Ice Rift (23 page)

“Even if it's possible, I doubt any salvage attempt could be arranged quickly enough to prevent the ship slipping into the sea,” said Jane.

Richard placed a hand gently on the lump in his jacket. He was impatient to be off the ship before his stowaway was discovered or something killed him. He glanced at the door at the far end of the room and then at Henry, who stood at the end of an aisle. Though Lucy was out of sight down one of the rows, the constant clicking of her camera revealed her position. “Henry,” he called out. Henry glanced at him. “I think we should leave.” He pointed at the hole in the ceiling. “The monster entered through there and there could be more.”

Henry nodded. They'd lingered long enough. “Lucy, we have to go.”

Lucy sighed. “I know.” Reluctantly she moved out of the aisle, but continued to take photographs on the route to the exit.

They passed out of the specimen room and followed Richard's hurried walk to the auxiliary control room.

The Mimic entered the auxiliary control room, descended the curving slope, walked past the table and down the steps to the lower control area. She walked over to a console and pulled out a tube similar to the one that attached itself to Henry's neck in the main control room. When she moved the end toward her face, her form parted to reveal the large queen within. The tube hissed when it latched onto her. A press of a few buttons transferred the information she required to her brain. The tube detached and slid back into the console. As her face reformed, an upper door opened. She faded into invisibility and moved across the room.

The team reached the control room without encountering any other creatures. Once all were inside, they spread along the balcony and gazed at the room below. Richard pointed at the table he'd told them about, noticing the lights that had previously been dark on the control panel were now lit. “I've no idea what it does, but from what you told me, I think it might be what the computer was talking about.”

They walked down the ramp and crowded around the table.

When Jane pressed a button beside one of the displays, a menu appeared with an English option. She tapped the word on the screen. A second menu appeared. She read through the selection and chose
Internal Navigation
and tapped
Deck Plans
on the third option screen.

They stepped back from the table when the purple gelatinous fluid covering its top moved. Columns of the substance rose up and tendrils seeped out into horizontal lines to form layers. Details began to form on every surface. Slightly less than thirty seconds later they all stared at a purple 3D representation of the ship's internal layout.

They stepped forward for a closer look. Set out like this they were able to see for the first time how huge the ship was. They'd barely visited a quarter of its main rooms.

Max leaned forward and peered through one of the levels, moving his head from side to side for different viewpoints. “It's amazing.”

Theo was also fascinated by the technology that had produced such a detailed model so quickly. “It's similar to something a 3D printer would produce.”

For a few moments they all studied the model, looking at it from different angles and heights.

The click of a camera roused them from their examination. They glanced at Richard.

He smiled. “One for the scrapbook.”

“Good idea,” said Lucy, who'd been so fascinated by the model, she'd neglected to photograph it. She pulled out her camera and snapped off some photos.

“For all its expertly rendered details, I can't see how it helps us plan a safe route to the engine room, as we've no idea where the monsters are,” said Henry.

Jane turned her attention to the control screen again. She pressed the
Additional Details
option. The menu that appeared had the option they required. She selected the
Show Life-forms
option.

When blobs of the gelatinous substance peeled off to form the creatures roaming the vessel, they were again astounded by the level of detail produced by the advanced technology. Each life-form aboard the ship was represented. What was even more amazing was that very few of the depicted aliens were static. Their eyes followed the movements of the creatures in their particular field of vision.

“I've never seen anything like this and wouldn't have believed it possible if I hadn't seen it for myself.” Theo reached out and poked one of the tiny creatures; it felt gooey to the touch. It oozed past his finger as if the obstacle wasn't there.

Lucy pointed at a section of the model. “Look, even we're represented.”

Their tiny forms in the model mimicked their movements when they crowded around Lucy to see for themselves. Jane raised an arm and waved. Her tiny self did the same.

For the first time in a long while they laughed as each formed a position that was copied by their 3D representations. Max even did a little dance that his smaller facsimile copied.

“As fascinating and entertaining as this is,” said Henry, “we need to find a safe route to the engine room.” He pointed at the control screen. “Is it possible to plot a route on that thing, Jane?”

