MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)

Samantha and Tre’ race across the docking bay floor towards the scream. They pass several of the ominous docked crafts that have been dormant since the encounter with the Seconds hundreds of cycles ago. Tre’ notices that a few have open portals but keeps moving towards the cry for help.

Just as they pass the seventh and last ship, they see Pleytus lying face down on the floor. A puddle of blood is forming around him. He moans and makes slow painful movements. A dark monstrosity stands above him. Tre’ moves in closer, slowly circling the black haired behemoth.

Samantha can only stare in shock. Seeing a Colony unit for the first time was disturbing, but this creature fills her heart with terror. Her mind screams at her to run, but the horror of the scene commands her to stop. She is frightfully paralyzed. Never has she witnessed such raw aggression and savagery. The sight of a Second or “the Raugnot” as Tre’ had referred to the species, causes her to feel small, insignificant and helpless. Unable to run she unconsciously kneels down making herself appear smaller. A vain attempt to hide herself from this beast.

It is twice the mass of a human. Its biological form is similar to those of the extinct grand primates of her home world, although this creature has six muscular limbs, each which can serve as either arm or leg or hand or foot. The alien moves about like a giant spider. Its body is covered with dark bristly hair. There appears to be a hideous face hiding in that dark fur. The sounds it makes are wet and carnivorous, like a roar and a snarl at the same time.

There is a seventh appendage that is operated from the middle of its back section. The thick tail like limb is equipped with a large spiked talon at its tip. The appendage is twice the length of the creature’s body. It moves the tail swiftly back and forth with skill.

The spiked tail weaves and snaps as the beast positions itself and calculates its next attack. Samantha is uncertain if the talon is a natural feature or an attached weapon, as the creature wears sections of red armor in places on its body and limbs. There are what appears to be weapons attached to some armor pieces.

Pleytus cries out and makes a clumsy move. The beast taps its talon on the floor’s surface all around him, keeping the man from crawling away. Tre’ shifts around the beast, looking for an opportunity to attack.

Samantha could never before have envisioned him to be a warrior, a soldier or defender, he is much to peaceful and docile to warrant those qualities.

At the moment, Tre’ is unaware of her impression of him. The instincts of the Colony dictate his actions. His normal thought patterns have become silent. Generations before him have defended the Colony. Their memories and experiences shout at him. He must protect and defend. He will attack this threat against the Colony and his friends. He will subdue this enemy.

The Commander focuses on Pleytus, looking for a way to reach him. She is only a short distance from him. Can she reach him in time? The pool of blood is spreading further across the floor. The beast is in motion and not watching her. It is keeping its attention upon the small creature which circles in an offensive stance. She is ready to make an attempt, even though she fears that it may be too late for her colleague. Pleytus may already be dead.

Tre’s quick movement allows her the chance that she sought. He is flying through the air, feet first aiming toward the creature. Samantha loses sight of Tre’ as she rushes toward her wounded crew member. She hears the thudding sound of Tre’s collision with the beast. She lifts Pleytus and begins running away from the battle.

The beast roars. She shifts the limp body across her right shoulder, still moving forward. Samantha hears another heavy thud but doesn’t turn to look. The creature’s reply informs her that Tre’ has struck again.

The Raugnot quickly recovers from the assault that this small frail being attempted. The beast watches its attacker and prepares to make an offensive move. Its tail lashes out causing Tre’ to jump and roll out of harm’s way. The beast is impressed with its opponent’s speed. It anticipates breaking the small creature’s body. It will feast upon this opponent’s flesh.

Tre’ has reviewed all memories of the Colony’s encounter with the Seconds. He understands the alien’s biology. He understands the being’s abilities. He knows where to strike this opponent to achieve the greatest effect. The beast is strong and swift. Tre’ must strike faster, and with greater precision. He must use the Raugnot’s strength and confidence against itself.

The Commander approaches the crew straining under Pleytus’ weight. Zaque sees her, and begins running towards her. He yells at the other crew members “Medical emergency!” Samantha almost collapses as Zaque lifts the weight of Pleytus’ body from her.

Zaque looks over her shoulder at the strangest sight, Tre’ is flying through the air. His eyes grow wide as he sees a dark monstrosity reaching forward to strike its opponent. Never has he witnessed such a scene of terror. The creature dwarfs Tre’ in size. Zaque notices movement behind the battle. There are two other beast lumbering forward and they carry long blades.

“Run!” Samantha screams and breaks Zaque’s stare. He looks at her and understands. She is screaming at him.

He shakes his head “Yes!” He turns and grabs her hand. They run toward the others, further from the battle.

