Alone in Paradise (The Chronicles of Anna Foster Book 2) Page 7

  “I am not dropping my pants and squatting over an animal skin.”

  “What’s the big deal? You don’t seem to have a problem taking your pants off any other time?”

  “I…” Anna paused after taking in Kate’s comment. “What did you say?”

  “Just a joke, Anna.”

  Anna relaxed and frowned. “Funny. Anyway, the problem is that I really don’t want to relieve myself on the animal skin. It’ll get messy.”

  “No!” Kate laughed. “You do not have to do it that way. You could collect your urine over time in a container and apply it that way.”

  “Really?”

  Kate nodded her confirmation.

  “Well, why didn’t you say so? That’s fine.”

  As the hologram shook her head in apparent amusement, Anna’s wristcomp signaled an incoming message. “Yes?”

  A clipped, artificial voice responded through the channel, “Body found and returned.”

  “Excellent! Set it on the top of the ship.” She closed the link and turned to Kate. “I’m going to check out our little bounty and see how it looks now.”

  Chapter 9

  Anna poked her head through the upper airlock hatch. “Okay, let’s take a look at this… shit!”

  She dropped back into the airlock and slapped the switch to shut the hatch, only just avoiding a live predator on the hull charging at her. It snapped its triple-jawed maw at her as the hatch closed. Anna slid down the ladder to the floor, panicked. She punched the door leading to the bridge and nearly collapsed onto the floor at Kate’s feet.

  “Oh, Anna, I meant to tell you that I am detecting a new life form on top of the ship.”

  Kate’s casual announcement grated. She stared daggers at Kate’s computer-generated heart.

  “A little late on the warning, Kate. It nearly bit my head off.”

  “Sorry about that. You rushed out so fast that I did not get a chance to warn you.”

  Anna brushed herself off. “Well, feel free to stop me next time. Otherwise, I might end up being a midnight snack.”

  “I will remember that. What do you propose we do, now that you have another one up there?”

  Anna pondered the situation for a moment in silence. How did they get a live one up there in the first place? “I really don’t want to kill another, if I don’t have to. I endured enough trauma the first time.”

  She activated her wristcomp. “Drones, let the creature go. This time, go find a dead body and bring it back.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  Anna reflected on her order for a split second. “Belay that, drone. Go find a dead predator like the one you are taking back, and return with the dead one.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  She closed the channel and slumped. “Kate, I’ll be right back.” She moved toward the door leading aft.

  “Where are you going?”

  As the door opened, Anna glanced at Kate over her shoulder and winked. “I’m going to collect some hide-curing solution.”

  Two hours passed before the drones returned again, during which time Anna finished her lesson on leatherworking.

  “Finally.” Anna ended the communication with the drone. “At least I won’t have to deal with the living one that was up there a while ago. I’m glad it finally got bored and left on its own.”

  Kate stepped back from the holographic display of animal skins on the floor. “Its current location has been tracked to three kilometers southwest of here. I do not think it will be returning anytime soon.”

  “Good.” Anna turned toward the airlock, but stopped after a step. “Are you sure that no living creatures are outside the ship?”

  “I confirm. The closest living creature is one point five kilometers to the northwest and moving north. You should be safe.”

  “Okay. Where did you say that survival knife was?”

  Kate pointed to a removable panel on the starboard wall. “In there.”

  Anna stepped to the panel and removed it with her prybar. Within the embedded alcove rested a shiny survival knife sheathed in black leather, along with an all-weather camouflage poncho, a set of computer-enhanced binoculars, a filtering canteen, and a couple of extra power packs designed for her pistol. “Well, well. Remind me to hug a boy scout the next time I see one.”

  Lifting the knife out of the alcove, Anna slid it from its sheath and examined the silver blade, serrated on the back side near the handle. The grip, covered in soft, black leather, felt comfortable in her hand, making her feel as if she could hold it for hours. Replacing the knife in its holder, she put it into one of her belt pouches and grabbed the poncho. As she did, she noticed a brown, leather knapsack hanging in the back of the locker. She regarded the container with raised eyebrows for a second, before turning back to the poncho.

  The typical, green camouflage pattern that dominated the outer layer of the garment did not surprise Anna in the least, but the touch plate that blended in with the colored patch on the neckline piqued her curiosity. Pressing her thumb on the plate, she withdrew her hand quickly as the color scheme shifted to various shades of tan and brown. Embarrassed, she took a deep breath before touching it again, changing the coloration to white and grays. Twice more brought it through a scheme with white, gray, and black patches, and then back to the green motif.

  After returning the poncho to the alcove, Anna replaced the panel on the wall, silently climbed outside, and tended to her prey. She stood over the body, not looking forward to the task at hand. Even though the lessons Kate had given her seemed pretty easy to accomplish, the idea of plunging her hands into the remains of a creature that had been alive mere hours ago made her a bit squeamish. She glanced at the knife in her hand, clean and shiny as if it had never touched another living thing. Looking back at the beast, she knew deep inside that its death was her fault, but the act could not be reversed. She agreed with Kate that it needed to be slaughtered and skinned to help ensure her survival, despite her misgivings. And, nobody was going to do it for her. Anna steeled herself and returned the knife to its sheath. Determined to complete the task, she summoned a couple of drones. When they arrived, she pointed at the carcass. “Pick up the body, and take it over to the tree line.”

  As she watched the drones lift the lifeless body and deliver it across the clearing, Anna glanced around the dark clearing, reaffirming no living creatures were within range. Satisfied the coast was clear, she hustled to where the drones held the dead creature.

