're the only humans out here. Our entire civilization was destroyed. We have a responsibility to ensure the survival of our species. In order to do that we're going to have to have children.”
The room suddenly tensed up at the suggestion, June blushed at the thought, Lily cocked an eyebrow and Nex eyes turned wide as he looked at Mary.
“What!?”
“What is it with you Christians always wanting to have babies?”
“There's no telling how long we'll be out here, how long we'll be at war with The Creature. We need someone to pick up where we leave off when we die. Otherwise they'll be nothing left of our civilization.”
“Do you really want our children to inherit this mess?”
“What other choice is there? It's nothing we have to decide on now. Take time to think about it at least. With the resources on this ship we may not even have to have sex to procreate.”
“Take all the fun out of having kids why don't ya.”
“...”
“Dibs on Shinta if we do go through with this. There's no way I'm having kids with Joker.”
Don't flatter yourself, Lil. I could get a much nicer girl than you.
“Blow me!”
I thought that was the result you were trying to avoid?
“Joker, stop using the comlink to spy on our conversation.”
Sorry, Captain.
“Meeting adjourned. Everyone back to their stations.”
Shinta, Lily, Nex and Mary made their leave, EDI's virtual appearance vanished and June was close to the exit of the War Room until Tori turned around and spoke,
“Except for you, June. I have something I wanted to discuss.”
“Yes, Tori?” replied June as she walked back over to her friend.
“Back on the surface of Earth, when I was running away from The Creature. It said certain things that stuck with me. Things I would like you to look into.”
“Such as?”
“It talked about an end of days. Referred to its master as “Arashi.” If possible I'd like to learn more about this.”
“It would help if you could recite what it said exactly.”
“I'll try.”
Tori closed her eyes and focus her thoughts to bring the memories of The Creature's message to the forefronts of her mind and as soon as she could hear the voice speaking she repeated everything, word for word,
We are the seeds of your destruction!
Your fate is sealed; wrapped in the guise of man do They walk amongst the innocent, Terror shall consume all flesh, skies rain fire, sea becomes blood, the righteous shall fall, Creation shall tremble, your Salvation is no more.
We serve Arashi. We serve Destruction. We are Eternal.
“There's something worse than that monster?”
“Now you see why I didn't want to discuss this in front of the others. They have enough on their minds already.”
“I do. Don't worry, Tori. I'll use all available resources to find out more.”
“Thanks, June. I owe you.”
“In the meantime you should get some rest.”
“Plenty of time for that when I'm dead.”
“If you get some rest now I can make it worth your while later,” flirted June.
“Well when you put it like that...”
June smiled.
“Catch you later, Tori.”
June gave Tori a kiss and then left the War Room. Tori watched her leave before turning back to face the table, staring at it aimlessly while being lost in thought. Reliving the one part of the message she couldn't bring herself to tell anyone on board. Especially June.
The ones you cherish most will be the first to perish. |
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