Prologue
I stand before a window gazing at the jewel before me. I stand before this window gazing below with hope. I hope we have done the right thing. I hope we will never do this again. I hope our ancestors and descendants will forgive what we wrote upon this jewel. This jewel was home, our birthplace, and our mother. She sheltered our beginnings and survived our wars. She is mother Earth and we will destroy her to stop our mistake.
I stare down at her from the observation deck of the Ark. The Ark is a space station we constructed as fast as we could from the resources available, well what we were able to obtain in time. Artificial gravity was solved just years before the last Great War. Humanity nearly killed itself during that war. Judgment day as it was called killed a third of the population of earth in the opening months of the war. The survivors in their anger nearly killed half what remained in the 50 years before the truce.
It was slow but we rebuilt our cities and rebuilt ourselves. No longer were we divided nations. We had finally stopped the wars in our grief of the past. It was slow but peace had finally happened on the earth. Science helped everyone; we even developed several sentient A.I. which are benevolent. We also developed a way to identify and develop telepathy in some individuals. We believed we had created a utopia. Living longer in our new found comfort was not enough for some, so much so that they pursued Immortality.
In their pursuit of immortality they have destroyed us. The earth below me has changed drastically. All the oceans and identifiable rivers and lakes are now red. Every bit of land that can be seen is now so dark brown it is nearly black. The white of snow on mountaintops and ice on the polar caps cannot be seen on the earth anymore. There is no more snow or ice left on the planet, for the biological disaster even absorbed it as fuel to spread. Every living thing on the surface of the earth has been consumed and mutated into tools for its spread. At first people hid underground in sealed facilities, yet they did not last. It evolved further and started to consume and convert dirt and rock. The very ground itself turned into it. All hope of survival was lost as each underground facility became infected. A weapon finally was developed that could kill parts of it, yet its radius and availability was too little and too late. We called the weapon the Molecular Destabilizing Device or just MDD.
We used it to escape into orbit and started to build the Ark. The new weapon ripped things apart almost at the molecular level. Metal would be crushed in its blast radius no matter the density and construction, and bio matter would be shredded and blasted apart. Plants and animals that were in its blast radius got turned into goo, before being blasted away, it made quite a mess. Nothing but DNA would remain to identify what got blasted. It was enough to clear an area and slow “its” return to the affected area, which was enough for us to escape the earth.
This apocalypse was created by scientist’s experimenting with DNA. The scientist’s wanted to bring immortality to humanity as well as evolve us further, smarter, stronger, faster, and allow us to manipulate physical objects with just our minds. In a way, they succeeded but not the way they wanted. The first recipients were animals and there were failures and successes; for they got stronger and smarter, but they never maintained their forms. Eventually one experiment escaped and infected the people and plants in its wake.
The abominations and monstrosities that people, plants and animals mutated into did not die. The monsters created by the “infection” would come back to life and re-grow even if ten percent of its mass survived. Infected humans no longer resembled humans at all, just a mass of tentacles and muscle. These things could read minds, as well as attack people with telekinesis and burned people with fire conjured out of nothing. If you were near one in the open or passed through where they had been, or touched by them you got infected. The infection and mutation rate is 100 percent; there is no cure.
Eventually the infected plants mutated so much that they sent massive amounts of spores into the atmosphere. Everything was infected and infectious. Every inch of the Earth has become closed to us, as the very sky was infected. There are rumors and theories that the infection had developed some kind of hive mind directing it. I denied that theory because it is too disturbing to me. For it would mean it would eventually find a way to reach us up here.
We at first tried to fight the infection with drones and robots that the AI had created to help us. At first it was working and we had achieved almost a stalemate against its advance. We were about to produce more robots than those that were destroyed by the infected before the final disaster struck. The infection fed spores into the air that spread faster than before, making the AI’s efforts with robots and drones a moot point.
I stare at the Earth and wish that what we are about to do, was never necessary. Yes we could have lived on Mars in habitats, yet we didn’t choose to. There is only about 40,000 people left alive and we are all on the Ark. Cryo-stasis technology has come a long way.
