The Diomedian Chronicles: Phantoms

< The Diomedian Chronicles

The Diomedian Chronicles: Phantoms is a Novel/Transcript following the events of Scott and Archaon when they accompany a portion of Zana Squad to a derelict Quarian ship.

The events take place several days before the retaking of Earth.

To be ready for the upcoming battle, Prometheus squad has agreed to exchange Alliance system upgrades in return for military armaments. While Scott and Archaon perform their duties, a derelict Quarian ship sends intermittent distress signals prompting Zana Squad to send a recon team.

When they return with the news, Sharon asks Archaon to accompany the team and provide them with his expertise. While others need to prepare for the upcoming battle for Earth, Sharon organizes a 4 woman strike force with Greer and Archaon as support.

Once aboard the Quarian ship they must fight a horror they cannot see.

Prologue
''[Space. In view are thousands upon thousands of stars; each different in shape, size and color. A large star ship comes into view from the right and makes its way to the left. It is large in depth and approximately three miles in length. The front of the ship has a large spherical dome.]''

[As the vessel slowly rides out of view, it approaches what appears to be an Earth-like moon, but its large Jupiter-sized Venus-looking planet in the distance orbiting a binary star lets us know this is another star system entirely.]

''[Inside the ship, a long corridor is empty, silent and lit normally. The shower room is empty, but clean and polished. The mess hall is also clean and polished, its tables and chairs are set out in perfect precise order, but it too is empty. A staircase is lit by the overhead lights as it exits into a tunnel that is long, wide, tall and runs as far as the eye can see. A row of carts hooked up to each other sits patiently on a small electrical track which runs through the tunnel.]''

[In the cockpit, voices can be heard over the intercom.]

[Hysterical male and female voices screaming in the background can be heard.]

[Loud metallic thumps and thuds can be heard.]

[A gunshot rings out.]

[More screaming.]

[Inhumanly screeches and hisses.]

[More blood curling screams.]

[Our view does not explore the interior of the room, but instead our sight is locked onto the computer.]

''[Screen. The Computers voice speaks out overhead via speakers.]''

Ship VI: Course interrupted, Alien life form detected in scientific compartment. Course altered. New course in collision with nearest astral object. Proceed to the emergency escape pods.

''[In a corridor, a female Quarian is running for her life as the ship’s VI repeats the message. As she runs she looks back only to see fog at the end of the corridor. Not looking in front of her, she bumps against a door, scuttles back on her feet and frantically pushing the knob to open. The fog creeps closer. Slow, methodical footsteps are heard and a figure can be seen. It’s head, shoulders and elongated fingers twitch as it moves forward, whispering growling sounds.]''

Female Quarian: [frustratingly] C’mone!

''[The door finally opens and she spurts inwards only to stop halfway through the door. Feeling pain in her stomach, she looks down to see the monster’s horrid fingers have stabbed through her abdomen. The creature clenched it’s fingers and tugs the Quarian into the fog. She holds tight on either side of the door, yelling and screaming, faintly crying. A slender hand wrap around her helmet, shattering the glass with its might. Smoke obscures the view as we hear her scream… One last time.]''

Three weeks later

''[Space. A shuttle breezes by bearing a blue multi-clover logo. Inside, Bethany is on the helm.]''

Bethany: We’re almost there...

''[As they continue on, the shuttle is nearing the Earth-like moon orbiting the gas giant, only this time the moon isn’t lush green. They’re seeing the dark side of the moon. Bethany stops the shuttle. Alongside Bethany sits Nadia, who’s acting as the co-pilot.]''

Nadia: Why did you stop?

''[Two more women enter the cockpit. Julia and Annabel.]''

Bethany: Well, according to my instruments this is the signal’s last known location.

[The girls look outside, but see nothing.]

Julia: What exactly are we looking for anyway...

''[Just as Julia ends her sentence everyone looks on in awe as a huge spaceship comes from around the dark side of the moon and into the visible light. The spaceship comes back to life as it hits the light from the binary stars.]''

Annabel: I think that answers your question.

[Monitors at the helm beeps.]

Bethany: I’m receiving the signal again.

[Julia looks on at the ship, staring at it.]

Julia: I guess we better contact the Arine…

''[NCSV Arine. In Archaon's quarters, Archaon is packing a suitcase as Siani T’Nair watches with a sad smile.]''

T’Nair: I can't believe you're already leaving. You’ve only been here for a day.

Archaon: [smiling sympathetically] I'm sorry, miss T’Nair, but everything is done here. Greer just finished checking and prepping all the armaments for travel and I’m done upgrading your systems. Besides, we really need to get going, the assault to retake Earth is only 4 days away now. And remind me to thank Sharon on Gwendolyn’s behalf, she’s been wanting an M-13 Raptor, but the Alliance is a little… “undergeared” at the moment.

T’Nair: [confused] Doesn’t it strike you as a bit odd that the Aegina isn’t here yet?

Archaon: Knowing Marachuk, he’s probably taking his time.

T’Nair: Your commander doesn’t seem to be an ordinary commander.

Archaon: Indeed, he likes to bend the rules a little. He sees himself as the Dirty Harry of the modern era.

T’Nair: Can’t say I’ve heard of that person.

Archaon: [chuckles] it’s not a person. It’s a movie. One of his favorites actually.

[The doors to his quarters open and Emmanuelle Sharon walks in.]

Achaon: [closing the lid of his suitcase] Ah, Captain Sharon. Just in time to lend us a hand.

Sharon: Actually, Doc, you're gonna have to delay your travel plans. Just got word from Captain Julia. They've found… something.

Chapter One
''[NCSV Arine. Cargo Bay area, Scott and Archaon are passing by several crates and working people as they talk about the current situation.]''

Greer: Where are we going?

Archaon: Apparently a derelict Quarian ship is broadcasting a distress signal. We don’t know how or why it strayed so far from the flotilla. I’m going with them cause they asked for my expertise, why they brought you along…

Greer: Suck it up Archaon, I don’t like this anymore then you do.

[Someone yells from a distance.]

Sharon: Doctor Thrax! Greer!

''[The boys stop and stare as Team Sharon approaches them. Sharon salutes Scott. He returns the salute.]''

Greer: Captain Sharon... [gestures at Archaon.] Everybody already knows Doctor Thrax.

Sharon: [introducing her team] This is Lieutenant Justine Marsters, Captain Julia Cerold and, of course, Siani T’Nair, CEO of Nairidacorp. She’s here as our field scientist and to oversee normal operations.

Greer: [Awkwardly] I didn't realize you, uh ...

Sharon: ... that my team was a bunch of girls…?!

Greer: [vainly trying to bluff] That's not what I was gonna say.

[Greer looks at Archaon with a "help me" expression.]

Archaon: [vouching for Greer] No! No, of course not.

Greer: [back to Sharon] But, you know, now that you mention it ...

Sharon: [looks at her team] Well, I was told to pick the best and the brightest. [grins at Scott] Funny how that worked out!

Greer: Funny. [He smiles, embarrassed.]

