Nelson studied the same sample for the fifth time. He was not a man to become exasperated easily but every sample said the same thing. There was nothing out there. No air, no water, no life whatsoever.
‘Admiral Nelson.’
Nelson looked up from the sample expecting to see one of the crew. Instead his lab was empty except for himself. Shaking his head he turned back to the sample.
‘Admiral Nelson.’
“Who’s there?” Nelson called and felt a presence suddenly touch his mind.
‘I was sent by Captain Crane.’
“Lee! Where is he?” Nelson asked worriedly.
‘I’m afraid he is in the hands of the Other.’
“The Other. What is the Other?”
‘They are the coloured masses you see outside.’
“But these samples say there is nothing alive outside.”
‘They are able to misguide your samples and make it appear as if nothing exists. That’s how they were able to take over my world and they are hoping to do the same to yours.’
“Is Admiral Stark with Lee?”
‘He is being held in the same area. I’m afraid they will soon implant him with one of us.’
“What are you?”
‘We are a race of Parasites. At least that is what you would call us. Our real name is unpronounceable in your language. We attaché ourselves to other races in order to survive. The simplest pronounceable name we have is Chemelion.’
“How come I can hear you but can’t see you?”
‘I have sent my conscious self out to speak with you. Captain Crane wanted me to tell you that you are safe as long as you stay on Seaview.’
“Did he say why?”
‘He doesn’t know. I believe there is something in your sub design that was not present in any of the other planes or boats the Other have taken into the triangle vortex.’
“What could that be?”
‘I do not know, Admiral Nelson but if you are able to find out what it is then there may be hope for both our races. I have to go back before the Other realizes that I have become dormant in your Captain.’
“How do I contact you?”
‘I will contact you. Find out what the design is Admiral and we may be able to use it to defeat the Other.’
Nelson felt the presence leave his mind and ran his fingers through his already ruffled hair. ‘What did you mean by design,’ he wondered and began another series of tests.
The Chemelion re-entered its body in time to feel the new wave of pain inflicted on its human hosts body. It knew he could not tolerate much more. ‘I’m here, Captain,’ try to relax your mind and let me absorb some of the pain.’
‘I’ll try,’ Lee said and the pain seemed to relax slightly. ‘Were you able to contact the Admiral?’
‘I was. He does not know what the design might be. He will try to figure it out.’
‘That’s great,’ Crane said and groaned as another wave of pain struck him.
‘Maybe you should tell them you really don’t know.’
‘Wouldn’t they want me to open my mind to them if I told them that?’
‘Yes they would. Are you telling me you really do know what the design is?’
‘I think so and I can’t take the chance on them finding out before the Admiral has a chance to figure out a way to use it.’
‘It may be to late for you then.’
‘That’s a chance I have to take,’ Crane said firmly.
Stark paced back and forth in his cell. The Chemelions had relinquished control of his mind the moment he’d stepped through the door. He had no idea what was happening around him and tried to find the door once again. Suddenly he felt a presence behind him and turned quickly, before him stood a tall humanoid figure. The creature only came to his shoulder in height and its face was flat. There seemed to be no eyes or mouth, just a rounded hole in the centre of its head. The body fluctuated between solid and liquid as ripples gathered through out its flesh. “What are you?” Stark asked his voice betraying his fear.
“It does not matter what I am. You are to follow me.”
“Follow you where?” Stark asked shrinking away from the horrifying figure before him.
“We have need of information and you may be able to give it to us. This way,” the alien said and Stark had no choice but to follow.
As he stepped through the newly formed door he could see the mass of colours the Flying sub had flown into. There seemed to be nothing else around him. “What is this place?” he asked.
“This is a part of our world. We formed it many eons ago in order to study your world.”
“Why?”
“To study your meagre existence of course. We are here.”
“Where is here?” Stark asked curiously.
“Look at the screen in front of you.”
Stark was shocked as a large screen formed before his eyes. He was even more shocked to see the pain-ridden face of Lee Crane. “What are you doing to him?” he asked in an outraged voice.
“He is uncooperative. We have need of some information and he is unwilling to give it to us.”
“What information?”