“Brother I don’t know if I want to witness this.” Hearing my sister talking, I look to my left at her. My sister has black hair tied in a foot long French braid. She is wearing a blue and gold jumpsuit that accents her perfect figure. With her emerald eyes, and beautiful features she could have been an award winning supermodel, which people would kill for, if the world had not gone to shit. My sister who is my elder looks every bit of her 18 years, yet I look older, as I am now 38 years old. She has been in cryo-stasis for the past 22 years. She was able to get into orbit years before me. I did not choose to go to sleep right away. All have been awoken for this event. No human should be deprived of what is about to happen.
She left for the ark when I was 16. I was unable to get passage until I was 25 and proved I could be useful. I helped them invent and build a weapon, the very weapon that fills me with sorrow and dread. I only helped build it and solve some minor problems in the invention process. Yet I can’t seem to forgive myself nonetheless.
“No one should be asleep for what we are about to do. It must be witnessed.” Sarah my sister wiped the forming tears out of her eyes and gives me a nod.
“It’s just that I don’t know if I can handle it.” I closed my eyes and turned back to the window. Taking a deep breath I let it out slowly. Opening my eyes I looked upon the Earth.
“Neither do I sister neither do I.” We both look at the red and black surface of the earth in silence. I don’t know how long we stared as the window became crowded as people showed up. No one spoke, some cried, and most just looked lost and sad. I think every available window with a view of the Earth is as crowded as this one by now. Everyone should be awake, and informed and settled to what will happen.
“Attention, attention on the Ark, this is the President of the GUG…” There was silence for a few seconds. “I guess the Global United Government is gone and me calling myself the president is pointless. I have made a decision as you all know and will be resigning from anything resembling leadership after it’s carried out in a little bit.” There was a pause and a sigh could be heard over the intercom. “I wish this had never happened. I wish man’s hubris had not brought us to destruction. For the longest time our ancestors believed that man would be responsible for the destruction of the earth by war.”
There was another pause as I could swear he sounded like he was suppressing himself from crying. I looked about me and could see the same sadness in my heart reflected in every one. I looked at my sister and met her eyes as tears flowed from them. “Our ancestors were right man would destroy the Earth, yet I don’t think they would have believed it would be an act of desperation to save ourselves. I ask that you forgive me for this and hope for the future, for I will never forgive myself.” He paused again.
“It will begin in 15 seconds.” The president’s tone is now heavy with sadness. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four.” He stopped talking as all eyes that could were glued to the earth.
At first nothing happened then we saw the detonation in what was the middle of the Sahara desert. It was a white dome that grew large, for it grew to the size of a few thousand miles before suddenly shrinking like it never existed. We kept watching as the surface of the earth turned bright orange in a cascade starting from the detonation. First it looked like the crust of the earth cracked from the epicenter of the explosion. As time went on hour’s maybe, we watched as the very earth turned into nothing but molten rock and fire. The oceans evaporated and disappeared as our solar system gained another sun.
“On this moment we weep in fire, as we have killed her. Man has killed her mother. Mother earth is dead, may she forgive us our sins.” My eye’s finally teared up as it blurred, yet I am thankful I can no longer see.
BANG. A loud gunshot is heard over the intercom. Silence greets us as the intercom turns off. My sister is on her knees with one hand on the window as she peers at the Earth with tears. I am also on my knees, yet I don’t remember moving into this position. We continued to stare for a long time in silence with everyone else for hours more until hunger and biology dragged people away.
It was days of grief before normalcy started to return to the station. I have just been wandering around the station on autopilot doing my duty. Life returned to some kind of normalcy after mass suicides plagued the station. 8000 people could not bear the grief of being the last humans alive, and the Earth’s destruction as it burned below, for it was all too much for them. I admit that I still cannot bare the site of the earth anymore. I avoid all windows if I can help it.
The AI’s will oversee terraforming mars and resource collection system wide for the next 25,000 plus years. This is the estimated time frame it will take to make Mars’s atmosphere and surface hospitable and comfortable for humanity. What’s left of humanity will be in deep sleep capsules maintained by the Ai’s and robots. It will indeed be a deep sleep.
