The Epherium Chronicles: Echoes (13 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Cabot Encampment
Tau Ceti 3
Saturday, March 8
Earth Year 2155

Sanchez stepped out of the makeshift barracks the colonists had constructed to house the Marines. He tried to stretch the stiffness out of his arms and legs. No matter what he tried, it didn’t help. He wasn’t sure what his bunk material was, but granite would have been a fair comparison. Not to mention he had to sleep in an environmental suit. At least three times he wanted to walk out of the camp toward the shuttles, crawl into the decontamination well and lay on the floor. The suits were built to recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen for longer periods. He just wasn’t sure how long that really was. After his first day in one of them, he agreed with McGregor. The recycled air was stale, did little reduce the scent of body odor and the suit was beginning to chafe in areas that were sensitive.

He gazed up at the sky. The clouds were thick and it was still dark outside. The days were longer on this planet and sleep schedules for now would have to be rotated to compensate. At least he wouldn’t have to use his visor. The polarized shield always messed with his depth perception. If he wasn’t careful, he would trip over things.

His comm band buzzed and Dr. Patton’s ID flashed on the small interface screen. Sanchez monitored the team’s progress for several hours. Without being part of the hands-on process, it was difficult to stay awake. “This is Sanchez.”

“Commander, I need to speak with you immediately.” Patton’s voice was excited, and not in a good way. “I’d rather not do this on an open channel. Meet me at the medical tent.”

“On my way.” Sanchez rounded the corner of the barracks and sauntered toward the medical tent on the far side of the encampment. Waiting for him at the entrance fold was Dr. Patton and Maya. “You’re up early, Lieutenant,” he told Maya. Even in her environmental suit, she was radiant, and finding her here was better than caffeine to start his day.

“I received my required rest, Commander,” Maya objected. “You overslept.”

He checked the clock on his comm band. She was right; he’d been asleep for over ten hours. It didn’t feel like it.

He let the issue drop and changed the subject. “Doctor, you had a topic we needed to discuss?”

Patton waved them inside. Sanchez ducked under the tent fold and froze. All of Patton’s team was no longer in their environmental suits. “Did I miss something, or am I still asleep?”

“You’re not asleep, Commander,” Patton said. “We’ve run full spectrum tests of tissue samples from the colonists, water and plant life. The disease they experienced was a mutated form of typhoid that our current vaccines prevent. I’ve ordered all
Armstrong
personnel to receive a booster to be certain. I believe it’s safe to dispense with the suits.”

“Terrific!” Sanchez exclaimed. One of the nurses administered the booster through the suit’s built-in injector port. It hurt for brief second. He put on his best smile and didn’t flinch. After it was over, he twisted the helmet to the left to unlock the seal then removed it. He gulped in the fresh air. There was a bittersweet aroma around him. It wasn’t strong or overpowering and reminded him of a scent crossed between cinnamon and sugar maple.

Maya removed her helmet, as well. “What you smell is the tree pollen. I scouted the edge of the tree line earlier and gathered samples for Dr. Patton’s team.” She pointed to several small glass containers full of tree blooms.

Sanchez bent over to get a closer look. The deep orange blooms reminded him of zucchini blossoms. “So what about the aging? Is it failure of the Embrace chambers?”

“That’s why I wanted to talk with you.” Patton moved to the medical scanners on a table to his left. “We’ve analyzed all the colonists. It’s not rapid cell degeneration from the Embrace process. All of them are experiencing elevated vitals and brain activity similar to Commander Howard’s condition on the
Armstrong
.”

Deep levels of concern began to mount within him. “They’re not going to freak out and attack us, will they?”

“I can’t say, but I asked a few of the colonists to participate in a sleep evaluation.” He picked up his data pad and handed it to Sanchez. “Every one of the colonists we studied experienced abnormal brain wave patterns in their sleep.”

“Abnormal how?”

“Nightmares, and from the agitation we witnessed, they were almost panic-inducing.”

Sanchez shook his head. “So you’re implying that these nightmares are the cause?” He handed the data pad back.

