Chapter 10: Metallic Mind.
AN:.... *Sigh* I didn't want to post this really; I like this story and don't want it to finish, my first ff and the best reviewed. You read, I huddle in a corner. *Wail*
Merle: *snigger*
Me: *throws keyboard at her*
Merle: *picks up keyboard and rubs head* Hey don't you need this to write up the next chapter?
Me: *cries even loader*
Merle: *.*;;
Location: Mars-
Seconds past then minutes did. Van turned his head slightly, towards the Allen. He was sill explaining how they planed to create an atmosphere for Mars. Van had been trying really hard to pay attention, but he couldn't help his eyes from darting back and forth, from Allen's face to the oxygen timer on his right arm.
''Mars' polar ice, is mostly sealed to.'' Allen continued, ''But we used low nuclear detonations to melt the ice, that releases Carbon Dioxide. That in turn builds up and creates a green house effect. Marts starts to warm up.'' Allen paused for a moment, taking deep breaths of the remaining Oxygen before he continued. ''Now when it's hot enough, we send down the algae. It grows and creates O2.''
Allen looked over at the younger man. His breathing was very irregular and he couldn't seem to stop his eyes darting from place to place erratically within his line of sight. ''You want me to just shut up and let you die quietly?'' He asked, watching Van snap back into reality.
''No, carry on.'' Van replied simply, focusing again.
''OK, so, they sent us here to figure out what happened to the O2. But the question is what happened to the algae- because-''
''Dryden's dead.''
Allen was cut off by Dilandau, who seemed to be a little distressed. ''He just through himself off a cliff.'' He continued, giving his remaining team mates hardly any time to take in the bad news.
Exhaling heavily, Dilandau walked towards another piece of nearby framework and rested against it. Making it obvious he didn't want to talk about it.
The three remained in silence for a few seconds untill Van's suit regulator started bleeping. ''Replace oxygen immediately.''
Van looked down at his timer. ''One minute.'' He reported, unable to hide the frightened edge to his voice. ''What's it gonna be like?'' He asked, the edge a little more evident.
''Hypoxia?'' At Van's nod Allen continued. ''Dizziness, your skin will tingle, vision narrows, shock, then convulsions-''
''Is it gonna hurt?'' Van asked, cutting off his list of the symptoms.
''Yeah.'' Allen replied, breaking their eye contact.
Another warning sounded at Van attempted to stand. ''I'm just gonna take a little walk.'' He said, pausing between each word, drawing in as much air as he could. He hadn't taken two steps before he fell to the ground, hands grabbing frantically at his helmet.
Allen looked away and tried to block out the sounds of Van's struggle to draw in air, which came through all to clearly over the suit com. lines. Dilandau himself began to breath more erratically as his own one-minute warning sounded.
Van's vision started to go blurry and although Allen had told him what was going to happen he couldn't help but go into shock. Grasping at the small leaver that opened his suit helmet he made a decision in desperation, flicking the switch he squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the inevitable. His helmet broke open and a rush of air entered his dry throat. Opening his eyes again in surprise he inhaled deeply. ''I can breathe.'' He whispered in shock.
Allen heard and looked towards his fallen friend. ''Van?''
Van rolled over and looked Allen square in the eyes. ''I can breathe.'' He said loader, attracting Dilandau's attention. ''It's like being in high altitude but we can breathe.'' Van almost shouted, eyes dancing.
In a second both Allen and Dilandau were breathing in Mars' oxygen. ''I don't know what the hell this is, but I'll take it.'' Allen praised, inhaling deeply again.
''What the hell is going on here?'' Dilandau whispered. Finally sitting down while his other companions almost cheered in joy.
''If Dryden had only waited a few more seconds, we can breathe Dryden, we can breath.'' Allen said, lifting his head to the cloudy sky.
Dilandau looked down, not being able to look at his team mates.
~~~~~
Location: Mars 1-
''Incoming transmission commander.''
''Mars 1,'' the transmission came crackling through the speakers, distracting Hitomi from her meal. ''This is Huston, we got your message and are glad to hear you voice. Analysis of your telemetry indicates Mars 1 orbit failure in 31 hours.'' Hitomi sighed but the transmission continued. ''The good news is we'll have you out of there by then. We believe we can restore the engines for a main engine burn and exit from Mars orbit. '' The speaker paused momentarily, ''Ground crew is presumed, end of mission, Huston out.''
Hitomi sighed, bringing a shaky hand to her fore head.
~~~~~
Location: Mars-
''Terra-forming didn't even come close to creating breathable air up here, right?'' Allen mused, looking to Dilandau for back up.