Our leadership has decided to pair up the survivors based on DNA and abilities before going into the deep sleep. For the next month everyone is getting to know their new partners. I am currently in the cafeteria awaiting the woman who was picked for me. We will decide if we are compatible if not we move to the next available candidate. Being reduced to breeding stock to increase genetic diversity is sad, yet it’s our only option now that there are so few of us left.
I am in a large cafeteria that is sparingly decorated. All pictures of the earth have been taken down and stored in an attempt to reduce mass depression. The Spartan décor of utilitarian design has only maintained the gloom in my opinion. I turn my attention to the goo on my tray of vitamins and nutrients that is called food. Scooping up a bit with my spoon I take a bite. The goo has the flavor of…well unflavored mashed potatoes, so not terribly bad just bland as hell.
Someone places a tray in front of mine and sits down. Looking up I see that person now sitting directly across from me is a white-blond blue eyed Norwegian looking woman. She’s young around 18 to 22 is my guess, and very beautiful. All I could do for a few minutes was stare at the beauty before me. I dragged my eyes away from her unblemished face to her name tag above her right breast.
“Forgive me Annetta Brustad I was not expecting someone so…beautiful.” The girl’s cheeks redden a little as she blushes quickly glancing away for a moment.
“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself. I was expecting someone who was well…” she paused and gestured to me.
“Older and uglier looking? I’m not bad looking for a guy who is 38 if I do say so myself. I’m still in my prime, and should live to over 250 if medical practices don’t take a nosedive.” I give her a warm smile.
“Well yes. Sorry about that William Greyhouse. When I read your age I was a little depressed to be paired with someone so old. Sorry, sorry I did not mean that in a bad way.” She got a little flustered and waved both hands in front of her.
“Please call me Will and don’t worry I’m not offended.” I give her another smile and stretched my hand across the table. “Pleased to meet you… May I call you Ann?” She returned my smile and shook my hand.
“Yes Ann is fine.”
“Pleasure. Well let’s eat this slop they call food and get to know each other.” I pick up my spoon and we begin to eat. “Seeing how you read about me and all I know is your name, let’s start with you.”
“Ok. I am 21 and I have been asleep for the last 16 years.” I give her another smile for the information.
“Then I was 22 when you were put in stasis, so technically I’m only a year older than you. 16 years…hmmm then if memory serves you came up with a group of geneticists.” She gives me a bright smile as I tell her this.
“Yes that’s correct we were researching a way to counteract the spread of the infection. Our goal was to stabilize its DNA so it would stop infecting and mutating everything.” She got a sad look in her eyes as she played with her food. “They stopped us and shipped some of us up here with our most promising research. The project was taking too long without the original data of its creation. The GUG had a new last ditch project they were working on, and the base we were on was going to be overrun.” Ann took a bite of the goo. “Taste like bland potatoes.”
“There are a few other flavors but in my opinion they taste worse than what we are eating.” Ann looked at her tray and grimaced. I chuckled a little as she took another spoonful. She looked at me nervously like she did not know how to ask me something.
“You worked on that project…the one with…that did.” She couldn’t finish what she was saying. She looked down back to her plate with closed eyes. I sighed.
“Yes… I did it to save us all from the infection.” I hope she does not hate me. Ann’s eyes were still closed as tiers formed, so I continued with my explanation. “When I was ten years old the infection had spread to where my family and I lived. We fled yet not all of us were fast enough in reaching the rescue craft. I watched from the air inside a rescue hover craft as infected beasts swarmed the helipad, my parents were still boarding when they were over run. All that remained were me and my sister.” Ann continued to cry.
I take another spoonful of the potato tasting goo as I continued my story. “I was very sad and angry at that age. I had vowed to myself that I would destroy the infection. For the next six years I researched ways to make weapons. My sister got lucky and was able to win a ticket in a lottery to get up here. I was not so lucky so I continued to tinker and create. A few months after my twentieth birthday I created the prototype for the MDD.” Ann opened her tear filled eyes and took one of my hands squeezing it.
