A NOT SO LONG TIME AGO
IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY… OR SUMSUCH.
CHAPTER 4
Kyle rubbed his eyes, sitting on the corner of his bed. His feet touched the cold metal floor, sending a chill up his spine. "I hate this job." he muttered. Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, grabbing his dog tags off of the bedpost. He put the tags around his neck, shivering at the cold.
Kyle stepped into his shower room. Looking around he scoffed. "High class accommodations indeed." Kyle turned the knob in the shower, letting the water run over his hand. The warm water was soothing to the touch. He stepped in, glad to be comfortable. He covered his hands with soap from the wall dispenser.
As soon as he had soaped up, the door buzzed sounded. "Just f'n wonderful," he shouted. "I can't even enjoy a shower." He quickly rinsed off, and grabbed a towel. Grudgingly, he ran to the door. He wrapped the towel around his waist, and opened the door.
A woman, clad in marine garb holding a pulse rifle saluted, waiting for a response. Kyle returned the salute, muttering, "What now?"
"Sir, you are needed immediately on level 12." She turned and headed down the hallway.
Kyle sighed, and closed the door. He turned gazing at the messy room. "How did I ever end up in the military?" he spoke aloud. Sure it was a living, but now he was stationed on some rust bucket, guarding some top secret, hush-hush experiment. Kyle never was the marine type. He had been sent to military school during his high school years, being the deviant that he was.
Kyle donned his uniform and grabbed his sidearm off the desk. He attached his holster, and clamped the gun in firmly. Sitting down on the bed, he flipped on the com screen. Kyle typed into the panel, bringing up the com list. He punched in 'Janet Sky' who was one of he fellow officers from level 12.
The screen came to life. Janet sat on the edge of her bed, holding her head in her hands. "Yeah, what's up Trig?" Janet rubbed her eyes, and squinted at the screen.
"Yeah, Jan, I think something's going down on 12. Have you heard anything?"
Janet shook her head, replying, "No, nothing." Just then her door buzzer went off. She sighed, looking back at the com. "I'll suit up and meet you there."
Kyle flipped off the com. He jumped to his feet, and stretched out his arms. "Another glorious day in the core!" Kyle grabbed his jacket off of the chair by the door. He left his apartment, typing the lock sequence on his door panel. Kyle headed down the corridor, while brushing his hair back.
He took the route past the mess hall. Maybe he could grab something to go. Stopping at the glass window outside, he turned to read the menu. "Let's see… shit… more shit… shit on a stick… ooh, look. shit casserole." With that he left, empty handed, continuing on his way. "I hate this job." he muttered.
Kyle stepped onto the lift, and turned around. Seeing Janet running down the hallway, he held the elevator for her. Janet ran into the elevator, taking a deep breath. "Morning." he said.
Janet looked up at him. "Yeah, I see you skipped out on the whole meal idea too."
Kyle chuckled, replying, "Yeah I'd almost go as far as to say I prefer the R.E.M.s. He reached over, pushing the button for level 12.
"Access code please." The computer prompted him.
"163-qr-094"
"Thank you Corporal Larson."
The elevator jolted to life, taking them to their destination. Kyle whistled a tune while tapping his feet. Janet smiled, joining in. The elevator stopped on level 7. As the doors opened, Kyle and Janet hung their heads.
A tall man appeared before them wearing marine uniform, clad in many medals. Kyle and Janet stood up straight, saluting him. He returned the salute, and stepped into the elevator. "Good morning general." Kyle spoke. "What brings you to our humble elevator?"
"Well, it seems that the top secret experiment is being transported." The general cracked a smile, continuing, "Which means, we are being re-stationed."
Kyle raised his fists to the air. "Oh thank the lord! I hope it's somewhere nice. Any chance we're going to a planet sir?"
The general shook his head. "No son, but we are moving to a new state of the art facility, ASAP."
Janet smiled, whispering to Kyle, "Maybe now I can get a decent bagel."
The general grinned. "I wouldn't put money on that!"
The elevator doors open, revealing a long hallway with windows on both sides. Kyle stepped out, sniffing. "What is that smell?"
The general looked around. "Smells like something's burning..."
Suddenly a man in a white lab coat ran towards them. "General! So glad you could make it." He stopped, gasping for air. "You know this tunnel is very long."
"Get to the point." The General grunted.
"Well," the scientist started, "The creature was stronger than we anticipated. It seems that…"
The General held his hand up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa… What creature?"
The scientist scratched his head. "Haven't they briefed you yet? Oh, never mind. You see, we have found 14 eggs." He eyed the General.
"Yeah?" The general motioned for the scientist to continue.
"They are eggs of an alien species; the same species from earlier experiments that ended… poorly."
The General narrowed his gaze. "You mean the xenomorphs that took out six lab stations, and 4 military posts, and claimed victory over earth?"
The scientist chuckled. "The very same!"
The general drew his sidearm. "That's it; I'm pluggin' your pets!"
The scientist put a hand on the General's shoulder. "I knew you may feel that way. That is why Trinity Corporations has procured a military contract. In other words, unless a breach occurs, you take orders from me."
Kyle stepped up. "Sir, what's going on?"
The general turned to face him. "Son, these I-wanna-play-god scientists here, have brought a deadly alien species on board. These xenomorph kill… or captured all they can get their hands on. These stooges think they can tame it."
"Actually general," the scientist interrupted, "We are taking a different approach." We are harvesting their acid, and other resources, including genetics."
The general put himself face to face with the scientist. "Listen, boy. If just ONE of the things so much as stands funny, I'm gonna dissect your little guinea pigs with a nuclear warhead. Are we clear?"
"Inescapably. Now if you would follow me." The scientist turned, heading down to the hallway.
Kyle hung his head, taking a deep breath. "I…"
The general grabbed him by the shoulder, "Yeah, I know. You hate this job!" The general lead him down the hallway, letting out a sigh. "Don't we all…"