''Yeah.'' Dilandau replied, looking down at Van, who was still searching.
''-and Oxygen levels where already dropping when the sensors blacked out. So how can there be more O2 now, then ever before?'' Allen finished, completely stumped. What was going on around here?
~~~~~
Location: Mars 1-
''Sorry commander, no response from ignition systems.'' Merle reported.
Hitomi growled and slammed her fist into the panel she was working at. ''Huston, Mars 1, no joy on all scenarios for engine ignition, that includes hitting the console. What next?, over.''
She rested her head against the open panel. ''God, I wish I didn't have to wait 40 minutes to hear your answer.''
~~~~~
Location: Mars-
''Hey guys.'' Van said, oh so not please, ''I found the radio.'' He held up a bashed piece of roughly, cube shaped metal. ''Where not gonna be calling Hitomi on this.'' He sighed, dropping the garbage back to the ground as Allen came over, Dilandau in toe.
''Wait a second, I saw something-'' Allen started, puling out a small location device. ''When we where locating HAB. You know, that little rover they sent here in '87. That's gotta have a radio, right?'' Van nodded then looked up. ''It's 4km from here.''
''It's gonna get dark soon, It'll be too cold.'' Van concluded, looking back to Allen and Dilandau.
''Then we leave at first light.'' Dilandau decided.
~~~~~
A few hours later Van turned back to the charred wreckage that was HAB.
''At least this thing still has enough rocket fuel to keep us warm.'' Allen commented, handing Van a small lighter.
''Here comes a billion dollar camp fire.'' Van murmured sarcastically, throwing the lighter towards the wreckage like a pitcher at a baseball game. ''Least it's good for something.'' He shrugged, watching the remains of HAB go up in large flames.
Barely minutes later the three team mates where relatively, settled and ready for sleep.
''If the radio at the rover works, we'll be able to call Hitomi and tell her there's air down here.'' Dilandau started. '''course, that wont help us will it.'' He finished, lowering his head. Neither Van or Allen could answer him, he already knew the answer anyway.
After a few more minutes of that by now, all to familiar silence, Allen asked Dilandau, ''It must have been real hard, watching Dryden go like that, huh?'' Dilandau just nodded then lowered his head again. But Van didn't miss the gleam in his eyes.
Allen was about to break the silence again when a visitor did it for him.
''Hey look Van, it's your girlfriend.'' Dilandau laughed, rising with the rest of them.
''Hey AMME.'' Allen joined in, petting the metal frame.
''Hi sweetie,'' Van smiled, walking up to her. ''Good to see ya.'' Upon surveying AMME's damaged frame Van frowned. ''Aww, you got kinda beat up huh. Flip over for me.'' AMME did as she was told but moved her head back so she had a clear view of her abandoners.
''Shot, the main processors damaged.'' Van reported, closing a small panel in AMME's back.
''Can she still navigate for us?'' Dilandau asked.
''Yeah, until she breakes down for good.'' He replied.
''Well, lets just yank out her Mars positioning systems now.'' Allen cut in, looking to Van.
''But that would be killing her.'' Van objected before he could stop himself.
''You want me to do it?'' Allen faked sympathy.
''No, no, I'll do it.'' Van sighed, reaching for AMME's power supply. He was almost there when AMME shot her back legs out, throwing both him and Dilandau to the ground about three feet away.
Allen dodged AMME's aimed attack and grabbed a long metal tube. Racing back towards AMME he hit her metal frame with it, attracting her attention while Van tapped hastily away at the control panel on his left arm.
AMME's form rose up on two legs and towered over Allen. Using her metal claws she cut away at the metal tubing until it was nothing but a small stick in Allen's palms.
Looking down at the metal Allen didn't have time to breath as AMME throw him a good foot in the air and got back on all fours. Allen scooted back as fast as he could but AMME quickly pinned him down and raised her right arm.
Van cursed as he kept tapping in commands, standing up he called out Allen's name and started towards them.
He was to late, Allen's cry of pain echoed over the desolate soil and AMME retreated into the darkness, flipping over Van before disappearing completely.
Dilandau got to Allen first and quickly pulled out a scanning device. ''He's got a broken rib.'' He reported as Van came over. ''Why didn't you shut her down?'' He asked as they lifted Allen up.
''I tried,'' Van replied, ''but she wouldn't respond to commands, she's in military mode.''
''She had us,'' Allen chocked out, ''why didn't she kill us?''
''She's paying war games.'' Van explained, ''injure one of the party, the others have to help out, it slows them down. Eventually she'll play search and destroy.'' Van looked over Allen to Dilandau. ''She'll come and kill us, one by one.''