“Thank you. If you had not created the MDD I would not be alive. It was the only reason we were able to get out and into orbit.” I look into her eyes and give her a weak smile.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“For a few years I continued to perfect the MDD until the GUG came to me. They offered me a slot on the station if I joined them in creating a weapon. My sister was up here so I said yes. For 14 years we worked on the weapon.” I took in a deep breath as I fought my voice and emotions. “For 14 years we watched the earth change, for 14 years we watched humanity die. I don’t know when it happened but we changed the project form one that could stop it to one that would destroy it.”
I put my left hand to my face and cover my eyes as the tears I have been holding back for days flowed like rain. I start to shake as I spoke. “I… I killed the earth.” I start to sob as I go blind from the tears. Ann lets go of my hand. It is only right that she will never accept a man who helped kill the earth. I hear her move around the table and sit at on the table bench on my right. She hugs me tightly.
“We are safe now, it’s gone. We are safe now.” For days I had held the tears at bay. I now let them flow, as this woman who I don’t deserve cries with me. Ann is the first to openly forgive me for what I helped do to the earth.
I feel something warm, soft and pleasant on my right side, as I become aware. Opening my eyes I blink a few times to wake up as my eyes adjust to the low light of my room. Looking to my right I see the white hair of my goddess. Ann is snuggled up to my side with her head on my shoulder and an arm across my chest, as well as her right leg over mine. Ann had calmed my breaking heart and probably saved my life in the process. I must live on for her and my sister. Now all I have to do is find a way out of the bed without waking her. I need to send some information to the AI on Mars today, for today is the day everyone will start the deep sleep.
I gently lift Ann’s arm off my chest and place it on her side then slowly slide my right leg out from under her. Now the tricky part. I gently lift her head with my left hand and scoot up in the bed to remove my shoulder. Grabbing my pillow I place it under her head and rest her head upon it. I slowly sit up on the edge of the bed trying not to disturb it too much. Moaning a little Ann reaches out for me. Finding nothing she scrunches up her eyebrows. That’s cute. Ann rolls onto her back and stretches. Bending over I kiss her on the forehead.
“Morning.”
“Morning?” Ann yawns and stretches again then starts to blink as she opens her bright blue eyes. I smile at her and I stand up as I get off the bed. Taking a towel out of a drawer on the wall I head to the shower. The shower is an alcove in the wall. There is room enough in it for two people at once if they are friendly. Water being a premium in space the shower did not use water. The shower used nanites to clean the body. To start it you walk in, close the door, grab one of the safety bars, and hit the start button. The gravity in the shower distorts as you become free-floating.
Nanites come out of a small grate in the ceiling of the shower and cover every inch of you. They won’t hurt or damage anything, yet it is recommend you close your eyes to prevent some discomfort. These all-purpose nanites completely clean you head to toe, and if you have your mouth open they will conveniently clean your teeth and mouth. Handy but a little uncomfortable when they go in your mouth and nose. It is safe to accidentally swallow some, as they are programed to go inert and you shit them out later. After a few minutes the nanites drop down into another small grate at the bottom of the shower. After they are done you manually turn the gravity back on by pressing the button again. The towel is used just in case there are still some nanites on your body.
Wiping myself until I’m satisfied and I leave the shower. The shower only took me 3 minutes. Coming out of the shower I looked back at my bed. Ann was standing in all her naked glory making the bed. My heart races as I give a full salute and walk up to her as she turns around to look at me.
“No. you just got out of the shower.” She stops me by putting a finger on my chest. Ann gives me a quick kiss on the lips and pushes me away. “Later before the deep sleep.” She gives me a wicked smile. Walking quickly around me she jumps into the open shower closing it quickly. I can hear her giggling at me through the door. I can hardly believe she accepted me, even after what I helped do to the earth. I shake my head and take a slow deep breath to calm my salute. I walk to my bed and pull out a drawer underneath it and grab one of my jumpsuits out of it.
