Asteroidea: A Story from the Alteruvium Expanse Read online

  Asteroidea

  The Alteruvium Expanse, Volume 11

  Lynn Sheridan

  Published by No World Press 2018

  This is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and co-incidental.

  ASTEROIDEA

  First Edition. June 11, 2018

  Copyright © 2018 Lynn Sheridan. All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 978-1-7752820-0-6

  Written by Lynn Sheridan

  For Ridley, Scott, George, Romero

  Table of Contents

  Foreword

  1. A Frosty Reception

  2. Trivial Matters

  3. The Digestive Touch

  4. Feed the Beast

  5. Supposed

  6. Cold Shower

  7. Don’t Open that Door

  8. Another Way

  9. Icy Depths

  10. I’m Not Leaving You

  Author Notes

  About the Author

  More from the Alteruvium Expanse

  Foreword

  Have you ever put yourself out there on a limb, hoping that whatever it is you are doing will return a positive response? The type of thing that make you bite your fingernails in anxiety, or bounce your knee up and down with nervous energy?

  I’m a big believer in the tenet that pushing yourself to a level where you are uncomfortable, forces you to grow. About a year ago, I was at a crossroads with my writing career. I knew I needed a group of people to help me – some folks I could trust to provide feedback, conversation, and kinship. So I put it out there, a tentative request for some like-minded individuals to join up and create a safe harbor for great ideas. A small group for authors.

  It started with around ten of us, grew and contracted a few times, until it finally seemed to right size. We call it The Writer’s Quarrel. Nearly a year of banter, support, and fun conversations (that typically devolved in the most insane ways) finally birthed something we always wanted to do – a shared concept that we could all write some incredible short stories from. So without further delay…

  Welcome to the Alteruvium Expanse. A large grouping of habitable planets and space stations rotating around a pair of twin suns. A massive system where something isn’t quite right and everyone seems to struggle against a similar evil. A place containing incredible stories by even more incredible authors.

  I hope you enjoy this story. If you do, there’s a lot more out there in the expanse.

  Sincerely,

  T.S. Brothers

  The Writer’s Quarrel

  ASTEROIDEA

  1. A Frosty Reception

  Crisp, white snow crunched beneath Jane’s boots. She stopped and turned towards the horizon, scanning the featureless terrain. Ruth let out a grunt as she hurried past her. Their backpacks bumped together, spinning Jane. She regained her footing and watched as Ruth pounded her fist against the frost-covered door.

  CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

  The hollow metallic sound sent a shiver racing up Jane’s back. She pulled down her facemask and turned away from the door. The bitter air clawed at her face, scratching her throat as she breathed in.

  CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

  Jane released the breath and watched the cloud of steam drift towards the sky. She raised her hand above her goggles, shielding her eyes as it passed before the twin suns, the smaller red star peeking out from behind its larger yellow brother. Spikes of bright white light sliced through the cloudless sky.

  “Open the bloody door!” Ruth rattled the handle.

  Jane lowered her gaze and stared across the endless sheet of ice, stretching out before her. She took another frosty breath and turned to face Ruth. Ice crystals shimmered in the light, covering the door and the gigantic grey building behind it. Thick metal tubes reached out of the top of the structure, winding around the legs of the landing pad, ready to deliver their precious contents to the highest bidder.

  CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

  “Why won’t they let us in? It’s bloody freezing out here.” Ruth pulled her hood around her face until only her goggles were visible.

  Jane stepped past her and examined the entrance. The ice crystals sparkled in the light of the twin suns. Jane brushed away the frost, revealing the Caldwell Technologies logo and a series of red blinking lights. She held her wrist against it and one by one, the lights turned green, acknowledging her ID chip.

  BUZZZZZ.

  An intercom hummed into life. “Greetings, Dr Crawford. We have been expecting you. Welcome to Caldwell IV.”

  BUZZZZZ.

