Chapter 19: Black Star Prime

There were fatalities. Many fatalities. Not just injuries ... not just lawsuits ... but dozens of deaths that could not be erased. A force of Militiamen was sent to exterminate the test subjects. All my work, everything I have strived for ... it’s all gone.

“We’ve arrived,” said Éclair as she brought the ship about.

What Ryan saw on the viewscreen filled him with apprehension. Black Star Prime already seemed foreboding enough from space, and Ryan didn’t fancy a closer look. The planet was almost completely gray with no signs of oceans or vegetation. A cold, rocky surface covered a seemingly lifeless planet. Instead of white clouds, patches of green mists peppered the world like liver spots. Black Star Prime had been dead for a long time; the Parasites had polluted and twisted its surface for years like a cancer.

I am detecting a large concentration of Infected Asteroids gathering to orbit the other side of the planet, said North. They are blockading the atmosphere, but I don’t think they have detected us,

“If they do blockade the planet, can we sneak past them using the cloak?” Éclair asked.

I believe so. They do not appear to have any more of those black creatures accompanying them this time.

Éclair and Ryan sat quietly with the viewscreen in front of them. Neither one said a word for the longest time. Then Ryan sighed. “Well, no use beating around the bush. Can you pinpoint Graf’s signal?”

“North?” inquired Éclair.

Searching, said North Star into Ryan’s head as well. When I initially tracked the signal, it originated outside the planet’s atmosphere. But now it seems to have changed positions.

“Where?”

According to my data, from within the planet itself, answered North Star.

Ryan laughed bitterly. “That fits with the luck we’ve been having so far.”

“North,” said Éclair in concern and confusion. “How can a starship be inside the planet?”

Unclear, mistress, said North Star, a bit of puzzlement seeping into her robotic voice. However, I am detecting a large cavern within the planetoid’s interior near the northern pole. The opening appears large enough for a vessel to enter. I suggest a pursuit course.

Éclair turned to Ryan, as if asking permission. Seeing her silent plea, Ryan took hold of her hand and nodded. Éclair inhaled deeply.

“Proceed, North.”

The image of Black Star Prime became much larger as the ship made atmospheric entry. As they approached the dead world, North Star passed through the exosphere with only a slight jostling of the cockpit thanks to her shields. When they pierced the veil of the troposphere, the viewscreen became green with mist swirling all around them. The green cloud was so thick that Ryan couldn’t see the planet’s surface. He wondered if it were a natural phenomenon, but the shade of the mist reminded him of the poison of the Parasites.

“What is this stuff?” Ryan asked. “It looks like a giant fart cloud.”

Éclair hesitated. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“Éclair, you know it freaks me out when you make that face. Just tell me and get it over with.”

“I think,” started Éclair warily. “I think this is the gas I’ve heard that Parasites expel.”

“Expel? You mean this stuff is coming out of them?”

Éclair nodded slowly. “When Parasites gather in large enough numbers, they expel a gas from their lungs that slowly changes the planet’s atmosphere to suit their needs. It’s ... it’s their version of terraforming, I guess you could say.”

“Is it dangerous?” asked Ryan, though he had already guessed the answer.

“It consumes all forms of moisture and vegetation on a planet. Any living creature that comes into contact with it will eventually become infected. Though, I’m sure North’s shields will protect us ... at least for a while.”

“So how many of these buggers do we have to look forward to?”

“From what I’ve heard, it takes hundreds of millions of Parasites to affect a planet on this scale. Though, given the fact that this is site zero of the very first infections over a thousand years ago, there are probably at least billions of them down there.”

Ryan felt his blood go cold. “Okay, I’ve changed my mind. I wish you hadn’t told me. Do you think you might try lying to me every once in a while? I feel like I’d be better off not knowing crap like that.”

“Well, now we can suffer in the knowledge together, I suppose,” said Éclair with a nervous smile.

“Share everything, right?” joked Ryan, though hardly feeling humorous.