Sharon: [jerking her head in the direction of the shuttle] So… Shall we?

Archaon: Yes.

''[Scott nods in agreement and Team Sharon turns and walks away. As soon as their backs are turned, Scott and Archaon grin at each other and bump their fists together triumphantly before following the girls.]''

Chapter Two
''[Space. Nairidacorp’s shuttle breezes by, flying towards the Earth-like moon. At the helm this time is Sharon.]''

T’Nair: While on reconnaissance, Helmsman Bethany passed through this area when she picked up a low level distress signal. We were able to triangulate and get a lock on the signal and then follow it to this moon. The signal finally led us to this.

Greer: [looking out the windows] I don’t see anything.

''[As the shuttle passed the dark side of the moon and into the lush green side facing the suns, a ship comes into few. It’s slowly rotating around the moon, to close to break out of orbit, but too far to crash.]''

Archaon: [looks intently] Looks Quarian alright. Any reason why the distress signal is intermittent?

T’Nair: My best guess is that the primary storage unit is damaged. That’s why it has energy while in the sun, but the moment it’s behind the moon, the power cuts off, cause non was stored.

Archaon: [Poetically] So this ship, literally, has a night and day cycle.

[As the shuttle moves closer to the ship, they see another shuttle attached on the side.]

Sharon: What’s that?

Archaon: Looks like another shuttle.

Sharon: [Looking at Julia] Was that there when you found it?

Julia: [Looks confused] No, it wasn’t.

T’Nair: Maybe someone returned?

Archaon: Or maybe someone else found the distress signal… A scavenger, maybe?

Marsters: But if the exterior docking cradle is already in use how the fuck are we going to get inside?

T’Nair: Docking bay area. That’s where they house the fighters. I should be able to hack the system and open the docking bay doors.

Greer: [Stops Siani] Whoa, whoa whoa! Shouldn’t we knock first? Hacking their system might end up provoking unwanted attention.

Julia: We already tried that and we didn’t get an answer. After a scan we detected no life signs on board. No one’s there.

Greer: [points to the docked shuttle] Well, obviously there’s one now.

Julia: But do we risk it? Archaon said it himself, it might be some scavenger who found the distress signal. If we alert him of our presence, he might flee with information we need.

''[Greer looks reluctantly at Julia. The shuttle arrives at the ship’s bay door as it opens. They fly inside and settle down. T’Nair pushes a button on her console that closes the bay doors. Once closed, air rushing in can be heard.]''

Sharon: Alright, we’ve touched down. Everyone get ready, we need to find out what happened here.

''[The shuttle door opens and one by one they exit. Looking at the fighters still stored around the place. Archaon pulls up his omni-tool, after pushing a few holographic buttons a high frequency noise is heard. He turns on a holographic knob till the noise is at a frequency too high to hear. The result gives him a 3D blueprint of the Ship’s interior as the sonar moves further and diminishes in strength over time, eventually it fades.]''

Archaon: Alright, looks like the main control room is through this section here. [points] Get me to the control room and I’ll be able to get the ship’s audio and visual logs.

[T’Nair takes a closer look at Archaon’s blueprint and sees something moving.]

T’Nair: What’s that?

Archaon: It’s to fuzzy to make it out, but it looks like someone is wandering the ship’s laboratory.

Sharon: Let’s head there first then.

Chapter Three
[They continue walking and finally reach the entrance to the lab.]

''[They enter. There are several consoles around the room, and there are several large chambers along the walls which are lit from the inside and show the shapes of humanoids inside through the frosted glass.]''

Archaon: These look like stasis pods.

''[They walk around the lab. Scott looks closely at a broken Quarian mask hanging on the wall. Sharon blows dust off one of the console keyboards.]''

Sharon: Well, looks like the cleaning crew hasn't been around in a while.

[Marsters walks over to one of the stasis pods and knocks on the glass.]

Greer: Hey, Lt.!

Marsters: Sorry.

[T’Nair types on one of the consoles.]

Greer: And can we hold off touching stuff here? Last thing we need is for that console to activate some kind of booby-trap, all right?

T’Nair: It's all right. I've disabled the security protocols.

Greer: [Confused] You can do that?

T’Nair: [Confident] Oh yeah. I run one of the most advanced security firms in the galaxy, private Greer, bypassing Quarian protocols is a breeze.

Greer: Well, what've you got?

[Archaon is looking at the console.]

Archaon: Data recordings, audio logs, data related to this ship's experiments in this lab, also something about the Crucible project. This information could prove to be very valuable.

T’Nair: Going through all of this information may take a while, though.

Archaon: Right.

Julia: [To Sharon] Maybe we should go check out the living quarters?

[Scott overheard.]

Greer: What?

Sharon: Every Quarian ship has a large living quarters where they congregate, it’s basically the ship’s town.

Julia: We might find some information there, although it’s a few clicks away from the lab…

Marsters: It beats sittin' around here watching these 2 nerdgasm.

[Sharon turns to Marsters.]

Sharon: You’re right, Lt.

[She smiles at Sharon, eager to get going.]

Sharon: You're with them. [jerks a thumb towards the 2 scientists]

[Her smile fades into disgust.]

Sharon: Make sure they don't geek out too much, all right?

''[Sharon, Greer and Julia leave. Archaon turns to T’Nair.]''

Archaon: Nice job you did here.

T’Nair: [smiles] Thank you.

Archaon: Very nice.

''[He glances at her appreciatively, then turns and looks at Marsters. She rolls her eyes and turns away, sighing in exasperation.]''

Chapter Four
''[The Ship’s corridors. Scott, Sharon and Julia are walking up a bunch of stairs. By the looks of if they've walked up a bunch of them.]''

Julia: I didn't know Quarian ships had this many stairs... You know what I'd love right about now?

Greer: Let me guess: a beer.

Julia: [Chuckles] A Stana.

Greer: [smiles] I don’t think Quarians have stairlifts.

Sharon: Besides, this is good exercise: firms up your glutes and calves.

Greer: Oh, great! Couple more hours of this and I can skip my cardio funk workout.

''[Lab. Marsters is eating an energy bar as Archaon and Siani continue working on the console. Bored, she walks over to a stasis pod and knocks on the glass a couple of times. She turns back to the others.]''

Marsters: They alive?

Archaon: They're in stasis.

[She looks at him blankly.]

Archaon: [slightly annoyed] Their physical and chemical processes have been suspended but, yes, they're alive.

Marsters: So… can you wake 'em up?

Archaon: [slightly annoyed] Well, without the proper knowledge of their respective conditions, I'm afraid not.

Marsters: Hmm. Just gonna keep them on ice until you figure something out, huh?

''[Archaon looks uncomfortable. Unaware, Marsters continues.]''

Marsters: Well, I guess it doesn't matter to them -- or their families who've probably written them off. But, boy, that would make for one hell of a reunion, huh?

''[She grins. T’Nair coughs pointedly and glares at her. Marsters gets the message.]''

Marsters: I'm gonna check the perimeter. Holler if you need me.