“The secret design behind the submarine. We need to know what she has that is stopping us from entering through her surface. Can you tell us what it is?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Seaview is a unique submarine and I am not privy to all her secrets,” he explained and touched the screen in front of him. “He can’t survive this much longer. Let him go.”
“We cannot do that until he tells us what we need to know.”
“Have you considered the fact that he might not have that information?”
“Then he would be willing to let us probe his subconscious mind.”
“Have you asked him?”
“No. I will now.”
Stark watched as the tension left Crane’s face and his head slumped forward to rest on his chest.
“Do you know what the design is, Captain Crane?” the Other asked.
Lee Crane heard the question and lifted his head defiantly, “I wouldn’t tell you if I did,” his head jerked back as once again he was assaulted with pain.
“It is of no use. Your Captain will remain mute until his mind is nothing but gel. I will have need of you then to take over his Chemelion. For now I will return you to your cell.”
“I’m sorry, Francine. I had no choice and neither do you,” President Clarke told the remarkable woman before him.
“You promised not to interfere with CP14,” Mercer said from her wheelchair.
“I know I did. But we had no choice. Nothing else penetrated the vortex.”
“There are only two samples of CP14 and you’ve sent them both into the Bermuda Triangle. Can’t you see how wrong that is? How do you know the vortex isn’t something built by the Peoples Republic to get their hands on CP14?”
“The vortex is not manmade, Francine. It is not of this world.”
“What is it then? Are you saying it’s from outer space? Not even you could be that naive,” she shouted angrily.
“I can’t go into details right now. Please just believe me when I say that CP14 will be back under your control as soon as the probe returns,” He told her and sighed as a knock came on the door. “Come in,” he called.
“Mr. President we have some new information.”
“Come in, General. I believe you two know each other,” President Clark said.
“Tom,” Mercer said her voice betraying her anger.
“Francine, would you excuse us please?”
“It’s my project, Tom. Don’t you think I have a right to be here?”
“Will you help us?” Clark asked hoping to enlist her help.
Francine Mercer was a brilliant and well-respected scientist and she prided herself on being able to admit when she was curious. She’d fought tooth and nail to keep CP14 and had already decided to help find out what was happening in the area known as the Devil’s Triangle. She just couldn’t admit that to the two men in the room. “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to work with Tom. I need you to help correlate the information that comes in from the probe and other countries. We need to find a way to stop the vortex.”
“That’s a big job,” Mercer said quietly.
“Do you think you can handle it?” Clark asked.
“I can if Tom can,” Mercer said.
“Let’s get to work then,” Burke said.
“Chip,” Nelson called excitedly as he entered the control room.
“Over here, Admiral,” Morton called from the nose. “Did you find anything?”
“I had a visitor a little while ago.”
“A visitor, Sir! Who? Why didn’t you call for help?” Morton asked worriedly.
“There wasn’t anything you could have done, Chip. This thing wasn’t even on board.”
“Huh?” Morton said bewilderedly.
“Just listen to what I have to say. There are two races at work here. One of them is friendly and wants to help us.”
“Do you mean alien races? Please don’t tell me we’re being invaded again.”
“I’m afraid so. Just listen to me. The visitor I had gave me a message from Lee. He wanted us to find out what we have on board that is so different than the other planes and boats that have disappeared. This alien thinks that there is a design concept in Seaview that makes her impenetrable to this other race.”
“Can we believe this visitor of yours?” Morton asked sceptically.
“I think we have to.”
“Do you have any idea what the design might be?”
“I do. Do you remember the assignment we had just before this one came up?”
“Francine Mercer’s CP14.”
“That’s the one. Seaview was sealed with that component before the tests were cancelled. I think that may be what’s keeping the other race out of Seaview.”
“Mr. Morton, we have sonar contact,” Kowalski called from sonar.
Morton and Nelson hurried up behind Kowalski, “How can we have contact when theirs nothing out there,” Morton asked.
“I don’t know, Sir, but it’s coming to rest just outside the nose.”
Nelson hurried back into the nose and looked out into the swirling mass. He was surprised to see a small object come to rest in front of Seaview. The object had a small transmitter attached to it. “See if you can pick up on the transmissions,” he called to Sparks in the radio room.
