Episode 18: Troubled Waters

Elle Franklin made her way down into the bowels of the Ganthorian starship. Joining Colonel Jack Ramse and Army Pilot Cameron Scott in moving scattered debris around their indoor lagoon it seemed like it was a daily ritual. The sheer size of the basement as she called it was the size of a football field or more. Technically they could find anything in this swamp. Hopefully no more damned Komodo dragons that could turn invisible. Those were definitely not the life of the party.

Reaching the time displaced soldiers like herself she noticed the two men moving large metallic tubes that were empty of whatever contents used to be stored in them. Tubes that hadn’t been salvaged when they were makeshifting water troughs for the Kansas cowgirl Greta Winston and her herd of cattle.

“What are we doing fellas?”

Jack nudged her aside with his hip as he and Cam carried the cylinder to a prime location for a worthy bathing possibility. Setting it down Jack sized up the area. Flashlights recharged thanks to the boy genius James Ian Pryce they could see somewhat where they needed to be. In the case of Jack his enhanced body thanks to an alien healing bug called a Weaver his eyesight adapted to the dark surroundings. Even Elle’s eyes, transformed into diamond like facets had enough stored solar energy in them to brighten up her day and Cameron’s by emitting a tender glow. Cam? He held his flashlight in his teeth until his load was on the ground.

“Hey beautiful!” Cam smirked at the ebony. “Or should I say, hey, bright eyes.”

“I can live with both. Fill me in Colonel.”

“We might cut these metallic tubes into bathtubs once James swabs them for health reasons. You got enough solar build up to cut these in half?”

“Maybe! Once I cut those final solar panels down, I was able to look up through the windows directly at the sun coming in. We’ve got so much more light upstairs now. Things are feeling more like a home than a crypt.”

“Job well done, Sergeant Gemstone.” Cam winked at her playfully.

“Thanks! Sophia just informed me that she ate shit and didn’t die.” Elle grimaced over the reality of her food source. The men following her reaction. “That sexy thing is just ruining her reputation.” Cam shivered over the gross imagery.

“At least she’s doing her part.” Jack sighed heavily! “That appetite her little friends have comes in handy. We have a personal trash compactor.”

“I swear if she starts drinking our piss like beer, I’m out of this time zone.” Cam chuckled! “Knowing the little... “ He wanted to say slut but chose to evade the title in front of Jack. “ ... tease, she’d get off if we took a piss on her. Sorry guys but you know it’s the truth.”

The three smirked amongst one another until they heard footsteps approaching. Behind them from the stairwell down came the ranking Colonel Ruby Goddard, alone now that she had sent her ward James to his private lab to do more research. He had given her a set of swabs and sanitized test tubes to store them in.

“Catch.” Ruby hurled a tube at Jack. Catching it with swagger he uncapped the tube and removed the swab. Together they swiped as deep as they could reach into the steel tubes. Which meant roughly three feet at arm’s length.

“Want me to split them open so you can reach the other end?” Elle offered!

“Let’s make sure your solar pupils don’t create a chain reaction. If they have explosive residue in them, we ruin our humble abode.” Jack recommended!

“Smart! No wonder you outrank me, Jackson.”

“After Sophia’s stunt we don’t need any more surprises.”

“Right! I know I certainly don’t need microscopic roommates that eat shit for dessert.” Cam chuckled! “Not my idea of chocolate mousse.”

“I don’t want to know.” Ruby rolled her eyes! “Speaking of surprises. James found an onboard armory. It looks promising weapon wise. Want to hear the real shocker?” The trio shared nods expecting the unexpected. “We have rabbits running around.”

“Oh, yeah! Rabbit stew for dinner. Bugs Bunny buffet!” Cam rubbed his belly. “Acme snares in that arsenal?”

“Hold on there, Elmer Fudd.” Ruby shook her head! “Like everything in this crazy place there’s more to these critters than just being cuddly bunnies. These little guys can walk right through solid objects. Intangibility James says. They can glow too.”

“Yeah! I’ll skip the stew.” Cameron hissed! “Anything that can walk right through my stomach isn’t filling enough. Glowing could mean radioactive for all we know.”

“They’re friendly. Two of them came right up to us. Recall my stomach pains? One of them touched my belly and the pain left just that fast.”

“Healers like me now?” Elle cocked up eyebrow.

“So, it appears. I have James looking into them. We know so little about this ship I suggest that we need to let James do his own thing. We have enough able bodies to clean house here while he does.”

Jack frowned at Ruby, knowing the boy was susceptible to goofing off. “Okay! Take these swabs back. If he gives us the go-ahead Elle can split these two tubes down along the sides into four tubs. We can fashion more hoses into filling these and draining the water back out into the lagoon there. Then we figure out some way to heat the water up.”

“I hate to be tied down to hot water duty, but I bet I can increase my solar powered arm into a heater. It would probably only take a few minutes.”

“In a pinch.” Jack approved! “We can’t expect that of you every time. Offer is appreciated in the meantime. Cam? Go take a break.”

“I could use a cigarette. I’m going to head outside and check on Malcolm.” The pilot took his leave. Ruby followed closely behind while he had his flashlight to see by.

As she walked away Jack narrowed his eyes toward Ruby. There was something different about her demeanor. Something that calmed his thoughts on how he sexually mistreated her a while back. His behavior still nagged at him even though he pushed it aside most times to focus on the positive. Nodding at his rambling thoughts he returned to moving debris alongside Elle. Things were gradually becoming uniform and looking presentable.

