Gabatrix: the Forgotten
Copyright© 2026 by CMed TheUniverseofCMed
Chapter 6: A Yearly Interval
Science Fantasy Sex Story: Chapter 6: A Yearly Interval - Set after the events of Gabatrix: The Batrice Crisis, humanity launches an expedition to establish contact with the unknown alien race known as the Venermax. However, Doctor Theron, the lead scientist behind the mission, has vanished. It will be up to the Doctor and his friends to solve the mysteries laid forth as Theron tries not to perish in hell itself. Story contains: Sci-fi, Future, Drama, Survival, Action, Light Horror/Psychological Thriller, Human/Alien(s), M/F, Sex, Love, Interspecies
Caution: This Science Fantasy Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Consensual Fiction Mystery Science Fiction Aliens Space
“How is it that you’re so big?” Gemma’s voice could be heard, echoing in the distance.
“Heh...,” Theron replied. “I should be saying the opposite ... you’re growing up so fast...”
Theron’s eyes opened. From his single bed, he quickly shifted out of his blankets, tapping the button to turn on the lights.
Another dream ... the man remembered the similar darkness ... the familiar haze ... familiar nightmares ... yet, there was a sense of comfort in the eeriness. The darkness felt like an ally, a reminder that things could alter quickly. Meanwhile, Gemma’s voice would only soothe that dreariness, a symbol of whom he had to protect.
Where was she?
The more he tried to put more thought into it, the more the information escaped him. Eventually, there was almost nothing to remember.
Theron shook his head, rubbing his eyes and reminding himself where he was again.
A year had passed. The memories of everything that had transpired were a blur. The trip further west, escaping the ravages of Rapid City and every decaying city as civilizations collapsed, holding out in various places in military communities, hoping and assisting the construction of the domes, it almost seemed like nothing now.
The small room was smaller than the studio apartment he used to live in years ago. There was just enough space for another bed where Gemma would sleep. There were no tables, just a simple cabinet and a few hangar hooks for holding clothes. There wasn’t even a restroom available. They were little more than rabbit hutches for the humans.
It all had to be built quickly, so quickly that rumors persisted. Corners had to be cut. Basic facilities were available only to the group and not to the individual. Essential comfort was at a premium.
But it was life and a roof over everyone’s head.
Theron stood up from his bed. He only wore his boxers. Gemma wasn’t present, most likely attending school.
The artificial air of the dome’s environment had run its course. The man was used to the daily routine. Work would begin in a couple of hours. His tablet, sitting by his bed, showed that it was a little past 8 am, before his alarm would go off.
Theron walked over to the cabinet, seeing the clothing hooks that held the makeshift survival outfit they had worn a year ago on their way to this makeshift sanctuary. He quickly pushed it aside as he reached over and grabbed his jeans and t-shirt.
“Another day...,” Theron said to himself. He began to put on his clothes. It was a Friday. The man knew that the elected mayor of the dome still respected the concept of a weekend off.
It didn’t take long before Theron put on his clothes and shoes before heading out.
The door of his room slid open to reveal a large lobby. The enclosed interior of the massive rectangular facility consisted of tables and chairs. Restrooms and bathrooms were allocated to various sections of the area. People, dressed normally in typical civilian attire, were attending to their daily lives, getting something to eat, talking with others, or taking care of their daily needs. There were a few display TVs scattered about. A few basic robots would also help out with others.
There had to be almost ten thousand personnel alone in each of these massive cut-out rectangular square blocks. Construction could be heard in the vast distance as more compartments were being built to handle the constant influx of refugees moving in ... survivors trying to handle what nature had thrown against them. It wasn’t the only dome building in the area. If anything, the structured settlements were only being expanded upon in random areas throughout the world. The emergency programs in building them had mostly worked ... at least on paper. Fresh air was continually pumped in from the vents. Crowding was ever-present as people bumped into each other as they walked down the long paths. Long lines would persist at the admin and medical alcoves assigned to each area. However, food lines seemed to be marginal, with the exception of the busiest hours.
Theron looked around. He stepped out from the closed door, leaving behind his room, along with the countless neighboring similar rooms beside and above him, with overhangs where more people walked around. The sounds of constant overlapping voices were there. However, a voice could be heard in the distance, one that Theron instantly recognized.
