Broken Makes Perfect: Revolution – Part 5
"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom." – Albert Einstein, in Out of My Later Years (1950)
"Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two equal four. If that is given, all else follows" – George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949)
"The Horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but that it was impossible to avoid joining in." – George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), Chapter 1
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RESEARCH STATION JULIO
FEMALE LIVING QUARTERS
OCTOBER 26, 2203
11:30 A.M. STANDARD SECTOR TIME
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Alone in her room Diana sat on the edge of her bed.
Breathing deeply she ran her hand over the pages of a book she'd kept in her dresser. Every signature she'd collected throughout her rebel period was collected within these delicate pages, which could be destroyed in an instant if she were ever to be discovered. If a single match was lit and placed beside the journal, even if only for a fraction of a second it would be engulfed in a ball of fire, disappearing entirely within a matter of seconds.
This was only one of many items that were intended to be disposable for the protection of the society she was a part of. You were not to sell out your partners, no matter what you were subjected to. Because of this it was rare for Diana to memorize any member's names, using codes instead. That way if she were ever discovered their names and connection to her could be destroyed in an instant.
Diana only wore her jeans and a black sports bra. Her hair was messed, and her eyes sagged, and stayed only half-lidded, tired from having spent hours reading. The organization had just grown to thirty members of the crew, but she still didn't have anyone within the security force, which needless to say complicated things if the rebellion were to occur while they were aboard this ship, but regardless in her heart she knew that her followers were ready to do what needed to be done when the time finally came along, and she had done here homework to make sure it went smoothly.
Arching her back she yawned. She'd been up all night collecting information on the status of the station. From technical readouts, to computer programs, she'd made sure to read up on just about everything she could before finally falling asleep early in the morning. Everything was laid out as she had planned, but at the same time she was behind schedule. At this point in time she could receive a transmission from her command at any time, and she'd have to respond appropriately to it.
What about Ernest? Are you done with him?
The lab assistant had been drawn to her almost instantaneously, like a moth to the reassuring glow of a streetlamp. Wearing a pair tight shorts and a top that gave some cleavage had a way of making things slip from a man's mouth, and Ernest was no different. During her time organizing with him the other day she had learned quite a bit about Professor Duke's activities, and why he could be a valuable asset to the rebellion.
Ernest himself seemed an unlikely candidate for the rebellion.
The Professor was working with genetics that Ernest said could cure some of mankind's most troublesome viruses, both alien, and natural.
Even though he wasn't the most likable fella, Diana knew that people respected him, even if they weren't willing to admit to it aloud.
But how are you going to get close to him?
It would be more difficult to get to the professor, considering he already had a girl-toy. Amanda was a rotten whore, who wasn't worth anyone's time…but her body was undeniably attractive to the male mind, meaning that Diana couldn't pull the same shtick she'd done with Ernest.
He's a smart mother fucker. Amanda is a dumb whore.
That's when Diana knew how she could get to the good Professor: his brain. She wouldn't say that she was smart on the subjects he handled, but surely if he was presented with someone of sexual appeal that also managed to stimulate his mind he'd dump Amanda in an instant.
Diana knew this because she'd seen the alleged "couple" during mealtimes and could instantly tell that Professor Duke didn't care for her, other than the fact that she provided him physical needs. Diana would just have to be better (which she knew she was), and the man would be hers. From there she'd get closer and closer to him, get inside his mind and get him to see the importance of overthrowing the current government.
You just need a formal introduction with him…without Amanda being on his heels.
Checking the clock Diana saw that it was eleven forty-five, which meant fifteen minutes until the lunch hour. That's where she'd encounter the professor and make her move, but first she had to get Amanda out of the position of joining him.
Move now you idiot!
Diana quickly grabbed a form fitting t-shirt and pulled it over her head as she jogged out of her room. Smoothly the garment slid down her flesh, covering the scar that ran up her stomach.