Jane read through the list of options displayed on the screen and tapped a few choices on consecutive menus. “I can't find anything that's going to help us other than to show the different levels one at a time.” A press of the touch screen removed all the levels from the 3D image to leave an expanded view of the level they were on.

They again examined the model.

Lucy scanned the nearby rooms and corridors on the 3D blueprint. “At least there's no monsters close by.”

Theo traced a path with a finger from the room they were in to a staircase leading down to a lower level. “This route is currently free of the creatures.”

“Jane, can you bring up the lower level so we can see where the stairs lead?” asked Henry.

The layout of the lower level promptly appeared, complete with roaming creatures. As before, any rooms that spanned more than one level, as the cathedral and engine room did, were depicted in their entirety.

The staircase led to a long corridor that ended abruptly at a missing area of the model that stretched the width of the ship and beyond that was the engine room.

Max pointed at the blank section. “That could be caused by the damaged sensors the computer mentioned.

“The missing section's a worry, but that's our route,” said Henry. “It's a long haul, but as far as we can tell, it's currently free of monsters.”

Jane brought up the level they were on again.

Jack pointed out the doors along the route that weren't functioning before. “We'll have to hope the computer was able to power these doors up, because going back the way we came isn't an option.”

Their eyes settled on the cathedral room and the insect-like creatures crawling through it and up and down the sloping path. A large congregation of the insects waited by the door they had fled through what now seemed a long time ago, as if waiting for them to return.

“Okay, everyone, memorize the route,” said Henry.

Richard snapped off photographs of the planned route.

When everyone had familiarized themselves with the path to the staircase, they exited the room.

The Mimic faded into view and stared at the model for a few moments before tapping the control screen to bring up the lower level. Her dark eyes studied the rooms, corridors and prowling monsters and then glanced at the door the humans had disappeared through. She'd understood everything they said and was pleased they were heading for the exit. Soon her long imprisonment would be over. She moved across the room and exited through a different door than that taken by the humans.

THE TEAM'S STEADY PACE through the corridors carried them nearer to the staircase to the lower level and so far it had been free of monsters, but when they passed the opening to a corridor that led off to their left, they heard something to indicate their luck was about to change.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

Lucy trembled as the memories of her previous encounter with a Clicker flooded into her thoughts.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

Without halting his stride, Theo aimed his flashlight down the dark corridor the sound had come from. The yelp of surprise that burst from his lips was drowned by the monster's high pitched shriek when it leapt at him with claws outstretched. Theo stumbled and fell to the floor.

Jane, directly behind Theo, saw the sightless creature caught in the light. The cut on its shoulder indicated it was the Clicker that had chased them through the forest room. Before its claws pierced Theo's flesh, she lashed out a foot. The power-laden blow slammed it against the corridor wall with a loud shriek.

Coming swiftly to his senses, Theo jumped to his feet and backed away.

The Clicker bounced off the wall and rolled when it made contact with the floor. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! With swiftness the shocked onlookers found difficult to believe, it leapt to its feet and lashed out at its attacker.

Jack yanked Jane out of its reach and pushed her behind to join Lucy and Richard as they backed away.

Max moved to attack. The Clicker head him move. It spun around to face the new threat. Max froze with the ice pick he'd planned to slam into the creature's head raised above his shoulder. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! The monster stepped to the side, splitting the group.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! The creature snarled at Max.

Realizing it didn't need eyes to see him, Max retreated.

A series of clicks drifted along the corridor, proof the monster wasn't the only one of its kind. They grew louder. The Clicker shrieked. Its comrades answered.

Jack raised the ice axe and lunged at the Clicker. Its keen senses alerted it to the new attack. It lashed out an arm as it turned. Claws swiped past Jacks face, so close the draft carried in their wake caressed his skin. Jack glimpsed the group of approaching creatures caught in the beam of Theo's fallen flashlight, rushing along the corridor. He glanced at Max. “Keep moving. We'll find a different route to the engine room”

The Clicker lunged at the voice as Theo, Max and Henry fled. Jack swung the axe. The Clicker grabbed his arm, halting the attack. Jack kicked it in the stomach. Winded, the Clicker released its hold and slammed back against the wall. Jack had no time to move in for the kill; the Clicker's friends were almost upon him. He turned and ran to catch up with Jane, Lucy and Richard who'd fled back along the corridor.