  The door groaned. A hiss of warm air rushed out as it opened. Frost and ice slid from the wall, sinking into the snow on contact. Ruth pushed past and hurried inside.

  Jane glanced back at the horizon and took another breath of cool, fresh air. She sighed and stepped through the doorway. Once inside, she hit a large red button. The door clunked and hissed as it shut, sealing them off from the cold.

  WHIRRR.

  Warm air blasted through the grate beneath their feet. Jane pulled down her hood and removed her hat. She ran her hand over the back of her neck, freeing her long blonde hair.

  Ruth’s heavy jacket hit the ground with a thud. She stretched her arms up over her head and wiggled her fingers. “I think my blood has frozen.”

  “You should have been here in the winter.” A deep voice drifted through the warm air.

  They spun around to see a man leaning against the next doorway, his black overalls hugging his muscular body.

  He winked at Ruth. “Dr Crawford, I presume.”

  Ruth stepped towards him and rested her hand on his shoulder. She brushed a lock of red hair from her forehead and smiled.

  He furrowed his brow and then glanced at Jane. “Dr Crawford?”

  Jane nodded. “You’ll have to excuse Dr Scott. She is quite an accomplished scientist, despite the quirks.”

  “I’m also a kick-ass mountaineer and pilot.” Ruth slid her hand over his bicep. “It’s been ages since I’ve climbed a big rock.”

  “Alright?” He gave Ruth a curious look and walked towards Jane. “I’m the chief engineer, Brandon Black. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr Crawford.”

  “Please, call me Jane.” Her hair flickered in the warm air, as the updraft increased.

  “What?” Brandon stepped closer, cupping his hand around his ear.

  “JANE.” The warm blast of air muffling Jane’s voice.

  He shook his head and leant down, placing his ear close to her mouth.

  “JANE.” The rush of air stopped abruptly.

  Brandon stumbled back holding his ear, the grates clanging and rattling beneath his feet. He shook his head and smiled. “Jane is it?”

  Without responding, Jane turned her attention to the floor. She crouched down and placed her hand on a grate. “What’s that sound?”

  “What do you mean?” Ruth squatted beside her.

  Brandon moved towards them. “That’s the water extraction process. It makes a lot of noise, but you kind of get used to it after a...”

  “Why is it on? “ Jane interrupted. She stood up and grabbed his overalls, pulling the stretched neoprene fabric even tighter around his shoulders. “It shouldn’t be on. I need to see the foreman right now.”

  Brandon held his hands up, trying to calm her. “Sure thing. I’ll take you to your quarters and then we’ll go see Ervin.”

  Jane pulled his face towards hers. “No. I said right now.”

  2. Trivial Matters

  Brandon raised his arm, holding back Jane and Ruth. He turned to a door with a frosted
window and tapped it with his knuckles.

  Jane huffed and pushed Brandon aside. She threw open the door and marched inside. “Why is the plant running? You were given an order to shut down all work until I arrived.”

  “I’m sorry, Ervin. She insisted on seeing you.” Brandon stepped between Jane and the foreman’s desk.

  A high-backed chair spun around and a barrel-chested man stared back at them. “That’s quite alright, Brandon.” He placed his copy of The Herc Braveman Adventures on the desk and leant forward, locking his fingers together. “So you must be Dr Crawford.”

  “That’s right.” Jane stepped forwards and put her hands flat on his desk. “I don’t think you understand how important a discovery this is.”

  “Calm down, Dr Crawford. Your precious specimen is safe and sound.” He sat back in his seat, cracking his knuckles. “I will have Brandon take you to see it now.”

  Jane slammed her hands against his desk. “You just don’t get it. You found one microscopic organism. There’s never just one. All of the water you’ve extracted is possibly contaminated.”

  “Possibly. Possibly not.” Ervin stared back at her, devoid of emotion. “I have quotas to fill. A starship will be here next week expecting to refill its water tanks. If we don’t have it ready they will go somewhere else. I’ve spoken with Croneshaw, he’s happy with the level of risk.” He grinned, revealing deep wrinkles in his face.

