Sunday Post 516

 

 

Thanks to everyone last week for the comments on my discussion about whether you'd want to prolong your life. For me it's a question of having enough time. The sense of optimism- of still having time- that for me is the big one. Not feeling like you're almost out of time. 

When you're young you have your life ahead of you, and life is like a road with no end in sight. As you get older you know the road is... not infinite. We celebrated my mom's b-day this past week and she was musing on how her mother lived into her 80's. It got me thinking- when the time is close, how does that feel? Like, imagining there are only a few mile markers left. 

At any rate, that's kinda heavy!! So, in other news... who's watching World Cup? I watched US/ Portugal  and man, Portugal almost won it. And the big showdown with US/ Sweden is Sunday. Also, I'm reposting two chapters of my ongoing story here since there were posting snafus and not everyone read 'em. Disregard those if inclined.  

This weeks discussion post throwback is Game of Thrones- What's Next At The Wall.   

Here is this week's lyric. 

She said her love for me could never die    

Here is the lyric f/ last week and the answer      

You do what you wanna do     

I'll leave it all up to you        

      

   Song of the week

PULP COVER OF THE WEEK: 

  

Jen came to collect them.

"It is time," she announced. 

Joon and the others followed her, making for the Gate chamber. Howie was keening as if agitated. They could hear shouting and what sounded like heavy equipment being moved. There had been mention of unrest. As they came outside they were blasted by the wind and partially blinded by the sunlight. They hastened into another building and made their way to the Gate. It was humming quietly. 

Valerus was behind the controls with two technicians. He gave final instructions and then came over to the group. 

"I'm leaving you in charge," he told Jen. "Try to keep everyone calm and help Dr. Angelus any way you can. I'll be back as quickly as I can. It wouldn't hurt, though, to prepare for... evacuation, if that becomes necessary." 

She nodded, came closer. 

"Don't leave us here." 

He smiled and hugged her. 

"Let's go," said Joon. 

As they approached the Gate it began to swirl with color and other places began appearing. Joon could stare for hours at the vistas that appeared. If he had time, of course. The ops center at Sanctuary slowly came into view. They could make out emergency lighting, movement. Hopefully Stella was still in charge... 

Soldiers came into view. Black garbed, tactical gear, wearing what looked like gas masks. They didn't look like Stella's people. 

Joon was about to say something when a soldier began crossing the threshold. Everyone moved. Valerus turned back to the technicians. 

"Abort!" 

Hillier grabbed the soldier coming through, kneed him in the abdomen, to dubious effect since he was body armored, but she did wrench his weapon away and began firing indiscriminately through the portal. He fought her for control of the weapon and she bludgeoned him in the face with it. Valerus was back at the controls shouting orders. Joon tackled the soldier and shoved him through the portal. Then the view disappeared. 

Everyone stood there, speechless. Then Joon realized that of the entire group, only Hiller was now armed. 

Stella led the way through dark secondary corridors. She set a brisk pace. 

"What about the GOA? Could any of those Gates be... online?"

"They're all experimental, not actually reliable. I wouldn't risk that." 

 Mallory noticed that she hadn't been filled in on their destination. It was possible Stella didn't even know yet where they were going. 

"Stella. Stella Arios. Respond," Stella's comm piece came to life. 

She hesitated. 

"This is Stella." 

"Where are you? This is Rodriguez, tactical squad command. I'm ordered to secure the facility but you're not at your last known location."

"I had to move for security reasons." 

"Current location?" 

"I'm... not sure." 

"With all due respect, my orders are to secure the location and also protect your team." 

"Why are you shooting people?" 

"My orders are to secure the facility. We have rogue units as well as other unfriendly elements at large. When in doubt, my mandate is to liquidate. That does not pertain to your team." 

"What are your orders once you've secured us"

"My orders are to secure the facility- especially the Gate- and to await further instruction." 

Joon was watching the fish outside the window but his mind was elsewhere. 

Sabotage. 