Regnoh helps them lower Pleytus to the ground. Chrystoya kneels beside her wounded crew member. She begins checking him over and cries out, “Nothing! There is nothing that I can do for him, he’s gone! He’s dead!”

“What happened, what injured him?” Regnoh demands as he looks across the docking bay area and sees the commotion. His complexion becomes pale. He looks at the Commander and then Zaque. “It’s the Seconds!”

The Commander orders, “Zaque, get everyone to the Garguth! We will take shelter there! Leave Pleytus here for now and move! Hurry! Get to the ship! Everyone!”

Tre’ calculates his next move. He crouches low to the floor. He can sense the creature’s position and stance. It is weaving its tail, ready to strike. As the beast commences its assault, Tre’ pounces up from the floor. The tail is moving straight at him. He runs toward it. He leaps forward as the beast releases the full length of its tail.

Tre’ ducks and avoids the spiked tip and grabs the tail with both hands just below the talon. He swings himself up and wraps his arms and legs around the tail. The beast holds its tail up at full length, raising him even higher. His feet are above the creature’s body. The beast swings and shakes its tail rapidly, but Tre’s grip is secure. He begins to slowly slide down the tail, moving closer to body of his foe.

The Raugnot’s head is well protected. It is a flat squared skull residing between two limbs. Tre’ knows that on either side of its skull is a soft place of tissue, a socket in the bone that allows the neck-less beast to move its head. The soft tissue covers veins which feed nutrients and oxygen into the creature’s brain. If Tre’ strikes it precisely, in least effect it will cause severe pain. Maximum effect and the beast will be rendered unconscious.

He is almost in position to execute his strike when the beast swiftly draws the tail in closer in an attempt to discard him. Tre’ looks down and locates the beast’s head. He releases his grip and drops upon his foe. His feet hit their intended marks. As the Raugnot drops to the floor, Tre’ springs away and lands on his feet. He sees two other beast approaching and they carry weapons. He starts running towards them.

Regnoh leads the way. He drags Chrystoya behind him with one hand. Velmana follows with the Commander pushing at her when she slows pace. Zaque brings up the rear of their troupe. He had picked up a large metal tool without even thinking about it. It just suddenly appeared in his hand. The power and aggression that he has witnessed has him fearing that death is imminent. He is prepared to defend his friends.

The crew approaches the ramp of their ship and hear a rush of air as a figure jumps down in front of them. The beast descends from above. A Raugnot blocks their path to safety.

After a slit second assessment, Zaque is the first to move. He begins running and shouting. “Stay still and let me draw its attention. As soon as it pursues me, get in the ship! I’ll lead it away, and try to circle back!”

The beast is motionless for just a moment. It stares at them all in anticipation, then moves its head to follow Zaque’s movements. It takes the bait and begins to pursue the little running creature.

It doesn’t move as a human would or even a Colony unit. It orchestrates a galloping chase. All six limbs move the body in a collage of rolls and jumps. It seems to be a blurry stream of red armor and black fur.

With a now clear path, Regnoh leads the crew up the ramp. The door controls have been damaged. It will not open.

Regnoh shouts “Give me a minute, I’ll get it open!” He starts to tear away the outer cover of the door panel.

“Hurry!” Velmana whispers.

Samantha allows him to work and looks around to locate Zaque. He is staying ahead of his pursuer and has almost reached the apartments. Hopefully the dwellings will offer some protection from the monster that pursues him.

Velmana screams! Another beast has dropped down from above. It was on top of their ship. This beast holds a long blade which it waves back and forth. Its spiked tail is raised above the body and moves and snaps with serpentine quickness. It weaves itself slowly towards them. Samantha thinks it is taunting them, attempting to cause them to flee, to run, that it may pursue them. This creature hunts for sport.

Zaque is short of breath, but is keeping ahead of his pursuer. He formulates a plan of action as he runs. He considers several options and then chooses one. He directs his path towards his work station. Some of the ship’s parts that he was servicing are laid there on the bay floor. He slows his pace down enough to kneel and grab one of the long cooling fluid rods. The large metal tool he still carries in his other hand. He continues to run and heads toward the open space of the docking bay floor. The beast is gaining on him.

The crew have their backs against the sealed portal door. In front of them, the Raugnot stands. It has moved further up the ramp, its tail lashing out coming closer to striking them. The Commander focuses on the creature. She looks at it searching for its face.

The beast is almost upon Zaque when he turns to face it. Zaque throws the metal tool at the flat thing that he thinks is its head. His aim is sure and true but the creature catches the tool and discards it to the side. The tool clinks and slides away. The Raugnot makes an aggressive guttural sound. It sounds like laughter to Zaque.

