Chapter 2: Swept Under the Rug
Malcolm Smith, Head of Engineering, Captains Quarters, Sunday 10:57 hours, Earth time
"So, what's the plan?" Malcolm asked as he walked next to Melissa, now in his engineering suit. One has to look professional when meeting with the captain, after all. "Answer whatever questions he has to answer to the best of your abilities. Other than that, I'm going to give him a full report of what has happened and ask for him to take action. After that, all you need to do is confirm my report." Melissa said, retracting her helmet. Malcolm retracted his helmet as well. "Sounds easy enough." Malcolm said. They approached the door to the captains' quarters and Melissa knocked on the door. "Yes? Who is it?" A scratchy voice replies from the other side. "It's Melissa Granger, Head of Security and Malcolm Smith, Head of Engineering. We have something vital to discuss with you sir." Melissa called out. "Ah, Melissa. Come in, come in." The voice replied, much happier now.
As the door unlocked, Malcolm and Melissa entered, Melissa headed right for the desk that the captain kept in the center of the massive room while Malcolm looked around as he headed for the desk as well. The room was large, easily as big as one of the engine rooms. It was also lavishly decorated; Malcolm guessed it must pay well to be the captain of a massive starship. The captain himself was an elderly gentleman, his receding gray hair revealing his almost shiny bald head. He wore his captains' uniform while sitting in a large chair behind the largest metal desk Malcolm had ever seen, two people could easily lay next to each other and have room to spare. Melissa took a seat in one of the two swivel chairs in front of the desk while Malcolm took a seat in the other.
The captain smiled warmly at the two. "Melissa, always good to see you. And you've brought a friend this time. Malcolm, was it?" The captain asked, sounding almost exactly like a stereotypical grandpa that spoiled his grandchildren. "Yes sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." Malcolm said with a small, somewhat forced, smile. "Please, the pleasure is mine. I am Captain Jack Matthias. But please, call me Jack." Jack said with a warm smile. "Now, with introductions out of the way, what is it that you need to report Melissa?' Jack said, facing her. "First, I must ask that you confirm that the room is secure." Melissa started with the same serious tone that Malcolm disliked. Jack must dislike this tone as well, for when she finished her sentence, his smile disappeared. "Yes." Jack said.
"Good. Now, what I have to say is startling, but I'm going to have to ask you to let me finish without interruption. Saturday at 17:50 hours, Engineering Crew Delta found a body inside engine 012. The body in question is that of Doctor Henry Mulberry. His torso was found torn down the middle and emptied of organs with his limbs, including his head, severed and mutilated and strewn about the interior of the engine. What is most startling is that the wounds he suffered during his murder are more consistent with animal attacks than a human with a weapon, save for the several bite marks on his torso and limbs. In summary, we could be facing first contact with an alien species. A hostile alien species." Melissa said with a grave tone.
Jack listened with a hard stare focused on Melissa the entire time, face betraying no emotion. "I see." Jack said, closing his eyes and reclining in his chair. "And you're positive about this?" Jack asked, eyes still closed. "Yes sir. I have seen it myself, and heard the coroners' report firsthand. What she says is not only true, but probable." Malcolm added solemnly. "Mmm." Jack grunted while deep in thought. "Sir, if I may, I suggest we initiate a ship-wide quarantine in order to locate and destroy the alien. There's no telling-" Melissa was silenced by Jack cutting her off. "What kind of panic that would cause." Jack finished for her. "If we just go out and announce the possible presence of a hostile alien, people would go into frenzy! That is absolutely not an option." Jack said, opening his eyes. "Well, it's not only dangerous to not do that, but it's irresponsible. We need to find it." Melissa said with a level tone.
"We are agreed that we need to find it, but publicly is not an option. What else can you offer?" Jack said. Melissa thought for a moment. "Well, at the very least, we should send a private message to EarthGov alerting them to the situation. If nothing else, they could send help." Melissa said. Jack mulled the idea over in his mind. "Very well, I will personally send a message to EarthGov. But that doesn't solve our current problem. What about that?" Jack asked. "I already have Engine Deck 012 on lockdown sir. The engine room itself is on security level lockdown, so no one is going to enter its last known location. And hopefully, won't leave either." Malcolm pitched in. "Well, that's a start, at least. But do we have any idea as to where it is exactly?" Jack asked.
Melissa shook her head. "I'm afraid not sir." She said. Jack sighed, "Well shit. What others know about the possibility of this alien?" Jack asked after running a hand down his face. "Including you, Malcolm, Dr. Desmond Niles, and I are the only ones that know." Melissa said. "And those that know of the murder?" Jack asked. "My team and Engineering Crew Delta." Melissa said. Jack sighed once more. "Very well. I am going to need time to think this through, but I want you to do anything and everything to track it down. Dismissed." Jack said, turning in his chair and rising to the window behind him. "But sir, there's more-" Melissa almost blurted. "I said dismissed, Melissa." Jack said calmly, hands behind his back as he gazed into space. Melissa stood and turned on her heel for the door, Malcolm following quickly after her.