[She leaves the room.]

T’Nair: [to Archaon] I'm sorry.

Archaon: You have no need to apologize, and frankly, neither does she. She's right: resurrections make for very interesting reunions, especially when the dead man had no idea he was dead to begin with.

[T’Nair looks both sympathetic and uncomfortable.]

Archaon: I'm sorry. What about you, Miss T’Nair?

T’Nair: Oh, please, call me Siani.

Archaon: [genuinely interested] Siani. Any interesting experiences you'd like to share? Encountered any dangerous predators?! Been cloned lately?!

T’Nair: [plays along] No! But in all fairness, I am new to the galaxy and I hear that cloning yourself is more of Matron thing!

Archaon: [smiles] Matriarch, actually!

T’Nair: [Smiles back] Oh!

''[They laugh. Just then, the computer tablet plugged into the console beeps.]''

Archaon: [looking at it] Oh. Hang on.

T’Nair: What is it?

Archaon: It appears to be the earliest version of a... Quarian-Volus hybrid.

[The console shows both Quarian and Volus physiology.]

''[Ship’s living quarters. Sharon, Julia and Scott walk into, what appears to be, the center of the living quarters. Metal floor paths connect the shelters while squares of grassy dirt reveal benches covered in dust and cobwebs. Some flowers here and there, withered and overgrown with weeds cause of no maintenaince.]''

Greer: [calling out] Hello? Anyone here?

[He sighs when there's no reply.]

Greer: All right. Let's split up, take a look around. Maintain radio contact.

[Julia looks at Sharon, who nods.]

Julia: [to scott] Yes, sir.

''[They head off in different directions and start to explore the living area, going into various rooms and finding them all deserted, dusty and strewn with cobwebs. Each room has a door in the middle with 2 big windows on each side. After a while, Scott speaks into his radio.]''

Greer: Julia, you got anything?

Julia: [over radio] Nothing on this end.

Sharon: [over radio] There’s moldy food all over the place, looks like they just… up and left during dinner.

Greer: Yeah. The question is: why?

''[He continues walking. Nearby, we look through someone or something's eyes as he or she or it watches Greer.]''

Chapter Five
''[Ship’s Lab. Archaon and T’Nair are looking at the computer tablet.]''

Archaon: Incredible. According to this, these earliest test subjects weren't technically Quarian-Volus hybrids. There are traces of augmentation as well, some organs replaced with more rudimentary circuitry. It’s like they tried to create reaper individuals.

T’Nair: [walking over to one of the stasis pods] Maybe that's why they discontinued this line of research. It proved overly ambitious.

Archaon: Well, no. According to this, the experiment was a success.

T’Nair: So what does that mean?

[Archaon walks over to join her and peers into the frosted glass.]

Archaon: Well, it means there's nothing we can do for them, because these things in here… aren't people any more.

[They both squint hard, trying to see the shape of the being inside.]

Marsters: Hey!

[Archaon and T’Nair both gasp in surprise and turn around to face her.]

Marsters: [chuckles] Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Just wanted to let you know: The ship is orbiting towards the dark side of the moon and since this ship’s energy storage unit is fried, it’s gonna get pretty dark, are we gonna make this thing an all-nighter or ...?

Archaon: No, [activates his headphones] Greer?

''[The living quarters. The someone or something is moving through the corridors, tracking Scott, but keeping hidden from him as he makes his way around. Scott walks past an open doorway of a room in which the whatever-it-is is hiding. The someone or something waits until he has passed, then exits the doorway and turns to follow him, only to find him sitting casually on some steps nearby pointing his rifle at it.]''

Greer: Hey there.

''[We finally see what it is that has been tracking him. It's a Quarian, he turns to run again, but Sharon and Julia are coming up behind him, weapons drawn.]''

Julia: Easy now.

Quarian: Who are you? Where do you come from?

Greer: Relax, we're soldiers. Who are you?

Quarian: My name is Lornis’Vytal Vas Tonbay.

Sharon: Well, Lornis, mind telling us what happened here? Where is everyone?

Lornis’Vytal: Gone.

Greer: Why?

Lornis’Vytal: I don’t know. I’m not from this ship. I did hear stories and I wanted to see for myself. It began about a month ago. They answered an SOS from a Volus ship requesting aid. They had been in a fight and were venting atmo. As gratitude for their survival they gave the people of this ship… something for the Crucible project. That’s when we lost contact. --

''[Scott waggles his gun at Sharon who gets the message and moves away to check the surrounding area. A moment later, Julia does likewise.]''

Lornis’Vytal: -- There was no reason for that to happen. No explanation except one: this ship was compromised.

Greer: Then why are you here?

Lornis’Vytal: I’m… [searching for words] on my pilgrimage, you see. I was in the area looking for something worth salvaging, but then I spotted your shuttle and I followed you to find out what you were doing here and, if necessary, to warn you, but then you left. So I figured you wouldn’t return.

Greer: Well, what can you tell us about this ship?

Lornis’Vytal: It is rumored to be a dangerous place, although the fact that you’re still alive would suggest otherwise… [afraid of asking] What did you find up till now?

[Just as Greer was about to answer, radio interference is heard followed by Archaon’s voice.]

Archaon: [Via radio] Greer, do you copy?

Greer: Don't tell me you're already done, Archaon?

Archaon: [Via radio] Oh no, far from it. We’ve downloaded some information into the tablets. We'd like to go over it this evening. Ideally we'd like to stick around -- possibly bed down in one of the living rooms if there's any available for us.

Greer: [Looks around a little] Ah, well, I think there's a little room here, yeah.

Archaon: [Via radio] OK, we'll join you then.

[Scott deactivates his headset and looks at Lornis’Vytal.]

Greer: Sorry about that.

Lornis’Vytal: I wish you the best of luck if you're planning to stay.

[He starts to leave.]

Greer: Whoa, whoa. We're not finished with this conversation.

Lornis’Vytal: [With dread] Once this ship reaches the dark side of the moon, this will no longer be a safe place. I must go back to my shuttle.

Greer: [reluctantly] All right, suit yourself.

[Lornis’Vytal leaves as Sharon joins Greer.]

Sharon: His story doesn’t add up. If he saw our shuttle why didn’t he warn us then? Why did he dock?

Greer: I’m afraid there’s something he’s not telling.

''[In the corridors. Archaon, T’Nair and Marsters are making their way to the living quarters. Archaon is trying to make small talk.]''

Archaon: So, Lieutenant, I hear you served with the Alliance Navy before transferring over.

Marsters: Yeah, but Nairidacorp had more of what I was looking for.

Archaon: And what was that?

Marsters: Bad guys who need killin'.

Archaon: Oh!

[He smiles ruefully at T’Nair.]

Marsters: The Milky Way just hasn't been the same since the Geth got their butts kicked at the Citadel. Everyone's gone soft. [changes the subject] Hey, the big guy, what’s-his-name?

Archaon: Greer?

Marsters: [smiles fondly] Yeah, he’s hot. I’d do him.