Valerus had said it rather matter- of- factly, but the implications were troubling. Who could be the culprit? Did Stella have any idea? It was hard to ask her since they didn't have any reliable way to communicate, being on another world who knew how far away. 

He could see Howie, with his iridescent eyes and swaying tentacles, in the reflection from the viewport. The entire wall on one end of the room was transparent, affording them a view of the deep. They could see lighted walkways and immense domes in the distance through the murk. 

It would be completely dark here if not for the station's lights. He reflected, not for the first time, on all that they'd discovered. A water world, with multiple stations and an underwater base, and that wasn't even all of it. 

Apparently they had other facilities, on other worlds. It was all just too much to process. 

Maia came over and they stared together out the window. Neither spoke. It was enough, just to be together. They were both aware of their other companion Hiller, who was irritating Howie. Joon thought back to what Valerus had said, 

"We know all about you, I'm afraid," he had said to Hillier. "Metamorphs. Psychic vampires, in a way. Feeding off the emotions of others. Fear, primarily. Fear... terror. Those are the most delicious emotions, aren't they?"

Hillier made no reply. 

"Yes. I suppose Stella didn't share all that, did she?" he inquired, turning to Joon. "It's a tough position to be in. Stella's. What to say, what to share. In your case," turning back to face Hillier, "it's a matter of what to do. She was ordered by the Directors to figure out what makes you tick. Too big an opportunity to waste." He sighed. "Not wise, though. You're more trouble than you're worth. Too dangerous," he continued. 

"Did you know," turning to Joon, "that these... beings are believed to serve the very horrors that Stella is charged with forestalling?"

"There's been mention of that." 

"Yes, well Stella's in an impossible spot. Under orders to understand them, replicate their abilities if possible, but not let them get out of control. Rather like the Gates. But how do you control shapeshifters?"

"What is meant by... they serve the horrors?" 

Everyone looked at Hillier. 

She looked up, feigned confusion. 

Just then a technician came in, whispered to Valerus. 

"Would you excuse me?" he asked, leaving the room. 

"Yes, what does that mean?" jen asked. She was talking to Hillier. She had accompanied the group. 

She didn't get a reply, just a smile full of teeth. 

Valerus re- entered the room, flustered. 

"There have been reports of... unrest. Not sure what's happening. You certainly brought a storm with you." 

"Angelus asked about evacuations. It's possible word has gotten out that the Gate may be closing." 

"Yes. We have other settlements as well, but only one Gate here." 

"Rather much to risk around only one way in/ out," remarked Hillier. 

"Well, as I've mentioned, most of this was already here," Valerus replied. "But your point is taken." 

"What's our next move?" asked Jen. 

"I think we should go back to Sanctuary as fast as possible. Assess the situation, clear up what's going on with Stella and the Directorate, and make a decision." 

"There may not be a lot of time," Joon said. "The Directorate was sweeping the compound. Should we give these people a chance?" 

"I think," said Valerus, "that we go ASAP. Evacuating- or even preparing an evacuation- will take time that we don't have. And if the D deems us still open then no evac is needed." 

Jen looked uncomfortable. 

"Okay," said Joon. 

"Let's move," added Maia. 

Stella's heels clicked as she led the way down a passageway. Mallory was beside her attempting to keep up. They had abandoned Command - it was secure, but why be trapped there? The strike teams were closing in. She had wanted to stay, to remain close to the ops center. To the Gate. 

But she wanted to keep breathing too. 

"What do you think is happening?" asked Mallory. 

"Who knows?" Stella replied. "Knowing him, our good doctor will reveal too much. But what can I do?"

The complex shuddered around them. One of the soldiers took her elbow to keep her upright, but she steadied herself. 

"This isn't helping." 

They rounded a corner to find rubble blocking the way. Stella spun and everyone turned to retrace their steps. There were about thirty of them, mostly soldiers. She's split the Command group and sent them different places, for maximum safety. 

"Are we trying for the Hub?"

"Maybe. But the teams will zero in on that too."

There was shaking far away, and pebbles fell from overhead. One of the soldiers showed her a proximity scanner. Movement close, and now they could hear gunfire