AN:.... *Sigh* I didn't want to post this really; I like this story and don't want it to finish, my first ff and the best reviewed. You read, I huddle in a corner. *Wail*
Merle: *snigger*
Me: *throws keyboard at her*
Merle: *picks up keyboard and rubs head* Hey don't you need this to write up the next chapter?
Me: *cries even loader*
Merle: *.*;;
Location: Mars-
Seconds past then minutes did. Van turned his head slightly, towards the Allen. He was sill explaining how they planed to create an atmosphere for Mars. Van had been trying really hard to pay attention, but he couldn't help his eyes from darting back and forth, from Allen's face to the oxygen timer on his right arm.
''Mars' polar ice, is mostly sealed to.'' Allen continued, ''But we used low nuclear detonations to melt the ice, that releases Carbon Dioxide. That in turn builds up and creates a green house effect. Marts starts to warm up.'' Allen paused for a moment, taking deep breaths of the remaining Oxygen before he continued. ''Now when it's hot enough, we send down the algae. It grows and creates O2.''
Allen looked over at the younger man. His breathing was very irregular and he couldn't seem to stop his eyes darting from place to place erratically within his line of sight. ''You want me to just shut up and let you die quietly?'' He asked, watching Van snap back into reality.
''No, carry on.'' Van replied simply, focusing again.
''OK, so, they sent us here to figure out what happened to the O2. But the question is what happened to the algae- because-''
''Dryden's dead.''
Allen was cut off by Dilandau, who seemed to be a little distressed. ''He just through himself off a cliff.'' He continued, giving his remaining team mates hardly any time to take in the bad news.
Exhaling heavily, Dilandau walked towards another piece of nearby framework and rested against it. Making it obvious he didn't want to talk about it.
The three remained in silence for a few seconds untill Van's suit regulator started bleeping. ''Replace oxygen immediately.''
Van looked down at his timer. ''One minute.'' He reported, unable to hide the frightened edge to his voice. ''What's it gonna be like?'' He asked, the edge a little more evident.
''Hypoxia?'' At Van's nod Allen continued. ''Dizziness, your skin will tingle, vision narrows, shock, then convulsions-''
''Is it gonna hurt?'' Van asked, cutting off his list of the symptoms.
''Yeah.'' Allen replied, breaking their eye contact.
Another warning sounded at Van attempted to stand. ''I'm just gonna take a little walk.'' He said, pausing between each word, drawing in as much air as he could. He hadn't taken two steps before he fell to the ground, hands grabbing frantically at his helmet.
Allen looked away and tried to block out the sounds of Van's struggle to draw in air, which came through all to clearly over the suit com. lines. Dilandau himself began to breath more erratically as his own one-minute warning sounded.
Van's vision started to go blurry and although Allen had told him what was going to happen he couldn't help but go into shock. Grasping at the small leaver that opened his suit helmet he made a decision in desperation, flicking the switch he squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the inevitable. His helmet broke open and a rush of air entered his dry throat. Opening his eyes again in surprise he inhaled deeply. ''I can breathe.'' He whispered in shock.
Allen heard and looked towards his fallen friend. ''Van?''
Van rolled over and looked Allen square in the eyes. ''I can breathe.'' He said loader, attracting Dilandau's attention. ''It's like being in high altitude but we can breathe.'' Van almost shouted, eyes dancing.
In a second both Allen and Dilandau were breathing in Mars' oxygen. ''I don't know what the hell this is, but I'll take it.'' Allen praised, inhaling deeply again.
''What the hell is going on here?'' Dilandau whispered. Finally sitting down while his other companions almost cheered in joy.
''If Dryden had only waited a few more seconds, we can breathe Dryden, we can breath.'' Allen said, lifting his head to the cloudy sky.
Dilandau looked down, not being able to look at his team mates.
~~~~~
Location: Mars 1-
''Incoming transmission commander.''
''Mars 1,'' the transmission came crackling through the speakers, distracting Hitomi from her meal. ''This is Huston, we got your message and are glad to hear you voice. Analysis of your telemetry indicates Mars 1 orbit failure in 31 hours.'' Hitomi sighed but the transmission continued. ''The good news is we'll have you out of there by then. We believe we can restore the engines for a main engine burn and exit from Mars orbit. '' The speaker paused momentarily, ''Ground crew is presumed, end of mission, Huston out.''
Hitomi sighed, bringing a shaky hand to her fore head.
~~~~~
Location: Mars-
''Terra-forming didn't even come close to creating breathable air up here, right?'' Allen mused, looking to Dilandau for back up.
