Rhea's End

  I was born on Dalmain VI, one of the republics most prosperous planets. My specific genetic modifications, though no more advanced than anyone elses, were cosmetically perceived as a sign of an upper-class status, which doesn’t serve me well in an environment like this.

  I had to act tough from my first day on the block. Some, like Florina, from the other realms, could just hide it in the crowd. Their modifications mean nothing to the people here. Who knows what social status dark grey skin and purple eyes denotes.

  I could tell though. She was born into a finer world than this. She sat alone on the cold floor, occasionally mumbling to herself. I don’t know why she’s here, I barely want to remember what I did, but she didn’t fit in.

  The guards blamed me and beat me over the door incident. Ultimately, I think they were satisfied it was just a glitch. They put me in another cell, after that. I no longer slept by a window.

  Chapter 2

  The wholesome gruel, nutritious but vile, splattered onto my tray from the metal nozzles, embedded into the grey concrete walls of the refectory. I walked to my normal spot, the bench in the middle of the room, and was about to sit, when I saw Florina in the corner as usual. I told the girls to stay put and I carried my tray to her table. The corner was musty and damp, which was why nobody else sat there. Only those looking for solitude.

  “Do you mind if I sit here?” I asked.

  She looked up, alarmed and uncomfortable with my presence.

  “If you like,” she answered, guardedly.

  I sat opposite her and rested my tray on the table.

  “You know, it’s not healthy to be on your own all the time.”

  She nodded and said, “It’s not healthy being in his place.”

  I smiled and said, “That’s true. Do you mind me asking, just how did you open that door?”

  I couldn’t be sure it was her, but I had that feeling, back in the cell, it was like she knew what was happening.

  “Oh, I see, that’s why you’re sat here.”

  I said, “Yes, of course, it was a perplexing trick that you pulled, and I got the blame for it, remember.”

  “Yes, sorry about that. What made you think it was me?”

  “I watched you. Your reactions. I’ve noticed a few things about you, in the past, how you were able to sneak extra food from the nozzle, after your dinner was taken from you. What is it. You have some fancy espionage chip in your head? What did you get dumped in this place for? What did a nice girl like you get up to?”

  “That’s not important. My trial was a sham.”

  “I’ll get to the point. We were all left on this world to die. I want out. I imagine, from that little test you did with the cell door, you want out too.”

  She shook her head, “No, you’re mistaken, I can’t have any peace out there.”

  I shook my head, “I don’t believe that, it’s a big universe. Most worlds have no respect for the Dalmaineon justice system. We get out of this place, take a ship, we could have a good life ahead of us.”

  “Nobody has ever escaped this place.”

  “Yes, but you have a plan.”

  She looked to the side, into space, then turned to me. “I know of a plan. A little plan concocted by my espionage chip. It’s not mine. It’s always plotting things.”

  “That’s who you’re talking to, when you’re muttering to yourself, your chip?”

  She nodded. I could tell she was relieved to open up to someone. Betraying her secret might give me an easy few months, but I’m not a squealer.

  I told her, “If we can take a transport shuttle, I can fly it clear of here. I know people on Dalmain VI that can help us get away safely.”

  “I can’t be on a shuttle. It’s not safe.”

  “You’re scared of flying?” I said, looking at her worried face, “Listen, it’s nothing to be worried about. It’s totally safe, and I’m an experienced pilot.”

  She didn’t look convinced, but I wasn’t going to leave without getting an agreement.

  “Let’s say we die, it’s a chance, but do you really want to spend the rest of your life in this place?”

  She leant forward with confidence, and said, “I’ll do it, but understand, I can’t protect you.”

  I smiled. “That’s a deal then.” I reached out to shake her hand and she took it.

  “We’ll go tomorrow, just you and me.”

  “Tomorrow!” I gasped, “Shouldn't we plan it out first?”

  “I told you there is a plan. The shuttle, delivering new prisoners, comes in tomorrow. It’s our only way out. I can open the doors and disable surveillance. I can also help avoid the security androids. But I can’t control them, so we have to be careful.

  Once we’re outside the perimeter their orders are to shoot on sight. There will also be crew on board the shuttle, normally one or two. If they activate an alert, it’s over. We can’t fly directly to Dalmain VI, we’ll have to go to the base planet, Cronus, instead. I need to get my implants removed immediately.”

  “That’s too dangerous.”

  “My implants are dangerous.”

  “I’ll fly the ship down and let you off on Cronus, but then you’re on your own. I’m heading to Dalmain VI with or without you.”

  “That might be safest.”

  Chapter 3

  I’d been put in a different cell since the door opening incident. I didn’t know the people here well, but I didn’t think they’d talk if I escaped. My bigger fear was they might run out of the door, when it was opened, and trigger an alert.

  I woke early, whilst my cell mates were still asleep, and pushed some of my ragged prison clothes against the lock in the hope I could muffle the sound of it unlocking.

  I could hear footsteps. Please be Florina, I thought.

  The door clicked. Some of the cellmates stirred, but none of them got up. I opened the door and sneaked out. Shutting it gently behind me.