She knew where Amanda would be at this time, and only hoped that she wouldn't miss her, because this could be the last chance to establish contact with Duke before things got ugly.
Move, move, you can't let that whore make it to him in time!
Amanda would be at the gym where she'd be doing a forty minute walk on the treadmill. The blonde did this every single day just before lunch almost religiously, and Diana had to hope today wasn't one of the days the bitch took off, choosing instead to work out in another room, working very different machines.
Just up ahead, you can't miss it.
Just up ahead were the doors that lead into the gym. Diana moved in quickly, looking through the window. After a bit of looking her eyes centered on the treadmills, looking for the Professor's blonde.
At first she couldn't tell whether or not it was Amanda, or not, but eventually she was able to make out the simple minded bitch by her pink top. Diana had made it in time, but she had to act now before time ran out.
Come on, you know how to do this…
Using a screwdriver that had been retrieved from the back pocket of her jeans she was able to pull open the command council beside the steel doors.
Diana ran her dirty fingernails along the various wires, looking for the one that led to the security HQ. This entire thing would be no good if security came along to fix it seconds after she'd finished fucking the damn thing up.
The security chord was blue, so it was easy to locate and follow to its source. Clip, one snip of her cutters and the security relay to the door's console was cut off entirely.
Inside Amanda's pace on the treadmill was beginning to decline. In a matter of seconds she had gone from a brisk jog to a casual stroll. She was coming to a stop, and yet Diana was still there fumbling with the door controls.
Seeing this through the window only panicked the young woman, causing her hands to move along the wires at a faster rate than was necessary.
Oh shit, shit, shit! C'mon, you've practiced this before…slow, easy breaths now, you can't let yourself get caught when you're this far in the game.
To lock the doors she just had to cross the red and green wires, and that would cause an emergency shutdown that could only be corrected manually.
Were her hand's sweaty? No time to think about that; just had to concentrate on the task.
"Oh shit!" Diana cursed under her breath, seeing that Amanda was now off the treadmill and making her way to collect her bag before leaving the gym entirely, and the first thing she'd see outside the doors was the female technician tampering with the equipment. Maybe she could say she was fixing the doors, but what if Amanda wasn't as dumb as she appeared? No! Diana couldn't take any chances. She had to shut up the console, or finish this right now!
Amanda's coming to the door…
With a quick movement Diana gripped the cables, pulled back their plastic casings and connected their strands of copper within. There was a spark and with a hiss the machine reacted, a light above the door flashing red to indicate a malfunction.
Normally this would alert the security, but she'd cut that cable so now the only way anyone would discover the situation regarding the door was if they stumbled upon it.
Now make a clean get away.
Sealing the box Diana got up and strolled off acting as if nothing had happened. Just as she'd rounded the corner she began to hear the pounding of someone in the gym slamming their fists against the door (probably Amanda).
Play it cool, girl. You made it, now play it cool. You're going to have to make that Professor think you came out of his dreams.
Diana didn't look back as she strutted down the hall, resting a hand casually on her hips, which swayed with each step she took. She was playing it cool, while preparing to play it sexy once she got to the professor, but her heart still froze when she passed a security officer who happened to cross her path. Once he'd passed her she'd looked back, wanting to see where he was going. She softly exhaled in relief when he took a turn to the right. He wasn't going to the gym, meaning she was in the clear.
It's time to play it sexy. So long Amanda, you dumb bitch. Your man is about to show you how much he really cares about you.
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RESEARCH STATION JULIO
MESS HALL
OCTOBER 26, 2203
11:40 A.M. STANDARD SECTOR TIME
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Professor Duke had arrived for lunch early that day, and hadn't been too excited about the day's selection, which included chili, and a salad. He'd gone with the salad, which he ungratefully munched down on. Ocasionally he'd look up to the television monitor to see if it was fixed, but when he saw it still was black he returned to his meal.