Archaon: [Slightly annoyed] Do you always approach sex so casually, lieutenant…

[He stops talking as Marsters halts and holds her hand up in warning.]

Archaon: [quietly] What is it?

Marsters: Thought I heard somethin'.

[She raises her rifle and scans the area.]

Archaon: What?

[She continues her scan for a few moments.]

Marsters: It's probably nothin'.

''[She starts to walk again. Behind her, Archaon rolls his eyes and sighs.]''

Archaon: [Whispers] Jeez…

''[He and T’Nair follow Marsters. Unseen by any of them, a tube on the wall slowly moves as it puffs some smoke into the air. The smoke puff falls and lingers on the ground, slithering like a snake.]''

Chapter Six
''[The exterior of the ship, its power fading as it orbits into the darkness of the moon. The team has set up camp in a random room, it’s dimly lit. Lamps and equipment are already in place should the power fall completely. The room is rather small, holding one door with only one big window on the left side looking into the corridor.]''

Sharon: All right, I radioed to the Arine saying we’ll stay here for the night. Strangely, the Aegina has still not contacted us.

Archaon: Well this is weird. I mean, it’s like Marachuk to be late, but not this late.

Sharon: I’ve asked my staff to contact the Aegina while we’re away. In the meantime, we're going over to the mess hall and find something to eat. You guys need anything, want anything?

T’Nair: [Sarcastically] Yeah. If you happen to pass any levo beverages, I'll take a grande triple sugar free vanilla latte.

[Everyone chuckles.]

Sharon: [smiles] No problem! [She looks at Marsters.] Lt ...

Marsters: [sighing] I'm babysitting. Yes, ma’am.

Greer: Be back in a couple of hours.

[He, Sharon and Julia turn on their flashlights and leave.]

''[Ship’s Lab. One of the stasis pods cracks open and mist billows out into the room as the pod opens fully.]''

''[Back in the room. Archaon and T’Nair are sitting at a table and are each studying a computer tablet. T’Nair sighs and rubs her neck.]''

T’Nair: Oh! I feel like I'm back in college studying for my mid-terms.

Archaon: [smiling at her] I know what you mean. Mind if I asked you how old you are?

T’Nair: 113.

Archaon: [smiles] Oh! So you're just a youngster!

T’Nair: [smiles back] Oh! Thank you!

''[They chuckle. Sitting nearby and reading a book she found in one of the cupboards, Marsters laughs at their flirting. They look round at her. She stops laughing.]''

Marsters: [holding her book up] I just read something funny.

[They look away again.]

Marsters: [pointedly] And really obvious.

[Archaon clears his throat in an embarrassed way and looks at T’Nair.]

Archaon: Anyway, as the CEO of a company, what brings you to the fringes here?

T’Nair: Well, you can just chalk that up to my sense of adventure: a desire to visit strange, unexplored worlds, meet new and interesting people ...

''[They both giggle again. Marsters rolls her eyes and sighs.]''

Marsters: OK, I'm gonna go check the perimeter. Be back in twenty.

[She puts her book down, goes to the door and opens it, then turns back.]

Marsters: [To Siani] Unless there's a sock on the doorknob.

''[T’Nair grimaces at her in horror while Archaon pastes a fixed smile on his face. As Marsters leaves, Archaon turns back to T’Nair and they both smile awkwardly.]''

Archaon: She's a character, that one.

T’Nair: Yeah!

''[The corridors. Scott, Sharon and Julia are walking along casually as the lights of the ship flicker and turn off.]''

Sharon: Well, there goes our power.

[Scott, Sharon and Julia are making their way through, lighting their way through a thick mist with the lights on their rifles.]

Sharon: What is this? Is there a fire?

[Scott takes a big nose breath.]

Greer: Doesn’t smell like smoke. Smells minty, probably just vapor. Julia, are you sure we're headin' in the right direction?

Julia: More or less. With this fog I can’t tell. Sure rolled in quickly…

[Sharon's light flickers and goes out.]

Sharon: Oh, damnit.

''[She smacks her gun to try and relight the flashlight. Scott's light also goes out.]''

Greer: Great. Mine too.

Sharon: Assuming the vapor's messing with the lights, makes you wonder what we're walking through.

Julia: Or breathing.

''[Scott raises a clenched fist at the distant sound of clicking. They all stop.]''

Julia: What's the matter?

Greer: I think I heard somethin'.

Sharon: What?

''[A shape rushes past a window of a nearby room. They all turn their rifles towards it.]''

Julia: OK, I definitely saw something.

[They look around cautiously in all directions just as Julia's rifle light flickers and goes out.]

Chapter Seven
''[The living quarters. Whistling quietly, Marsters strolls around and opens a door. The door leads to a corridor into engineering. She sees the reactor in the middle of the engineering bay and walks over the catwalk to it. Once there she looks up and down, as far as the light on her weapon permits her to see. The reactor looks tubular and goes from the top of the ship all the way down. She looks down and spits over the catwalk railing. About six seconds later it loudly hits the bottom, indicating that it’s a long drop. A moment later her flashlight flickers and then goes out. She smacks it a few times, but it doesn't come back on. She sighs.]''

Marsters: [annoyed] Are you for real? I just changed the fucking batteries…

''[She grabs a glow stick from her chest pouch and shakes it to make light. The ominous green glow from the stick doesn’t reach far although she is able to spot something on the ground nearby and steps down to look more closely. It looks like a doll. She picks it up and dusts it off. It's not the sort of doll you'd give to your little girl if you didn't want her to have nightmares: dressed in a rough fabric, the figure is carved out of wood, has an elongated forehead and its mouth is open in an expression of horror and anguish.]''

Marsters: Fucking… Creepy!

''[She drops it to the floor and wanders on, glow stick in front of her. Behind her, fog begins to billow up from under the reactor.]''

''[Back in the corridors. Scott, Sharon and Julia are still looking around cautiously. They’ve taking out their glow sticks and attached it to their rifles.]''

Julia: It's probably just some… Quarian pet or something.

Sharon: Just some Quarian pet that seems to be stalking us. What a relief!

Greer: Quiet! I heard something.

''[Something bursts out of a nearby room and runs towards them. They turn and aim their rifles at it, then realize that it's Lornis’Vytal.]''

Greer: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Sharon: Hey, hey, hey! Easy, it’s Lornis!

Greer: What's going on?

Lornis’Vytal: Demons!

Greer: What are you talkin' about?

Lornis’Vytal: They're out there in the mist!

Julia: [sarcastically] Demons. Right!

Lornis’Vytal: They're after me! All of us are in danger.

Greer: Take it easy.

Julia: [to Sharon] With all due respect, we're not buying any of this, are we?

Sharon: Stay sharp, Julia.

[Rolling her eyes, Julia walks a few paces away from the group and then turns back to them.]

Julia: Well, let's get back and warn the others that [air-quotes] demons...

''[Abruptly, she is seized her from behind and yanked rapidly into the fog. She shrieks.]''

Sharon: Julia!

''[She and Scott chase off in the direction Julia disappeared. Lornis’Vytal follows them.]''