“Dad...,” the man replied. He walked forward and saw an older, bald man, scarred, wearing plain civilian clothes.
His father was sitting at a polymer table with a tray of mostly eaten food and a small cup. There was another seat ready, in which Theron sat down with him.
“Morning, son...,” the older man said to him.
“Morning to you, Dad,” Theron replied.
“Ehh ... you’re not getting breakfast?”
“Yeah, I will, just waiting for the lines to slow down. Besides, I don’t report to work till 10.”
“Nah, nah,” he took his fork and pointed it at him. “That’s not how you’re going to impress your manager. You come in early, and you work, work, work.”
“I’ve already proven myself to Dome 4. They aren’t going to fire me.”
“You so sure about that? They’re just going to start making more robots to replace you.”
“That’s illegal, Dad.”
“It was ... with everything going on right now, it won’t take much for the laws to get amended and changed. Then, you’re a waste of flesh...”
“They haven’t gotten rid of you, though.”
“Just because your mother is being medically treated doesn’t make me invalid. I still have plenty of life left in me. Doesn’t stop me from working at the hydroponics facilities.”
Theron nodded. “ ... How’s mom?”
“In and out, son ... The only problem she really faces is having enough water. Sure, we might have the cure to Cancer, but they don’t tell you that it can dehydrate you.”
“Ugh...,” Theron shook his head. “That isn’t going to help with our water supply situation.”
“You’re trying to say your mother is going to suck out all the water here?”
“No ... that isn’t what I mean. What I mean is that I heard that more water rationing is going to take effect soon.”
“More? Where did you hear this?”
“Just rumors...” The man leaned forward onto the table. “We can grow our food ... find medicine ... but the fresh water is becoming rare.”
Theron’s father didn’t seem so convinced. “Are you sure about that? You’ve become more of the pragmatist ever since the Orange Muck.”
“Yeah, because society is collapsing around us ... billions dead now. What do you expect?”
The father shook his head and waved his hand at him. “Nonsense ... we might be reaching the end, son, but it isn’t time to give up on faith. Things will get better, they always will...”
Theron sighed. “I wish that were the case, but having to escape from the mad, bandits, looters, and a dying environment changes you.”
“Hmmm ... I disagree. Besides, the environment seems to be on the upturn. There hasn’t been much of the muck rains, if any, in the last five months. It’s safe for us to leave outside.”
“But the water is tainted beyond belief. Half of the wildlife has been wiped out, entire species extinct, with half of our forests reduced to charred stubble. I know what’s in store for us and it ain’t good.”
“Eh ... you’re worrying too much,” the father dismissed him. “Gemma certainly has changed you, hasn’t she?”
“Changed me? Dad, I’m just looking out for her.”
“I know you have ... been a good father to her.”
“I don’t look at her as some father ... guardian ... caretaker...”
“Hmmm ... You might be looking things downward, but look at it this way. God is watching out for us, son. Look all around you. You’re alive ... not many people survived with their families, Gemma included. But when we saw your truck pull up to the RV lot outside of the Dome Construction yard, I knew a miracle had happened.”
“Yeah ... I remember.”
“I can’t tell you how much it’s done for us ... your mother included. I’m pretty sure if you’d died from the rains, I wouldn’t have had a wife anymore ... She’s choosing to live because she has hope again. We might be at the end times ... we might be facing the apocalypse, but knowing you’re alive ... I feel like I’m going to live forever.”
“Thanks, Dad...” He smiled at him.
“Look ... I was thinking of asking if you mind if we took Gemma off your back, but I’m starting to get an idea that separating you two would be more catastrophic for that little girl.”
“Yeah, I don’t know why ... But I just ... feel like I have a purpose in life in safeguarding her. My only concern is the current authorities. There’s been no direction except just build and survive. It’s become our religion. The fact is ... this whole Dome thing looks good ... like a paradise plan for the worst, but it’s only working because of external factors ... not the Domes’.”
“Hmmm ... and what is that?”
“The water is our problem. We can recycle most of it, but without fresh water to replace what’s being used up, we’re not going to make it.”
“They’ll find a way to overcome the muck.”