Funny that they aren't showing anything at this time of day.
Beside him sat Ernest, who always ate lunch at an early time, wanting to ask to Professor what he wanted to have done before Amanda showed up, because once she got there he typically had no time to have a one-on-one conversation with the researcher.
"No, I have no problem with you taking your weekends off," Duke said through a mouthful of spinach. "What kind of man would I be if I didn't allow my accomplice his much needed period of relaxation? No, even though I am fascinated by the subject and could work endlessly on it personally I can respect that you do not want to be in the company of my creation all the time."
"You got that right; that bitch scares me," Ernest shrugged, having already finished his chili, and was ready to go as soon as he'd finished discussing these few matters with the professor. "Well, sir, you know how much I appreciate these breaks. I just can't stand being around all this genetic stuff all the time. I'm not on your level of thinking, and it just makes my head spin thinking about it."
Anton Duke laughed.
"It is understandable that you can't enjoy these things as much as I. You're just a hired hand and you've been most helpful during these long months of research. Me, the brains, and you the muscle; what a good team we've made!"
"Well, I suppose you're right about us making a good team…" Ernest didn't want to tell the professor how much he hated this job. Especially since Duke seemed to be in such a good mood today.
"You know I really am feeling about the progress on our experiment, and within this week we'll be sending our first transmission to Lancer, and from there we start to earn our profit…Then we begin the countdown to when we can return home."
"Can't wait for that."
Professor Duke leaned over to Ernest, resting a hand on his shoulder, his lips forming into a large, toothy smile. Ernest couldn't help but shiver, wondering if this pleasant attitude was only the opening act for the eventual scolding over something Ernest may have done. Anton Duke was good at pulling off a Good-Cop, Bad-Cop routine all by himself.
"I feel so good that I could sing, Ernest…I finally feel like an individual again, and not just a simple corporate tool – I'm sure you know that feeling. In fact, I feel so good that I may just kick that bitch Amanda out of my life for the rest of my stay on this station."
"Excuse me, sir?"
Duke met Ernest's response with another laugh, a hand slapping the assistant's shoulder.
"You heard me right, son. I've had enough of that stupid whore…she's more of a hassle than you could ever imagine. Always talking, on, and on, and on about the simplest of human tasks! She yammers on, and on, and on! I can't believe people like that exist in the first place."
"Excuse me, sir, but if you hate people like her so much why have you spent so much time with her for the past three months?" The professor's comments confused Ernest.
"Listen, Ernest, I thought you already knew this but: this job is a lot of stress. When I first got with her it was just because she was there, and my body was under so much tension that it wanted to release primal energies and she was the way to do that. I really do not care about her, and now that much of my stress has been lifted from my shoulders I feel as though I'm a man who has carried a load of bricks on his back for several years, but now, suddenly, those bricks have gone. Poof!"
Ernest shivered, somewhat in disgust, and somewhat in understanding. He'd never thought that the Professor actually cared about Amanda, but it still felt good (and sickening) hearing the words coming from the horse's mouth, as opposed to relying on his own theories.
"Ernest, my boy, I have to ask you: What is there to be said about fait?"
Ernest was taken aback by the professor's question, staring at him blankly, as his tongue seemed to form into knots in the back of his throat. How was he supposed to answer that?
"I'm not quite sure what you mean by that..?"
Professor Duke sighed, obviously frustrated by his assistant's response.
"Fate, Ernest, F-A-T-E, fate! You know, destiny, all things happen for a reason, that stuff?"
"Oh yes, I know that, sir," Ernest said, a mental groan running through his mind.
"What do you think it all means? Us being here; together aboard this station…what series of events could have lead up to our working together? And where will this whole thing lead to in the end? These are the questions that I ask you, Ernest."
"Well I certainly believe everyone does things that lead to other things…That everything you do physically will have a consequence that you may, or may not be capable of predicting in advance."