Sharon: Julia!

''[A few yards on, they find Julia lying on the ground, grimacing. Scott kneels down to her and picks her up as she loudly yelps from the pain, Greer then looks around.]''

Greer: Crap.

''[A clicking sound can be heard coming from the fog. Sharon aims her rifle in different directions. In front of Scott, a shape appears in the mist, slowly coming towards him, twitching as it moves. He squints, trying to figure out what it is. It screams and charges towards him. Sharon opens fire with her rifle, gunning it down. More clicking can be heard and another shape approaches. As Sharon looks around, a further shape starts coming closer, and then another.]''

Greer: Fall back!

''[He looks down in anguish at Julia for a moment, who’s clenching her teeth together in pain. Sharon fires into the fog, then grabs Lornis’Vytal and bundles him away. Scott follows as the creatures continue to click and scream.]''

Chapter Eight
''[The room. Siani and Archaon are still running over the data.]''

T’Nair: I'm really glad that we got this opportunity to work together, Doctor Thrax. I’ve heard a lot about you…

Archaon: So am I, Siani, and please, call me Archaon.

''[They smile at each other, then hear the sound of automatic gunfire in the distance. Archaon jumps up.]''

T’Nair: [worried] What was that?

Archaon: I don't know.

''[They hurry over to the door and open it. Archaon activates his headset radio.]''

Archaon: Greer, is everything all right?

[He gets nothing but static.]

Archaon: Greer, do you read? Greer?!

[Marsters comes over to join them rapidly.]

Archaon: [To Justine] I'm getting nothing on the radio.

Marsters: Get back inside. I'll check it out.

Archaon: [Resolute] I'm coming with you.

Marsters: Like hell you are!

Archaon: I'm not gonna let you go out there by yourself.

Marsters: Sharon told me to take care of you. That is exactly what I'm doing. You two are staying here, as far away from that gunfire as possible. Now, you get back inside and lock that door.

Archaon: [annoyed] You’re not alliance! You can't tell me to ...

Marsters: That is an order!

''[The two of them glare at each other. Siani comes in between, pushing Archaon back inside.]''

T’Nair: Archaon, come on.

''[Glaring at him for a moment longer, Marsters then storms off in the other direction and cloaks away. Archaon watches her go, a look of anger on his face.]''

T’Nair: Come on.

[They go back inside the house.]

''[The corridors. Scott, Julia, Sharon and Lornis’Vytal have made their way out of the fog and to the laboratory. The rifle lights are working again. They walk down the passageway towards the lab, Scott checking frequently behind him while Julia holds tight onto Scott with one arm over his shoulders.]''

Lornis’Vytal: I'm sorry. I didn't know.

Greer: What are you talking about?

[He follows Sharon into the lab and finds her staring in shock at the walls.]

Sharon: Oh, my God. The pods have been opened.

Lornis’Vytal: [apologetically] It was me. I released them.

Sharon: Why?

Lornis’Vytal: I wasn’t speaking the truth when we met, I’m not on my pilgrimage. When I heard what happened here. I came to see for myself.

Greer: And why's that?

Lornis’Vytal: Because my daughter was a scientist here, she was so bright. When I saw the bodies sealed in those things, I thought that maybe ... I didn't know. I thought that I could save her.

Greer: Twelve pods. That means there's twelve of those things running around out there.

Sharon: Minus the one I took out, that leaves us with eleven.

[Scott activates his headset.] 

Greer: Archaon? T’Nair?

[He gets only static.]

Sharon: That must be the fog. I mean, it's messing with our flashlights; probably the radios too.

Greer: Great! So no backup from the Arine either.

[Scott looks to the console.]

Greer: How's your race language skills?

Sharon: I guess about as good as yours are.

Greer: All right, we need Archaon and Siani here.

Sharon: Let's go get 'em.

[They start to leave.]

Lornis’Vytal: [Scared] Wait, you’re not going back into the fog are you? The demons are still out there.

Greer: We'll be back for you.

[Lornis’Vytal stands there for a few moments, looking at the empty pods, then turns and runs after the other two.]

Lornis’Vytal: [Scared] W-Wait!

Chapter Nine
''[The room. Siani is peering through the window.]''

T’Nair: It's getting pretty foggy out there. Did they start a fire?

[Archaon walks over and looks through the window for a moment, then turns away and sighs.]

Archaon: I shouldn't have let her go there by herself.

T’Nair: You were under orders.

''[She turns to face him. Behind her, unseen by both Siani or Archaon, a dark figure in the fog with a large crooked back casually walks past the window.]''

Archaon: I should have insisted.

T’Nair: And she probably would have decked you. You don't know Justine.

''[A clicking noise comes from outside. Archaon walks to the window again, his hands widely open against the glass, looking through.]''

Archaon: What the hell was that?

[Siani peers as well.]

T’Nair: Maybe she's back.

''[Archaon goes to the door and opens it. Peering through to see anything.]''

Archaon: Lieutenant?! Lieutenant, is that you?!

[He closes the door again.]

Archaon: Damnit.

[He picks up his backpack and puts it on.]

T’Nair: What are you doing?

Archaon: I'm going out there.

T’Nair: Justine told us to stay inside.

Archaon: Look, it's probably nothing, but just in case it's someone, I'd like to surprise them instead of the other way around.

[He checks that his pistol is loaded, activates his omni-tool flashlight and then goes over to T’Nair and takes her by the shoulders.]

Archaon: Look, Siani, I'll be fine. You just stay put, OK?

[She nods reluctantly.]

Archaon: All right.

''[He heads out. Siani closes the door behind him, then goes to the window and looks anxiously through it. Archaon walks cautiously through the fog. Almost immediately his flashlight begins to flicker, then goes out. He peers into the mist nervously as the clicking sound comes again.]''

Archaon: [Whispering] Lieutenant?

[He walks on.]

Archaon: [Whisper shouting] Lieutenant Marsters?

''[The clicking sound comes again, and a shape appears in the mist. While he can't see who it is, he realizes from its shape that it's not Marsters. With long thin legs, it turns it’s body, exposing what looks like a large bulge on its back.]''

Archaon: [under his breath] Good lord…

''[The creature is looking around and doesn't appear to have seen him yet. Quietly, Archaon starts to back away, but his headset suddenly make loud static noises. He cringes, trying to turn it off, but too late. The creature turns, snarls and races towards him. Archaon turns and runs. Tripping over something, he falls to the ground, but scrambles up and runs onwards. Stumbling again, he makes it to the corner of the corridor, passed it and puts his back against it, aiming his pistol with both hands around the corner, back in the direction he just came. There's nothing there and, panic-stricken and breathing heavily, he aims his gun in all directions. He still can't see anything, but then he hears the clicking sounds again. He manages to silence his breathing just as the creature crawls from the ceiling down the wall and puts its face right next to his, snarling. Archaon freezes in terror as he sees its face. It is female and wearing a broken Quarian helmet its eyes are covered with thick skin, making it blind. Its teeth are elongated and sharp, some growing on the lips. It continues to snarl for several seconds as Archaon stays motionless, mist emanates from the induction port on the helmet and in several places of its back. After a while it turns and crawls away, clicking. Archaon sighs in relief, then cringes as his earpiece hisses with static yet again. He snatches it out and deactivates it, but the creature jumps down and lands in front of him. It screams, but before it can attack him a burst of gunfire strikes it. It falls to the ground as Marsters decloaks into view and fires another burst at it. She grabs Archaon in irritation.]''

