Asteroidea: A Story from the Alteruvium Expanse Read online

  Ruth ran to the door and pounded her fists against it. “LET US OUT!”

  CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

  Brandon pulled Jane away from the tank. Water swilled back and forth, lapping at the sides and then slowly it became still. The orange starfish arm, now four times the size, sat on top of Anders. Well, what Jane assumed to be Anders. White tendrils swirled and stretched through the water.

  CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

  A dark line appeared along the middle of the arm. The narrow end split in two as the tendrils swept back inside its body. The large, orange organism, now as long as the tank split down the middle dividing into two arms. Each of those then began to split.

  “Where’s Anders?” Pavel pressed his back against the wall. The tank sitting between him and the others. “What did it do to Anders?”

  “It ate him.” Jane stared into the tank in disbelief.

  Anders was gone. It had devoured everything. She stared at the creature, now with four limbs and they too were splitting.

  “How big could this thing get?” Brandon gripped Jane’s arm as he stood behind her.

  “I have no idea, but it just ate an entire person. We need to get out of here.” Jane turned around and stared through the glass at Ervin. “Open the damn door.”

  Ervin met Jane’s gaze. He blinked and then backed away.

  “Don’t leave us, you bastard. Get back here.” Jane slammed her hands against the glass, but it was too late. He was gone.

  4. Feed the Beast

  Ruth turned her back to the door and slid down to the ground. She sat on her heels and stared blankly across the room. Jane peered through the window, her hand pressed against the glass. She let out a long sigh and the room fell silent.

  Jane turned away from the window. “Brandon, can you open the door?”

  “No, I don’t have clearance. Only Ervin, Anders and…” He looked across the room. “…and Pavel can open that door.”

  Pavel squirmed back against the wall. “I’m not moving. I’m not going anywhere near that thing.”

  Each of the starfish’s eight arms dangled over the sides. It had stopped growing and splitting, but was already too large for the tank.

  “No one is asking you to go near it. Just move around the edge of the room.” Jane traced a path in the air with her finger. “We can’t stay in here.”

  Pavel looked at the starfish and gulped. “I can’t.”

  “You have to.” Brandon crouched down and pulled Ruth to her feet. “We are getting out of here.”

  “And what about that thing?” Pavel pointed to the starfish and then quickly pulled his hand back against the wall.

  “Once we’re safe I will neutralize the room. We can’t let it get out.” Jane tapped the panel beside the door. “All you have to do is walk around the edge of the room and open the door.”

  “That’s all.” He glanced at the starfish. “And that thing will stay there?”

  “Sure, Pavel. If it’s anything like the starfish from Earth, they need the water. Without it, they dry up. You’ll be completely safe.” Jane smiled and gestured for him to move.

  He nodded and stepped to the side. Jane watched the starfish. She had never seen anything quite so amazing. Water dripped from its limbs, splashing against the metal floor. She glanced at Pavel as he reached the corner of the room, hugging the wall as he moved.

  “Almost there, Pavel. You’re doing great.” Jane waved him on.

  Ruth grabbed Jane’s shoulder and whispered into her ear. “It’s moving.”

  Jane glanced at the tank. It was moving.

  Pavel stopped beside a worktop. “What do I do?”

  “You’ve got to go around it.” Jane tried to ignore the starfish as it shuffled towards Pavel. “Just keep moving.”

  He took a step forwards and then stopped. “What’s it doing?”

  “Keep moving, Pavel. Don’t stop for anything.” Jane stepped towards him. “GO!”

  The orange arm nearest to Pavel hit the ground and slid towards him. He gripped the countertop and froze, his jaw wobbling as if unsure whether to scream or not.

  “GOOOOO!” Jane ran towards Pavel. She grabbed a box from a nearby shelf and threw it into the water.

  The starfish stopped and slithered back into the tank. White tendrils swept through the water, wrapping the box in a tight bundle.

  “What did you do that for?” Brandon grabbed Jane’s arm.

  Jane spun around and glared at him. “I bought Pavel some time. That’s what I’m doing.”