“And the next wave of water rationing?”
“A minor inconvenience. I can still take a quick shower every few days, hell, for the first time in weeks, we can actually walk outside without protective gear to take a shit as God intended us to be. Besides ... despite the horrible losses, there’s less demand on the resources ... the environment will fix itself. It always does.”
“Yeah, well, today I’m on ‘scavenger detail.’ We’re starting to become vultures ... circling carcasses.”
“At least you have a job that’s keeping you busy. If I were a little bit younger, I’d take your job in a heartbeat.”
“Dad, you’re 60.”
“And it did nothing for me when the wife and I got a splash of that poison in our bodies. Nearly killed your mother and me? ... Well ... I’m lucky I can still walk...”
It was a constant reminder to Theron. He looked around and saw the various individuals. Despite the lack of current deadly rainfall, the damage was done. Some people were alright, but the scars remained. The muck’s destruction affected everyone differently and to varying degrees. One woman was missing an arm, likely going to get a mechanical prosthesis once the resources became more available. Another man would cough and hack continuously, not due to a cold, but actual lung damage due to the vapors that burned his airways. A little girl, not much younger than Gemma, was walking with her mother, completely bald. The muck had poisoned her system so much that without modern technology, she would never grow hair ever again. In some aspects, Theron considered himself lucky that the damage to him and Gemma was negligible, at least on the surface. Theron’s father seemed to see his son pause and look around.
“Of course...,” the older man continued. “If they really want to play stupid, then our government will do it...”
“Ah ... man, not again...,” Theron replied, putting his hand to his chin.
“You know that they’re talking about sending more ships to Mars? Every time they get done talking about how bad things have become, the next topic that comes out of their slimy mouths is about setting up more colonies on Mars. They can’t get enough of putting their feet on the moon. They have to go to Mars now? Those oligarchs only care about moving their fat asses off this world after they get done wrecking it.”
“It was everybody’s fault ... why worry about people that’ll never hear you. Besides, every time I heard someone call out environmentalism in the past, they just got a nice paycheck instead. You had constant scammers that would rile people up and rake them of their hard-earned cash. Either that or they sat out in the road and blocked traffic for miles, ignoring all the garbage that lay beside them. For every person who gave a shit, there were 10 others playing make-believe. I remember even the college students yawning whenever it was brought up. I’ve heard it over and over again, Dad.”
“And look where it got us? My point is that they’re talking about abandoning Earth. Our resources are dwindling, and all they want to do is keep expanding to other places. They’re ignoring the problem and just letting it happen. Where are they going to go?”
Theron sighed. “Away from the muck ... at least if the rumors are true...”
“Away from this? Nah ... You don’t just tuck tail and run away just because things get rough.”
“And the fact that you came here? You could have stayed at home and tried to bear out the muck rains, but you fled.”
“I fled with your mother because she was in poor health ... she’d be dead by now if I hadn’t done anything.”
“And you think the people trying to look at Mars aren’t doing the same thing?” He paused. “Look ... I don’t disagree with you. I think more needs to be done around here, but ... I think they know something we don’t...”
“Of course they do. They watch half the population of Earth die in a year, and they write off the planet. People turn on each other.” He pointed his finger at him. “Then, they quietly slip away as everyone fights for the scraps. Meanwhile, Waterville DC becomes their nice little haven for them ... wait it out.”
By now, the rumors had become all but true for Theron. Waterville became the new great sanctuary of the US, possibly for the world. Throughout the planet, the great cities had faltered, reduced to gangland slums as the survivors fled with their lives. Local administrations had crumbled and been replaced by warlords. The militaries tried their best, but without viable supplies of fresh water, they all but assisted others in their escape, leaving the cities to their inevitable fates. The buildings were becoming memorials for the endless dead that resounded there. It was no man’s land. Even the dome authorities had all but warned the local population to never venture there. Whatever the US was prior to its 2nd Civil War, the major cities struggled to hold out. Now, the Orange Muck had become the final straw.
“Yeah...,” Theron said to his dad.
His father relented. “Yeah, you’re right, son. And here I was trying to keep your hopes up...”
“You always try to look at the positives ... except when it gets to politics. You like to vent on them...”