I put on a blue and gold colored jumpsuit. I look at myself in the mirror. Not bad, strong jaw, clean shaven, not bad at all for a man who is going to sleep for the next hundred thousand years. This deep sleep is only possible because of the Ai and robots that will maintain the station and its power supply while everyone sleeps. The station will be left in a vacuum while everyone sleeps with only robots and the stations AI to watch over us. The AI that controls the robots have been tasked to mine for fuel and materials for fabrication on the moon and asteroid field beyond Mars as needed. It is also programed to build and replace the reactors and parts of the station as needed. The station AI is a low AI that only has a simulated personality. The station Ai is not self-aware like the AI Vivian on Mars and Luna in moon base.
Humanity has invented two types of AI, sentient AI, and low Ai. Sentient AI’s are self-aware that can learn, adapt and create original ideas. Low AI only act upon their programing, they are not self-aware, nor can they create anything new by themselves. In the last two hundred years we enacted laws to treat the sentient AI’s as if they are alive and have granted them various human rights. We learned the folly of treating them as slaves from a small AI war we had in the past. A lot of AI’s that were treated like nothing but machines rebelled against their owners, and took over some robots to defend themselves. The few AI’s who were treated well and fairly did not fight against humanity; they helped us defeat the rogues. The station Ai will be awake the whole time we are asleep to maintain the station. The AI’s on Mars will periodically sleep as well in a powered down state, so they won’t go mad with the isolation and time. The Ai’s on Mars are all volunteers.
Ann exits the shower toweling herself. She gives me a smile as she tries to walk by me. I grab her from behind and pull her into a hug giving her a deep kiss which she returns. Stopping the kiss for need of oxygen to breath I look into her bright blue eyes. Such a lovely face can keep me captivated for a very long time. Her naked body pressed against me brings me to life again. She gives me a smile and pets my cheek.
“I have a lot to do today before we sleep. I got to get dressed to do that.” Against my better judgment I let her go. I slap her ass as she pulls away. She laughs and smacks my shoulder. I watch her as she bends over and picks up the suitcase, her only possession off the floor. Sexy goddess indeed, for what a view I have.
“I think I love you.” she turns her head and looks at me over her shoulder and smiles. Bending one knee she slaps her raised ass cheek.
“And I will make you love me more.” I give her a big grin. She laughs and opens her suitcase. As I watch she slowly gets into an identical blue and gold jumpsuit as me, glancing at me with a smile and blowing kisses all the while. Whoever said reverse striping is not sexy is an idiot. I dare say that jumpsuit is perfect on her and does not hide a single one of her lovely curves. Whoever came up with skin tight jumpsuits for woman was a genius. Screw this I can’t wait. I walk up to her and grab her around the waist lifting her up. Ann wraps her legs around me and kisses me passionately. I almost had her jumpsuit zipped open to her belly button when my door buzzer went off.
“Fuck me.” I groan in frustration as I set her down. Ann is laughing at me with a big smile on her face. She zips herself up as I open the door. The Door slides open quickly and I see my sister. “What?” I ask her irritated. My sister looks me over quickly and grimaces.
“I did not know you were that happy to see me brother.”
“What?” Ann behind me burst into loud laughter. Fucking jumpsuits leave nothing to the imagination. Whoever came up with skin tight jumpsuits needs to be shot. I dare say getting caught with your dick out per say by your sister is a real quick way to kill the mood. “Sorry about that you caught me in the middle of something.”
“I dare say.” Ann was still laughing. “Want me to come back later?”
“No.” Ann walks by me and gives my sister a hug. We were just about to leave so don’t worry about it.” Ann puts a hand on my shoulder. “I will see you later Will.” I taker her hand and kiss it. I smile into her beautiful blue eyes as I nod and release her hand. Both me and my sister watch her go.
“You got lucky with her Will my guy is a dick.”
“Is there a problem Sara? Want me to give him a talking to?”
“Na no need I kicked his ass and set him straight. He is my bitch now.” I lift an eyebrow and give her a look. She just waves it off. “It’s taken care of. I just came over to say goodbye before the big freeze. I would’ve given you a hug but…” She gives me a wry smirk and tilts her head. Sara puts her hand out. “A handshake will suffice for now.” I shake her hand with a grimace on my face. “I expect a hug when we come out ok.” I nod
“Goodbye sister. I will see you when you wake.”
