Neatly stacking all the photos in one huge stack, Maxwell put them back in an orange folder and tossed it at the center of his desk. The two had talked about their plans to head to frog leg alley. Shadows creeping across the room as the typical afternoon clouds of Clausum mare drifted by the sun.
Tobias stood still, thinking about the octopus that holed themselves up.
“They are intelligent creatures, could they have been running from something? They did board us a few years back, there was no storm or anything peculiar. No ink was shot at us, maybe somehow they were asking for help. Coming out of their deep sea habitats was startling to say the least.”
“I’m going to head down to the armory and grab a few things early while we wait, you want to come grab some gear?” Maxwell called out.
This time Tobias wasn’t completely zoned out and heard him the first time.
“Yeah, I’ll come grab a few things.”
As both of them moved to go back downstairs, Onyx had still been out in the corner, so they let him sleep. Backdown on the second floor, Maxwell stopped, looking over all the dusted equipment.
“I hope they will fix this soon. Like walking through a ghost town. He walked over to the miniature version of Clausum Mare and blew some dust off. In this version of their city, there had been several large docks and several clock towers set up, which no longer remained in the city. Tobias shook off an old paper, the headline still eligible reading:
“Madness descends from the mountain, a storm of meat headed right to us!”
An older photo showed a herd of wild turkeys storming through what used to be the center of town. The first generation of Trouts sure did pick a good place to build their farm. Both shaking the dust out of their hands moved on.
“You think Solace is alright? Whenever something crazy happens, it really gets to him,” Maxwell said.
“Honestly not sure on that one. He could be cooped up reading or out getting some food to keep his mind off things.”
Back down on the first floor, as quiet as ever with the door to the Annuals still sealed off. Past the door down to vast amounts of history was the door to the armory. Maxwell used another old key and this room had been redone as well. Boxes neatly stacked all around the room labeled from, Rations, Water, Gear, Ammo, pouches, caps, badges and spare clothes ready to be used. Very few officers come back here to stock up as the main base has all their needs and constantly available should they run low. Using a newer looking key Maxwell undid the lock on a case in the back of the room with different kinds of weapons. Nodding at the selection choices, his hands briefly touched an older model of shotgun.
Taking off two batons from the wall, he chucked one at Tobias, who flipped it over and noticed a switch.
“Electric huh? Nice. Just in case.“
“Better to always be prepared,” Maxwell said, opening a box labeled gear. Digging into the box he pulled out a black vest and handed it over to Tobias.
Maxwell stashed a handgun and loaded up like he was going to battle. Both of his eyes seemed to have blood clots now. His breathing got heavier.
Tobias fiddled with his jacket where he had put his hilt. Only if this still served a purpose. The room felt more tense as he watched Maxwell gear up.
I dont think I've ever seen and felt him so serious. Tobias thought.
Maxwell grabbed a plain black cap and tossed it over his buzz cut. Taking a ration out from one of the boxes, he stuffed it in his pockets.
“You want one of these salmon bars? They are actually pretty tasty after being stored for quite some time.”
Tobias looked at his friend with concern. Maxwell’s eyes were bloodshot and crazed. As much as he was trying, he was not himself.
“Maybe we should wait a few days until you get some rest, man. You look like shit.”
“No. We need to do this now. The longer we wait, the more danger Melaine could face. As well as everyone else.”
“From what? We don–”
“That's what we are going to find out! I got enough to worry about Toby. All of this plus some wolf outside playing tricks on my mind.” Maxwell raised his voice. It was too little too late, as he did let something slip.
“A wolf huh.? This close to the station. I don't think so, Maxwell.” Tobias said as he straightened up and pondered looking at a calendar on the wall.
There is no way they would come down from the mountains, or roam through the forest to be here. The trouts have their livestock on lockdown. Haven’t had a problem in years. He thought.
“You may need the sleep here Tobias. I didn’t toss your events at Island aside. I saw what I saw.” Maxwell said and stomped toward the door. More disappointed than anything.
Damn he got me there. Tobias said and followed him.
“Sorry.” Tobias said rather quietly.
“I know. Don’t worry, we have been friends for a long time and you are just looking out for me. Water returning to the clouds.” Maxwell said. He smiled as he opened the door.
“ Are you ready to shoot? I know everyone but Solace can handle one. At this point never will be able to. After trying to help that man, what happened to Mathias and getting sent overboard once, he hasn’t been the same.”
“Can’t really blame the poor guy.” Maxwell said. He put his hand on the edge of his holster and nodded.
