Two hours later, the Captain is organizing the reboot of plantations E and F. He is in the monitor hall on top of tower two. His focus is entirely on the complex switchboard in front of him, making sure he turns the switches in the correct order, a task his fingers perform from memory. CJ is monitoring the measurements on the wall.

Two hours ago, the worm was pronounced eliminated by CASTEL. The exoskeletons cleared the rig from all active mouths. One exoskeleton carried the crystal apparatus to the mountain, where the humongous cadaver was half buried. Once installed, the apparatus drew an enormous electrical arch from the nearest rig tower and relayed it to the worm, electrocuting the dead giant for an hour.

The Captain is certain that the worm threat is eliminated. He has a new task, to restore balance and continue surviving on the rig. But something in his mind... something about that woman. His gut feeling has always been impeccable in the past. Accurate, decisive, reliable. For that woman though, his gut drags him into a snow storm.

"Captain, they are ready to depart." Doug announces on the radio.

"I am coming, tell them to hold."

He jumps the spiral staircase two step at a time down to the exhaust stadium and runs to the positive portal.

In front of him, exoskeletons vanish in the bright portal one by one. Next to the portal, he can see three feminine silhouettes, standing and chatting. As he gets closer, he can identify Jane, Karen, and their commander with white hair which surprisingly show no sign of blood. The Captain can see dried blood on her black vest and some on her neck. But her hair, impeccably white.

She turns her head and smiles at him. "Captain"

The Captain does not respond. Indeed, her smile makes her look like a child.

"We are ready to depart."

'Listen," he finally recruits his thoughts "I have questions about the worm," he pauses to read the expressions of the three women, "what created it?"

"A Vermillion worm can be born of any lump of pluripotent cells growing on radiated organic matter." Karen jumps to enthusiastically explain. Rayne calmly observes the Captain as Karen continues "Pluripotent cells can morph into any type of cell. Chicken embryos are made of pluripotent cells. They are frequently found in chicken farm waste."

"We will review your waste disposal protocols shortly." Jane utters in her baseline monotonic voice "We appreciate your..."

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

"Actually!! Any type of embryo could make a Vermillion worm." Karen suddenly interrupts as if a light bulb was switched in her head.

"Thank you Karen, you may go now." Rayne replies immediately. The smile on her face has disappeared. Karen looks embarrassed, she drops her head and walks to the portal. Rayne glances at Jane and nods, Jane follows.

The Captain's mind is racing, "chicken embryo?"

"You saved my life on the mountain." Rayne breaks his chain of thoughts. "Thank you." She smiles.

The Captain feels it again, the snow storm. This time the winds are stronger, wheezing in his ears, deafening him. Spiraling the snow in the air, circulating him, blinding him.

The woman turns her back to him and walks to the portal. On her last step she turns and looks back at the exhaust, her smile turns solemn as she notices something. The Captain looks at the direction she is staring at. Something in the darkness of the exhaust? A light breeze touches his face. She is gone.

He watches the portal as it closes. A pile of cables and a dark platform is all that is left.

Tik Tik Tik

Something is ticking in the corner of the stadium. The Captain tries to distinguish in the dark. A small window moving in the wind.

Tik Tik Tik

Thirty minutes later the Captain is looking at the list CJ gave him: the charcoal bags. The employees found a pile of charcoal and torn bags in the room, the negative portal has a reputation for shredding whatever travels through it.

"What about the water fountain?" the Captain finally asks.

"The water fountain?" CJ sounds confused.

"A water fountain was the last thing I dropped in the room. Did they find it?"

"No, but I will tell them to look for its pieces. How much do you think it weighted?"

"Around 50 kilos."

"The weight of a small woman" Doug replies. Startled, CJ and the Captain turn their heads. Doug is startled that he said his thoughts out loud.

CJ and the Captain look at each other and laugh. They did not notice the newbie cleaning the switchboard during their conversation.

CJ grabs his list, stands up and leaves.

The Captain searches his jacket. He removes it to search the pockets for a cigarette. He needs his tobacco. He needs nicotine. Or perhaps he just needs sleep.

He stops searching, takes a deep breath. Finally he tells Doug that he will be taking a shower and perhaps a nap.

Doug nods. The Captain grabs his Jacket and walks to the door. Doug Salutes as he passes in front of him.

"Sir! We the employees have a favor to ask." Doug bravely announces before the Captain reaches the door.

The Captain stops. He removes the cigarette from his mouth. "You want a fight night?"

Doug is shocked by the response. He fidgets nervously.

"You have permission."

One hour later, the Captain is in his comfortable bed. His three dogs curl on the foot of his bed; one by one they fall asleep. His resistance to the temptation of the cigarette is paying off. The cigarette is lying intact on the bed stand and his eyelids are getting heavy. Good, finally.

"The weight of a small woman" Doug's voice echoes in his head. He opens his eyes.

He sighs. They have been checking cameras for hours. Everything is accounted for.

Wait. Was he clear when he instructed the newbie? "Only in the Rabbit Hole, nowhere else. Is that clear?"

His eyelids are heavy.

Tik Tik Tik

His omni-meter is ticking on top of him, hanging from a hook attached to the bed frame. The dark oak wood frame is elaborated by a leather cushion and bronze hooks on each side.