Marsters: Come on!

Archaon: [relieved to see her] Jeez, am I glad to see you!

Marsters: Move it, move it! Go!

''[They race back to the house and run inside. Justine rapidly closes the door behind them.]''

Marsters: What the hell was that?

[Archaon looks around the room.]

Archaon: Where's Siani?

Marsters: What the hell were those things?!

Archaon: Lower your voice. I think those creatures hunt by sound.

''[They hear movement outside and raise their guns, aiming them at the door. There's a lot of scuffling outside, then the door bursts open and Sharon, Lornis’Vytal and Scott, holding Julia, hurry in. Archaon and Marsters lower their weapons.]''

Archaon: [relieved] Ah, God!

[Scott goes to a nearby couch.]

Greer: Judging from that, I guess you already know what's going on.

[He lowers Julia onto it.]

Julia: [In pain] Ow!

Greer: Alright soldier, I need to take off your armor so we can get a look at your wound.

[Julia shakes her head.]

Sharon: Where's Siani?

Archaon: We don't know.

''[Scott is removing Julia’s armor, revealing the skintight synthetic weave under it. She bites her teeth in pain.]''

Greer: Ah, that's great! All we need now is for the Prom Queen and the kid in the wheelchair to wander off and we're all set. [Looking at the wound.] Well, this isn’t good.

''[Marsters comes to look as well. The wound is on the left side of her stomach.]''

Marsters: Wow! It looks like someone took a clean chunk right out of her…

Archaon: We have to find Siani. She has no idea what's out there.

''[Greer applies pressure on the wound. Julia cringes in pain.]''

Greer: What the hell is out there?

Archaon: This ship’s experiments.

Sharon: Yeah, I think we figured that one out.

Archaon: It's an early version of the Quarian-Volus hybrid. It's been genetically altered to incorporate the predatory characteristics of other creatures as well as having vital organs augmented. In other words; It’s a Reaperized individual.

Marsters: What other creatures?

Archaon: I'm not sure. All I know for certain is that they're blind and they hunt by sound. And that fog out there is not a natural phenomenon. I saw one of them exude the mist from the ports on its helm and back!

Sharon: What, like a squid releasing its ink?

Archaon: Except that's a defensive mechanism. These creatures clearly use the fog as a predatory device. The fog is most likely made within the sack on its back, which looks like a Volus suit, so I’m judging that the fog is based on ammonium chloride.

Sharon: God knows what the prolonged exposure to this mist could do to us.

Archaon: It starts-

Greer: [interrupts] -Here’s an idea. Let’s not find out.

Lornis’Vytal: We should wait here until power is back on, then it will be safe.

Archaon: Those things out there are not nocturnal! Day or night, it doesn't matter!

Greer: Besides, we can't sit around. We've gotta find Siani.

Lornis’Vytal: You can't be serious! You're going out there?

Greer: [to Archaon] Get back to work on that data. Try and figure out what they are and how to deal with these things.

Archaon: That might be the problem, Scott. We already know how those creatures came to be… The Volus hijacked this ship… They were indoctrinated.

Chapter Ten
''[In the foggy corridor facing the door. Sharon and Marsters make their way out of the room, holding glow sticks. Scott follows them, shaking another stick to light it. He turns to Archaon.]''

Greer: [quietly] All right. Sure you're gonna be OK here?

Archaon: [quietly] As long as we're quiet, we'll be safer in here than you are out there.

Greer: All right.

''[He shakes another stick to light it and puts it on the ground near the door to act as a beacon to show the way back to the room. He speaks quietly to the girls.] ''

Greer: We're gonna split up to cover more ground. Back in twenty.

Archaon: [whispering] Good luck.

''[The team heads out and begins to search, moving as quietly as they can to avoid alerting the creatures to their whereabouts. Something creeps past behind Scott, who spins around as he hears it clicking, but it’s already gone. The three of them continue their search, often seeing figures in the mist nearby, but keeping silent enough to avoid detection. Sharon makes her way to the engineering bay, once there she slowly moves to the reactor and leans over the railing, shining her glow stick down into it. Most of it is obscured by fog, but suddenly a smoker scuttles rapidly up the side of the reactor towards her. It screams as she opens fire on it. Some distance away, Marsters turns and hurries towards the sound.]''

''[Elsewhere in the ship, Scott makes his way down some steps, then turns toward the sound of sniffling nearby. It's Siani, hiding underneath the steps and crying quietly. She gasps as Scott comes into view, but he quickly squats down to her and puts his finger to his mouth.]''

Greer: Shh. [Whispering] Whatever you do, be quiet.

[She nods her understanding and he helps her to her feet as a creature screams in the distance.]

[In the room, Lornis’Vytal is standing at the window and looking out through as the glow from a glow stick moves through the fog nearby.]

Lornis’Vytal: This was a mistake.

''[Archaon is sitting near Julia, administering medi-gel on her wound. She has apparently passed out.]''

Archaon: [quietly] Keep your voice down.

Lornis’Vytal: [loudly] I told them it was too dangerous!

Archaon: [whisper shouting] Be quiet!

Lornis’Vytal: [turning towards him and still speaking loudly] Instead of coming back here, we should have gone to the shuttles. We'd be out of here by now.

Archaon: [Annoyed] Shut it!

Lornis’Vytal: Now we could all ...

''[The window bursts open behind him as two smokers smash their way through and seize him. Archaon snatches out his pistol, but dare not use it out of fear of hitting Lornis. Being shot by Archaon is the least of Lornis’ worries however, as he screams while the creatures bite into his head and neck while dragging him backwards through the window. Archaon stares in horror as Lornis disappears in the fog. He stands staring at the window in frozen terror for several seconds, then runs over and pushes a tall metal cupboard across the broken window to block it. Clicking sounds come from outside and mist begins to billow between the cupboard and blocked window. Archaon stares at it in dread, then backs away wide-eyed as the creature outside starts pushing on the cupboard.]''

Chapter Eleven
''[Out in the living area, Scott and Siani make their way along. He holds out his hand to make her stop as he sees a glow ahead of them in the fog. Raising his glow stick, he waggles it from side to side rhythmically. The glow in the distance makes similar movements. Scott and Siani move forward and meet Marsters.]''

Marsters: Siani, are you OK?

T’Nair: Yeah.

Greer: No time to catch up, Let's head out.

''[They continue onwards as quietly as they can. Marsters sees another glow in the distance.]''

Marsters: Greer. It's Captain Sharon.

[She waggles her glow stick above her head, but the glow in the distance just moves onwards.]

