Precipice: The Beginning (11 page)

22

C
ompared to his small cell in the main facility, the room they’d provided Travis with was a suite. It actually had a mattress and box spring, the kind you might find in a two star hotel. The sheets were made of cotton and had recently been washed. They gave off a scent that reminded him of lemons and spring. An odd combination for sure, but it brought a pleasant sensation. He had to laugh at himself, remembering all those lame ass commercials where the wife pulls the laundry out and loses herself in the amazing fragrance. Travis closed his eyes and laid back with his hands behind his head, feeling comfort for the first time in a very long time. There was no rush. No feeling that at any moment the lights might flash on and off and he’d be called into action to fix a broken oxygen valve or assist in septic repairs. He was going to close his eyes and savor the lack of activity and the absence of urgency. But the little nap on the train over had sabotaged his sleeping pattern. Travis opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling, moving over the uneven surfaces and counting the cracks in place of sheep. After a few minutes he’d given into his restlessness, deciding to go out into the small kitchen and help himself to whatever scientists considered a late night treat.

Travis was pleased to see that these rooms had the ability to be opened by the occupant, unlike the cells in the main facility. More trust amongst the educated he guessed. He peeked out into the hallway and saw no one, just a windowless stretch of hall. He shut the door gently and walked lightly toward the kitchen. Unsure why, but he felt like a child sneaking downstairs to sneak a piece of cake. Only instead of a time out, up here you received death. He shook the thought, remembering where he was. These men were not here to torment. They were here to further their research and turn Mars into Earth’s little sister. Blue and breathable if possible. Travis didn’t even try to understand the process. How they planned to take a red, dead planet and turn it into “Earth 2” was so far beyond him it was ridiculous. Right now he thought it suited him more to figure out where the kitchen was. Travis stood for a brief moment, looking down the hall to his left and then to his right. Both were identical. He shrugged his shoulder and turned to the left. Then he lifted back his head and put his nose up into the air, smelling the unmistakable sent of freshly baked bread.

“No way!” Travis smiled, turning the corner to see Dr. Zatzkin holding a fresh loaf of bread. “How’d you get the bread machine?”

“I brought it with me,” he smiled, setting it down on the table closest to the only window in the kitchen. “Come, have some. It’s best when it’s hot and fresh.”

“Do you have any butter?” Travis hoped, taking a seat. Saliva was already beginning to build in the corners of his mouth.

“Now that we are out of.”

The doctor pulled the bread apart with his hands, wincing as the steam scorched his fingertips. He handed half the loaf to Travis who took it without hesitation. Dr. Zatzkin held up his piece of bread and tapped it to Travis’ half in a toast of toast.

“I’ve read your file,” Dr. Zatzkin said over a bite of bread.

Travis was a bit taken back. “How?”

“Dr. Hoffman and I use the same software. His reports to the home office are completely visible…if one knows how to look.” Dr. Zatzkin wiped some crumbs from his mouth and then shook them from his white shirt. “I’m sorry for your imprisonment.”

“It’s not a prison sentence. It’s a ‘voluntary service to our country,’” Travis mocked the words from his training.

“A prison is a prison no matter what you call it,” the doctor said. “But that doesn’t mean you’re a condemned man. If either one of us were to walk outside we’d suffer the same agonizing death. So I hope you don’t feel you’re in this alone.”

“You can go home on rotation.”

“That’s true, but that will never happen.” The doctor was pleased by Travis’ questioning expression. “I’ve spent my entire life fantasizing about this planet. Imagining myself as an astronaut in an exotic colony, fighting Martians and saving Earth. The dreams of a young boy have changed significantly, but I never lost sight of my goal. And here I am, over fifty-seven million miles from the small town I grew up in.”

Travis couldn’t keep the joy from his face, spreading over him like the warmth of the sun. The doctor wore such genuine pleasure. It was touching to see someone have so much passion and pride.

“You’re a part of this too, howbeit so small is irrelevant.”

“I know, my unit and I have discussed it many times. But it’s still just a manual labor camp. Only here we get to wear funky outfits and annoying helmets. I do think it’s amazing that in a few years this planet may be the next home to the human race.”