Black, nothing but darkness filling the vision. Standing in what appeared to be a large tunnel he could hear the dripping of water. Splash, Splash, Splash, echoing off in the distance. With no clear direction he moved forward. At the very end of the tunnel, there appeared to be light. He could not be certain as it felt so far away and off. A static image frozen in time. He paced forward. The splashes stopped and the sound of rushing water filled the ears. It was coming from outside or just beyond the tunnel, as he did not feel any water whatsoever. Bare feet moved along the cold ground, the light still so far off. He shriveled in the cold and the hair on his arms turned into small icy pricks. A wave of air moved through the tunnel, strong enough to push anything off balance. As it passed by his ears, he heard a loud moaning from somewhere inside. Still moving forward, but helplessly trying to look in the dark he searched for the source.
Nothing. Neck hairs stood up, along with arms. Straight and alert, the sign of fear. Turning back away from what assumed to be the exit, his eyes could now clearly see in front of him. The tunnel was aglow with a rolling black and red sludge down the sides. It bubbled and hissed as it evaporated against the surface. On the ceiling egg sacks pulsed and squirmed, looking to explode and hatch at any moment. Liquid gushed out from the top of the ceiling into fleshy hands. He looked at the marks that had contacted the skin. It sank through slowly. Like a boulder sinking into magma.
As other small splashes hit the skin, he cried out, looking at his hands. Small holes emerged as flesh began to be torn away. Rolling up a sleeve, the same was happening on the upper arms, every place where the liquid hit. Facing back to the exit, whatever light that was possibly there was gone. A deep red pulsed down farther in the tunnel. He did not want to go back or forwards. It was the only option as his skin burned away forming craters.Over head dark yellow egg sacks rocked back uncontrollably. Frantically he yelled out for help as bare feet met tar. The thick substance squeezed him like a snake draining the life from its victim. The glasses always on his face, found them soaring through the air. Landing in the tar, bubbles boiled in their reflection.
“Hello!?” he called out, only hearing his echo for an answer. “Why is this happening..I just…just.”
He was so lost and about to lose himself. Solace all of a sudden broke free. Amber eyes darting around the room in a blur looking for anything to help. Instead, he was face first in cold dirt instead of tar. He looked up in a daze. Two human feet stood out through his fading vision. Surroundings blurred and the world spun. He grasped at the dirt to stand up again, eyes falling upon another strange sight. A naked human stood still with pale white skin. The whites slowly mixed with the red across the whole of the body.
“He-….-Hey..do you know a way out of here?”
The blank mannequin-like face stayed unmoving, unsympathetic. It took a few steps forward and wrapped its pasty white arms around him.
“C---”c-can I help you, do you know—”
The question was cut short as the blank eyes stared back into fearful ones. A wide smile crept across its face, opening its mouth showed a mix of human teeth and fangs. Digging into the face free of holes, Solace yelled out in pain as it chewed away. Pushing back with little remaining strength in the torn arms, took a few steps back, then collapsed backwards. The now pale, bloody figure chewing on a chunk of face.
Covered in sweat, Solace awoke holding on to his face. No blood on his hands or holes at least. Throwing off the blankets he reached over and took his glasses out of the black case sitting on the dresser. He felt like he just got out of a sauna. The world around him spun. The walls of his room morphed and danced into impossible shapes and forms. He tried to get up but stumbled forward and fell to the floor. His neck swelled as it bulged out of his skin. He grabbed the carpet in frustration and scraped himself off the floor. He reached out to grab his desk. Solace stood up now, shaking and covered in sweat. Wiping that off his forward, it did feel abnormally warm. A fever perhaps following one of the worst nightmares ever.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Welcome home. That’s what I get for jinxing the guys, holy shit.”
Washing his face off with cool water momentarily felt better. With a severe headache, a little trickle of blood was coming out from under his eyelids. Taking off the glasses to inspect them, some had made their way onto the frame.
I must be really sick or something because this is messed up.
In the living room he opened the blinds in the morning, he gazed up towards Traveler’s stairs. Head feeling heavy as ever.
Living near the base of the tower was convenient so he could get to work, a straight flight up.
“News please,” he said sitting in his recliner, feet raised a little. A wet towel across his forehead to combat the heat. The black screen against the wall turned on. It was more for background noise, as the silence in the house could drive him crazy at times.
“Clear skies for the rest of the day,” said a voice from the screen.
“When we get closer to night, a few showers should be rolling in and staying with us for a couple of days. Grayland is still rolling out more ambassadors to convert people over to “shedding their skin” to ascend to the next step of evolution. Insmourn, Celavance and Ovoroth are still the main powers refusing this offer.”
Music to his ears. Insmourn has shops to help repair broken limbs and body parts, if the original pieces of flesh cannot be saved. They are open for people to come and replace their parts, for more strength, endurance or whatever else they need. However most people are content with the body they have and do not feel the need to “upgrade.”
I may need to get a new set of eyes if they continue to bleed.