The sound of their running footsteps blended with those of Max, Theo and Henry as they fled in the opposite direction.

The Clickers split into two groups and followed their respective prey.

Max, Theo and Henry fled down the long corridor, turned left, moved through a door, along a short corridor, and another door until they reached the staircase. They rushed down to the lower level that was lit by faint blue light.

A distant CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

A short while later they arrived at a door blocking the passage. Max thumped the button.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! A little louder.

The door slid open. They peered through into the darkness. It was free of monsters. They stepped through and shut the door, drowning out the approaching Clickers.

The familiar bone-like struts highlighted by the faint blue lights, gave Theo hope they were heading in the right direction. “This might be the far end of the corridor leading from the engine room that we left to enter the cathedral room.”

“We won't make that mistake again,” said Henry, panting.

They sprinted for the engine room. It was a straight run now. All they had to do was keep ahead of the Clickers and hope the cold prevented them from following up the exhaust tube.

The door rasped open behind them.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

Theo glimpsed another door ahead. The engine room couldn't be far now.

They ignored the intersection they passed and kept heading for the back of the ship.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

When they reached the door they encountered another problem. Their escape would not be as straightforward as they hoped. The buckled hull had bent the door frame, jamming it shut.

Theo cursed.

Panting from their run through the ship, they all needed to rest. All knew they would die if they did. They turned to backtrack and seek out another corridor, but froze.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

The Clickers rushed at them.

They were trapped.

Sensing their prey had stopped and would soon be theirs, the Clickers rushed excitedly along the corridor, but after a few strides they stopped and sent out a series of clicks down a side corridor. All were aware they had wandered into another's territory, but the promise of food had overridden their caution. Now they'd sensed another creature's presence, their caution returned.

With confusion upon his face, Theo gazed at the stationary creatures. “Why have they stopped?”

“Whatever the reason, I don't expect it's because they're scared of us,” said Max.

Clawed footsteps drifted out from the side intersection. A few moments later a Hunter’s blue-lit shadow crept into the corridor. The Clickers reluctantly backed away.

Theo’s eyes quickly scanned the ceiling for something he'd noticed in other parts of the vessel. On spying what he sought, he rushed over to the small square vent in the ceiling. “Max, give me a hand,” he whispered, urgently.

Max turned. Theo was standing beneath a vent with cupped hands. Max guessed his plan and silently praised the man's quick thinking. He rushed over, placed a foot in Theo's hands, gripped his shoulder and heaved himself up. He reached out. His fingers slipped through the metal vent slats. He pushed it up and slid it to one side. Theo hoisted him up and he scrambled into the vent.

The Hunter creature emerged from the intersection, turned to stare at the Clickers and howled a loud warning.

The Clickers turned and fled.

The Hunter focused its attention on the sounds coming from the opposite direction. It sniffed the air. It liked what it smelt and followed the scent.

As soon as Max had cleared the opening, Henry quickly followed. Max pulled and Theo lifted. Henry slithered into the vent. After Henry had crawled past him, Max laid on his stomach and leaned through the hole with his arms outstretched. “Your turn, Theo.”

Theo shot a glance behind. The Hunter rushed at him. Theo leapt. Max grasped his wrists. Theo's weight dragged Max along the smooth metal. He jammed his boots against the sides of the small shaft in an attempt to anchor himself. It failed. Henry grabbed his legs, but the smooth sides of the vent offered no purchase to stop their slide.