“Damn straight. Those politicians can go to hell. You just keep an eye out for yourself and that little girl ... that’s all that matters...”
Theron could see his father give a solemn smile to him. He had to admit that his father meant well. Theron turned to look at the lines.
“Well ... let’s see if I can get a meal...”
It was an hour and a half. Theron stepped out of the massive side doors of the dome. A transport truck left along with him and proceeded down the dirt road towards the main highway in the distance.
The outside environment was strangely adequate. The Wyoming countryside was mostly flat, with slow-rolling hills near the almost endless highway. Despite the arrival of the deadly muck rains, the grass was slowly recovering. While it wasn’t green, it hadn’t been reduced to dirt and mud. The location by the highway made a perfect candidate for the massive dome structures to be erected. There was still constant activity, the ever-present sound of large VTOL aircraft hovering near the facility, either dropping off supplies, construction material, or providing construction assistance to the robots and workers who continued to expand the facility at an ever-constant rate.
However, there seemed to be less attention focused on construction, and less activity in general. The sounds of laser drills, jackhammers, and other working tools were generally less than in the previous several months.
The toxicity level was down to near zero, allowing Theron to dress in civilian attire and green coveralls. On his side belt was a filtration mask, along with an empty holster. He also wore a mostly empty backpack. He was approaching a group of men, at least 16 in total, who also had backpacks, similar filtration masks, and empty holsters. Theron was among the last of the men to get in line.
The group of individuals looked upon a single man, a person with a hardened, pale complexion and a rather thick chin. A mostly unknown, Theron’s manager was a more no-nonsense sort of man. Behind Theron was another member of the scavenger team, a lanky individual who might have looked like a man with a mixed complexion. His almost feminine face showed the hint of apprehension.
Theron turned to look at the man as they continued to walk forward.
“Elicio?” Theron addressed him.
“Theron?” The man’s voice was light. “You’re working in this?”
“Yep ... been doing this for a few weeks now. I’m surprised to see you a part of this.”
“ ... You are?” Elicio asked.
“Yeah. Scavenger duty isn’t exactly pleasant. You just signed up for this?”
“ ... A huh ... is it ... dangerous?”
“Ummm ... it’s a job...”
It was the best answer Theron could give him. He knew his associate might have “volunteered” for this assignment, but it wasn’t without its hazards. The two got in formation to overlook their manager. The hardened man finally addressed everyone as he pulled out his tablet.
“Alright, listen up!” the manager yelled, causing the other men to fall silent. “Looks like we got some new people in our group, so I’ll introduce myself to everyone. My name is Calum, Survival Coordinator Calum, to be more exact. If you’re here, then you’re here to do one thing and one thing only: find shit that’ll keep Dome 4 Operational. Elicio, is that your name?”
“Yes ... uh ... yes,” Elicio replied.
“Have you been cleared with firearms, including the M33, Protector, Cagar J-Frame, and Rygar Genisen N1?”
“ ... The Cagar J-Frame...,” Elicio said.
“You?” Calum asked another man.
“Yes,” the other person replied without hesitation. “All pistols...”
“Good ... for all others, I know your faces well enough. If you’re working for me, then your goal is to secure vital supplies to keep the dome at peak operation. Even if what’s left of the federal government and the remaining state governments are still providing supplies to our domes, that can change at any time. Right now, we’ve been clear of the Orange Muck rains for over two months. As you can see...,” he gestured to the countryside. “Things are looking mighty fine right now. We might be given some breathing space, but the fact is that can change at a moment’s notice. Weather reports believe that we’ll have another heavy rainstorm in 9 days. Chicago Base Alpha reports that Orange Muck rain will return ... possibly in full force in another few days.”
“A ... shit...,” one of the men said, hearing the news. “Are you sure they aren’t fucking up with their reports as usual?”
“This time it sounds real. Last several months, the muck diffused itself over the countryside, but it never left. There are more pockets of heavy pollutants in the atmosphere. It’s making one hard slurry ... likely to smash what’s left of Moscow and Beijing once and for all, once it starts back up again. I don’t know about you, but if you signed up for overtime, then now is the time. I enjoy not having to wear extra shit on me when scouring the wastelands.”