The Professor nodded, his eyes tilting down towards his salad. His hands gave no sign that he was about pick up his fork, so Ernest decided that he was pondering something. Suddenly the eyes returned back to their prior position to connect with Ernest's.
"What about your thoughts? Do you think your thoughts could result in consequences in the real world? The human mind can just come up with the most gruesome of thoughts, ideas, and plots."
"Well, I don't think what you think can have any effect one someone outside the reach of your own imagination. No, I don't think that thought can be compared to actually following through with a thought. I mean, you can't arrest someone for thinking about brutally murdering someone."
"Yes…you have a point."
Duke's eyes connected with Ernest, and Ernest could feel electricity in the air as a shiver ran down his spine. There was an intense fire focused in Anton's eyes, and it made all the cheer slip away from Ernest. He hadn't done anything to upset the professor, did he? No…nothing he could recall doing would be worth a stare such as this.
"So, do I get the rest of the day off?" Ernest quickly changed the subject. He wanted to make his exit now before things had a chance to escalate between him and Duke.
"Of course, of course, just make sure to enjoy yourself, Ernest-boy…Just make sure to feed the subject before you retreat to…whatever you do when you're not working; I really don't care. Just make sure to feed her today."
"I'll do that…"
Ernest got up and made his way out of the cafeteria, leaving the professor by himself.
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RESEARCH STATION JULIO
STATION SECURITY HQ
OCTOBER 26, 2203
11:50 STANDARD SECTOR TIME
FILTERING NEWS STATION VIDEO FEED
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Officer Willis pulled a cigarette to his lips and silently puffed. He'd woken up early in the morning, and had been watching video feed from the local news station for several hours now. What was being received in the transmissions did not bring him cheer.
"What do we do, Captain?" the young southern guard who'd captured the toe collecting lunatic asked while checking his watch. "In a few minutes everyone is going to be having lunch and they'll want to know where their daily news is."
"I know, I know, just sit down," Willis snapped. "I'm trying to find that out right now, and would appreciate it if you didn't try to complicate things.
"Let Officer Willis have the time and space to do what he needs to do," Officer Eyehook stated for all in the room to hear.
In Willis' lap sat the company manual on how a security officer was to handle just about any possible situation. His fingers flipped through its pages, trying to find the right subject.
"Man, they go to Dancia, and Dwells!" Officer Sealy – a recruit of Hispanic descent – shouted. "We got to get off this station and back to the central planets; get to the protection of the marines!"
"Hrrrruf," Willis grumbled, gripping the guard's shoulder and slamming him against the wall. "We are not leaving this station! If what the news report says is true than we cannot put the lives of company employees on the line because of our own cowardice. Right now those pirates are roaming the empty space between planetary systems and if they found our escape shuttle…well, Let's just say it would be a really bad day for our mothers."
He flipped through the book once more before finding his proper page. Leaving the rattled guard behind he began to pace while he used his finger to mark his place on the paper.
"The rebels shouldn't be fucked with anymore," Officer Murphy said, his sidearm hanging from its holster which rested upon the thigh of his right leg.
"Listen!" Willis repeatedly jabbed his finger against the section of the book he'd been reading to get the rest of the security force's attention. "In case of war, or political unrest station is to undergo precaution area measures and wait for word of the USCM before lifting these measures. It then goes on to say: Security forces should conduct a search of all station personnel in order to confirm them as citizens and not possible traitors against the current human government."
Everyone in the room stared at Willis for a few quiet moments. Before Officer Murphy coughed you could have heard a pin drop.
"So what do we do…ummm…exactly?" A guard by the name of Dennis asked. Denis was the only black member of the security force, and was also the newest recruit.
"We're going to start by locking down all unused levels of the station," Willis began. "We will not allow the citizens to see the news footage we just viewed, but instead we will give them a brief summary explaining our actions."
"We're just going to say there's a disturbance," Murphy said to finish Lancer's comment.