  “But…” Jane stood upright. “He told me…”

  “He told you what he needed to tell you.” Ervin pointed to the door. “Brandon, escort Dr Crawford to the lab. I think we’re done here.”

  Brandon stepped between Jane and the desk. He nodded at Ervin and attempted to usher them towards the door.

  “But…” Jane’s gaze darted back and forth, as she tried to recall her conversation with Croneshaw.

  “Croneshaw answers to nobody, Dr Crawford. Without him, Caldwell Technologies wouldn’t even exist. We do what we are told when we are told.” Ervin picked up his Herc Braveman book and spun in his chair. “I can arrange an opportunity for you to speak with him if you’d like, although he doesn’t like to be disturbed for trivial matters.”

  Jane glared at the back of his chair as Brandon placed his hand on her shoulder. She shifted her gaze to meet his. He shrugged and gave her a half smile. Before she could respond, the door swung open, slamming against the wall.

  CRASH.

  Ervin’s chair spun back around as a technician ran in. “What is going on? Has everyone forgotten how to knock?”

  The technician raced past Jane and stopped in front of the desk. He rested his hands on his knees as he bent over, gasping for air. “Sorry, sir. There’s another one.”

  “Another what?” Ervin placed his book back on the desk and stood up.

  “Another lifeform, sir, but it’s bigger.”

  “Where?” Ervin stepped out from behind the desk.

  The technician raised his head and met Ervin’s glare. “It’s in the lab, sir.”

  Ervin grabbed the technician’s shoulder. “Take me to it.”

  “We’re coming too.” Jane pulled free of Brandon’s grasp.

  “No, I don’t think so. I will check it out first and send for you once I’m happy.” Ervin scowled at Jane.

  “No, we’re coming. Feel free to contact Croneshaw if you like. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the interruption.” Jane locked her gaze on Ervin and grinned.

  His eyes narrowed, as he ground his teeth together.

  3. The Digestive Touch

  The air cooled as they descended into the bowels of the plant, deep beneath the icy surface. Metallic footsteps echoed through the stairwell. Jane tucked her hands into her jacket pockets and followed close behind Brandon.

  Ruth crossed her arms and shivered. “It’s… it’s a bit cold down here.”

  “There are some environment suits in the lab…” Brandon looked past Ruth, glancing up the stairs. “…or you can go back to the entrance and get your coat if you want.”

  “No, I’ll wait.” Her teeth chattered as she spoke. “Why aren’t you cold? You look like you’re wearing a wetsuit.”

  Brandon laughed. “Yeah, I suppose it does. I spend a lot of time in and out of the water. This wetsuit perfectly maintains my body temperature.”

  Jane reached down and touched his shoulder. “How does it do that?”

  “It absorbs background radiation and does something with it.” He stepped off the last step and into a corridor.

  “Does something with it? Is that the technical term?” Jane pulled her hand away, suddenly realising she was absentmindedly stroking his shoulder. “I thought you were an engineer.”

  Brandon helped Jane and Ruth down the final steps. “I’m an engineer, not a fashion designer.”

  Jane rolled her eyes and unzipped her jacket. She slid her arm out of one sleeve and pulled Ruth inside. They followed Ervin and the technician along the corridor, leaving Brandon to laugh at his own joke.

  Drops of water trickled down the walls, disappearing beneath the floor grates. The smell of rust filled the damp air. Footsteps appeared behind them. Jane glanced over her shoulder to see Brandon approaching. He smiled back at her. She shook her head and turned away from him as they stopped suddenly.

  A long observation window stretched along one wall, light flooding into the corridor. The technician stood beside a door. He pressed his wrist against a panel. The lights blinked. Jane and Ruth moved behind Ervin, waiting for the door to open. He turned around and jumped when he saw them both standing shoulder to shoulder inside Jane’s jacket.