  There was Florina, standing by the side of the wall. She beckoned me over and I ran across the floor. I started to whisper, but she hushed me.

  “Carry your shoes,” she said. I looked down. She was barefoot. I crouched and removed my shoes. Then she gestured for me to follow.

  She halted at a corner. I caught a glimpse of one of the large security androids marching its route around the cells. Florina took my hand and waited a moment before darting across the floor, leading me by the hand. We shot through another corridor in time to hear the sound of the machine as it suddenly turned around. This would be why bare feet would be required.

  She skillfully guided me around the cell blocks, unlocking doors at will. It seemed as though she knew how to time her journey, perfectly. Passing by every android, unseen. Her espionage implants seemed incredible, I couldn’t fathom why she’d be so keen to have them removed. Perhaps a trade could be negotiated.

  As we approached the buildings exit, we came to an area populated by the human staff. They were mainly here to watch over the machines and maintain humane treatment of the prisoners. A theoretical role they hadn’t yet put into practise. They just lay about all day, letting the machines do the work. Sneaking past them was the easiest part. We hid behind tables, crawling from one to the other, then Forina looked towards the exit’s inner door. Moment later it slid open.

  It made noise, but the staff were too busy, playing games and chatting, to notice. After a moment’s pause, Florina led me forwards. The door shut behind us, making another sound. If a staff member looked now, we’d be in full view through the glass. My heart raced.

  The outer door slid open exposing us to the cold darkness of the moon’s surface and we stepped forwards into the night. The ground was felt cold against my bare feet. I was still carrying my shoes, but the hard ground was smooth and I didn’t want to pause, for even a brief moment, so near the entrance.

  At this point on, we’d be shot on sight. The air was thin and our walk, uncomfortable. I remember the landing bay from the time I arrived here. So many years ago. Andr
oids dragged us all the way to the prison, in the cold dark night.

  A little distance and I could put my shoes on. The ground, cold as it was, must have been heated. Without direct sunlight, this part of the moon became uninhabitable. Stray too far from the active zones and you’d freeze. Florina should have brought her shoes.

  I wasn’t sure I could fly the shuttle? I hadn’t giving it much thought, but I’d been stuck here so long. The landing bay was about a kilometre from the prison walls. lights, embedded in the ground, lit the way. We kept to the side of the path, just in case any security passed by.

  Getting to the airfield, Florina said, “We need to hurry, there isn’t much time.”

  We hid behind a fuel tank as the shuttle came down. A couple of guards, along with a group of androids, left the vessel, escorting the latest batch of inmates. We waited for them to get out of sight before we made our move.

  I said, “It’s lucky they left the ships door open.”

  “That’’s not luck,” replied Florina, “There’s only one aboard. The pilot. We have to move now. The guards could notice we’ve gone at any minute.”

  I agreed and we ran through the dark to the shuttle. The pilot was strapped in his pilot seat, waiting for the return of his colleagues. I sneaked up behind him and choked him from behind. I called Florina, telling her to unbuckle his straps and she did. Then I dragged him towards the door.

  It had been a while since I’d killed anyone with my bare hands. It still made me shiver as I squeezed the life out of him.

  Florina said, “You haven't killed him, have you?”

  I let the body drop to the ground outside the shuttle and said, “No, he’s just unconscious.”

  Poor little Florina, so innocent, she’ll believe anything as long as she wants to believe it.

  I closed the door and rushed to the flight controls. An alert was flashing, they were probably aware that we had gone. I took a moment to refresh my mind to the controls. It was still basically the same layout I’d used, many years earlier.

  I programmed in a course for Cronus, Rhea’s sister planet, then I changed my mind. The place would be swarming with people searching for us. I set our destination to Dalmain VI and initiated flight.

  We braced ourselves as the shuttle took off. It would be some time before Florina would figure out we wasn’t going to Cronus. By then she’d have to accept it. Whatever reason she has to remove her brain implants, it can wait. She had them all these years, one more week wouldn’t matter.

  Chapter 4

  We didn’t say much as we started our journey. I think we both struggled to believe we’d got out. Jump was initiated and we sat quietly in the cockpit, waiting for something to go wrong. Waiting for a ship to come in pursuit.

  The events which led us to Rhea seemed like chance, but I now think it was planned from the start.

  We were both former visitors to the planet, both with our own terrible experiences there, but this time we would bringing something new with us.

  After some time, Florina asked the question, “How long is this journey going to take?”

  I took a breath and said, “About a week. Reasonable time considering the distance to Dalmain VI.”

  A look of worry spread across her face, “What, I thought you were going to take me to Cronus?”

  I raised my palms defensively. “That’s too dangerous, they would have picked us up the moment we landed.”

  “No, they wouldn’t. Why didn’t you ask me? I could have destroyed the wreckage. They wouldn't have known if we were alive or dead, and I could have made them think we were dead. I’ve worked it all out.”

  “Sorry, but I don’t want to take the risk.”

  “Where’s the nearest populated planet?”

  I adopted my dominant tone, the one I learnt to boss my parents about. A voice strengthened by my belief that I knew best, “We’re going to Dalmain VI. We aren’t stopping on the way.”