“Yeah…” the doctor sighed, stuffing a big chunk of bread into his mouth with a deflated expression.

“What is it?”

The doctor finished the bread and wiped his mouth, holding out a finger as he took a sip of water. “As a scientist, I have every intension on creating a livable environment. But that doesn’t mean I want to subject this planet to humanity.”

“Earth is dying –”

“Yes! Exactly right. And do you know why the planet is being choked to death from all the air pollution and the lack of resources? Humanity! The most lethal virus unleashed upon the universe. Worse than a brush fire.”

“That’s a little backwards don’t you think? I mean, you are human after all and you’re up here.”

“Yes, I am human. I too am part of this ever-spreading disease. But unlike most of the people on our dying home world, I’m not contagious. Meaning I won’t infect this virgin planet with crumpled up fast food wrappers and plastic bottles.”

Travis was very surprised by the shift in the doctor’s demeanor, a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn from his normal peppy attitude. When someone was passionate about something they took on added strength to their character and felt justified.

“This world has gotten by just fine without the addition of a shopping mall or a super highway. No traffic jams to destroy the fresh atmosphere I’m helping to create. No light pollution blocking the trillions of stars we enjoy every night. To subject this planet to such harsh atrocities makes my stomach turn. Yet, by following through with my work I’m doing just that. I’m building the foundations for which humanity will strike its claim.” The doctor looked distant as his eyes grew heavy. “Ultimately, I would be the one responsible for the rape of this planet.”

“You’re pretty hard on yourself.”

“Should I go easy? Doesn’t the responsibility fall on those responsible.”

“It’s your job.”

“We both know that sometimes doing our job can be worse than simply walking away.” Dr. Zatzkin looked to Travis for a moment and felt bad for what he’d said. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. It’s just not often that I have someone to actually rant and rave too.”

“No harm done. I’ll take a heated conversation over my small cell any day.”

Dr. Zatzkin nodded, turning his attention to the window and then up at the stars. He was silent for a long while, looking them over as if hypnotized by their twinkling brilliance. He’d spent most of his life laying on his back looking up at the stars. Almost every clear night God had granted him as a child, he’d climb out his window and lay on the roof of the barn. There wasn’t too much else to look at in Deerfield, Kansas. But he’d grown up as everyone eventually did, went to MIT and graduated summa cum laude in three years. But as he looked up at the sky in whatever big city he happened to be passing through, his beloved stars had been hidden through a yellow haze. The human race had taken his night sky.

“Do we deserve another chance?”

“What do you mean?”

“Should we offer this planet up as a fresh beginning, knowing full well that over time it will suffer the same fate as Earth? Or should we pay for the damage we’ve done?” The doctor looked to Travis with a cold heart. It seemed so oddly out of character. “Does humanity deserve to die?”

“I’ve already faced a death sentence once and I didn’t much care for it. But I would like to think that I’m looking at the world through wider eyes.” Travis nodded, sympathizing with the doctor but unable to take such a grim stance. “I feel that a person is capable of change, if faced with the right persuasion.”

“I couldn’t see anything more persuasive than the loss of one’s planet.” Dr. Zatzkin frowned, his morose falling into the shadows of his normal good nature.

“I have to think there’s hope. For my son’s sake.”

“That is probably the best reason I’ve heard for being out here yet.” The doctor held up his glass of water. “For the children of Earth!” He laughed, feeling the dark cloud over his thoughts lift and dissipate.

“I’ll drink to that.”

23

O
mar’s fear of flying had him paralyzed. He gripped the armrests without mercy, clenching his teeth until he could barely breathe. Most of the time he could distract himself with a crossword puzzle or a holographic putting game off his wrist communicator, but not when the plane was bouncing around like it was. He turned his eyes toward his wife and couldn’t understand how she could be so damn calm. It angered him to see her reading a magazine while he held on for dear life. What made her so fucking special? He wanted to grab her by the shoulder and give a hard shake, scream at her for messing with him. For making him feel so inferior.

“Do you want something to drink?” His wife had to lean in for this, not wanting to embarrass him to the old woman sitting in the aisle seat.