Marsters: She doesn't see us.

''[They head towards the glow, Marsters leading the way. The fog thickens as they approach. As they get within a few yards of the glow, it surges forward. The glow stick is stuck in the neck of a female smoker who screams as she charges towards Marsters. Marsters fires a burst of gunfire at her and she drops to the ground. Scott and Siani run forward and the three of them look down at the hybrid for a moment.]''

Greer: [to Marsters] Take my six.

''[She turns and checks behind them as they move towards the glow stick indicating the location of the room. They stop as they see that the door is open and the window is shattered. Scott holds out his hand to make Siani stay back as Scott runs through the doorway, ready to shoot. He lowers his gun at the sight of Sharon kneeling near the shattered glass.]''

Greer: [relieved] I thought you were dead!

Sharon: Yeah, for a minute there, so did I. [looks at the broken window] Looks like they got attacked.

[Marsters sees Julia, who is gradually waking up, still on the couch.]

Marsters: Why didn’t they take Julia with them if they were in danger?

Sharon: Probably knew she was out cold and thought she wouldn’t make a sound anyway.

[Justine goes to help Julia up, who is clearly still in pain.]

Marsters: [Whispers] Easy girl.

Greer: [To Sharon] What about the others? Think they made it out?

Sharon: [shining her glow stick towards the floor] Well, I'm guessing at least one of them didn't. [She squats down] I've got blood.

T’Nair: [Horrified] Archaon’s?

Sharon: No way to know.

''[Marsters is tearing some cloth she found nearby to use as bandages for Julia. Sharon stands upright, looking out the shattered window.]''

Sharon: One of those things came crawling right up from under the reactor. It got me thinking: those tubes -- they run for miles in every direction.

Marsters: That would explain how these creatures could snag their prey without being seen.

Greer: All right, well, we saw twelve of those pods in the lab. [Points to Sharon] You killed one, so ...

Marsters: I tagged two -- which, incidentally, puts me in the lead.

[Scott frowns at her smug expression.]

Sharon: All right, well that brings us down to nine.

Greer: OK, so now what? Any ideas?

T’Nair: Well, those creatures possess a heightened auditory system that allows them to hunt blind, right? Maybe, we could try exploiting it?

Sharon: How?

T’Nair: I don't know. Maybe luring them into an ambush.

Marsters: What the hell do you plan on using as bait?

[Siani sighs, initially unable to come up with an answer, then looks down and picks up a computer tablet.]

T’Nair: [holding the tablet] This.

Chapter Twelve
[Scott puts a compass on the table to symbolize the engineering bay’s reactor.]

Greer: All right, here's how it's gonna work. You four, you're taking up positions near the entrances... [he puts two bullets into position on the south of the compass] ... Sharon and Siani here ... [he puts another 2 bullet to the North western side of the compass] ... Marsters and Julia over at the cargo bay entrance.

[He taps on the compass.]

Greer: I'm gonna be on inside setting the charges.

T’Nair: You're gonna blow the reactor?

Greer: Yeah, that's the plan.

T’Nair: OK, well you'd better use the timer. If the fog is messing with our radios and flashlights, chances are a remote detonator won't work either.

Greer: All right. Once I get to the reactor, I'll turn on the computer.

T’Nair: OK. Well, I’ll program it to emit an ultrasonic burst, so that'll draw them right to you. You won’t be able to hear the sound, but you might get sick to your stomach and remember, if it gets near the fog ...

Greer: I'll put it a few meter in from of the reactor then-- that should keep it out of reach and working long enough to attract all nine. You four, just take up positions, sit tight until you hear a signal, then open up on anything that moves.

Sharon: And what's the signal?

Greer: That would be the charge blowing them sky high.

Marsters: And where will you be?

Greer: Well, hopefully as far away as possible.

Sharon: What if this goes sideways? What if the explosion creates secondary explosions in the reactor. You’re gonna kill us all.

T’Nair: The reactor isn’t powered. There should be no explosion apart from the charge.

Greer: Don't be so negative, Sharon.

Sharon: I'm serious, Greer.

Greer: [firmly] You take up positions, you sit tight and wait for the signal. You don't move; you don't make a noise until that charge blows.

Marsters: Scott, I don’t like ...

Greer: [annoyed] Do you have a better idea?.

Marsters: [looks down, annoyed] ... No.

Greer: So, we all clear?

Sharon: [unhappily] Yes.

Julia: [in pain] yes.

Marsters: [Annoyed] Crystal…

Chapter Thirteen
''[Sharon and T’Nair make their way to their position near the door of a room, overlooking the entrance to engineering, while Marsters finds a spot in the cargo bay with Julia around her neck. Marsters gently places Julia near some crates. Everyone is in place as Scott walks quietly to the reactor and peers down into it. It's misty, but he can see quite a ways down so it's unlikely that a smoker is coming up it. He takes the computer tablet out of his bag. In their positions, the girls make their preparations, getting ready to open fire. Marsters puts a piece of bubble gum in her mouth and begins to chew it. Scott switches on the tablet and puts it near the reactor, it emits a high pitched noise that eventually becomes too high to hear. He steps back to set the timer on a large block of C4. Just then a creature leaps out of the mist and crashes into him, screaming. They tumble to the ground and Scott loses his grip on the explosive. It falls a little distance away, the two minute countdown already started. Scott lies on his back wrestling with the creature -- which appears to be another female -- as it tries to get its head close enough to bite him.]''

''[outside engineering, Sharon and T’Nair aim their weapons blindly at the entrance as fog creeps out. They can hear the creature screaming.]''

T’Nair: What the hell's going on down there?

''[Scott continues to struggle with the creature, then a single biotic burst rings out from the distance. The creature recoils as it is pulled off Scott as he surges onto his knees, aiming his pistol up at the creature as a shape comes out of the mist behind him. The creature flies in the air screaming as Scott opens fire on her with his pistol. The shape behind him joins him and also opens fire with a pistol. Obviously, it's Archaon.]''

''[At the entrances, smokers are gradually making their way to the reactor. A smoker bumps against Siani as it is walking towards the reactor, but is unaware of her. Siani gasps as it bumps against her with its leg, Sharon quickly grabs Siani and covers her mouth. The smoker heard the gasp and looks around, but walks further a few moments later.]''

Sharon: [whispering] shh...

''[At the reactor, the creature finally falls to the ground. Archaon looks down at Scott, who is still on his knees. Apparently now looking for something.]''

Archaon: You all right?

Greer: Yeah.

Archaon: Siani?

Greer: [still crawling across the ground, looking around] She's, uh, she's safe.

Archaon: Thank God. What, did you lose something?

Greer: My C4.

''[The block of C4, hidden from view, reaches 01:31 in its countdown. Archaon looks up at the sound of clicking nearby.]''

Archaon: Scott?

Greer: This isn’t good, they’re coming in from the entrances. I thought they’d come up from the reactor.

Archaon: Tactical mistake, but I think it's best if we get moving.

Greer: To where? The entrances are blocked.