The beast heaves its body into the air. It intends to land upon the small creature and crush it under its weight. Zaque backs away and almost trips on something. It's the cooling rod he still holds in his hand. As the beast comes down over Zaque’s body, he raises the rod as if it is a spear. Zaque loses his footing as the weight of his attacker takes him to the floor. The rod impales the beast’s body. Zaque begins to claw and fight against the weight of the dying beast that has him pinned down.

Samantha stares into the face of her attacker. She tries to locate its eyes, perhaps she can find a way to communicate with it. Near the top of the flat skull is a bulged horizontal line, it is creamy yellow in color. It reminds her of a skin tumor. Hundreds of tiny black spots move about in the yellow strip. This may be the creature’s sight organ. As she examines it further, the beast cocks its head toward her. Now she is being examined.

“Keep working on the door, I’m going to try something!” She orders and takes a few steps towards the beast. It stands still while it watches each moves that she makes. She inches her way closer.

Samantha raises her hands, palms open and speaks in a quiet and nervous voice “We are not your enemy...we are the Shi’ann... from the planet Earth... in a star system many light cycles away. We greet you in peace...” The beast raises it tail. It aims directly at the Commander. Samantha jumps off of the ramp and onto the docking bay floor. She will attempt to draw the creature away from her crew as Zaque did.

It pursues her. Its tail rakes across the floor tripping her as she runs. She is on her back pushing herself across the floor away from her attacker. The beast raises itself to full stance and prepares to strike. A blur of motion appears as Zaque jumps between the beast and its prey. He grabs the Commander and rolls across the floor away from the Second, just avoiding the swift strike of its talon. He helps Samantha to her feet. He stands in front of her. They move with their backs against the Garguth and are facing the alien.

The Second stands before them swinging the blade back and forth moving closer to its victims. Zaque cannot see a path to safety. He thinks aloud “This is it! This is how the mission ends! This is where we die!”

There is movement from above. Tre’ is falling down upon the beast. He appears frazzled and his garments are torn. There is blood and other stains on his face and hands. He holds long blades in each hand and strikes the beast on either side of its head. The weight of his fall gives strength to the weapons he welds, and they sink deep into the beast’s flesh.

The creature slumps down resting on two limbs. It releases a mournful sound. It appears its head is almost severed from its body, and hangs lifeless. Orange fluid flows from its fatal wound. It makes a gurgling noise as it struggles for breath. It is dying.

Tre’ disembarks from the beast then spins around to face the Commander and Zaque. He makes eye contact with Samantha. She looks behind him in terror as the dying beast raises its tail into the air. The tail lurches forward and its spike pierces into Tre’s back and exits through his chest.

Tre’ looks down at the tail end protruding from his chest. He swings both blades down upon the tail. The dismembered piece drops to the floor and Tre’ follows, his own life fluid gushing out.

Zaque and the Commander rush to Tre’s side. Samantha cradles his head while Zaque places his hands against the gaping wound trying to stop the flow of blood. Tre’ is slipping away.

Tre’s eyes search Samantha’s face. He desires to speak to her but cannot find the strength of his voice. He notices something above her. He raises a finger towards the two faint points of light he sees floating in the air. She raises her head to see what he is pointing at, but cannot locate anything. She looks back down into Tre’s face and realizes from his blank stare that he is dead. Numb, she feels only numb.

Zaque places a bloody hand on Samantha’s shoulder “He saved us! He died saving us!” Dark emotions settle upon them. For a moment the universe ceases to exist, and only the heaviness of pain, the weight of loss prevails.

Zaque is shaken from his shock by the sound of movement. He raises his head and views the developing scene. Danger is all around them. He stands and pulls the Commander to her feet. “Sami!” He shouts.

A dozen Raugnot are approaching from all directions. Some carry weapons. Others jump and roll moving closer to the crew. Regnoh shouts “Hurry! I’ve opened the door! Quickly, before they reach us!” The other crew members are already safe inside the confines of their ship.

Even as Zaque runs forward dragging his Commander behind him, he knows they can’t reach the ramp before the enemy is upon them.

Sounds are heard from the level above. Doors are opening and beings are flowing out. Hundreds of Colony units are descending upon the Seconds.

The Colony units leap down into the battle scene. Immediately the Raugnot begin engaging this new threat. The Colony units each wear a metal cylinder device on one of their upper limbs. A stream of white hot energy burst forth from the cylinders. Upon contact with the enemy the energy beams burn holes through the flesh and bodies of the attacking beasts.

The Raugnot are fighting back viciously, but cannot withstand the Colony’s onslaught. A few beast even strike at the Colony units, slashing body parts with their long blades. The Colony learned much from their first encounter with the Seconds. This time, no future threat will remain.