''Yeah.'' Dilandau replied, looking down at Van, who was still searching.
''-and Oxygen levels where already dropping when the sensors blacked out. So how can there be more O2 now, then ever before?'' Allen finished, completely stumped. What was going on around here?
~~~~~
Location: Mars 1-
''Sorry commander, no response from ignition systems.'' Merle reported.
Hitomi growled and slammed her fist into the panel she was working at. ''Huston, Mars 1, no joy on all scenarios for engine ignition, that includes hitting the console. What next?, over.''
She rested her head against the open panel. ''God, I wish I didn't have to wait 40 minutes to hear your answer.''
~~~~~
Location: Mars-
''Hey guys.'' Van said, oh so not please, ''I found the radio.'' He held up a bashed piece of roughly, cube shaped metal. ''Where not gonna be calling Hitomi on this.'' He sighed, dropping the garbage back to the ground as Allen came over, Dilandau in toe.
''Wait a second, I saw something-'' Allen started, puling out a small location device. ''When we where locating HAB. You know, that little rover they sent here in '87. That's gotta have a radio, right?'' Van nodded then looked up. ''It's 4km from here.''
''It's gonna get dark soon, It'll be too cold.'' Van concluded, looking back to Allen and Dilandau.
''Then we leave at first light.'' Dilandau decided.
~~~~~
A few hours later Van turned back to the charred wreckage that was HAB.
''At least this thing still has enough rocket fuel to keep us warm.'' Allen commented, handing Van a small lighter.
''Here comes a billion dollar camp fire.'' Van murmured sarcastically, throwing the lighter towards the wreckage like a pitcher at a baseball game. ''Least it's good for something.'' He shrugged, watching the remains of HAB go up in large flames.
Barely minutes later the three team mates where relatively, settled and ready for sleep.
''If the radio at the rover works, we'll be able to call Hitomi and tell her there's air down here.'' Dilandau started. '''course, that wont help us will it.'' He finished, lowering his head. Neither Van or Allen could answer him, he already knew the answer anyway.
After a few more minutes of that by now, all to familiar silence, Allen asked Dilandau, ''It must have been real hard, watching Dryden go like that, huh?'' Dilandau just nodded then lowered his head again. But Van didn't miss the gleam in his eyes.
Allen was about to break the silence again when a visitor did it for him.
''Hey look Van, it's your girlfriend.'' Dilandau laughed, rising with the rest of them.
''Hey AMME.'' Allen joined in, petting the metal frame.
''Hi sweetie,'' Van smiled, walking up to her. ''Good to see ya.'' Upon surveying AMME's damaged frame Van frowned. ''Aww, you got kinda beat up huh. Flip over for me.'' AMME did as she was told but moved her head back so she had a clear view of her abandoners.
''Shot, the main processors damaged.'' Van reported, closing a small panel in AMME's back.
''Can she still navigate for us?'' Dilandau asked.
''Yeah, until she breakes down for good.'' He replied.
''Well, lets just yank out her Mars positioning systems now.'' Allen cut in, looking to Van.
''But that would be killing her.'' Van objected before he could stop himself.
''You want me to do it?'' Allen faked sympathy.
''No, no, I'll do it.'' Van sighed, reaching for AMME's power supply. He was almost there when AMME shot her back legs out, throwing both him and Dilandau to the ground about three feet away.
Allen dodged AMME's aimed attack and grabbed a long metal tube. Racing back towards AMME he hit her metal frame with it, attracting her attention while Van tapped hastily away at the control panel on his left arm.
AMME's form rose up on two legs and towered over Allen. Using her metal claws she cut away at the metal tubing until it was nothing but a small stick in Allen's palms.
Looking down at the metal Allen didn't have time to breath as AMME throw him a good foot in the air and got back on all fours. Allen scooted back as fast as he could but AMME quickly pinned him down and raised her right arm.
Van cursed as he kept tapping in commands, standing up he called out Allen's name and started towards them.
He was to late, Allen's cry of pain echoed over the desolate soil and AMME retreated into the darkness, flipping over Van before disappearing completely.
Dilandau got to Allen first and quickly pulled out a scanning device. ''He's got a broken rib.'' He reported as Van came over. ''Why didn't you shut her down?'' He asked as they lifted Allen up.
''I tried,'' Van replied, ''but she wouldn't respond to commands, she's in military mode.''
''She had us,'' Allen chocked out, ''why didn't she kill us?''
''She's paying war games.'' Van explained, ''injure one of the party, the others have to help out, it slows them down. Eventually she'll play search and destroy.'' Van looked over Allen to Dilandau. ''She'll come and kill us, one by one.''