  “That box was full of protein sticks.”

  Jane turned to the tank. The starfish’s limbs began to split once more.

  “GO, PAVEL. GO!” Jane ran back to the door.

  Pavel pushed forwards, skirting around the countertop. He reached their wall and let out a sigh.

  “DON’T STOP.” Jane banged the glass to get his attention.

  He nodded and ran towards them. Jane stepped back and gripped the door handle. Pavel pressed his wrist against the panel and watched the red lights blink. They stayed red. He pulled down his sleeve and tried again.

  The first red light blinked and then turned green. Then the second light and the third. Jane squeezed the handle, preparing to open the door. The fourth light flashed green.

  Pavel smiled. “We’re almost there…” His body jerked back as white tendrils wrapped around his legs.

  Jane dived forwards and caught Pavel’s arm. Brandon grabbed his other arm. Together, they pulled. Pavel screamed as more tendrils wound around his legs, creeping up his body. They heaved him towards the door. Brandon twisted his arm and pressed it against the panel.

  The tendrils wrapped around Pavel’s chest, digesting him from the outside. They wriggled up his neck. He jerked and convulsed as the starfish absorbed his flesh. Jane yanked his arm, desperately trying to pull him free. Brandon held his wrist against the panel, watching the final red light. It blinked twice more and then turned green.

  Ruth pulled open the door and charged into the corridor. Brandon let go of Pavel’s arm and followed.

  “What are you doing? We can’t leave him.” Jane’s knuckles turned white as she pulled on Pavel’s arm.

  “He’s gone, Jane. Look.” Brandon pointed to Pavel’s head, hidden beneath a heaving white tangle. “Let him go.”

  “No. He’s not gone yet. We still need him.”

  The white tendrils wound around his arm, inching towards Jane’s hands. Pavel’s fingers slipped from her grasp. The starfish dragged him to the ground and slithered on top.

  Brandon scooped Jane up and carried her out of the room. “He’s gone, Jane. He’s gone.”

  5. Supposed

  Silence filled the corridor. Jane sat with her back to the wall, glaring across at Brandon. He leant against the observation window with his head in his hands. Ruth paced up and down the corridor, muttering to herself.

  There had been no sight of Ervin since he ran off, leaving them trapped with that thing. Brandon leant back, resting his head against the glass. He peered beneath his hands and caught Jane’s glare.

  “How could you do that?” She clenched her trembling fists. “We could have saved him.”

  “No, we couldn’t. I did save you though. A thank you would be nice.” He strummed his fingers against the base of the window, waiting for her response.

  Jane let out a sigh and glanced down the corridor. “How are you doing, Ruth?”

  She looked up, shook her head, and then resumed pacing.

  “I’m still waiting.” Brandon rolled the back of his head against the glass.

  “Good, you keep doing that.” Jane narrowed her eyes, intensifying her glare.

  “So, can we kill it now?” He gestured with his thumb to the room behind him.

  “Actually, no.” Jane climbed to her feet.

  “But you told Pavel you could neutralize it.”

  “I could, but not without the correct authorisation level...” She shook her head. “…and I’m guessi
ng only Ervin has that now.”

  Brandon let out a sigh and turned towards the window. “Oh, shit!”

  Jane stepped towards the window. “What is it?”

  “It’s gone.”

  “How can it be gone?” She hurried forwards and peered into the room.

  “Well, it was there…” Brandon pointed at the floor beyond the window. “…and now, it’s not.”

  Jane glanced along the corridor again. “Ruth, can you come here please?”

  She stared back at them and shook her head.

  “It’s going to be alright, but I’d feel much safer if we all stayed together.” Jane turned back towards Brandon. “Anything yet?”

  He pressed his face against the window, shielding the glare with his hands. Ruth edged towards them.

  “That’s it, Ruth. Keep coming.” Jane leant against the glass. “Where could it have gone?”

  Brandon climbed onto his toes and tried to peek beneath the window. “It’s weird. There’s no way out of that room other than the door. Even the air vents have micro grates and nothing is going to get through them.”