''[Picking up his rifle, he and Archaon aim their weapons towards the clicking sound. A shape looms in the mist. As they look around, it becomes quickly obvious that they are surrounded by several of the creatures. They back towards the reactor as more shapes start to appear in the fog.]''

''[In the living area, Sharon and Siani continue to aim their rifles anxiously. T’Nair mutters nervously.]''

T’Nair: Come on, come on!

[Clicking noises come from below and several figures move through the mist.]

T’Nair: I see them.

Sharon: If you shoot now, you'll risk hitting Greer. Just wait for the signal.

''[In the cargo hold, Marsters is much calmer and quietly blows a bubble with her gum. Julia in the other hand is breathing deeply in and out, looking a bit pale. In the mist, shapes continue to move around as the C4 timer reaches the end of its countdown and explodes. Instantly Marsters opens fire. Sharon and Siani do likewise a moment later and the three of them fire into the mist at anything they see moving. Julia on the other hand seems to have lost the strength to pull her weapon up. They continue firing for several seconds as the smokers try to escape through the entrances they come. The fire eventually stop as the screaming from the smokers ceases. Siani calls out.]''

T’Nair: Greer?

''[There's no reply. Sharon and Siani look worried at eachother.]''

Chapter Fourteen
[The fog has begun to clear and the girls are walking around engineering.]

Sharon: Is that all of them?

Marsters: Eight, nine, plus the other three -- that makes twelve.

''[A smoker surges into view, screaming. The girls open fire simultaneously and gun it down.]''

Marsters: [embarrassed] Sorry. That's nine… Plus the three, makes twelve.

Sharon: [slightly annoyed] Right!

[Scott's voice comes over their radios.]

Greer: [via radio] Coaptain Sharon?

Sharon: Greer! Where are you?!

Greer: [via radio] Down the reactor. We’ve climbed down to avoid the explosion. We’re making our way back up.

Sharon: we?

Greer: [via radio] I’ve found Archaon.

T’Nair: [relieved] oh, thank the goddess.

Sharon: alright, we’ll see you shortly.

Chapter Fifteen
''[The gang is walking along the corridors on their way to the lab. Julia looks a bit better now and is walking on her own, but is still limping.]''

T’Nair: Oh, I just wanna get back to my bunk and sleep for a week.

Archaon: Yeah, I know what you mean. I promise this won't take long.

[Julia collapses against a wall and slowly lets herself slide downward.]

Archaon: [worried] Are you OK?

Julia: [breathing heavily] Uh, yeah. Hey, guys, d'you mind if I just sit back here? I’ve had enough mad science for one day.

Greer: Yeah, sure.

T’Nair: I'll keep her company.

''[T’Nair starts to shrug off her backpack for Archaon to take with him into the lab. He takes it off her. Archaon smiles at her gratefully, then looks at Julia.]''

Archaon: We'll be quick.

[Sharon turns to Marsters.]

Sharon: You know what to do.

''[Marsters nods as Sharon. Archaon and Greer have already made their way to the lab. Archaon takes the computer tablet out of his backpack and plugs it into the console. Sharon joins them a moment later.]''

Archaon: I wanna make sure I get all the data on what happened here to save a return trip.

[In the corridor outside the lab, T’Nair looks around anxiously as she hears a sound.]

T’Nair: What was that?

Marsters: What?

T’Nair: I thought I heard something.

Marsters: Relax, OK? There were twelve pods, we counted twelve kills. We got 'em all.

T’Nair: [nervously] Yeah.

''[A moment later Marsters spins around and cocks her rifle as she also hears distant clicking. T’Nair snatches out her pistol and raises it.]''

''[In the lab, Scott is wandering around, following the opened stasis pods on the wall. He eventually sees metal doors next to the twelve opened pods and walks over to them. Curious, he pushes a panel near it and one of the metal doors slide upwards. Sharon walks over.]''

Sharon: What is it?

[The metal door reveals a broken stasis pod.]

Sharon: Oh, crap.

''[Scott opens more of these metal doors. They stare in shock as there are several more broken stasis pods in the room, each one shielded by these doors.]''

Greer: [looking at Sharon] We didn't get them all…

Chapter Sixteen
[In the corridor, Marsters and T’Nair take up defensive positions around Julia, who is still slumped on the ground.]

Marsters: It's probably nothing.

''[T’Nair lowers her pistol, sighing in relief, but her expression changes as she looks down and sees fog slithering over her feet. She turns her head and a male smoker dangles down from the ceiling, screaming. In the lab, Scott and Sharon hear the scream and race out of the lab, Archaon following them as automatic gunfire can be heard. They run into the passageway and stop, aiming their weapons as they see mist billowing down the corridor towards them and hear clicking.]''

Greer: T’Nair, Marsters?

[There's no reply.]

Sharon: [quietly to the other two] All right. If they overtake our positions, I want you two to fall back. Take the second stairs up. Go to the shuttle, get out of here and contact the Arine.

Greer: [resolute] We’re not leaving you here!

''[More clicking can be heard and a shape runs out of the mist. As soon as can see that it's a smoker, the three of them open up and gun it down. They continue firing as more and more creatures charge at them. Luckily, because the corridor is quite narrow, the team is able to shoot down each of the smokers. Eventually the creatures stop coming. Sharon reloads her rifle and the three of them step cautiously forward. They pick their way through the bodies as the fog begins to recede, then raise their weapons again as they hear something in the distance.]''

Marsters: [from out of the mist] All clear?

Sharon: [relieved] All clear.

[As she and the others lower their weapons again, Marsters and T’Nair come around the corner both holding Julia and look down at all the bodies.]

Epilogue
''[Space. The Nairidacorp shuttle is flying towards the NCSV Arine as Bethany hails them from the Arine’s cockpit.]''

Bethany: Captain Sharon? What happened? We weren’t able to contact you for hours…

Sharon: We ran into a little situation on board the Quarian ship. I’ll explain it all in debriefing.

Bethany: Ma’am, we also have a situation concerning the Aegina’s crew. You might want to get Scott Greer and Doctor Thrax in for this.

Sharon: Scott, Doctor Thrax.

[They join the cockpit.]

Sharon: It’s for you.

''[Scott positions himself on the co-pilot’s chair. Archaon stands behind him.]''

Greer: This is Private Greer and Doctor Thrax. What’s the message?

Bethany: It’s about the Aegina. As per request, we’ve contacted them. Apparently, they got struck by an ionic disturbance that came through the relay a few days ago and were unable to establish communications.

[They both look confused at the console.]

Archaon: Well, what did they say? Are they on their way?

Bethany: No, they say that your commander, John Marachuk, has gone missing…

[Scott’s smile quickly turns into despair as he turns and looks at Archaon, who has a similar look on his face.]

Behind the Scenes
"More edge-of-your-seat popcorn horror than my usual character-driven drama. I had a lot of fun writing a horror novel. Special thanks to Gnostic for giving my permission to use both Zana Squad and the Smokers. I hope he enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it."
 * Zana Squad and the Smokers are creations Gnostic.