As they continued to descend to the planet’s surface, Ryan finally saw something other than green fog. They had ventured low enough that they could see the ground from a couple hundred feet up. The gray, rocky surface appeared jagged and sharp, like the scales of some monstrous beast. The desert of gray earth zipped by below them as North Star loomed over the planet with silent engines. Ryan expected to see Parasites crawling all over the surface like on the asteroids, but none appeared. Though perhaps not so surprising given the creatures’ subterranean lifestyle. As the North Star continued her search, she seemed to slow somewhat as the landscape became less blurry. Then ahead, Ryan saw a gigantic, black ... something. Whatever it was, it was much larger than North Star, perhaps even larger than most capital ships. It took Ryan a moment to realize that it was a massive dark hole in the ground, making a diameter of several miles. North Star came to hover directly over the hole.

“Don’t tell me,” said Ryan sardonically. “He’s in the big hole in the ground.”

Confirmed, said North Star. My readings indicate that the signal is emitting directly below us within the tunnel.

“I told you not to tell me!”

Oops! Did I freak you out again?

“Well, at least this way, we don’t have to dig our way to him,” commented Éclair with a strained sigh. Looking up, she said, “North, is the cloak still functioning?”

Confirmed. Since entering Black Star Prime’s atmosphere, I have restored the cloak. Furthermore, all signs indicate that we have lost the trail of our pursuers a few planets back. Current readings suggest we are undetected.

“And can you maintain the cloak if we descend into that pit?”

Confirmed.

“Then by all means,” said Ryan, motioning downwards with a wave. “Let’s go into the giant murder hole. It’s not like we haven’t had experience with pits.”

Éclair went stiff as a board and her fair skin went even paler. Her lip quivered slightly in shock. Ryan hit himself for his insensitivity.

“I’m ... I’m sorry, Éclair,” said Ryan, rubbing her shoulder soothingly. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sure this isn’t going to be like the pit.”

“You’re right,” she responded in a shaky voice as she patted his hand. “This is probably going to be much worse.” She inhaled sharply through clenched teeth. “But what choice do we have?”

Ryan shrugged. “Live as cowards with Grafael’s ghost haunting us for the rest of our lives.”

Éclair narrowed her eyes to slits at Ryan in a disapproving glare.

He smiled warmly at her. “Take us down.”

Éclair nodded and typed commands into the control console. “Take us down, North. I’ll help with the descent.”

Acknowledged: now descending into murder hole.

“North,” said Ryan dryly. “We need to talk about your deteriorating sense of humor.”

What do you expect after listening to you for a month? I was bound to pick up bad habits from you flesh bags. I’m just an innocent, impressionable spaceship, after all.

Ryan chuckled. “Okay, you’re improving.”

“Settle down you two before I have to separate you,” Éclair added with a small grin.

The ship plunged into the abyss. As they descended into the tunnel, it felt like nothing less than being swallowed by a gigantic monster. In Ryan’s mind, the planet itself had come alive to devour them, ship and all. No one mustered up the will to joke anymore as the darkness closed in all around them. Through the viewscreen, Ryan could still see a few meters ahead of them thanks to the lights emitted by North Star as they glided down the cavern walls. However, vision became ever more impaired as the shadows of the cave now mixed with green gas. Ryan had no idea how North and Éclair managed to navigate safely through the gaseous darkness, but they did so with little incident. The cave wall zipped slowly over Ryan’s head as they went lower and lower into the earth. Soon, all signs of daylight vanished as they delved for miles underground.

Ryan chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s kind of like ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’. Except it’s not Earth, and I’m pretty sure we’re not going to the center. And I’m pretty sure those guys didn’t have to deal with legions of worm monsters and zombie slaves.”

Éclair said nothing as she continued typing commands into the console. Ryan decided not to distract her further. She was integrating her sensing abilities into North again. She needed to focus on the task at hand or risk a collision with the cavern wall. After more than an hour of tunnel diving, a warning yellow light flashed across the console. Éclair flinched back, slightly startled. By the look on her face, one might think that someone had just stabbed her in the back.

“That’s not good, right?” asked Ryan in concern. “The yellow lights aren’t good. Come on, talk to me. I don’t have y’all’s ... uh ... connection thingy.”

“It means we’re losing power,” explained Éclair, her fingers racing across the controls.

Confirmed, mistress, acknowledged North Star. We are at 25% energy capacity and dropping.