  “I once saw a sea sponge pass through a sieve and then put itself back together again.” Jane looked up at Brandon.

  “But you said this was a starfish.”

  “I said it reminded me of a starfish, but I’ve not seen anything quite like it.”

  Jane spun around as something bumped into her side, almost jumping out of her skin. She let out a long sigh when she realised it was Ruth.

  “Damn it, Ruth. You scared me.” Jane threw her arms around her friend and squeezed.

  Ruth let out a squeal and wriggled free of Jane’s grasp. She backed away, her eyes locked on the window.

  “What’s wrong?” Jane spun around and gasped.

  Brandon gave them a curious look and peered into the room. “What is it? I don’t see anything.”

  “Get away from the glass.” Jane bit her bottom lip and waved for Brandon to move back.

  Brandon looked at her and shrugged. “What’s got into you two?”

  “Brandon, please step back.” Jane gulped.

  “We’re safe here. It’s not…”

  THUMP.

  A huge orange arm slapped against the window, reaching for Brandon. He jumped back. White tendrils squirmed and wiggled against the glass, searching for a way through.

  THUMP.

  Jane grabbed Brandon and pulled him away from the window as a second arm swung down from the ceiling and struck the glass.

  “How did it get so big so quickly?” Brandon gripped Jane’s hand as they backed along the corridor.

  THUMP.

  A single crack appeared in the corner of the window. White tendrils squeezed through the narrow gap and flailed through the air. The crack grew, zigzagging across the window as it bowed under the weight of the starfish.

  “That’s impossible.” Brandon stopped. “That glass is supposed to be indestructible.”

  “Supposed is the keyword in that sentence.” Jane turned and hurried towards the stairs. “We need to evacuate. Are there any escape ships?”

  “Yeah, up on the platform, at the top of the plant.” Brandon squeezed past them and climbed onto the first step. “Follow me.”

  WOOOOO WHEEEEEEEEEE…

  Jane covered her ears and stared up at Brandon. “WHAT IS THAT?”

  EEEEEEEEEE…

  “OH SHIT!” He looked up the stairs and then started running.

  EEEEEEEEEE…

  “HEY!” Jane grabbed Ruth and dragged her onto the stairs. “WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”

  EEEEEEEEEE…

  Brandon clattered up the metal steps, winding around and around above their heads.

  CRASH.

  Glass rained across the corridor as the giant orange starfish flopped through the window. Its arms squirmed and slapped at the walls and floor.

  “GO. GO. GO.” Jane raced up the steps with Ruth hot on her heels.

  6. Cold Shower

  The screeching siren dissipated with a crackle. Their feet clanged against the metal steps as they wound around and around. Jane stopped and gripped the railing. Ruth squeezed past her and continued up.

  “I don’t see it.” Jane leant over the railing and peered down into the depths below.

  “That’s great.” Ruth climbed another step. “I still think we should keep moving.”

  Jane nodded and turned to continue, but something cool and icy landed on her forehead, stopping her in cold. She shivered and looked up as it rolled over her cheek. Several more drops of water fell through the steps above. They pattered against her coat and hair.

  “What’s going on?” Ruth held her arms above her head as water landed on her.

  “I don’t know, but this can’t be good.” Jane shielded her eyes as the downpour increased.

  Icy cold water splashed off the steps, soaking Jane’s clothes. She pulled her hood over her head and pushed on. A rush of water rolled down the stairs, washing around her feet. She reached for the railing but pulled her hand away as a sudden chill shot up her arm.

  “Keep moving or we’re going to freeze to death before that thing can even find us.” Jane squeezed her hand into a fist, already feeling her joints seizing up. In a matter of seconds, her clothes had soaked through. The extra weight pulled against her muscles, making it hard to move or maybe it was the cold.

  Ruth raced back down the steps and grabbed Jane’s hand. “Are you alright?”

  Jane lifted her head, her teeth chattering as she tried to speak.

  “You’re turning blue. Come on, I’ll get you out of here.” Ruth led her up the next step and nodded. “That’s it. You can do it.”