Theo realized he would pull Max down if he didn't let go. He dropped to the floor. A quick glance along the corridor revealed the monster almost upon him. It howled. He looked up at Max blocking the opening. “Get back!” Fear and adrenalin fuelled his leap. He gripped the edge of the hole and pulled his head and shoulders through. The monster's footsteps grew nearer. Max grabbed Theo under the arms and heaved. Pain masked Theo's face. The monster had him. Theo was yanked back, pulling Max with him, who refused to let go. Max jammed a foot against the edge of the opening for leverage. He felt the Hunter tugging Theo. He tugged back. Theo grimaced in pain from the claws ripping his skin. He kicked out blindly with his free leg. He felt his boot connect with flesh, but the monster's grasp remained firm. Theo knew there would only be one winner in this tug of war.

Theo stared into Max's frightened eyes. “Head to the back of the ship and leave this place.”

Max shook his head and using all the strength he could muster, he pulled.

Theo continued to kick out with his free foot until a vice-like grip clamped around that leg also. He expected the monster's jaws to rip his flesh at any moment. He'd rather face the creature head on than continue with this stalemate. “Let me go, Max. The monster has me. Flee while you can.”

Max knew his friend was right. They were achieving nothing except prolonging Theo's agony. He glanced at his friend's pained face and nodded. Reluctantly they released their hold on each other. Theo slid through the opening and dropped to the floor. Max stared at the look of absolute terror on his friend's face as he looked at something out of his sight and then up at him. “Flee, you fool, flee!”

The monster's face appeared. It howled up at Max and bent over Theo.

Henry slithered past Max and glanced below at the horrific creature. The vision of Eli filled his thoughts. He'd already lost one team member and couldn't bear the burden of losing another. He pushed Max aside, turned and dropped feet first through the opening. His feet thudded into the Hunter's back. The force knocked it forward. It tripped over Theo and fell to the ground. Henry rushed over and stamped hard on its head before it had a chance to recover. He pounded until the creature stopped moving. Breathing heavily, he backed away and looked at Theo. “Can you walk?”

Theo, shocked by the old man's brutal attack, nodded. “I think so.” He grabbed Henry's outstretched arm and climbed to his feet. Warm blood trickled from his leg wounds. Though painful, he could still walk and knew he was lucky to be alive. He glanced at the dead creature and looked at Henry. “Thanks.”

Henry smiled anxiously and began to shake when it sunk in what he'd just done. “You're welcome, but I'm not sure I could do it again.”

“I'm hoping once will be enough. Now let's go before another nightmare turns up.”

Max dropped down to help Henry lift Theo up to the vent and then hoisted Henry up. He leapt for the opening, grabbed the edge and Henry helped him climb inside.

Theo flicked on his flashlight and led them through the vent, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

Spurred on by the monsters constant clicking, Jane, Lucy, Jack, and Richard rushed along the corridor.

Jack shot a glance behind. The three Clickers passed through one of the blue emergency lights, their frightening, ghostly forms a terrifying sight. “We'll never outrun them,” said Jack.

Richard had arrived at the same conclusion.

“I'm open to suggestions,” said Jane, breathlessly.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

They raced around a corner. Lucy stumbled, crashed into Jack, struck her head on one of the rib supports and collapsed to the floor.

Jack quickly regained his balance and knelt to examine Lucy. Blood seeped from a small cut on her forehead. Jack picked her up.

“Is she okay?” asked Jane, shooting a worried look back along the corridor and the creatures approaching footsteps.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

Jack glanced at her. “Unconscious, but we'll never escape if I have to carry her.” He nodded to the nearest door. “Open it, we'll hide her in there and come back for her later.” He entered the room and laid her on the floor.

Though Jane was reluctant to leave Lucy, they'd all be killed if they didn't. She closed the door when Jack exited.

Jack scanned the corridor. “Where's Richard?”

Jane turned and saw the man had gone. “He must have run off when we stopped. He never was a team player.”

Screeches from back along the corridor impelled them to run.

The Clickers turned the corner. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! Their quarry was closer. They screeched.

Jack noticed Jane's concerned expression. “I'll come back for her, I promise.”

“I know you will. It just seems wrong to leave her.”

Jack saw the approaching door blocking the corridor. “I have another idea.”

“If it involves shoving me into a room and running away, you can think again, Jack Hawkins.”

“It doesn't. I'm going to try and kill or injure one of the Clickers, and hopefully the other two will stop to eat it and give us chance to get away.”