The very thought of hearing another refer to Earth as the wastelands was jarring for Theron. However, it was becoming a reality. With the mass die-off of animals, trees, and plants worldwide, desertification was spreading. If the orange muck rains returned in full force, it wouldn’t help the survivors’ situation or their predicament.
“For the newcomers,...” Calum explained. “We’ll make it easy on you today. We’ll be heading back to the neighboring city of Gillette. Other teams from Dome 3 have reported possible water supplies in one of their bottling plant warehouses. Our goal is to secure the water and return it here. As you can see...” He pointed to the adjacent dome structure. “Our hydroponics has been established, and we’re providing food for ourselves. We and the Idaho Domes have been the first to get our own farms established. We can’t depend on the government to sustain us. We must look out for ourselves. In ten minutes, we’ll be heading on a V-45 Raptor and making our departure. From there, we’ll be dropped off in the heart of Gillette. The V-45 will remain on standby as we scout the area and take what we can find.”
Theron seemed to acknowledge this as a typical day in the scavenging business. Whatever couldn’t be transferred to the domes long ago was left behind when the muck began to wipe out the local populations.
“Before we depart,” Calum continued. “We’ll be splitting into four teams with me as your team lead. Drones will be dispatched as usual to help provide overhead aerial recon. You’ll be given your pistol, an additional magazine, and an MRE pack. In case the air toxicity levels reach Level 2 or above, you have your masks, but we’re expecting a clean day. If you cannot find this ‘secret stash’ of water, then you’ll do your normal errands ... go house to house, store to store. What are the top 3 most important things to find?”
“One,” most of the men said. “Water ... Two, medicine, three, guns and ammunition.”
“In that order. The water on your backs may be enough to save a life, the medicine alleviates the lasting pain a person has, the third, to arm ourselves against the unknown...”
“Ummm, Calum,” Elicio said. “Is scavenging ... stealing? I mean, I know a job is a job, but what if we encounter others? What if we take from them?”
“I’ve been on this job long enough. Most of those who didn’t flee from the muck rains are long dead or have already fled to the dome constructions. Most state governments have given the provincial domes the green light to begin salvaging anything important from the cities. However, I won’t lie when I tell you that you may find wayward survivors here and there. It’s a day-by-day basis with this job. It’s why you’re being armed. Judge each situation differently. If they need help, offer assistance. If they seem like a threat, avoid them. If they seem like a ‘Muckmen’ ... terminate them ... trust me, you might be doing them a favor.”
Most of the scavenging team seemed to acknowledge the term that was dropped. Many didn’t appear to be afraid of it, but it was something that Theron knew about all too well. Elicio had no further questions as Calum pointed at the dome.
“We’re making good progress,” he explained. “The World Health Organization and Research Division reports on upgrades to our water filtration systems. It’ll help filter out more of the orange muck from our systems. Assuming that our environment doesn’t get worse, our society will pull through, and we can start rebuilding the countryside again. The water reclamation units work well, but the fact remains that no matter what, the water needs to be replaced at some point. With survivors always pouring in, the need for clean water is paramount. It’s more important than anything. I don’t care if you find a half-canteen of water that looks like it hasn’t been used in years; preserve it at all costs. Due to the dangers of this job, the dome administration has agreed to raise your wages. For the weekend volunteers, you’ll be given overtime pay and other bonus subsidies.”
It was a good job, something that Theron knew was mostly worth it. If anything, the salvaging business was becoming the most booming business on Earth in the last several months. If anything, there were already rumors of entire companies springing forth of bands of salvagers, roaming the countryside. While controversial, most of the remaining societies considered it more than worth it. Survival at all costs. However, it wasn’t for the faint-hearted. Theron already knew it when he looked at Elicio. The rookie wasn’t ready for it.
“Alright,” Calum said. “We move out...”
Inside the cabin of the V-45, the aircraft’s quiet side-mounted propellers spun with ease and simplicity. Flying over the landscape, the military transport was a common aircraft of the US. It was large enough to ferry squads of troops, move supplies, serve as a logistical platform, be electrical without the need for nonrenewable fuel, and serve as gunships when needed. While some of them were old, they never lost their usefulness.