Within moments the battle has ended. The area is filled with the smell of burnt flesh. Puddles of orange fluid stain the floor in all directions. The Raugnot have been slain, every last one of them.

It is the morning after and the first meal is quiet. All of the crew are aware of the missing personnel. It is more than sadness they all feel. This mission has revealed so much discovery that this moment seems surreal, like a dream, like a nightmare.

The Colony has been communicating with the crew through the meal table’s projection screens. All remaining details and duties are completed. The Garguth is ready for its return trip to earth.

Once the crew begin leaving the table, Samantha announces to her first officer, “I need to speak with you, alone.”

Zaque sits back down.

The Crew have gathered just outside of the Garguth. They are conducting a memorial service for their fallen friends. The Commander had ask Zaque to lead the memorial. She did not feel she could perform the function with dignity. She still feels too broken. Samantha relies on the strong character of her First Officer.

Pleytus’ body has already been properly stored in the ship’s cargo section. He will be taken back home. His name will be spoken in the Hall of Sacred Words. His body will returned to the earth from which it came.

The Colony had taken Tre’s body back inside their vessel. The internal life unit was destroyed. His shell will be recycled. All they have of him now is memories. May he dwell forever in the Memory Chamber of the Colony. May they remember him when they find Paradise Prime. Samantha will remember him.

Zaque speaks words of duty, dedication and honor to commemorate his fallen crew members. The Sacred Words are recited.

Zaque is prepared to end the ceremony but feels he needs to say just a bit more about his crew members. “Pleytus was my friend and brother. We shared this journey into the unknown. His name and story shall be remembered.”

“Tre’ was...” Zaque pauses as his voice breaks. “Tre’ was more...He was more human than I.”

They have delayed their departure by two days. Everyone requires some additional time to accept the loss of their friends. Somberness and sadness has been a thick presence among the crew.

The dark cloud of emotion is beginning to lift. The remaining crew members prepare for their journey home. Zaque, Regnoh and the Commander test new equipment and perform system checks. Velmana tends to food storage and nutrition supplies.

After inspecting each suspension chamber, Chrystoya begins storing medical supplies. She also prepares the small lab in her apartment for one final mission procedure. Physical examinations must be performed on each crew member, before ship departure. Results of the examinations will be transmitted to the Shi’ann home world before the crew re-enters stasis.

The Commander is the last crew member to receive her examination. This does not cause the mission physician to perform the examination any less thorough. Samantha is tired from the day’s activities and only wishes for an evening meal, and some sleep.

Suddenly Chrystoya becomes verbally concerned. “What..is..this?” She rises from the examination chair and lifts an item from the instrument table.

Handing a container of liquid to the Commander, Chrystoya says “Drink up, I’m going to need another urine sample.”

“Oh come on Chrys, I’m tired and hungry. We can finish this in the morning before we launch home, can’t we?” Samantha begs.

“No, I’m sorry, I need to know now. Commander... it appears that you are pregnant.”

The second test proves positive as well. The crew gather at the table for one last discussion. Chrystoya begins, “Commander, I must be honest and bold in my recommendation. I suggest that we terminate this pregnancy. This is the safest choice we can make for you, for the entire mission. There is no way I can anticipate what will happen to you. There are too many unknown variables.”

“No,” the Commander answers. “This pregnancy must continue!”

Regnoh places a hand on one of the Commander’s, “Samantha, I agree with Chrys, we must keep you safe. I do not want to lose another member of my crew.”

“No, I agree with Sami!” Zaque says staring at the Commander. “This may be the most important pregnancy in the history of our species.” Samantha’s eyes reveal her appreciation for her First Officer’s support.

“Well then,” Chrystoya sensing the Commander’s resolve says, “Let us work out the details of how we will travel through space with an expectant mother.”

Zaque and Regnoh set at the pilots section as the craft begins to move toward the tunnel. All had decided that the Commander, in her condition, should refrain from normal duties. The floor around the Garguth lifts and begins moving towards the shaft opening, carrying the heavy spacecraft with its Colony enhancements. The craft travels swiftly through a dark tunnel.

The free floating Garguth now has view of the Colony’s vessel. Regnoh makes a gasp at the scene. The Colony vessel looks like a small moon. It appears to be a part of a planet. Its surface area is covered with rocks, ice, dirt and thick spreading vines. It is a cluster of planet material traveling through space.

The Colony begins to review Tre’s experiences with the Third’s crew. The Overseers relax their focus and marvel at new sensations. All units begin to experience the memories of Tre’. There is confusion, wonder and excitement. The Colony begins to feel life.