“I’m picking up a strong signal, Sir,” Sparks told him.
“Can you tell where it’s from?” Morton asked.
“Yes, Sir. It seems to be using one of our codes. I’m certain it’s from the US.”
“Can you decode it?” Nelson asked.
“Aye, Sir. But it may take some time.”
“I’ll be in my lab when you crack it. Make sure you contact me immediately. Chip, I’m going to study CP14 and see if it can tell us anything.”
“Aye, Sir,” Morton answered and went back to studying the new object. The colours seemed to have intensified around the probe but were unable to touch it. ‘I hope you find an answer soon, Admiral,’ he thought.
Lee Crane lifted his head as far as he could and glared at the figure before him. He recognized the alien in front of him as being the one who’d brought him here. He wanted to smash his fist into the elongated snout but his hands were still bound to the chair.
“We have something we wish you to see. You will come with me.”
“What is it?”
“You will see.”
Lee stood and shakily followed the alien being into the mass of colours. The brilliant luminescence hurt his eyes and he closed them in an attempt to shut it out.
“What is that?” he heard the alien ask.
He opened his eyes and before him was a sight that made his heart leap. In front of him was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. He breathed a sigh of relief as he walked up to the sub and touched her surface. “Seaview,’ he said wistfully.
“We know that is the Seaview but what is this?”
Lee glanced at the small object the alien seemed interested in. He recognized it as a probe. A small flashing light at the top told him that the probe was still transmitting data. He glanced from the object to the Seaview and then back to the alien, “I don’t know what it is,” he lied.
“You have never seen anything like this before?” the alien asked.
“No,” Crane said firmly and looked up at the Herculite windows of Seaview.
Chip had been surprised when the alien creature had walked up to the probe; he was even more surprised to see Lee Crane standing before him. He grabbed for the nearest mic and double clicked. “Admiral can you come to the control room immediately?”
Nelson had almost finished his experiment when he heard the call. Frustrated he picked up the mic and answered, “Is it important, Chip?”
“Lee is standing in front of the sub, Sir.”
“I’ll be right there,” Nelson said and dropped the mic back in its holder. He rushed into the control room and directly to the nose. He could see Seaview’s Captain standing before the sub surrounded by the swirling mass. Standing next to Crane was an alien life form. “Have you tried the external mics?” Nelson asked Morton.
“I was just about to, Sir,” Morton said as he passed the mic to Nelson.
The Admiral double clicked the mic before speaking into it, “Can you hear me, Lee?”
Lee Crane heard the familiar voice and again glanced at the windows, “I hear you, Sir.”
“Are you all right?” Nelson asked and was surprised that the alien being didn’t stop their communications.
“I think so, Sir. Seaview?”
“Seaview is fine, Lee. Watertight and secure. What is that thing beside you?”
“I don’t know what they call themselves but don’t trust anything they say.”
Nelson watched in horror as the being in question reached out with its hand and placed it on Crane’s shoulder. He dropped to the ground in agony.
“Admiral Nelson you will tell me the design of your sub or watch your captain suffer.”
Bolts of lightening seared through Crane’s shoulder the minute the alien had touched him. With his remaining strength he yelled to his friends, “Don’t leave the sub, Admiral. You’re safe as long as you stay there.”
The alien lifted its other arm and hit Seaview’s captain resoundingly across the face. It didn’t release its grip on his shoulder as he slid to the ground. “Your captain will not survive much longer. Tell us what we wish to know.”
‘I will try to shield some of the pain for you, Captain. There is little I can do about the outcome though,’ the Chemelion whispered in his pain laden mind.
‘Were you able to get a message to the enemies of the Other?’
‘I was but I don’t know if they will come.’
‘Why wouldn’t they?’
‘Because they think the Other are of no consequence. They know of the Other but do not always help. The truth is the Other used to be part of their race. They split apart many eons ago and have been sworn enemies ever since.’
‘If they are sworn enemies why won’t they come?’
‘I did not say they won’t come. I said they might not. We will know very soon if they are coming. I’m afraid I have to contact your Admiral again and tell him what is happening.’