“No.”

“Are you sure? They have those tiny –”

“I don’t need a stupid little bottle of booze,” Omar snapped.

Kim just tilted her head and went back to her magazine, hating her husband when he was like this. Unfortunately for her he was like this more and more often. It wasn’t just when he was scared. Omar was actually worse when he became frustrated, exploding over the simplest of things. Only two weeks ago he’d been unable to open a jar of pickles and so rather than taking a moment to loosen the lid with some warm water or tapping it on the counter, he decided the only rational thing to do would be to throw it into the kitchen sink. It had opened the jar all right, but no one wants a pickle from the sink. But she was learning to live with it. She’d taken her wedding vows two years ago and she’d said yes. Things might have been different if they’d included the phrase: For better or worse, or if thy husband becomes an asshole that smashes things. But even then she would have said yes. Forty percent of the time he was annoying or rude, but the sixty percent when he was sweet overshadowed it all.

“Why did we have to take this fucking trip!” Omar snarled, clenching his eyes shut.

“You’re the one that wanted to go to Nassau, remember?”

Omar just shook his head slowly, looking like an angry child sulking after a punishment. He let out a high-pitched gasp as the plain dropped. The pit of his stomach rose into his chest. Kim grabbed the armrest herself, moving on reflex from such a drop. Flying never bothered her. She knew the pilot had no intention to die and the statistics were great. Planes practically flew themselves. But she’d never seen such bad weather. She looked out the window and saw nothing but black storm clouds and water as it rolled over the thick plastic of the window. A shadow washed over the plane, blocking the light for a brief moment.

“What the hell was that?” Kim pressed her check to the glass and looked up, hoping they hadn’t crossed into another plane’s flight pattern due to the storm.

“What? What is it!?” Omar leaned over her, bobbing his head up and down like a hungry bird. “Is there something wrong with the plane?”

“No. I just thought I saw –”

The plane dropped as something hit them from above. Everyone in coach, afraid of flying or not, covered their heads and screamed. Kim peeked out from beneath her arm at the roof above the aisle. Her heart raced as it began to cave in, crumpling like a tin can. The plane lost cabin pressure as the center was slashed open. Three seven-inch talons wiggled back and forth to free themselves of the plane’s roof. They pulled out only to be jammed through the plane’s right side, piercing three passengers in the window seats of rows 15F, 16F and 17F. The claws were pulled free of the plane and the impaled passengers lulled forward, twitching from the strong toxins coursing through their systems.

“Please God!” Omar screamed.

The plane was spinning out of control. Kim and Omar held each other in fear of being sucked through the tears in the roof. Then the roof was pulled open like a box top. Kim felt a hard jerk as Omar was pulled from her tight grip. When she opened her eyes she saw the seat beside her was empty, her arms warm with her husband’s blood. Unable to stop herself, she looked up. An open beak was the last thing she would ever see.

24

“H
ow’d you sleep?” Alvin asked from his seat on the train.

“Probably the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a year.”

Travis had meant it. After his late night snack with Dr. Zatzkin he’d gone back to his room and fell instantly to sleep. He’d slept deeply and had a pleasant dream of his wife. Not the usual nightmares or dark nothingness. Travis looked up as the train passed through the airlock of the main facility, the air blowing away the comfort from last night and reminding him of the harsh reality of his sentence. Travis and Alvin were both very surprised to see Andrews and three other security personnel waiting at the train station.

“A welcoming committee, for me?” Travis said with a serious face.

“Report to Mr. Chen and get back to work immediately.” Andrews said to Travis while looking at Alvin.

“Yes, sir.” Travis knew he meant business. He gave a single nod and hurried on his way.

“Is something wrong?” Alvin felt a bit intimidated by the look in Andrews’ eyes, as if he were heated and full of rage.

“I have called an emergency security meeting. Now that you’re back we may proceed.”

Andrews turned without another word and headed out of the station, followed closely by Gomez and Rodriguez, two very annoying brownnosers. Alvin unscrewed his helmet and took a deep breath, allowing the facility’s air to fill his lungs. He set off in a jog and slowed to a fast walk after he caught up. He thought it best to keep a distance of a few feet. Andrews led them into the security conference room and shut the door, locking it behind them.