Willis nodded and turned back to the other guards. They all seemed nervous, even the older ones, but Daniel knew that they had been trained well enough to handle this situation once they got over the initial shock of the entire situation.
"We will lock away all weapons not being used by members of the security force. This means all private arms owned by the men and women of this station. This safe's lock can only be unlocked by the combination of three keys that will be carried by Officer Murphy, Officer Eyehook, and me.
"From there we shall begin searching the station for hints of the rebellion's presence. If this presence is found we will detain those individuals who openly and forcefully revolt against the current political administration."
"And what if the citizens don't agree to give up their own private arms?" the Southern guard George asked, his arm still bandaged from his attack in the kitchen.
"Then they shall be arrested by the power invested in us by the Lancer Corporation to keep the peace. Anyone who refuses to give up a firearm or any other form of lethal weapon is considered a possible threat, and will have to be dealt with forcefully if necessary."
Willis was firm with his address, not wanting anything to be misinterpreted. As the security force they'd have to rise to this situation with dignity, and respect. Take the ram by the horns, as some people would say.
"In a few minutes the employees of the Lancer Corporation shall all be assembled and ready in the mess hall for lunch. They will wonder why they are not receiving their daily newscast, and it will be up to us to tell them the brief overview of what has happened, but we mustn't let them learn the severity of this predicament. Trust me, the last thing you want on your hands is a panic…People die when they panic, and panic leads to riot, and riot leads to possibly more killing.
"We will keep them from panic, and we mustn't let them into our operation. When we dispatch any possible rebels we'll have to be careful about it, because we can't let there be any reason to encourage a revolt aboard this station.
"Does everyone understand?" Willis shouted.
There was that awkward silence again as everyone in the room looked at one another. This would be the most dramatic situation they'd ever been in, and they hadn't had training to deal with them. None had fired their weapons outside of training, and Willis had no idea which one of the new recruits was most likely to panic under pressure, but he knew there would be one somewhere in this group of new bloods.
Officer Murphy coughed again, successfully breaking the pause for a second time.
"Sir yes sir!" every security officer finally shouted in unison.
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RESEARCH STATION JULIO
ANIMAL STORAGE
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Ernest could hear the animal sliding down the chute, bleating out cries of panic, hoofs slapping against the metal sides as it tried to pulls itself back up.
The sides were well lubricated, and the surface was smooth. There was no escape once you were in the chute.
There was a thump. Then the light tip-tap of hoofs tapping against a metal floor. A call for its companions it had left behind that were no longer at the animal's side.
These sounds continued for awhile longer as if they were on a loop. They didn't last long and was soon followed by a shriek and the sound of something being slammed against the chute's exit.
The animal cried out in fear. It screamed in pain. And then there was nothing.
Ernest stood by, making no gesture as to what he intended to do. Transfixed, he stared down the sleek tunnel and watched as the exit was splattered with red.
It's funny how I'm revolted by this, yet keep on doing it, he thought to himself, his lips forming into a thin smile.
A gate had already closed at the chute's exit. Preventing whatever was at the entrance of the chute from getting up the chute and into the compound. The Professor's experiment. His special girl. The merciless killer.
Reaching up he pressed a red button which flashed above the entrance of the feeding tube. Firmly he applied pressure to the blinking circle with his thumb and was met with a hiss as the entrance became blocked with a large metal plate.
His job here was done. At least for now they were done.
Leaving the animal storage chamber Ernest couldn't help but reflect on the past several months he'd spent within the lonely confines of the Julio. It was actually funny how he stuck around when he could have left on any of the supply drops and received his final paycheck within a week.
But he didn't leave.
Moving into the elevator he pressed the button for the floor that contained his private chamber. He slept within a chamber at the top floor of the station. It was far away from the work place, and the mess hall, but its common room allowed the best view of the planet they orbited.