  She looked genuinely concerned. I now realise she didn't trust me with the truth. She thought that, maybe I’d throw her out of the airlock, if I knew. I was forgetting about her power, and at the time I really didn’t understand it.

  The ships control panel buzzed into life. I rushed over and took a look. The destination had changed.

  “Why’d you do that?” I asked.

  “We have to go to Cronus,” she replied.

  “We aren’t heading to Cronus. You’ve put us on a collision course for Rhea.”

  She rushed over to the panel, wide eyed and frightened.

  “See,” she screamed, “We should have got off this ship as quickly as we could.”

  “Don’t worry. I can override the controls,” I said reassuringly, as I tapped away at the panel, “They must be influencing the ship remotely.”

  I thought I’d done it. The panel seemed to respond.

  All indication was, we were heading to Cronus. I’d follow Florina’s plan, this time.

  As we approached the planet we noticed a vessel.

  “A bounty hunter,” said Florina, without flinching, “He’ll make a good witness to the ships destruction.”

  “They won’t find our bodies,” I said.

  “I’m going to blow the jumpdrive. There won’t be anything left. We’ll need to land in an unpopulated area.”

  I nodded. We already seemed to be set to land on a patch of ground a safe distance from Tallbean city, on Cronus. I believed all the ship’s instruments. I should have known the planet Cronus wasn’t this green - wasn’t this large.

  When we landed, I was still fooled. I rushed out of the shuttle and breathed in the fresh air. Looked at the sunlit sky - a sight I hadn’t seen in decades. Then I turned to Florina. her face was what alerted me.

  “This isn’t Cronus,” she said.

  She was right. It was too heavy, the atmosphere was wrong, the yellow sky.

  I nodded and said, “It’s Rhea.”

  Chapter 5

  We watched as the bounty hunter’s ship flew overhead and landed some distance away.

  I started to head back inside the shuttle when Florina stopped me.

  “We can’t lose him in space; we can’t even trust our craft, it’s been compromised.”

  I said, “Well, we can’t blow the ship up, as you planned, or we’ll be stranded here.”

  Florina pulled me along by my hand, “We have to run. We’ll work something out when we’re safe.”

  She was right, the bounty hunter would be here at any moment. We both started jogging towards the city. The thought occurred to me, that the bounty hunter could simply destroy our ship and leave, should we make capturing us more trouble than it’s worth.

  I didn’t realise what they were at first. It was Florina who pointed them out.

  “They decayed quickly since I was last here,” she said.

  Piles of clothes dotted about the ground. The thin white tangles made up what would once be the famed internal enhancements of this world. They held together bones now, maintaining the complete skeletal forms. The flesh had all rotted away in the humid atmosphere of the planet. The bodies cleansed by nature. White heaps of webbing, scattered around the city and its outskirts.

  We walked through the streets towards the centre.

  Florina said, “I’m relieved it’s finally dead.”

  The buildings all looked fresh. You could imagine families coming out of the houses as though it were any normal city.

  We walked through a grassy area filled with statues. The grass was long and unmaintained. The statues looked the same, carved out of stone. All the same figure, positioned into different poses. We walked up to the nearest. An inscription at the base read, ‘Gloria’.

  It had been over a century since I last set foot on Rhea. I was with a man who I found intelligent and charismatic. He was confident, full of enthusiasm and thought a lot of himself.

  I was young. Looking back I don’t really know what I saw in him.

  He thought he could scavenge the wrecka
ge of the city as, at the time, all the immortals appeared to be shrivelling up and dying.

  He managed to persuade me to come along and help. My parents would have been furious if they’d known.

  We were here for less than a day when he got into a rage and turned on me; a dumb argument over the temporal coils. In the struggle I killed him. Well, until this day, I always thought that I had. I left him for dead on this planet.

  Looking at the statues, I can only think he must have survived and somehow made a new life for himself here. It took time to sink in. Statue after statue - all of me - all, in their way, out of place in this world. I think Florina must have worked it out, as well.

  She said, “I saw a statue of this lady in a biodome, in the city centre, years ago. You always reminded me of her, Gloria.”

  The man never returned to Dalmain VI. I made a lie to explain his tragic death, but people always looked at me with suspicion, after that.

  He must have been marooned here, with only the empty minds of the immortals for company. Perhaps these sculptures were his way of apologising to me - or forgiving me.

  It was as I spun around, taking in this forest of statues, that I spotted a dark figure in the distance marching this way. Cocooned in an armoured exoskeletal suit.

  Florina grabbed my arm and we ran. Through streets, past houses and alleyways, we cut through corners and climbed steps to try and lose him. The figure stayed on our trail.

  I was being led by Florina. She seemed to have a sense of where she was going.

  She led me to a large opaque building, the huge metal doors slid open for us. There was still power here. We rushed inside and found ourselves surrounded by death. The immortals here had been protected from the humidity outside. The building sucked their bodies dry, leaving a stale odour to the room. The white netting of their enhancements broke through the wafery skin of their shriveled bodies. So many immortals. The door shut behind us.