‘Go ahead.’
‘If I leave you the pain will be almost intolerable.’
‘I have a high threshold for pain,’ Crane said and laughed weakly.
‘I think you are a man of honour, Captain. I am going to tell you this because I think it may keep you alive.’
‘Tell me what?’ Crane asked curiously.
‘My Chemelion body will not survive if I am in your body when you expire.’
Crane groaned inwardly at the alien’s choice of words. ‘By expire you mean die, don’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘I won’t quit. I’ll fight for both our lives.’
‘Thank you, Captain.’
As the Chemelion became dormant the pain slammed into Lee’s body again and he nearly surrendered to unconsciousness. He felt the Aliens grip on his arm and its strength nearly crushed the bone. He saw the look of horror on the faces visible in Seaview’s windows. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the white-hot agony.
“Help him,” Nelson screamed at the presence he felt in his mind again.
‘I cannot. I have come to tell you that there may be another race that will come to help us all. They will probably come to you first because you are untouched by the Other. If they do convince them that we are worth saving and they will do so.’
“When will they come? Lee needs help now.”
‘I’m sorry I do not know. I will keep your captain alive as long as I can. I must return to him now,’ and the Chemelion released it’s hold.
“Admiral! Are you all right, Sir?” Morton asked anxiously.
“I... I’m fine, Chip. My visitor was just here. He said to watch for another set of aliens.”
“Another set, Sir. That would make three wouldn’t it? Don’t we have enough to contend with?”
“Actually the only ones we have to contend with are the ones out there. They are the ones who want to destroy us. I just hope we can convince this new bunch that we are worth saving.”
“And how do we do that, Sir?”
“Your guess is as good as mine right now, Chip. But one thing’s for sure we’d better come up with something.”
“Beggin the Admirals pardon, Sir, but did I just hear you say there were aliens?” Chief Francis Sharkey asked from behind them.
“I’m afraid so, Francis. Are all the repairs completed?”
“Yes, Sir, they are. But Aliens on Seaview again, Admiral. Can’t we just blow them all away and be done with them, Sir?”
“I wish it were that simple, Chief. Wait a minute that’s not a bad idea. Is there any of the CP14 component left Chief?”
“I think so, Admiral. I stored it in your lab. You did say it was important.”
“It is!” Nelson exclaimed. “I have an idea on how we get to Lee, Chip. Get into a diving suit and meet me in the flying sub’s berth.”
“Yes, Sir,” Morton smiled and rushed away. He was in the Flying sub’s berth ten minutes later wearing a full divers suit and tanks. He paced the area by the access doors waiting anxiously for Nelson to show up.
Nelson entered with a spray bottle and rushed over to Chip, “I don’t know if this will work but it’s the only chance Lee has. I am going to spray you with CP14.”
“What will that do, Sir?”
“I think CP14 is keeping the aliens from entering Seaview. It’s up to you whether we do this or not, Chip.”
“Spray away, Admiral,” Morton said as he donned the tanks.
Nelson saturated the wetsuit in the CP14 formula and began to open the outer bay doors. He kept the spray bottle in his hand as the doors opened and sprayed the component at the swirling masses before they could enter the sub.
Morton saw Crane still in the grip of the alien being and rushed towards them. The cumbersome suit slowed his progress. The alien holding Crane jumped away as Morton neared dropping Crane as it did. Morton could hear the screams made by its trilling voice and it grated on his nerves. He bent down and retrieved the beaten body of his friend and carried it towards Seaview.
Nelson kept the Aliens from entering Seaview as Morton came aboard with his burden. As soon as they were completely inside Sharkey hit the button to close the doors. Nelson kept spraying until the doors were completely shut and then dropped the canister and knelt by his friend’s side.
“Can you hear me, Lee?” Nelson asked, worried about his friend’s pale, clammy skin.
‘I’m afraid the Captain is unconscious, Admiral,’ a voice inside his head told him.
“How bad is he?” Nelson asked and Morton looked at him strangely.
“Your visitor is back?” he asked and Nelson nodded.
‘He needs your medical doctor.’
“He’s on the way,” Nelson said.