  Jane peered through the observation window. A large, shallow glass tank on a raised platform occupied the middle of the room. Something orange sat at the bottom.

  “This way, ladies.” Ervin gesture to the door with his hand, but the tone of his voice told them to go somewhere else.

  Jane smiled and walked inside. Ruth slipped out of the jacket and hurried to the far wall. She grabbed a bright yellow environment suit. A second technician stood beside the tank. He leant forwards, staring into the water.

  The first technician forced out an exaggerated cough. “Anders, we have company.”

  Anders spun around and stared at everyone standing before him. He finished chewing and swallowed. “Sorry. I haven’t eaten since yesterday. It’s just a protein stick.”

  “As you were, Anders.” Ervin moved towards the tank and peered inside. He snorted. “This is the lifeform? It’s not very lively.”

  The small orange tentacle sat at the bottom of the tank. Dark nodules covered the top while white stands of flesh drifted in the water behind the wider end.

  “What is it?” Brandon squatted beside the tank and stared through the glass. “It looks like it’s been hurt.”

  “Hurt! Please! Look at it. It’s dead.” Ervin turned away and headed towards the door. “I think everyone should get back to work and leave the scientists to play with their new pet.”

  Ruth moved around the tank, still pulling her environment suit on. She had managed to get one arm in but the second was proving to be trickier. “Can you help me with this?”

  Brandon stood up and grabbed the free sleeve. He gave it a pull. Ruth slipped her hand inside and pushed. Her fist struck Ander’s arm as it burst through the cuff, knocking his protein stick out of his grasp.

  SPLOSH.

  It sunk beneath the surface and settled beside the orange tentacle.

  “Damn it. I hadn’t finished that.” Anders put his hand into the water to retrieve it.

  “Wait. Get your hand out.” Jane pushed Anders back. “It’s moving.”

  White tendrils swept out from beneath the creature, brushing against the protein stick.

  Ervin moved back towards the tank. “What’s it doing?”

  “Shush.” Jane locked her gaze on the protein stick.

  The orange tentacle began to move. It shuffled along the base of the tank, mounting the protein stick. A flurry of white tendrils
shot out from its underside. Within a second, it had engulfed the protein stick.

  “Is it growing?” Ruth zipped up her environment suit and leant on the edge of the tank.

  “No. I think it’s regenerating.” Jane put her hand over her mouth. “It seems to be some kind of starfish.”

  “But, it’s just one tentacle.” Ervin stepped towards the tank. “And what’s with the white worms?”

  “Actually, it’s an arm and those white worms are its stomach. Starfish feed by expelling their stomach outside of its body and absorbing the nutrients from whatever it touches.” Jane scowled at the blank faces staring back at her. She pulled a glove out of her pocket. “Imagine this is your stomach. For us, we put food inside and then digest it.”

  Ervin moved closer.

  Jane turned the glove inside out and brushed it over Brandon’s hand. “With the stomach like this, anything it touches can be digested.”

  “Well, that’s just disgusting.” Ervin shook his head.

  Jane put her glove back in her pocket and jumped up. “Is this being recorded?”

  Anders pointed to the cameras in the ceiling, all aimed down at the tank. “There are also more inside. We have every angle covered.”

  “Great. Where’s the equipment? I want to try and turn it over.” Jane’s body tingled with excitement. She had been dreaming about one day finding a breakthrough like this. The microscopic organism alone would have been proof of extra-terrestrial life, but this was something else.

  “Pavel, grab the prongs from the cupboard over there.” Anders stood up and pointed across the tank.

  Ruth stepped back. “It’s doing something.”

  The white tendrils rose up out of the water and wrapped around Anders' arm. Before he even had the chance to react, it pulled him in.

  Water splashed over the sides, soaking Jane and Brandon. Pavel backed away on the far side of the room. Ervin fled out the door, slamming it shut behind him. He stared through the observation window, his mouth gaping.