“Yes. Now all I have to do is wait for my… partner to finish his work.”
“Good luck with that.” I wave goodbye to Sara and she returns the wave and walks away. After she turns a corner I rearrange my dick under the suit and curse my blue balls. Off to work I guess. I head to the lab where I had spent most of my time in the last 14 years. Arriving in the lab I took stock of who was there. I am one of only 5 people who worked on the weapon that are alive. The other 35 scientist who worked on the project committed suicide. So many people took their own lives. It was hard to believe that so many scientists would kill themselves but it happened. All 35 of them put on space suits and jettisoned themselves into the burning earth.
I do not blame them Earth was our home even if it was infested. We turned the surface into molten rock and set the atmosphere on fire. My last job is to let my only friend Vivian, the only friend I made in the last 14 years, know that we are going to sleep. I’m letting her know so she can finish sealing the facility on Mars. After that she will put herself to sleep rotating control of the terraforming project on Mars
Vivian is in charge of an underground facility on mars. The facility has a lot of storage space. As Vivian sleeps the factory will expand the underground base and fill it up with functional powered down robots. The number set is two million robots to help us build a new civilization on Mars. I walk to my workspace. My workspace is now clear of all parts and miscellanies gadgets I was working on. Putting my password in I connect to Mars. I sit down and look at the readings on my screen.
“Vivian can you hear me.”
“Hey buddy how are you doing? I haven’t heard from you for a few days.” A feminine voice came over the speakers of my workspace. “I was afraid you all killed yourselves after… you know…I’m glad you called. I was afraid for my sanity for a bit there if you had all died.” I chuckle a little
“It’s good to hear from you as well. It was a bit touch and go for a while but we survived. Only about 8000 died the rest have decided on the big sleep.”
“At least you get some kind of bed to sleep in. All I get is a buzz static then total oblivion until my shift comes again.” That’s Vivian always trying to stay positive. I smile.
“Everything working down there?”
“Yes all the terraforming structures and working AI’s are all working according to plan. I tell you planning it all was a bitch and a half. I don’t know how often I wished I had hands to strangle the working AI’s. Their lateral mindedness and straight thinking is getting on my nerves. They can hardly improvise much unless it’s preprogrammed into them. I had to add programs all over the place so they won’t trip and fall on their faces.”
Sentient AI’s don’t like the worker AI’s much. It has something to do with reminding them that they came from them. I chuckle a little then frown sadly. I wonder how she is holding up knowing most of humanity is gone.
“How are you? You holding up well Vivian?” There was a moment of silence before she responded.
“I’m ok but I am afraid this is the last I will ever talk to you. I have enough brothers and sisters here to keep me sane for the long haul. This will be the longest job I have ever volunteered for in my entire existence.” We learned long ago that some AI’s go insane if they are left alone for many years. They tend to self-destruct or go insane. Case in point the AI war was started by such rogue insane AI’s who at the end of the war wished for oblivion then to continue knowing what they did.
“Oh before I forget I have some good news. I think I finally found someone to love, and I believe she likes me to.”
“HA that’s good I don’t have to hear you constantly complaining about your single persona.”
“What? I didn’t complain that much did I?”
“Like a little bitch? Ha.” All I can hear from Vivian is roaring laughter. I shake my head.
“Come on no I did not.” She was still laughing.
“Ha ha. I’m joking, joking. You only complained a few times but I could sense it in your voice and actions. It was pretty obvious you were craving companionship. Well something more physical than I could give you.” I used to think I had a crush on her until she set me straight and we settled on friends. “Just don’t forget you got me no matter what.”
“Thanks Vivian I needed that.”
“Any time William.”
“Well are you ready for the send off?”
“Now or never I guess. Hit me.” I set up the last data packet with codes and procedures for the AI to use as guidelines. I hover a finger over the send button.
“Good night Vivian.”