That didn't improve the conditions under which he worked. Ernest had arrived on this station due to a spree of bad luck, so perhaps he'd established that he couldn't do any better than this. Just maybe he'd be working for Professor Duke forever.
No, that was not to be his destiny. After the first few operations he'd jump off on the first supply freighter and get back to the central planets. There he could get a real job. An apartment, maybe find a girl and get married, have some kids…the whole damn package.
It wouldn't pay as good as this assistance job, but at least he'd get to know, and interact with some real people. People who when you said hello would actually respond out of good nature, and not because they wanted something of you.
Ernest realized at that moment as he approached his quarters that what he felt was most lacking most: Human emotion! Everyone aboard the station acted as if they had one specific purpose, and acted it out with great precision: like one giant machine.
People were supposed to come together to make a working organism known as society, but not like this! In a real society they'd enjoy being amongst their peers, sharing laughs, and occasionally talking about things non-business related.
Here, aboard the Julio, everyone seemed fixated on their work. When they weren't doing it they'd talk about it, and when they weren't talking about it they were doing it. If they weren't doing either thing it probably meant they were asleep!
Even that girl he'd just met: Diana. She under her sweet outer shell seemed to be talk to him as if he were a part of a machine she was assembling. It was as though she talked to him, not because she liked him, but because of the possibility of him assisting her in some unknown manner.
Sad to say, if that were the case she was wasting her time. He was just a useless pawn in every employee's game!
Reaching the door to his private sanctuary he flipped opened a console which stuck just beside the door. It flashed at his touch, seeming to come alive.
ENTER PASS CODE
Ernest was quick to comply.
1/23/02: The date he'd joined the operation.
Silently the door retracted back to allow him entrance to his small pocket of property.
Moving in he sighed collapsing on his bed (the door had automatically sealed behind him). Ernest had had enough of this station and the Professor's experiment for one day. All he could hope for was that the next day he wouldn't have to directly interact with the female test subject.
That bitch is crazy…she never was human, and now we just set her free from her human body so she could truly live out life as an inhuman.
Ernest looked over to his bulletin board, where various paper clippings and photos were pinned up. Mainly family and friends from back home, but a few letters were also hung up; ones he'd received from his mother back when he was in college.
College: Now those were the days when everything seemed possible. How the hell did you end up here, Ernest?
They say when you're in deep space that what you decorate your chamber with truly brings out your inner spirit, and displays it for all to see. Your chamber was the passage to your soul, is what they always said. That made life funny for Ernest.
He remembered when he'd visited the professor's room one time during the first few months aboard the Julio. Professor Duke kept a gold cross and other religious symbols on his wall and kept an electric Bible beside his computer.
Ernest had never even been to Church, or any other form of mass religion.
Was it odd that Ernest, a nice guy, was the atheist, while the scientist, who performed physical transformation and spent his extra hours with a whore, was the one who was practicing Christianity? Faiths were strange that way.
While Ernest rejected religious sects, Anton Duke seemed to thrive on them. In fact, he practically devoured them as if they were soup and noodles.
Ernest had seen Anton Duke's obsession with spirituality, and couldn't help but be perplexed by it. The professor's involvement had proven itself as another reason to sidestep the station's "Chapel" and deny his self the chance of accepting a faith
It didn't make much sense to Ernest how in this day and age how religion was still so powerful in a culture that had removed its influence from politics decades ago, but rules still remained.
But people still believe even when it can't help them gain any social status…maybe they are doing something right to still have such large followings.
Every deep-space station was required to have a spiritual leader for each faith aboard the station. That was a law for human rights that was required of all companies with vessels exceeding crews of a hundred employees.
The research station Julio catered to Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, and of course, Christian employees. Using space saving techniques this was a very easy process, and it ensured that everyone felt that they were being treated equally.
All groups always congregated in the same room, a projection wall making it easy to change from a scenic Church to a smoke filled shrine. In the center of this Chapel was an altar and atop it was an electronic book that contained Holy Scriptures of every recorded faith.