“They’re definitely related. I’ll need to conduct additional studies on the colonists who haven’t aged to be sure. Commander Grange said the process started for some of his people right after they left the
Cabot.
We haven’t experienced anything yet, but I’ve instructed to my staff to do regular checks on our people.”

“Well, that’s comforting, doc.” Sanchez knew his sarcasm wouldn’t be appreciated, but it was the best he could offer. “Any other good news?”

Patton frowned at the comment and raised his hand. “One moment.” He tapped a member of his team on the shoulder, who turned and handed him another data pad. “We reviewed all the medical files from the
Cabot
. About a third of the deaths were related to attacks from the indigenous creatures. Before the medical officer died, he discovered this substance in the bloodstream of a colonist who later died.” He pointed to the listed cause of death. “His diagnosis was extreme fright or terror-induced delusions that led to cardiac arrest.”

“Could this be similar to the toxin used in the attack on the Epherium office aboard the ship?” Maya interjected.

Patton nodded. “I reviewed the analysis. This version seems to be a raw and natural form. If we could locate a sample, I should be able to create an antidote for both types of toxins.”

Sanchez scanned the room. “Do they have any?”

“No,” Patton answered. “I’m afraid not. I also couldn’t find any data related to what animal attacked the colonist.” He accessed the medical report again. “There may be another use for such a compound. A version of the antidote could suppress the nightmares it induces.”

Sanchez understood now. The antidote might help the colonists and prevent any additional aging, as well. It all sounded good in theory, but their situation hadn’t improved “Great. So what are we supposed to do? Do we root around the forest and wait to get attacked by one of these things? That could take days or weeks. If this stuff can cure them, we need to find it now.”

“I have an idea, but it’s not the most pleasant one,” Patton suggested. “The weaponized form of the toxin we found on the
Armstrong
degenerated quickly once administered. This natural version was still present in the tissues of the colonists for days after the attack. It may even still be there.”

Sanchez backpedaled. “Oh no, doc. Don’t even go there.” He looked at Maya, but she seemed to be in agreement with Dr. Patton. “You’re seriously suggesting we go out to the graves of the dead colonists, find one these people and dig them up?”

“Exhuming remains for analysis occurs all the time in criminal cases and disease investigations,” Patton began. “I know it may not be widely acceptable practice, but I fail to see a better option.”

“I’d prefer the bug hunt,” Sanchez grumbled under his breath. Both Maya and Patton crossed their arms in disdain. “Fine. I’ll work with McGregor and get a team of Marines together, but we’re going to need a guide. No matter how we spin it, I don’t think Grange and his people are going to like our idea.”

“I’ll talk to Mr. Pile, their security team lead,” Maya said with confidence. “He seemed to be levelheaded, and I believe I can convince him to show us the way.”

Sanchez still couldn’t believe they were going to do this. “Alright, let’s meet up at the gate in an hour, but let’s keep it on a need-to-know basis.”

“Understood,” Maya and Patton responded in unison.

Sanchez left the tent on the way to the barracks. He wasn’t sure what he was going to tell McGregor, but he had to think of an explanation quick.
Who knows, the big Marine might actually want to come along.

* * *

Just as planned, Sanchez arrived at the main gate of the encampment, accompanied by a platoon of Marines and two MACE units. McGregor was fresh off his duty rotation and as he’d expected, the man thought the idea sounded like fun. The burly Marine said it reminded him of ghost hunts when he was a child running through old graveyards. But that was where the nostalgia ended. McGregor didn’t want to risk the mission, so he recommended Sergeant Toronaga and Priest accompany them.

A few minutes later, Maya, clad in her gray security armor, arrived with Martin Pile. Trailing behind them was Henry McCraken.

“What’s he doing here, Lieutenant?” Sanchez challenged. “I thought I said need-to-know only.”

“Your orders were clear, Commander,” Maya replied and cast a hard stare at McCraken. “But Mr. McCraken is the official Epherium representative. Normally, he’d be included in important discussions, but in this case he was listening in.”

“Do you realize where we’re going?” He pointed to the tall trees to the southeast. “We need to go at least a kilometer through the forest to get our target.”

“Not to mention, it’s still nighttime,” the colony’s chief of security, Martin Pile, added. His voice held a nervous tone. “Most of the more dangerous things are active in the dark. I still think we should wait until morning.”