Celavance is a much older country, still built on old principles and may be even more stubborn in retaliating against the drive for ascendancy. They openly oppose the ambassadors and leave their steel riddled skeletons hanging from an old fortress of theirs. The Graylanders are peaceful about how they spread their message, but they just will not lay off. Ovoroth openly admits to using the gifts for their navy. For the rest of the populace, they are just normal folk living their lives.
Still having another week till he went back to top of Traveler’s stairs, Solace slunk down in his chair. Ships flew by, some reaching the station. As he followed them, he wished he could just fly away sometimes. The thought of shedding his skin grew everyday. With this disastrous headache it made it even more plausible. He missed the great heights, able to see the far expanses of clouds and mountains. The biggest bonus was of course going to outer orbit. Working on shuttles and building a defense system, which mainly consisted of gathering broken materials from just about everything that floats in space. Afterwards that material would be taken down to the forge to be recycled into better parts, or properly disposed of if unusable. Checking the messages from his holoframe. He decided to see if Grant was awake and doing anything. Spreading the light around, he walked around using the wall for support, still gazing upwards.
Grant finally answered after a few moments. He was sitting wearing a black face mask and a pair of safety goggles.
“Well, see you are probably busy for the day. You miss anything down there while we were gone?” asked Solace.
Somehow Grant ended up speaking clearly through a mask over his face.
“Yup, we got a surprise shipment coming down later today. It’s going to be a big deal I suppose. There are going to be other strikers coming from all over the world to help analyze and break down whatever this is. Did miss out on salvaging parts from vessel's that had crashed on other worlds and brought back for repair. Missed the Giant’s Bane, came down hauling the freight in tow,” Grant said. With his country accent. He smashed a hammer over some steel and smoothed it out using something Solace had never seen before.
“Toby, Max and Lydon are heading down to frog leg alley. Something must be going on.”
Solace keeled over in pain. Holding his chest he tried not to break down. After waking from that horrible nightmare, to hear about those demons. A rush of heat orbited throughout his head, taking the glasses off he put his head in his hands. Sweat now trickled down his entire body.
“Oh no no, no,” he mumbled to himself.
“You alright there, pal?”
After what happened on the way home last night I don’t blame you.”
Wiping off a thick layer of sweat off his forehead, Solace regained composure.
“Just not feeling too great this morning. Think I will try to head back to bed here in a little while.”
A loud vroooom echoed out through the connection and Grant looked up.
”Well you know that sound, I gotta get back to it. Will let you know what’s on today's menu for scrap. Talk to ya later.” As the connection dropped, Solace leaned back rubbing his temples.
There is no way, no way I can join the guys for this. Gotta settle down and rest up before my body melts away.
Really could go the rest of my life without hearing those damning words.
Just those two words were enough to cripple him. Archveil and colors.
Feeling his heart rate slow down the sound of a steady, thump thump strummed through his being. No longer hearing the sound from the TV, he stared right at. The picture on the screen, showing Ovoroth’s navy began to fizzle and go blank.
Nope. I had enough of this for today.
The fresh air smoothed his burning frame. As he pushed his way outside. Leaving sweat drenched across the door.
“Might as well go get a check up, since I’m out here now.”
The medical facility at the base was only a few minutes away. There was very little traffic at all today, so time was plentiful today. He threw himself in the car, asked his AI to blast some cool air and take him to an emergency room. The thought of letting Maxwell know that he would not be coming kept playing.
They know me, I’m sure they will carry on and let me know all of the juicy details later. I really need a breather for the rest of the week.
The sun felt hot all of a sudden. His eyes wide and dry. There were two emergency medical vehicles on standby, with no other people around but for him.
At least this should be fast. There does not appear to be a line.
He sat in the waiting room, the white walls around almost blinding him. The lady at the reception desk said someone would be out in just a moment and went back into the supply room. An infuriating itch moved across his eyelids. Trying not to rub or scratch it till he saw the doc was in vain. His neck in pain from being swollen. Gently relieving the itch by rubbing, blood appeared on the back of his fingers.
“What in the world is wrong with my eyes?...”
At the receptionist desk, cleaning supplies, tissues and some water was available. Taking one of each, getting rid of the blood and tossing it in the bin next to him a doctor came around the corner.
“This way please.”
He said, looking at Solace curiously and turning down the hall. The smell inside was stale and he could only taste his own blood at the moment.
Solace taking a seat on the flat medical bench the doctor shut the door and pulled up a chair.
“So what can I help you with today,” asked the man.
“Just got out of bed with what could be a fever. Woke up drenched in sweat. Head hurts a bit. Got a swollen neck. Also I’m..bleeding under my eye lids.”
“That’s a good way to start your morning. Let’s see what we have here. Go ahead and lay back.”
“The machine here will do a full body scan. Please lay back and do not move. If you have any discomfort just raise your hand.” The doctor said. Going over to the white walls, they opened in front of him. He took out some supplies and put his face under a retinal scanner. “Full body scan. Prepare transfer for fluid samples.”