Each was allowed a ninety minute service a day. They'd have one in the morning, one in the early afternoon, and one night service. But, since Christians were the majority of the population aboard the station they'd get the "Chapel" for three hours on Sundays; when most of the crew was on their break. Also, the priests were allowed to stay during non-service hours for accepting confessions.
Ernest had seen Anton Duke attending multiple services. Though they were mostly the Christian services he'd occasionally spotted the professor in the other groups, holding hands with the other members as if he always attended. He's do the songs, read the verses as if he'd been raised practicing every spiritual belief.
What on Earth is that man compensating for? No man of science could devote himself to religion unless he feels he's committed some unmentionable sin.
The faith just had to be a façade to keep his public image intact. Like those mad scientists you always saw in the movies he didn't want to be caught, or stand out, so he jumped aboard the religion train to receive instant glorification.
What is there to be said about fait?
That is the question the Anton had asked him back in the mess hall and it still rung through Ernest's mind.
Groaning Ernest approached his computer and opened up a word document. He was due to enter his daily journal post, and the professor's question would be a good topic for the day's entry.
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PROPERTY OF ERNEST BURNS
PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY
OCTOBER 26, 2203
ENTRY # 231
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What is there to be said about fate?
Someone asked me that question today and I didn't quite know how to answer it, but perhaps I never understood how the system worked. Working here, in this place…it just gives me a strange sense of longing for something more. Something I can't seem to see, or hear.
This place is a hollow shell filled with misery and despair that I think I should lose my mind if I stay within its walls for much longer. There is no logic, or reason behind what happens on this desolate craft, at least nothing I understand.
Even as I make a new friend of the opposite sex I can't help but feel disgust when I think of her, or anyone else on this ship.
This monster that the professor has created is no more human than the feed it so ruthlessly devours. It is a being without pity, or remorse, and it makes me ask why the professor would use patients with such screwy mental histories for this project? It just seems to make this entire ordeal feel worse.
Why is it that I feel as if I've committed murder?
There is nothing wrong on the surface of this operation. I mean, sure it breaks the boundaries on several human rights, but it does so it no worse a manner than the government has handled past situations. The Professor claims this can cure things, such as cancer, and I know that would be one of the greatest scientific finds of all time, but I still think this is wrong.
Maybe I'm just paranoid…Or maybe I'm the smartest member of this entire crew.
I miss my family everyday and only hope that by the end of this I can return to Earth and have a picnic with them in one of the nature reserves. Shit, even counting the number of posts I've made sends chills right up and down my spine! How much longer must I endure this damn place?
Oh well. Everything works out in the end. In the meantime I'll just have to make sure to enjoy today's break. They've got some new movies up for private rental that may be worth watching. Think I'll just sit down and watch a nice, long, three hours epic. That should help me forget how lonely it is up here. Those old American business-epic movies that center on business tycoons…they always seem lonely, yet they're always rich.
Maybe I'm a day away from making my fortune.
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RESEARCH STATION JULIO
LABORATORY CONTAINMENT CELL
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Key hissed, blood streaming from her maw, the slain corpse of her prey lying still, and unmoving beneath her feet. The xenomorph had eaten most of the goat that had been deposited in her cell a few minutes ago, and now returned to her work.
So very, very busy am I.
Behind her the white wall was now mostly consumed by a sticky, chitin-like substance that looked as though it were another animal. The test subject had been working at it for the past ten hours, tirelessly tryinging to transform the place into what she saw in her conversation with the Empress.
I can make this into my own private home.
She looked to the hole in which her prey always entered from. Her tail swished in anticipation, and excitement. She could sense that something was changing, and that soon she would be called upon by the Empress to carry out her duties as the one true key to their salvation.
This, my home until She so demands it. Then you humans…your home shall be ours.
Don't worry, my child. It has begun.