After the door closed, Melissa walked a few paces, stopped, took several deep breathes, and pounded her fist against the wall. "Damnit! Damn him and his stubborn, timid nature!" Melissa almost yelled. "Melissa, at least he knows." Malcolm said, resting a hand on her shoulder. Melissa shrugged him off. "It's not enough! He needs to do something, anything! But he wants us to sit on our ass and do nothing!" Melissa said, walking forward and back to Malcolm to try to calm herself. "That's not true and you know it! He wants us to find it, but he is right. If we go out and say 'there's a man-killing alien onboard' people would lose their shit! Hell, they might even start a riot! The ship would be put in even more danger!" Malcolm said. Melissa sighed, "You're right. You're right. But… it just bothers me that we can't have the whole ship on alert. It's not right." Melissa said in defeat.
"I agree, but it's what we have to do." Malcolm said slowly. Melissa looked at him for a moment, searching his face for sincerity. Eventually, she looked away and let out a sigh, "You're right. Again. So, let's get to it." Melissa said as she turned to walk to the tram station. "Good. Now… what do I have to do again?" Malcolm asked as he walked alongside Melissa. "While we can't tell everyone about it, we can explain why the deck is on lockdown. I need you to tell the Engineering Crew why deck 012 is off-limits." Melissa said. "Okay, what do I tell them, exactly?" Malcolm asked, curious and lost. "You have an active imagination. Come up with something good." Melissa said. "Something good… right." Malcolm muttered to himself.
Malcolm Smith, Head of Engineering, Central Engineering Station, Sunday11:19 hours, Earth time
"This is Malcolm Smith, Head of Engineering, also known as your boss. Now, as I'm sure you are wondering, Engine Deck 012 is on lockdown. The reason behind this is that an unknown chemical has been detected radiating out from Engine 012. Its exact effects are, as of right now, still unknown. However, this is no cause to panic. It was discovered early this morning and has, as far as we are aware, not been in contact with any of our staff or civilian population. All that we ask is that you do not attempt to gain access to Engine Deck 012 until further notice. Anyone who attempts to open Engine Deck 012 will be prosecuted to the very extent of the law under the charge of terrorism with a lethal biological agent. So please, just don't open it. That is all."
Malcolm sighed as he switched off the comm link. That message was broadcast to every single RIG on the Engineering Crew. 'At least that takes care of that…' Malcolm thought as his office door opened to reveal Garret Frost and the rest of Engineering Crew Delta. "That was a helluva speech boss." Garret said as he entered. "Glad you liked it. Now, I assume you all know why I called you up here." Malcolm said, laying his hands on his desk. "We're a little shaky on the details boss. Why don't you elaborate?" Garret said, followed by murmurs of agreement from his crew. "Very well. It involves the body you stumbled upon in Engine 012. Have you told anyone about it?" Malcolm asked, looking from one man to the next. "No." was the unanimous answer all around. "Good. Keep it that way." Malcolm replied.
Confusion seemed to sweep over the four when Malcolm said this. "Uh, why is that?" Garret asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because the details of this would be unpleasant for the masses should they be released. Also, because if one of you do talk about it, you will be fired and sent off-ship as well as your families." Malcolm replied calmly. Garret and his team understood the last part quite clearly and became silent and attentive. "Now, I don't want it to come to that, but it's what I will be forced to do. Hell, I don't know why, but I can't talk about it either or I'll get the same treatment as you four. So, as to not seem like a hard-ass, take the next week off. Spend some time with your families or something like that." Malcolm explained, much to the relief of the other engineers.
"Thanks boss. I, uh, hope everything works out." Garret said as they turned to leave. "Hope what works out?" Malcolm asked with a smile and a wink. "I don't know boss." Garret said with a smile before he closed the door. 'Glad that's over.' Malcolm thought to himself. He eased back into his chair, kicked his feet up onto his desk, and let his mind wander. He stayed like this for quite some time to the point where he almost fell asleep (and it wouldn't be the first time) when his office door opened and none other than Melissa walked in. Malcolm yawned before saying, "Melissa. What brings you here?"
Melissa grabbed a chair from one of the other sides of his office and sat down in front of his desk. "Just thought that I would stop by and congratulate you on that announcement you made. It was pretty realistic." Melissa said with a playful smile. Malcolm chuckled, "I try." Melissa laughed a little as well. "I know. What did you tell the engineering crew?" Melissa asked. "That if they talked about it they would be fired and deported." Malcolm said with a shrug. "Damn, isn't that a little much?" Melissa asked. Malcolm shook his head, "No. I told them that I was in the same situation." Melissa nodded. "Nice. Firm, yet, believable." Melissa commented. "Also, I gave them the week off." Malcolm added. "Always this easy on your employees?" Melissa asked with a small laugh. "Only the ones that don't cause trouble." Malcolm replied with a smile.