“Can you ascertain the source of the energy drain?” asked Éclair hurriedly.

I believe it is due to the green vapors exhumed by the Parasites. The toxicity of the gas is much denser within this cavern. My engines are eroding and clogging from the built-up pressure. The deeper we go, the greater the pressure. I expect a full engine shutdown within ten minutes should we continue. We must ascend upwards to a cleaner atmosphere.

Ryan growled softly to himself as he considered their options. Éclair bit her lip and folded her hands together. She squeezed her fingers so tightly that her knuckles popped. Éclair then bobbed her head against her fists repeatedly as she grasped for answers. Ryan wanted to comfort her in her distress, but he thought it best just to let her think for now.

“How far down is the signal?” she asked.

I am not certain with all this interference, said North Star. My readings suggest at least another fifty miles. Perhaps deeper given the magnitude of this tunnel.

Éclair turned to Ryan, searching for counsel. Ryan wanted to ask her to turn back for her own sake. Even if it meant leaving Grafael to his fate, he wanted to protect Éclair at all costs. He knew that’s what Grafael would’ve wanted, too. But Ryan also knew that Éclair would never forgive herself if she left now, nor Ryan for that matter.

“Do we have some sort of environmental suits to protect us from the poison?” he asked.

Éclair nodded.

Ryan drew in a deep breath. “Then we can make it. Let’s continue on foot.”

I would strongly discourage such an undertaking, mistress, said North urgently. It was perhaps the first time that the ship sounded frightened. My maker entrusted me with your care. I would be remiss in my duties if I allowed you to leave my protection.

“North, is the cavern wall stable enough for you to latch onto it with your magnetic rails?” Éclair asked calmly.

I will not endanger your life any further, mistress. I am charting a course back to the planet’s atmosphere.

“Answer the damn question, North!” Éclair snapped.

North Star remained quiet for a few moments. Nothing could be heard except the quiet whirring computer noises that emanated throughout the ship. Then in a hesitant voice, North said, I believe so, mistress.

“And if I command you to do so, you will not refuse a direct order from me, correct? Zanderius built you to follow all my commands to the letter should I be in a sound state of mind.”

That is ... correct, mistress.

“Then do it, and prepare the prototype Psionic Armor as well. We’ll continue on foot from here.”

Acknowledged, mistress, said North Star reluctantly.

Ryan’s bond with North Star had increased since he boarded the vessel. Like Éclair, he could start to feel the vessel ... know her mood and her thoughts. Right now, North Star was in emotional turmoil. Ryan could hardly blame her. She literally existed for Éclair’s sake. If Éclair died, what purpose would North have left?

The North Star moved to the cavern wall very slowly. Ryan thought they might turn sideways in order to latch onto the wall vertically, but there was no need. North Star had no bottom or top, so any part of her could be used as a dock. With a slight boom! the vessel hit the cavern wall and the viewscreen went dark.

“Are we secured, North?” asked Éclair.

Confirmed, mistress.

“North,” said Ryan. “Since you’re not moving, do you think you can regain some of your energy back?”

There is insufficient solar energy within this tunnel to make a full recovery, but I will do my best.

“Good. I’m sorry that we’ve put you through so much.”

There is no need for an apology. I live to serve the Hamashe line.

“All the same,” said Éclair, putting a hand to the hull and rubbing it tenderly. “Thank you, my friend. Thank you.”

A buzz of pleasure emanated from the vessel as a flash of green light rippled through the white walls. Ryan had lived with North long enough to realize that she was happy because of the compliment. You are quite welcome, mistress.

“And,” started Éclair, seeming slightly ashamed. “I am sorry for getting a little testy with you earlier.”

Again, no need for an apology, mistress. At least not from you.

“Hey,” exclaimed Ryan. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Now preparing prototype Psionic Armor, said North Star, ignoring Ryan’s question. Ryan knew she was just messing with him, but he still felt slightly put out.

On the wall directly behind them, a white panel slid out to reveal a coat rack. Éclair hopped out of her chair and Ryan followed as she examined the newly revealed compartment. On the coat rack hung two suits of full-body armor. The suits were identical with expressionless facemasks over the helmets, black glass eye slits, and slick metal plating lined over black leather. The suits were mostly all black with small lines of orange glowing symbols lining the plating like tiger stripes.