Solace lay back with arms resting on the sides. A large white flat panel extended down from the ceiling and rest a few inches above him. It slowly made a pass over Solace's body, with small beams of light dancing on his face. A humming reverberated through his skull. It made him rather uncomfortable. He did not raise his hand however. Wanted this to be over as soon as possible. A pool of ice sounded great. This process happened twice before folding up and returning into the wall.
When that was all finished, the doctor made his way over. He had some needles and some Phials. To draw blood no doubt.
“Go ahead and sit up. I’m going to draw your blood real fast for some testing.”
Forcing himself upright, he sat up and held out his arms. As the needles went in and the samples were taken. Solace felt like a drill was going through his body. He rode it out though. His heart rate was probably through the roof. The doctor noticed this and tried to reassure him.
“We will get these samples back as soon as possible. I or someone else will let you know. Will prescribe you some pain medicine as well. The strongest stuff we have. Fused with samples from Ovorthian fungi samples. Are you allergic to anything?”
Solace shook his head slowly and forced a quiet “No” out.
In truth, he did have many allergies. Almost all animals, dust, nuts, mold and certain medications. He just wanted the pain gone. Now.
“Great, let me get that ordered for you. The x-ray should be ready as well here. His weary eyes followed the doctor as he quickly typed away into a machine inside the wall. While pulling up some records as well. He then reached and unfolded a panel. The whole of Solace's skeleton was in front of him.
“All right. Let us start with the head. You do have a 108 degree fever. I’m not sure how you are still functioning right now. Your brain is quite swollen in both of these regions. This rarely happens unless it involves major trauma to the head. The muscle mass looks to be decreasing.
The doctor came over to him. Solace could feel he was worried and whatever happened, was not right.
“Can I have you take off your shirt for a moment and roll up your pant legs?”
Solace nodded and slowly took his clothes off. They were covered in sweat. He noticed something about his body was extremely off. He was much skinnier than before. The doctor felt his shoulders and did some tests with instruments.
“Well I can tell you that you need lots of rest for sure. You need lots of protein and fluids in you. Malnourishment has taken over you completely. Based on your records and what I see now. This loss of muscle is alarming. I would advise you to stay here overnight. If not, stay with someone who can keep an eye on you.”
“I can stay with a friend. They can bring me here in the morning or wherever I need to go. If whatever I have is life threatening.” Solace said. Now shivering and his vision going blurry.
“Okay if your certain. You can call here, or anywhere if you need help right away.”
“Thank you.” Solace said quietly.
“So, what I can do for you now is relieve your symptoms by injecting some steroids into your brain. It will reduce the swelling. After that settles we should be able to determine what’s causing this.”
“Thank you. Let’s do that now.”
“Alright lay back down for me please.” The doctor said. At another wall, a panel opened up. The doctor put on a new pair of gloves and he took two needles and syringes from the supply depot. To his left another table had folded out with a single medication on it.
“Ok try to relax for a moment, you will feel discomfort for the initial shot. Then after about two or three hours you should start feeling better.”
Solace sat still and prepared for the shot, closing his eyes. “First shot going in now, in the frontal lobe. Here comes the poke.”
Solace kept still and felt the needle going into his skull. He felt nothing. When the fluid was done being injected and taken out, it felt like a pressure cooker releasing steam.
“Are you doing okay?
“Yes. Still here.”
“Ok good, here comes the last one. The back of your head, the cerebellum coming up.”
As the needle sunk into his skull, No pain. No feeling. Nothing.
He was thankful and really confused about the complete numbness. The doctor gave Solace a strong pat on the shoulder.
“We may have to send you to Grayland for an emergency procedure if that swelling doesn't go down. The rest of your body looks fine. Keep an eye on the neck swelling. The injections should help with that as well. The rest of your body is malnourished as I said before. Go get lots of rest and stay safe. The medicine is free of charge. On your way, stop by and get it at the front desk.”
“Thanks again Doctor.”
“Take extreme care now if you need help, we are here.”
Solace rose to his feet and slowly put his soaked shirt back on. With zombie like steps he made his way to the front and got the medicine. It was empty still.That was nice, he needed quiet. He took a water bottle and chugged. Like he was about to die of dehydration.
He moved slowly back to his car to get some rest at home, Solace now could barely keep his eyes open. His head was pounding now and he let himself fall into the car cushions. The sweating was not stopping. Solace was fearing for his life now. He was definitely sick. As the AI drove him home, something felt off. He could do nothing as his body was so weak. His body shook violently. Egg sacks filled his vision and he saw those creatures swarming. His skin began to stretch as he clung to his stomach. With pain increasing in his neck he shook violently in the back seat.