Stowaway Read online

  “Well what information do we have on Zade’s planet?”

  “The only data left is Zade’s personnel and medical data. It was tagged as such, so it never made it to the drone.”

  “Zade is expecting the next stop to be his home world. If we can’t get him there, what do we tell him?”

  “I don’t know.” Samix said as she sat down hard on the canopy of the command deck. Realizing that the friendly hitchhiker she had on her ship, might become violent as soon as he heard that he could never get home, Samix began thinking about her options and trying to figure out the best way to break the news to Zade. Both Jorloss and Samix finished their external testing in somber silence.

  Finishing early and waiting on Mur who still had forty-five minutes’ left, Jorloss and Samix sat on the ship and discussed how to break the news to Zade. As both sat in silent contemplation, Samix began to hear a high-pitched cackle coming from the woods at the nose of the ship. Samix stood up and moved to the front of the ship to try and see where the noise was coming from, but as she peered into the woods, another cackle erupted, this time to the back-left side of the ship. Turning, startled, trying to get sight of the source, another bout of cackling erupted, this time to the rear right of the ship.

  Grabbing Samix and pulling her away from the edge of the ship Jorloss whispered, “I know what those are, they were the second lifeform I saw when we first cataloged this planet. These creatures are, what appears to be, the top scavengers in this area, although when faced with hunger they will become active hunters. Similar to other canine species that we have run across, these have perfected the art of hunting in a pack. If they’re around, we may not have to explain to Zade why we can’t get him back to earth.”

  After finishing his explanation both Jorloss and Samix stood and creeped closer to the edge of the ship in an attempt to lay eyes on the creatures. All the while the cackling grew louder and more frantic. With the understanding of what the creatures were Samix knew that there were at least three of these animals staying just out of sight, waiting for the perfect moment to attack. Suddenly the frantic communications of the animals stopped, and the forest became eerily silent. As Samix began to hope that, against all odds, the creatures have lost interest in the ship and its crew, three towering shapes launched out of the wood line one targeting each of the SSILF tasked with protecting the ship’s crew. The SSILF at the nose of the ship had the animal on top of it before it could raise its weapon. After pinning the SSILF to the ground the animal wrapped its colossal maw around the SSILF’s head and after two violent shakes managed to separate it completely from the SSILF’s body, a body never destined to move again. Samix spun to see that both SSILF at the rear of the ship had been dismembered by the powerful clawed front legs of the other two creatures. As the two creatures at the back of the ship finished terminating the SSILF, a larger creature, clearly the alpha, walked out of the trees and began circling the trapped crewmen.

  While the animals were attacking they had been moving far too fast for Samix to get a good look at them. Now however, while circling the ship, Samix could see in extreme detail what her crew was facing. The creatures weighed in at three hundred fifty pounds with the alpha beating that by another hundred. The muscular creatures were covered in jet black fur with a green dappled pattern stretching across their chests and heads. They had six legs the four rear legs were slightly shorter than the front two, allowing them to run at full speed while using the four-inch razor sharp claws on the front paws to swipe at prey. The creatures’ mouths were misshapen and full of dagger like teeth that stuck out at wild angles. These creatures were the embodiment of aggression, strength, and cunning and now both Samix and Jorloss were trapped by them.

  ∆∆∆

  Just after venturing away from the ship, Zade decided to carve “Alex was here” into the trunk of one of the fat blue trees. Pleased with his own wit Zade continued deeper into the forest admiring the scenery and looking for wildlife. After walking for a short time Zade came upon a swift moving creek red with algae which, upon closer inspection, was home to beautiful phosphorescent fish that glowed vivid pinks and greens. Not knowing what the water might contain and not really wanting to have wet feet, Zade headed upstream to try and find a place where he could just jump across. Luckily, after only a couple hundred meters the stream sank into a rock fissure narrow enough to cross. Zade continued into the forest and only after walking for around an hour total decided to sit beneath one of the spruce like trees to rest out of the sun.