Seaview’s doctor rushed into the flying sub’s bay. Without a word he examined his most frequent patient. As he finished his preliminary exam he signalled for the gurney and helped load the unconscious Captain unto it.
“Doc?” Nelson asked quietly.
“It’s to soon to tell, Admiral. I’ll know more when I run some tests.”
“Doc he has a parasite inside him.”
“What kind of parasite?” Doc asked curiously.
“It is some kind of alien parasite and it has fused itself to Lee’s brain and spine. I don’t want you to try to remove it.”
“How do you know this?” Doc asked as Crane was taken to sickbay.
“I am in contact with it.”
“How?” Doc asked incredulously.
“Telepathically. That’s how I know it doesn’t mean Lee any harm. I’ll join you in sickbay shortly.”
“Aye, Sir,” doc said and hurried after his patient.
“Chip.”
“Yes, Admiral,” Morton asked as he finished dressing.
“Did you notice how the Aliens reacted to CP14?”
“Sorry, Sir. I was trying to get Lee out of there and didn’t see anything.”
“ I have an idea that CP14 is not just the reason the aliens are not entering Seaview. I think whatever CP14 consists of is a weakness that we may be able to use.”
“How?”
“I watched as the coloured masses came in contact with the component. I think it may have been hurt by it. We may be able to defeat them if I can get my hands on enough of it.”
“Can you make it?”
“I don’t think so, Chip. I don’t even know enough about it to make a guess. I’m going to see if Sparks has unscrambled that coded signal and maybe we can get some answers there.”
“I hope so, Sir,” Morton said and followed Nelson to the radio room.
“Anything, Sparks?” Nelson asked.
“I just broke the code. The signal is definitely to the US.”
“Is there any way we can send a message using the probe?”
“I think so, Sir. I took the liberty of using our antenna array to override the probes own systems. If I’m correct you’ll be able to speak directly to whoever’s at the other end.”
“How is that possible?” Morton asked.
“The probe was designed with a two way system of radio contact so it was just a matter of finding the right password to get inside.”
“I’d like a full explanation when we get out of here. For now let’s give it a try,” Morton ordered.
“Aye, Sir,” Sparks said and began pushing buttons on his console in a flurry of movement. Suddenly the console seemed to jump to life and they could hear voices. “I’ve got a signal, Sir, but its not very strong,” Sparks said as he handed Nelson the mic.
“This is Admiral Harriman Nelson on board the Seaview. Can you hear me?”
“Who did you say you were?”
“Nelson on board the Seaview. I need to speak with whoever sent this probe.”
“Hold on, Admiral. General Scott is on his way. Here he is now, Sir.”
“ Admiral Nelson?” a new, rougher voice asked.
“Yes. Nelson from Seaview.”
“Your signal is not very strong. How did you get on this secure channel?”
“I don’t have time for that now, General. I need to know if Francine Mercer is there with you.”
“I’m right here Harriman. How did you find my probe?”
“Look, Francine, I’ll answer all your questions when this is over. Right now I need the formula for CP14.”
“I can’t do that, Harriman.”
“You have to Francine. It may mean the difference between life and death for all of us.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m in the same place as your probe. I think you know where that is. We need the formula.”
“I’ll think about it, Harriman.”
“There’s no time. Don’t you understand?”
“No, Harriman I don’t understand. What makes you think that I’d willingly give up my life’s work on your say so?”
“Because if you don’t it won’t matter anymore. How large is the vortex now?”
“It encompasses most of the southern hemisphere.”
“It’s going to get worse if we don’t do something from this end.”
“What does CP14 have to do with it?”
“CP14 can stop the... p... people responsible.”
“How?”
“I don’t have time to explain right now. Just give me the formula or put General Scott on the line,” Nelson shouted angrily.
“He doesn’t know the formula.”
“I’m sure he knows someone who does and right now I’m willing to beg him for it.”
“I want your word that you are going to use this once and then forget it.”
“You have it. Just give me the damn formula. Peoples lives are depending on it,” sighing, he listened as she read off the formula for CP14.
“That’s it Harriman. That’s my life’s work you have in your hands.”
“Thank you Francine. Your formula may be the only thing that can save this planet.”
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