For Theron, he was ready for this. He sat in one of the 30 interior side-mounted seats. The inside compartment was easily large enough to handle 12 metric tons of cargo. Besides the scavenging team, there were two basic worker bots that could handle moving items. The interior volume was present as the teams spoke with one another. Elicio sat beside Theron while the two shared stories together.
“I’m surprised to see you working for the scavenging teams,” Theron said.
“I ... felt like I needed some fresh air,” Elicio replied.
“More like your wife wanted you to do something else, right?”
“It was ... I felt comfortable working as the clerk, but I think the mayor didn’t like me very much.”
“Really? You’re weren’t bad with your job, though.”
“I know ... I tried to voice my opinion, but he asked me to... ‘work in other jobs for a while.’ I don’t know if I’m fired or not, but ... my wife felt inclined to agree...”
“Man, Elicio,” Theron remarked. “You let them both run you over?”
Elicio said nothing at first before he continued. “You know what’s going to happen, right?”
“Pretty much,” Theron replied. “This is my 4th trip with the scavenging teams.”
“You worked in construction for this whole year.”
“Yeah ... not exactly the best thing I ever did. Working from a car salesman to construction duty wasn’t exactly my best choice.”
“They didn’t let you work in clerical work?”
“When there’s more people to do office work compared to other jobs, what do you expect?”
“Was the job easy?” Elicio ask.
“Construction? It sucked ... especially when you’re put at the bottom of the crew pool and having to slowly train for it. But, ... I was getting better over time. A few of the panels on that dome are some of my handiwork.”
“Ah ... yeah, it does suck. What made you choose scavenging?”
“I didn’t ... the first time I ‘volunteered,’ it was a little bit like your position, but ... I don’t mind it, actually...”
“Damn ... with a doctorate’s degree, I’m surprised they didn’t hire you as a scientist or physician or something...”
There was a long pause as Theron seemed confused. He almost gave a hard look at Elicio before he continued.
“I ... graduated with a Bachelor’s degree...” he said, correcting Elicio. “Was the most useless degree ever ... I just got into marketing instead ... that was how I became a car salesman.”
“Oh ... I’m sorry,” Elicio said, shaking his head. “I must have been thinking about somebody else ... forgive me.”
“ ... Don’t worry about it,” Theron relented, nodding his head. “You have a lot of things you’re thinking about ... heh ... I wish I was a Doctor...”
“Is it really as dangerous as it sounds? Scavenging?...”
Theron finally nodded. “Yeah ... it is. 1st time was easy ... mostly found food and ammo. 2nd time, though ... we had a ... muckman attack our team ... jumped me from the rubble. I tried to shoot the guy, but my teammates shot him first.”
“It’s really true then?” Elicio asked. “The muckmen are real?”
Theron nodded. “Yeah. I don’t know how it’s happening, but some of the people who got hit by the rains didn’t die. They were driven mad. They’re insane, but the environment still hurts them. It’s like ... they’re more basic instincts kicked in, like they’re zombie scavengers. Some are coherent enough to speak and try to preserve themselves, but other times, they’re raving lunatics. Usually, you can tell them the moment you see them. Other times, they’re already dead, melted by the rain, starved to death, or died of dehydration. They’re a threat, which is why we stay in teams, but they aren’t too much of a threat.”
“You ... don’t seem so convinced of that.”
“My concerns are the lack of muck rains. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that we’re getting fresh air and the toxins have died down, but it’s also going to cause the muckmen to venture out of hiding now. They’re just ... unpredicatable ... if you see one of them try to threaten you or hurt somebody, just shoot them. They’re too far gone to be saved.”
“Shit...”
“Eh ... I wouldn’t worry too much about them, though. 1st time and 3rd time I went, we didn’t encounter them. It ... really depends on where we are and the conditions at the time.”
There was an overhead comms system that echoed in the aircraft’s cabin. It was a female voice, the pilot of the aircraft.
“We’ll be reaching our landing zone in less than two minutes,” the woman said. “Deploying aerial drones...”
Outside the aircraft, the V-45 VTOL dropped two multi-propellor units from the wings. The drones’ propellers immediately spun up and took flight, attempting to keep up with the aircraft.
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