  As Zade sat down he felt something hit him in the top of the head, but thought it was nothing more than some cone or seed pod that had fallen out of the tree. As he marveled at the serendipity of his current predicament, his train of thought was interrupted again by something hitting him in the top of the head. Not one to be made a fool three times in a row, Zade looked up and locked eyes with the equivalent of an alligator skin covered baboon. As Zade jumped to his feet and put distance between himself and the tree, the monkey made his way further up the tree. Zade stood and watched as the creature began pulling rocks and nuts out of a small hollow in the trunk, hurling them at Zade as fast as his arm would move. Not to be outdone by a primate, Zade began collecting rocks to return fire. Zade’s third projectile connected with the monkey’s chest, knocking him completely out of the tree. It hit the ground and laid still. Afraid he may have killed the creature, Zade moved closer to investigate. At four paces away the monkey sprang to its feet and charged him. Almost before he could react the monkey was on top of Zade throwing wild haymakers at his face. Struggling to regain his feet, while defending himself, Zade managed to put a small amount of distance between himself and the creature. As the monkey tried to close the distance again, Zade was ready, connecting with a sharp kick when the monkey was in range causing it to, although unfazed, go airborne and land a few feet away. Again the creature charged, and the ensuing fistfight backed Zade all the way up to the red creek he had passed just minutes prior. Tiring and now unsure about his chances of beating this scrappy alligator monkey, Zade jumped the creek and prepared to make a break for it. After clearing the creek, just as he started jogging away, Zade turned to see the monkey on the opposite bank. As he turned his head to watch where he was running, Zade could have sworn the monkey began making obscene gestures.

  As Zade neared the landing site, he could tell something was amiss. When he had left, he could hear Samix and Jorloss’ voices well into the forested area. Now, almost in view of the ship, all he could hear was heavy panting with the occasional laughter. Slowing to a walk and crouching down Zade covered the last bit of distance until he could see the ship. What he saw, made his heart drop. The only two people in the universe capable of getting him home had been treed by, what looked to him, to be giant, black, six legged hyenas. Hanging back to watch the situation unfold, Zade made a plan. Currently the hyenas were circling right around the landing gear and between the hyenas and Zade there was the torso section of one of the SSILF.

  If I can get to the SSILF I can get its weapon and dispatch these mangy dogs.

  He could see four of the hyenas, with one being markedly larger than the rest and one appearing to have slightly misshapen legs running down its left side. As they patrolled around the craft there was a small window when both he and the SSILF were in the hyenas’ blind spots. Planning to sneak up to the SSILF body when the hyenas couldn’t see him, Zade would grab the weapon and retreat back to the tree line. Then from the safety of the trees, Zade would engage the animals, starting with the alpha, and finishing with the runt.

  Satisfied with his plan Zade sprang into action. As the last hyena turned towards the front of the ship, Zade ran to the SSILF and grabbed the weapon clutched in its now dead hands. After a sharp tug Zade realized that it was somehow attached to the SSILF. Thinking to himself, Seriously Murphey, Zade elected to carry the whole damaged robot section back into the trees, out of earshot of the animals. Once safely separated from the predators, Zade managed to pry
the weapon from the robot’s grasp, a task made difficult by dozens of tiny wires extending from the SSILF’s palms to the weapon stock. Doing a quick inspection of the weapon, Zade first checked the display located at the rear of the upper receiver, it showed a green battery. Not knowing what exactly he was looking at, Zade figured that a green battery must be a good thing and moved on to the magazine. After getting it to release he saw that it was filled with tiny bb’s.

  Come on guys, I know you’re an exploration ship, but bb guns for potentially hostile unknown planets?