"Now on to business, have you found it yet?" Malcolm asked in a serious tone. Melissa sighed. "No, not yet. As far as we can tell, it isn't even on the ship." Melissa said. "So that's good, right?" Malcolm asked. "Yes and no. Yes, it might not even be on the ship. No, we don't know what to look for aside from the obvious." Melissa reported. "To be honest, I was hoping we could talk about something else." Melissa said with a large sigh and saddened tone. Malcolm was well beyond confused at that last sentence. He and Melissa never ever 'just talked', not in the five or so years he had been working on the U.S.G. Olympus. "And that's another thing; why are you being so friendly to me? You've never been like this before." Malcolm asked.
"Are you not okay with it?" Melissa asked in a somewhat hurt, somewhat annoyed tone. "No, that's not what I'm saying, it's just… it… it's so… sudden." Malcolm stumbled as he searched for the right words to say what he thought. "Then I don't see the problem with it." Melissa said plainly. "There isn't a problem with it, I… I don't know. I guess I'm just a little flustered." Malcolm said with a sigh. Melissa put a reassuring hand over his, "You wouldn't be human if you weren't." Malcolm jerked his hand back in surprise, much to the confusion of Melissa. "What? What's wrong?" Melissa asked, hurt that he rejected her like that. "I'm sorry, it's just… my wife passed away five years ago. She would always do that when I was like this and you just startled me, is all." Malcolm said distantly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Malcolm. I didn't know." Melissa said, feeling like an ass for reminding him of his dead wife. "It's fine. You didn't know." Malcolm said, still distant. "But… to answer your question… I was hoping that we could be friends. And I don't like seeing friends upset like you are or to seem like I'm all business like we have been all the time we've know each other." Melissa explained. Malcolm seemed to come back to reality upon hearing this. After a moment, he smiled. "Yeah. We could be friends." Malcolm said. Melissa smiled, "Great. I'm glad we can." Malcolm nodded and his stomach growled loudly for he hadn't eaten lunch yet. Melissa laughed, "Care to get some lunch?" Malcolm smiled somewhat sheepishly, "Sure."
Dr. Kirk Grawl, Religious Scientist (Unitology), Test chamber 07 observation room, Sunday 23:18 hours, Earth time
Dr. Grawl was very excited to watch the undergoing of this test. It would, should it be successful, allow his plans to be accelerated to the next step. Once more a man was in the small room beneath them, unaware of why he was there. Dr. Howl shuffled nervously in his seat next to Dr. Grawl. "What is it? We've made it this far, why do you seem so tense?" Dr. Grawl asked. Dr. Howl shrugged. "It must be jitters. I'm anxious to see the results of this test." Dr. Howl said. "Very well. Now, on with the task at hand." Dr. Grawl said as he pressed a button on his armrest to pull up the RIG screen. This screen however was not a two-way video screen like the last time, but rather a camera to record the test.
Dr. Grawl opened the comm link to the waiting team outside the test chamber, "Send in the infection form." A door opened to the left of the man, facing the observation glass, and he stared in curiosity as a levitating metal box roughly the size of a loveseat was glided in by four masked figures. Once the box was entirely in the room, one of the men entered a few commands in a holographic screen on the side and the four hurried out of the room, closing and locking the door. A few seconds after the door closed, the box opened from the top and a pale, bat-like creature with a long needle-like nose climbed out and looked about the room, focusing its attention on the man.
The man started slowly backing away from the creature before it leapt from its perch on the box and pinned the man to the ground, the man screaming while this happened. The creature raised its needle nose to strike down on the man's forehead before the man punched the creature, startling it enough to let the man throw it off and make a run for the door. He pounded on the door while yelling, "LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!" The creature recovered from the man's attack and jumped onto his back, raising and driving its needle nose into the man's forehead. The man stopped screaming and pounding as the bat creature forced tentacles into his head and hopped back as its work was concluded. The man bent over slightly as two fleshy appendages burst forth from his back and he experienced the same mutation Hank Friedman underwent.
Dr. Grawl was well past thrilled with the results of the test. But it was far from over. He reached into the seat next to him and grabbed the neural amplifier and lowered it onto his head. Once the visor read that it was ready for use, Dr. Grawl focused his thoughts. 'To attention.' He thought. The two necromorphs turned to face Dr. Grawl and stood, ready to receive further commands. Dr. Grawl smiled. "Do you see that? Even when not making direct contact with the Marker shard we have, it still responds to me as though I were the Hive Mind. We are so close Eon." Dr. Grawl said to Dr. Howl, too excited to use Dr. Howl's title. "Yes. We are close." Dr. Howl replied distantly, staring in horror at the two creatures that stood below him.
'What have I helped create?' Dr. Howl thought to himself.