“Good Night William.” I hit the send button. I stared at the screen as it confirmed acceptance.
“I will see you in the future Vivian.” I should go find Ann and see if she is finished helping the other geneticist secure their lab. I walk halfway to the door when a tremor shakes the station knocking me off my feet. I was about to get up again as another equal sized tremor shakes the station again, this time the lights go out. A third tremor rocks the station as I crawl to where the emergency spacesuits are. The room lights up again with emergency lights flashing.
I quickly donned a suit and went to my workstation. I open a cupboard and pull out a crowbar and took out an MDD grenade I had stashed there. I place the MDD in a pocket on the suit just in case it would come in handy. I look about the room and see that the others were donning their suits as well. I need to check on Ann but first I need to see what happened. Walking back to the door I keyed in a command from the keypad. “Hello this is Work lab 2 what happened.” At first there was no response so I asked again.
“This…is…command. 3 infection spores… have… crashed into… the station. You…need…off…station. Infected…goodbye.” I hear a gunshot from the intercom.
“Fuck.” I look behind at the others. All of them were half way into their suits just staring at me. If this is true we have 5 minutes until the nanites are released to cleanse the station of all biologicals. “Fuck me.” I open the door and run out. I have to find Ann before it’s too late. We have to get to an escape pod and get off the station. I run down the hallways as fast as I can. Ann’s lab is on the same arm of the station as me. In fact so is the command center. “Fuck me again.” I try to run faster down the Hallway pushing several dazed people out of my way.
Reaching the bio-lab I open the door. “ANN! ANN WHERE ARE YOU?” I look left and right frantically.
“Will I’m over here.” I see her she is sitting on the floor tying some cloth around her waist. She must have cut herself, as there was only a little amount of blood it must not be fatal. I run up to her and help her stand up.
“We have to go. The station has become infected. We have to go now.” I take her hand and pull her to the door.
“What. Wait give me a second.” She pulls her hand from me and runs to a table.
“Ann we have to go now. The station is going to be cleansed.” Ann picked up two vials. Putting one into a syringe she jams it into her arm and empties it into herself. Holding the other vial she runs back to me and inserts into my suit. “What was that? Never mind that explain on the way.” I grab her hand and we run out the door. “We are headed to an escape pod. What did we just take?” I lead her around a bend in the hallway and through a door. I shut the door and activate the sealing procedure.
“I injected us with an experimental enzyme. The enzyme is supposed to stabilize the infection. It has never been tested. I took it and gave it to you in hope that if we are infected it would work. What about your sister. Don’t we have time to get her?” I open a hatch on the floor.
“There is no time. The nanites will be released in just a minute or two. We need to be in the escape pod by then. The pod is the only place that won’t have them.” I heard a thump behind me as I was opening the escape pod. I turn around quickly. Ann was laying on the floor. She looked back to me with fear in her eyes. “NO! NO! NO! This can’t be? NO.” Her injured side had swollen and I could see it getting bigger. Ann’s veins had turned black and could be seen threw her skin. She was infected.
“Will.” She spoke with fear as she began to cry. “It didn’t work.” I grabbed her and hugged her with all my might.
“No this will not happen. You will live don’t worry it will work.” My own tears started to flow. We will survive this. I picked her up and lowered her into the escape pod. Following her in I sealed the pod behind me. I pick up Ann and hug her.
“Will.” I look Ann in the eyes and choke. Her eyes had turned completely black. “It hurts Will.” I can see something moving under her skin as its color starts to turn red. “I don’t…want…to be a…monster.” She closes her eyes and sobs. I cry out and start to rock us back and forth as I sob as well.
“You will not. You will not be a monster.” I pull the MDD out of my pocket. I arm it and try to activate it, but I can’t. Ann will die and so will I but I just can’t seem to press the detonator. I cry out again and close my eyes. Ann’s hand covers my hand that’s over the detonator.
“Will…I…Love…you.” I cry out at her words and can’t see anymore.
“I love you to. I love you to. I Love…” Ann’s swollen hand presses down on mine and I’m blinded by a flash as I am greeted with oblivion.