  Slapping the magazine back into the weapon, Zade’s final check was for some kind of trigger. The only control Zade could find on the whole weapon was a tiny button located under the thumb of his front hand. Figuring if he stayed concealed in the trees, and the button fired the weapon he was good, and if the button did nothing, he could make up a new plan, Zade moved into position. The weapon had no sights but aiming the best he could at the alpha Zade pressed the button. The weapon exploded with a deafening roar, and the alpha disappeared in a pink cloud. Based on the carnage Zade knew he was holding none other than a railgun. Before the others could even react, Zade lined up the next target and pressed the button, nothing. As he squeezed the trigger the first time, Zade was shocked to see a thirty second timer begin counting down in his right field of vision. Along with the clock came a computerized voice, seemingly inside his head, which said,

  “Attention your actions have been deemed detrimental to the survival of this ship. If you do not cease aggressive actions within thirty seconds, the nanites in your blood stream will be forced to remove the threat by terminating you.”

  All right fuck you Murphy, now you’re just screwing with me.

  Examining the weapon, Zade could see that the once green battery on the display was now a soul crushing black with a red X through it, the weapon was out of power. While Zade was trying to fix the weapon, the remaining three hyenas had caught his scent and were now staring straight at him. Attacking one at a time, to preserve the hierarchy, the first began to run towards Zade. Out of options Zade jumped to his feet and flipped the weapon so he was holding it with both hands on the buttstock. As the creature closed Zade took two steps forward, closing with the animal before it could lunge, and swung for the fences. The weapon connected with the animal’s head with a sickening crack. Number two hit the ground and wasn’t moving. As Zade was grand slamming the second hyena, the third had moved into position behind him. Hearing it approach Zade turned just in time to lodge the weapon in the maw that had been aimed at his head. Although the weapon stopped the killing blow, the creature buried its razor-sharp claws into Zade’s shoulders and drove him to the ground. Struggling to maintain control of the weapon, Zade grabbed the ends protruding from either side of the animal’s mouth and twisted. The weapon broke in half, but only after Zade heard the satisfying snap of the creature’s neck. As the weapon broke in half the countdown timer, now down to eighteen seconds, disappeared.

  Three down, one to go. P.S. Ask Samix why she put a kill order out on me.

  Zade regained his feet still holding the two pieces of the weapon. Looking first at the remaining beast, Zade could see it had become slightly indecisive. Using the animal’s hesitation, Zade looked at the pieces of the weapon he held. The barrel section had broken free from the upper receiver leaving a sharp point. Tossing the rear half of the weapon, Zade squared up with the last beast. Learning from the last one he had killed, Zade knew that this one was going to lunge for his head; this time he would be ready. Seconds felt like hours, but the creature finally lunged at Zade. Side stepping the attack, Zade jumped into the air and drove the pointed end of the barrel into the top of the creature’s head with all his might. As the creature slid through the grass, obviously dead, Zade could see that with his new strength he had driven the barrel clean through the head, leaving only the section he was gripping exposed at the top.

  After dispatching the last hyena, Zade moved to the ship to check on Samix and Jorloss.

  “You guys good?” Zade asked

  When neither replied Zade looked up to see both, mouths agape, nodding their heads in shocked silence. After realizing that neither had been hurt, Zade made his rounds ensuring that all four creatures had been thoroughly dispatched. Confident that none were going to spring back into action, Zade began to examine the almost forgotten wounds that he had received from the third animal, to his surprise none of the eight jagged cuts bled more than a couple of drops. Moving his blouse out of the way, he could see that each had been sealed with a gray film. While pondering his injuries, Jorloss spoke up from behind Zade.

  “It’s the nanites, their basic programming includes repairing any injury that threatens their host’s survival. When we get back on the ship, you’re going to need replacements.”

  “Thanks, these little guys come in handy.” Zade said

  By this time Samix had disembarked from the top of the ship, and was looking at the dispatched animals. Closing with Zade, unable to even meet his eyes, all she could say was,

  “You…You handled four apex predators with nothing more than a club. You saved our lives.”