  Jane’s knees groaned with each step. She pushed on, fighting against the biting cold. The water rained down from above, falling through the steps. It showed no signs of slowing. Jane glanced at Ruth, drops of water bouncing off her environment suit. It shielded her from the worst of it, keeping her dry and relatively warm.

  They followed the stairs up and around, fighting against the flow of water. Jane struggled to lift her foot to the next step but somehow she managed.

  “Keep going. We’re almost there.” Ruth walked behind Jane, moving her limbs for her.

  The bitter rain slowed as they turned another corner. Jane lifted her head and saw a doorway leading onto a corridor. Ruth pushed her up the last few steps. Water rushed past them tumbling down the stairs behind them.

  “This way. It’ll take us back to the entrance.” Ruth turned and led Jane along the corridor.

  “I… I can’t… g… g… go outside.” Jane rubbed her hands together but her fingers were cold and numb.

  “We’re not going outside.” Ruth unzipped Jane’s jacket. “Remember the warm air.”

  Jane nodded.

  “We need to get you out of those wet clothes.” Ruth pulled Jane’s sleeve down, sliding it off her arm. She freed the other arm and tossed the jacket to the floor. It drifted along the corridor behind them. “Hold on, Jane. We’re almost there.”

  A stream of water washed through the doorway, disappearing beneath the grates. Ruth moved Jane to the middle of the room and closed the internal door. The trickle of water slowed and then faded away.

  Jane gripped the base of her top and tried to lift it up. The fabric slipped from her frozen fingers. A whirring sound filled the room as warm air rose through the floor grates.

  Ruth rushed back to Jane’s side holding an ice hammer. “I had this in my bag. It’s going to be too painful to take those clothes off normally.” She lifted the base of Jane’s top and ripped through the seam with the pick. “I’m going to have to cut you free.”

  Jane opened her hands, holding them out above the warm air. She shivered, struggling to lift her arms. Her fingers tingled as her blood started to flow again.

  Ruth gripped the base of Jane’s shirt and pulled, ripping the fabric apart until she reached the neck. “Don’t move.” She grabbed the collar, sliding the serrat
ed pick across.

  The warm air rushed over Jane’s body, lifting her damp hair off her shoulders. She breathed in and felt the heat inside her.

  Ruth ripped through the waistband of her pants and dropped them to the ground. Her clothes hit the grate with a squelch. Jane staggered forwards, rubbing her aching thighs.

  “We need to find you some clothes. Your backpack is here, but it’s soaked through, too.” Ruth dropped Jane’s sodden socks and underwear to the ground and stood up. She stared past Jane with gritted teeth. “You.”

  Jane turned her head and grimaced as her neck cracked.

  “Did I miss something?” Brandon grinned from the doorway.

  “How could you leave us like that?” Ruth strode towards him pointing the hammer at his head. “She almost died.”

  Brandon held his hands up and backed away. “You heard the siren, right? If I hadn’t turned off the pumps, we would all be dead. Not almost dead, but completely dead.”

  Ruth raised the hammer above her head and stepped towards Brandon.

  “Hey. You heard me say dead, right?” He took another step back. “I think you’re taking this a little too personally.”

  “Ruth, it’s fine. Leave him.” Jane moved towards the doorway, the hot air rushing over her naked body. “He’s not worth it.”

  Ruth glanced at Jane before turning back to Brandon. She dashed forwards and swung her hammer through the air. Brandon thrust his arms over his head and closed his eyes.

  SPLAT.

  He looked up, peeking out from beneath his forearm. The hammer pinned a small yellow starfish to the wall, clear liquid oozing from the wound as its arms scrambled through the air. White tendrils writhed and wriggled beneath it.

  Ruth pulled the hammer free and the starfish slid down the wall. She stepped on it before it had a chance to move, pressing down with her boot.

  SQUELCH.

  She stamped on the starfish and then hit it with her hammer repeatedly. “Let’s see you recover from that.”

  Brandon backed away, as Ruth slammed the hammer on top of the starfish once more, leaving it as little more than a splattered mess of white flesh.