“Everyone take a seat.” Andrews walked to the front of the small room and waited till the last man took his seat. “At O’nine hundred hours Earth time we received a secured message from home office. It has been stated that all rotations have been temporarily cancelled and the supply ship is to remain in the hangar. They have deemed air travel unsafe due to unexplained atmospheric conditions.” Andrews took note of their stunned faces and felt assured they were paying attention. “Home office has instructed us to issue a yellow alert. Allowing only small groups of workers out in rotating increments. Until such time as home office deems necessary. Questions?”

“You mean we can’t go home as promised?” Gomez asked.

“I think you’re missing the grand picture here. If the supply ship is unable to take off then that means not only are you stuck here with the rest of us but it means that, for the time being, there are no more supplies coming.”

“This is just temporary…right?”

“I know what you all know. So I suggest we take this seriously and start tomorrow’s shift on yellow alert. We’ll break up the work schedules into units and rotate them as instructed. Any questions?”

The room was silent. No one really knew what to ask. Andrews had been given a simple message and he’d relayed it. Anything beyond that was a mystery. Alvin sighed softly, not wanting the other men to pick up on his agitation. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck under Andrews’ thumb for God knows how long. In all honesty, Alvin had begun to look forward to heading home. Looks like that was going to be placed on hold.

“I will keep the communications link open between us and the home office and I will continually check for any updates. When I know something…you will know.” Andrews leaned against the table nearest him, folding his arms about his chest. “Tomorrow things are going to be very different around here. Expect hostile behavior from the men and don’t be surprised if we see some resistance. But we will follow home office’s orders to the letter and we will do our jobs well. Now let’s get to it.”

The men stood and shuffled out, talking amongst themselves or running over the meeting in their minds.

“Alvin, if you would remain?”

Alvin let out a grunt of annoyance, but had the good sense to keep it within his mind. He managed a polite smile and took a seat, hating how it put him at a lower level than Andrews. Letting him look down on him like a principle at a delinquent student.

“I have some concerns,” Andrews started, looking up to the ceiling as if trying to word this delicately. “I happen to know that you and some of the men have a relationship. I have no real issue with you playing nice as long as you remember where your loyalties lie. I’m worried that these new orders are going to put a division between us and the men, thus creating conflict. Are you going to have any problem keeping these men in line?” Andrews tilted his head slightly and gave him the eye.

“Not at all, sir. I know what I’m here to do.”

“Excellent.” Andrews scratched the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. “Look, I don’t know how to put this delicately. But if you and any of the men are engaged in any sort of homosexual behavior –”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Alvin snapped, shaking his head from complete surprise.

“Mind your tongue.”

“I’m sorry, but that is completely unnecessary.”

“Maybe to you, but to me it’s extremely important. We’re in a very fragile environment here and I need to know where everyone stands. So if you can tell me that you’re with us one hundred percent, then we can end this conversation and whistle a happy tune like it never happened.”

“No, sir, nothing like that at all.” Alvin didn’t want to dignify such idiocy with a response, but it was better to just end the conversation and walk away angry.

“Excellent. I’m very glad we had this conversation.” Andrews was happy, knowing full well he’d embarrassed him. “You may go back to your duties.”

“Thank you, sir.” Alvin hurried out of the room, not wanting to be anywhere near that prick.

Andrews stayed put, watching Alvin’s back as he hurried out into the hall. Stupid ass running away from him like a little girl. He hoped they fixed whatever little issues they were having back home, because he couldn’t stand this crap much longer, not when they’d promised him men who would follow his orders. They needed to keep this place cold and efficient. No room for feelings and that sissy shit. Friendship was for elementary school students, not for miners abandoned millions of miles from home. He knew Alvin wasn’t, but it gave him great pleasure to piss off that hippie homo. Andrews wished he could just banish the bastard and anyone else that might give them trouble. May they all be on their best behavior and fear him until this thing is over. Because for the time being they were on their own. And out here, he was God.