  With that she shuffled aimlessly back to the rear ramp, that was now opening, Mur had completed his tests. The crew cleaned up their equipment and the broken SSILF, which would be sent to material reclamation, and boarded the ship before any other wildlife came to see what all the excitement was about. Jorloss and Zade headed to the medical bay to replace the nanites Zade had lost due to injury, while Samix quietly headed to the command deck. As Zade stepped into his shower, he felt the ship takeoff and head for high orbit.

  Chapter 5

  After his shower Zade tried to grab some sleep, but rest evaded him. With his mind spinning about the events that had just occurred he stepped out of his room, grabbed a quick meal from the galley and retreated to one of the overstuffed club chairs in the common area, where he tried to picture any outcome of his situation that ended well. The lights had been dimmed as the ship was just entering its night cycle. From his time aboard Zade knew that the ship followed a lighting and ambient noise patter that must have represented the day night cycle of a Unity planets. Bereft of a watch since he came aboard, Zade could only estimate, but it seemed that the ship had a daylight period of about sixteen hours, and a night period of about ten hours.

  Now sitting in the darkened common area Zade replayed the events of the past day, understanding that for the first time since his first set foot on an active battlefield, he actually felt alive. Everything about this new experience smacked of what he had been missing back on earth. The seemingly never-ending string of boredom and disappointment Zade felt during his time in the military highlighted that even the most adrenaline filled dangerous job, being a combat officer deployed forward to a warzone, wasn’t enough to sate Zade’s appetite for excitement. The short time aboard the XES01 however, had excitement at every turn. First Zade was introduced to two separate alien species, then he was made near superhuman by advanced biomedical technology, capped off with single melee combat with gigantic space dogs. Zade began to realize that he could accept this new life, if given the option to stay.

  Not one to make snap decisions, Zade began thinking about the other option staring him in the face; the option to go home. Staying on with this crew, meant relegating himself to never seeing anyone he loved back on earth ever again. Zade knew he didn’t understand how the ships warp engines worked, but as an engineer, and aspiring physicist he did understand the concept of time dilation. Zade knew that while the ship was in warp, moving at or faster than the speed of light, time for the ship and its crew nearly stood still. Meaning that during the three-day warp the ship just made to and from earth, from the perspective of the planet, could actually have taken hundreds of years. Zade knew there was a distinct possibility that when he made it home, the planet could have changed significantly, and most of the people he loved could be dead. Hell, Zade thought, they might already be gone just after t
he first trip. Pushing the melancholy prospect from his mind, Zade began reasoning through the possibility that Zade was only actually gone for the duration that he spent aboard the ship. As he worked through this possibility, Zade knew that he could never go home.

  If Zade were to return six days after he left, he would be faced with two very unpleasant options. The first being, if Zade knew anything about the major, decades in prison for desertion. Zade would be returned, preferably to Manas, where he would be greeted by senior military leadership who were both relieved that Zade was back, and pissed that Zade had been missing. No one would believe his tale, and under pressure from the major Zade would be charged with desertion, stripped of his rank, and thrown in a military prison for the rest of his life. The second, and equally unappealing, option would be that people would believe his tale, and he would be either thrown in a mental health facility where he would spend the remainder of his now overmedicated life in a padded room, or carted off to a secret military facility where he would be interrogated and experimented on. An option much shorter than the last two because in this one, the military would dispose of him after they were done testing. Any way he cut it, Zade could see no happy ending resulting from getting dropped off on the blue marble.

  As Zade stood to refill his mug of sloop in the galley, Samix’s voice rang over the ship’s intercom system, she was calling Zade up to the command deck. Getting a refill now an afterthought, Zade headed up to the command deck where Samix was standing looking out the windows at the planet below. As Zade made his way next to her he caught view of her face, she was sad. It was the kind of sadness that comes with telling someone bad news, the kind of sadness only seen on a parents’ face when they are about to tell their child that the beloved family dog had died. As Zade waited for her to speak, he could feel a shred of anxiety settle on his soul.