Outdoors, Malibu Malcolm Brand had changed his attitude about the solar shielding. Instead of discarding it into a makeshift junkyard he chose to build himself a sun shelter. There was enough darkened glass to shade him should he slumber during the day. Not easy to position due to its curvatures he utilized scrape metal from surrounding seafaring vessels and built a framework that suited his needs. At least it was cooler, and it would protect him should predators arrive unexpectedly hoping to catch him off guard as he slept.

“Looking good Buddy.” Cameron stepped inside the shadowy enclosure. Offering Malcolm a cigarette Mal put up a palm to say he gave up the habit. Cam was glad he declined; his nicotine reserves were running low.

“Naa! Thanks anyway.”

“Feeling better? I’m still recovering from this curse thing you’re suffering from.”

“I don’t let it bother me now. Curse maybe, but at least it’s a survival kit knowing I can outgrow most enemies we encounter. Strength and all.”

“Our hero!” Cam smirked! “Maybe I should go find me an apple too.”

“Your choice but I don’t recommend it. Not that I feel sick anymore. I ate the core so now it grows inside my belly and constantly keeps me energized. There’s no signs of weakness since I ate it whole.”

“Apple a day keeps the doctor away. All banter aside, I’m glad you’re okay after that.”

The two men shared a respectful fist bump, even as Cameron noticed that in his normal size Malcolm’s skin was much denser than it was. Just that one fist bump made Cam wince and shake his fingers as if nerve endings were agitated.

“James tell you what Maddy and I discovered?”

“That kid steers clear of me. He knows I still don’t trust him.”

“I think he’s okay.” Mal pondered! “You recall those strange runes that show up on me as I grow?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, Madigan touched each of them. If you can believe it, she actually turned back to her human form. Flesh and blood for a few minutes after. Each rune had a different effect on her. Nothing ever lasted long though. She kept turning back to her ghostly state.”

Cam drooped the cigarette between his lips out of awe. “Holy!”

“I know. James came outside walking his dog and saw things. The kid read my runes with these collars we use to translate lingo. Each rune had a specific meaning. A different form of existence. I’m not sure why they’re on my body but I want to know more. Maybe I can tap into these runes to use as a power if needed.”

“That’s some crazy shit.” Cam muttered!

“Ain’t it? I’m going on a salvage run with Maddy and Sophia come morning. I think I’ll experiment while I’m out there. I figure the three of us can protect ourselves pretty well.”

“Speaking of salvage. I’m going to head inside and find our mad scientist and see if he’s looked over that book and sword we brought back.” Cam crushed his cigarette butt under his boot and started to turn away. “Oh! Ruby and the kid ran into ghost rabbits inside the ship. Found an armory too. I’m going to go check out our weapon cache.”

“Bring some out. We can try some target practice.” Mal chuckled!

“Sounds good. See you in a few.”

The remainder of the day led to cleaning house further. Once Jack and Elle got the results of the swab testing back Elle set about dissecting the tubs. Jack realigning hoses he had salvaged set out to transfer water from the pond to each tub. After the filtration system made the water sanitary things were looking up. He and Elle worked well together.

“Everyone should be able to bathe tonight before bed.” Jack informed! “Buddy system just in case.”

“I am so ready. Those few dives I made battling beasties felt great but I’m tired of smelling like fish.” Elle tugged at her shirt. “These rags could use a bit of liquid Tide and Snuggles the bear. I’m thinking we splice another tub to do laundry in, see if there are some supplies in this town to call detergent.”

“Not a bad idea. I’ll head up and give you privacy. Go ahead and grab a bath.”

“Are you sure? You would systematically be called my buddy”

“Belay that order, Sergeant. You’re tough on your own.”

“I am at that.” Elle smiled, saluting Jack then taking her shirt off before he had even turned away. “No disrespect, Jack! Just in a hurry.” None taken! Jack honestly didn’t mind a nice rack, half crystal or not. Hissing Elle realized that she didn’t even have any soap. Dressing again she followed Jack upstairs to grab her personal necessities. Fresh clothing, towel, washcloth, bar of Zest she had salvaged from the plane’s deceased passengers after their crash.

Passing by Ruby in the corridor she stopped cold and backed up to keep pace until Ruby herself came to a halt.

“Hey! The bathtubs are ready. Grab a towel and let’s soak.” Now the buddy system meant something.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” The ladies had the same agenda, retrieve their hygiene products. Her items in hand Elle then walked to Greta’s room and knocked on the cowgirl’s door.

“Bathtubs are ready Greta.” She repeated herself. “It’s girls’ night. Come on down and get squeaky clean.”

From behind the door Greta Winston had isolated herself until her invisible shoulder had returned to normal. Looking herself over good she decided that her body had returned to its visible appearance. A bath certainly sounded good.

“Let me fetch a towel.” She uttered with uncertainty. “I’ll be down in a bit.”

Elle fidgeted at the woman’s tone. She didn’t sound her usual self. Normally she was bubbly and full of life. Maybe the shocks of late were getting too her. Elle and Ruby would have a long talk with her while soaking.

After a bit of alone time up in the ships flight deck for peace and quiet Jack followed Ruby’s earlier directions to the armory. There he discovered James and Cameron sorting through weapons and explanations of firepower. Jack was amazed by what he found.

“We have definitely got to go through every inch of this boat.” Cam rallied his emotions toward Jack. “Toys! Toys! Everywhere!”

“I couldn’t agree more. Any sign of our rabbit invaders?” Jack looked around him.

“Not yet. I did read up on them though. As you know the Ganthorians were into hybridization. These rabbits are kind of hard to explain.”

“Try.” Jack took interest.