“I read from the databanks that these are the newest models of Psionic Armor created by my godfather for our personal use,” explained Éclair. “They’re designed to adapt to the user’s individual needs and preferences. Once you’ve bonded with the armor, it will take on the shape and style you desire.”

“Cool,” said Ryan, reaching out to touch them.

Éclair swatted his hand away.

“Hey!”

“Let me finish explaining first. Once you touch the armor, it becomes bonded to you.”

“Oh. So, what does that mean, to be bonded with ... clothing?”

“The suit will disintegrate and reassemble itself over you, but that’s not the important part. What is important is that you maintain a steady stream of psions throughout your body when you’re wearing the suit. These suits are powered by your own psions. That’s why only Elementals can use them. So long as you maintain a stable flow of psions, the suits will protect you from the gas. But if you should run out of psions, the suits will lose power and you’ll be left helpless.”

“Okay, so don’t run out of psions. I think I can handle that.”

Éclair went to the wall beside the Psionic Armor. She clicked a few buttons on the wall, and out slid another panel no bigger than a drawer. She reached inside and pulled out a gray leather pouch.

“That’s also why we’ll be taking these.”

Eclair tossed him the sack. He found pink glowing crystals inside ... dozens of them piled tightly within the pouch. It had been a while since he’d seen such a large stockpile of Sun Gems.

“I’m not taking any chances this time. When we go out, we’ll have a full supply of Sun Gems, armor, and weapons.”

“Man,” commented Ryan with a whistle. “These babies would’ve really helped when we were marooned on that first planet.”

“And that’s not all,” Éclair said as she motioned to an identical sack she held. Unlike Ryan’s sack, hers had a small silver cube inside with the Sun Gems.

“What’s that thing?”

“Remember Dr. Lanchester?”

It took Ryan a moment to recall the memory as he bumped a fist in his hand. “Oh, yeah. Rachel’s nerdy dad. He said he was going to upgrade our weapons when we got back.”

And get me flaming chainsaws.

“If you recall, he said he’d been working on a new form of portable forcefield generators that incorporate Light Elemency. My godfather left me a message in North’s databanks. It turns out that he was Dr. Lanchester’s collaborator on the project. According to the schematics, this device can generate an energy shield specially designed to keep out Parasites and Infected. Though this one is only a prototype, so we won’t be able to move it once activated, but I imagine it will still be useful.”

Ryan took Éclair’s explanation in stride with a brief nod. So Zand has even been in cahoots with Rachel’s dad. Who doesn’t that guy know?

“And these things?” Ryan asked, picking up a small golden pendant in the shape of a small flame. There were several in Éclair’s bag with the Sun Gems.

“Environmental shields from the Fire Ministry. They create a low-energy field around a single individual for a miniaturized artificial atmosphere. They don’t offer much protection against physical attacks, but they can allow a person to breathe and function normally within a vacuum for a short time. If Grafael or his shipmates need to travel through the gas, this will help if they don’t have enough spacesuits handy.”

“Spacesuits without the suits. Neat,” commented Ryan as he put the pendant back in the sack.

After closing her sack and strapping it to her belt, Éclair then reached out and touched one of the suits. The armor disintegrated at her touch, dissolving into a black fog. The fog enveloped Éclair, sliding over her entire frame. Black-plated armor materialized over Éclair’s body, spreading over her like a fungus. The armor then shifted, shading from black to white as it appeared around Éclair’s flesh. When the transformation was complete, Éclair stood in front of Ryan in a tight-fitted white metal suit that outlined her figure like a second skin. Starting at the shoulders and going down the arms, torso, and legs were glowing runes of blue energy traced throughout the armor. Éclair’s face became hidden by a white face plate, the eye slits glowing blue. Two wing-like protrusions appeared over her ears with long, elegantly curved white feathers. Her long, silver-gray hair appeared out of the back of her helmet like it had with her old Psionic Armor, cascading down her shoulders. She looked like a Valkyrie from Norse mythology with her angelic armor and wings on the helm.