McCraken stiffened. “Commander, I promise I won’t be in the way. Besides, whoever Dr. Patton sends is going to need help.”

As if on cue, Dr. Patton walked around one of the MACE units in the rear. “I’ve got everything I need. Let’s get moving.”

“Whoa. Hold on, doc.” Sanchez stepped in front of him. “I told you to send one of your team, not you. I can’t risk you out there.”

Patton tapped his medical bag. “I know what I’m looking for, Commander, and I can extract the samples quickly. It’s too important not to get it right the first time.”

“Fine,” Sanchez grumbled. He threw Maya a concerned look. She blinked twice in response and moved closer to Patton, just behind his right hip. He needed to keep the man safe, and there wasn’t anyone he trusted more to do the job than Maya.

The Marines formed up at the gate and created a three-person-wide formation enveloping their charges. Toronaga’s MACE set out on point, and Priest’s MACE, with its deadly sniper rifle, brought up the rear.

“No lights,” Pile said as they passed through the gate. “We’ve found plenty of things are attracted to light out there. If we use any, we might as well be sending up a flare.” He pointed to the dim lights throughout the encampment. “That’s why we kept the camp to low light. Even the searchlights on the towers are covered unless we really need them.”

“You heard the man,” Sanchez said. “Night vision gear only.”

Two Marines passed out the specialized optics. He took his pair and attached it to his helmet. Wearing the Marine’s protective armor again felt weird. It weighed him down in the stronger gravity. The trek to and from the graves was going to be grueling, but he wasn’t about to walk into that forest without it.

After, the Marines also offered McCraken and Patton sidearms. Patton refused it. “Sorry, I don’t do guns.”

“Might save your life,” the Marine added.

“With all due respect, son, that’s what you’re here for.”

McCraken, on the other hand, accepted his pistol. He had trouble attaching the holster to his belt.

Sanchez helped him and set the grip for a quick body cross draw. “Have you been checked out on this weapon?”

McCraken drew the pistol and stared down the sights. “Oh, yes. I qualified for marksman at the Epherium training facility two years ago.” He tried to put the weapon back into the holster but missed. He fumbled it for a moment then caught the grip with both hands.

“Just don’t shoot yourself. One of us will have to carry you back,” Sanchez chided as McCraken holstered it properly this time. He took his place in line again. “Let’s move, everyone, and keep it quiet. Keep your voices low and comm band alerts silent. Loud noises can attract a predator just a well as lights.”

The group passed beneath the curtain of the giant trees and weaved their way through the underbrush. One of the Marines to Sanchez’s left held a motion sensor. There were small animals skirting through brush about one hundred meters away, but they were moving in the opposite direction. However, loud snorts echoed from the southeast.

“That’s the Hanno,” Pile whispered. “The younger males often seek to prove themselves to the Alpha. They offer challenges to the darkness and face whatever new foe emerges.” He pointed up into the branches. “Watch the trees. I lost most of my team during an early patrol before we even knew what was upon us.”

“What was it?” Maya asked tilting her helmet visor up to gaze into the darkness shielding the trees.

“I never got a good look, but it appeared to be a large insect. It struck fast and used the high branches for cover.”

Following Toronaga’s lead, the group reached the tree line of the clearing. The Marines’ sensors detected one signal above them. From the description provided by Priest, it looked like a large worm tucked against the trunk of a tree. It crawled up and presented no danger.

Pile surveyed the clearing. He pointed to an area about two hundred meters away to the south. “The graveyard is that way. We set up markers so we should be able to find which ones you’re looking for.”

The Marines fanned out in a wide line with Sanchez and the others in the rear. They crept toward the graveyard then established a perimeter.

“Palm lights only and keep them low,” Pile instructed and pointed to his left. “The ones we’re looking for would be in the initial section over here.”

Sanchez and McCraken moved through the first few rows, keeping low and shielding their lights as they moved. Maya and Dr. Patton started on the other edge of the section and worked toward them.

“I’ve found one,” Dr. Patton announced a few moments later. “Elaine Ulrich. The name matches the case file I discovered on the
Cabot.
”