By Andrew Swearingen
Long shadows crept down the hallways of the dead ship. The occasional piece of debris floated past, confirming Lianna’s theory that the whole ship had been decompressed. The structure looked intact, but no sign of the crew yet.
Corporal Chang moved ahead, rifle ready, methodically inspecting each dark corner of the ship as they searched, their magnetic boots thunking with each step.
The internal comm system of Lianna’s EVA suit chirped.
“Commander Garza?”
“Go ahead, Parker.”
“We’ve reached the computer core. It’s running in safe mode, but I should be able to get it going.”
Lianna sighed. Once they restored power to the ship, they could pilot her back to base for repairs. Command would be pleased. Any ship to help in the fight against the Vulk.
“And Chrysalis?”
“Intact. We’ll have to go down another deck for a full inspection.” Parker’s voice was unsettled. He had disapproved of the project from the start. Plugging soldiers into a ship’s computer seemed too “Vulk-like.”
“Update me when you’re finished. And keep an eye out… for her.” Lianna forced a tremble out of her voice.
“Of course, Commander.”
“Hazlo así!” Lianna said.
“Hazlo así!” Parker replied, and signed off.
“Commander?” Chang turned to look at Lianna. “Why does your squad say that?”
“Means ‘do it’ or ‘get it done.’ Something my mother… says.”
Chang nodded, putting his focus on the corridor again.
They quickly reached the door to the command deck. Chang pulled on the manual release for the door, but only managed to crank it an inch or so open.
“Give me a hand with this,” Lianna said. They pulled on the door, which resisted stubbornly at first before giving way.
A black shape reached out through the door. Chang leapt back, brandishing his rifle.
“At ease, Corporal.” Lianna shined her light on the doorway.
The nearly fleshless skeleton of a gunnery officer hung in the weightless space. “It’s one of ours.”
Chang averted his gaze.
“First time seeing the result of the Vulk harvest, Corporal?”
Chang nodded.
“Knew they took parts from the dead, but—” Chang suppressed a gag.
“Cybernetic creatures with organic components,” Lianna said. “They harvest the parts they can use on themselves or on their ships. Then they leave the rest. Process isn’t always clean.”
Lianna gently removed the ID tags from the skeletal remains then eased the body to one side. “Let’s go.”
Their lights revealed a dozen more bodies. Some buckled in place at their stations. Others floating through the open space. All deprived of their flesh.
“Collect their tags,” Lianna said.
She moved across steel grating that covered the command deck’s open floor plan. Her heartbeat quickened, thumping irregularly. She steeled herself for what was coming next.
She rested her hand on the back of the captain’s chair, slowly turning it towards her. Skeletal eyes stared up at Lianna. The occupant of the chair wore an ash grey command uniform, but the rank insignia was for a Lt. Commander. The name patch read “Byers.” The ship’s XO.
Lianna slowly turned, taking in the rest of the bridge.
“Mamá?” Lianna said under her breath. “Where are you?”
Without warning, the computer at one of the stations began chirping, chattering off a string of tones.
“Commander Garza.” Parker’s voice crackled over Lianna’s comm. “Computer systems are starting up all over the ship.”
“I see that,” she said as the bridge continued coming to life. “Command deck is lighting up as we speak. Good work.”
“Wish I could take the credit. We were trying to engage a few basic systems, but seems the thing rebooted on its own. And there’s something…” Lianna heard an audible gulp. “She’s here. The admiral.”
Lianna held her breath, terrified of the question that screamed in her mind.
“The harvesters didn’t get her, but they’ve hooked her in to Chrysalis.”
More light filled the command deck. Lianna stared at the computer console in front of her.
“She’s okay, though?”
“She’s fine, commander, but… she’s been fully synchronized. We can’t get her out.”
A small voice told her it couldn’t be true. That Parker didn’t know what he was talking about. Her mother wouldn’t have done this.
And Lianna knew better. She knew that her mother would do whatever it took to help in the defense against the Vulk. No matter the cost.
The console in front of her blinked. A window with a message app, linked to Chrysalis, showed one message: “Buenos dias, mi amor.”
Lianna immediately started typing as quickly as her gloves would allow. “Mama?”
She waited several excruciating second before receiving a reply.
“Here.”
Lianna stroked the screen as more text formed.
“Hoped you would come.” A new light blipped, indicating visual communication had activated. “I see you. I hear you.”
Lianna switched her comm channel, syncing it with the console. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Well as can be expect.” There was a break before more text formed. “Sorry. Language is awful. Still adjusting. AI speech centers programed for English. Not helping.”
Lianna smiled for a second. “Why, Mamá? This was supposed to be a trial run for Chrysalis.”
“No choice. Vulk ambush. Test subjects killed in first wave. I was next best choice.”
A tear grew larger in Lianna’s eye.
“Am sorry, love. Not easy. Thought of you always.”
Lianna nodded, clenching her jaw.
Warning lights flashed on the screen.
“RADAR CONTACT!”
The display showed three ships moving fast toward them. Vulk ships.
She switched her comm back to her team. “Chang! We’ve got incoming! Take the weapons station!”
Before he could react, the ship’s heavy guns roared to life, destroying the lead Vulk ship.
A new line of text appeared. “Weapons systems active. I’ll handle the Vulk.”
Lianna switched her comm back to Chrysalis. “What do you need from us, Mamá?”
“Keep Chrysalis program running smooth. Need help with ship maneuvers.”
“I’ll take the helm. Just tell me where I need to go.”
“Hazlo Así.”
Lianna nodded. “Hazlo Así.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I liked it. When I read – [The nearly fleshless skeleton of a gunnery officer hung in the weightless space. “It’s one of ours.”] – I wondered, “A skeleton? in space?” But you quickly answered the mystery. It was a good ‘surprise.’ The story keeps you reading – I became curious, wanting to know more about the Chrysalis. I also want to know more about the mom; more specifics of how she got there and if she can get out eventually. All that makes this short story is also a good set up for more chapters should you choose to do so; perhaps with some modifications, perhaps as it stands – It will work either way depending on where you go next.
Paul
Sentence correction:
All that makes this short story a good set up for more chapters should you choose to do so; perhaps with some modifications,
instead of;
All that makes this short story is also a good set up for more chapters should you choose to do so; perhaps with some modifications,
Nice, you create a universe in a few words. I like the imperfection of the Chrysalis, I can imagine being forced to think in a different language would be a challenge.
Interesting twist on the ‘sentient weapon’ trope. I like it.
A good kernal for a longer story. Very enjoyable.