  Within a few minutes the drones held the body suspended in the air while they rested on the ground, and Anna proceeded to bleed the beast. The fluids drained from one of its three hind legs and spattered onto the dirt. Its stench of decay assaulted her nostrils, driving her to the point of vomiting. She fought the urge, but the persistent scent made matters worse. Positive the odor would attract other predators, she decided to return to the ship to wait for the bleeding to finish.

  Anna moved through the clearing at a normal pace at first. With each step, she became more nauseated. She picked up her pace to a jog, afraid she would retch at any second. A short moment later, she ran to the nose of the ship and knocked on the window. Inside, Kate appeared and looked at her with an expression of curiosity.

  “Open the airlock!” screamed Anna. Kate nodded as the sound of the airlock opening reached her ears. Anna bolted for the opening and climbed inside. As she reached the floor, the inside door opened for her, and she sprinted for the head.

  Kate’s voice followed her. “What happened?”

  Anna said nothing as she dropped to her knees in front of the toilet, moaning. A split second later, her stomach gave way, and she vomited into the bowl. When nothing more came up, Anna rose to her feet on shaky legs, washed her face, and brushed her teeth.

  Kate stood by the door, watching. “What happened out there?”

  Pausing mid-stroke, Anna glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. “I’m not sure if I can use the carcass. Its blood smelled so bad, it made me sick.�
��

  Kate frowned. “Perhaps the creatures here break down faster after death.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. Doesn’t that depend on bacteria and other things?”

  “Yes. Maybe there are more bacteria here than we realize.”

  Anna spat into the sink. “That can’t be good.”

  “We do not know if that is the case. We would have to take samples and study them.”

  “Okay, we can do that. Meanwhile, I’m going to move the body over to the river and skin it. It shouldn’t take too long.”

  “Very good, Anna.”

  Anna lifted the towel off the rack, then stared at it for a few seconds. I’m not using that.

  She stepped toward the door and stopped in front of Kate. “Excuse me, Kate. I need to get by you.”

  With a smile, Kate stepped aside and allowed Anna to pass by.

  After grabbing a blue wool sweater from the pile of Ryan’s old clothes, Anna returned to the airlock, climbed out, and hastily moved to the nose of the ship. Kneeling in front of the window, she hailed Kate through the wristcomp.

  “Are there any creatures in the area? I’m going to move the body now.”

  With a nod, Kate said, “The area’s clear. Good luck!”

  After she had confirmed the blood had drained out, she instructed the drones to move the body to the river bank. When they set it down she took a deep breath, drew the knife from its sheath, and stepped toward it. Reflecting on Kate’s lessons based on the quadrupeds from Earth, Anna hesitated, pondering where to begin. She decided to ignore the extra set of legs and start as she would with a creature from her homeworld. She had put the blade in place and completed her first incision when her wristcomp signaled an incoming message.

  “Yes, Kate. What is it?”

  “Anna, I am detecting multiple signals approaching from the west. They are moving faster than the other creatures in the area. Sensors indicate to me that they are airborne.”

  Anna shrugged. “So, what’s the big deal?”

  “Every life form they come across disappears from sensors.”

  The statement hit Anna like a rock. “How long until they get here?”

  “Their current vector takes them just south of the clearing in about thirty seconds.”

  Figuring that they were going to fly on the opposite side of the ship from her, Anna started to dismiss them as no possible threat. She glanced at the dead body next to her, and remembered the predator’s blood on the ground at the edge of the clearing. Visions of large birds of prey swarming all around the ship filled her mind.

  “Oh, no.” Anna sprinted into the woods, leaving the skin and sweater behind.

  “What is wrong?”

  “Check…the birds’…flight path.” Anna ran at full speed, not breaking her stride.

  Kate responded, “Nothing has…correction. Their path is veering toward us now. ETA is twelve seconds.”

  “Tell the drones…to drop…the carcass…and get away.”

  Anna tripped on something. She hit the ground and rolled into a large root. At that second, screeches filled the air ahead. She whipped her head up and gazed at the ship. A faint gleam of light reflected off the white hull through the trees. Dozens of small, dark shapes swirled around the spot where the drones had held the creature. The percussive sounds of numerous impacts against solid wood and the ground assaulted her ears. She spent a few seconds watching them attack the source of the scent by ramming into it blindly.

  Anna judged the distance between herself and the ship. Despite the distance of just over twenty meters, she knew she would be ripped to shreds long before reaching the hull. She was too close to avoid them, and didn’t want to move for fear of attracting their attention. Or, maybe that’s what I should do.

  Glancing around her, she spotted a dead branch lying on the ground a few meters from her. As quiet as possible, she inched her way along the ground, grabbed it, and pulled toward herself. Slipping her hand into her tool belt, she retrieved her laser cutter and, using her body as a shield, ignited one end of the branch. Fanning the flames, she coaxed them to grow. Once the end of the branch was ablaze, she returned her cutter to her belt and stood, careful to not attract attention. Her stomach churned as doubts made her question her sanity. Knowing she couldn’t wait any longer, she took a deep breath to settle her nerves, and walked toward the ship.

  Within seconds, the swarm turned its attention to her. Anna drew her pistol and fired into the flock, hitting one of the creatures and forcing the rest to scatter. They rapidly regrouped and flew straight toward her. She waved her makeshift torch back and forth in a wide arc as they converged on her. The rush of air threatened to extinguish the flames, but it remained ablaze. She fired another shot, dispersing them again for a brief moment.

  The predators, from what she could tell as they flew around her, were twice as big as her hand and looked very similar to bats. Their rapid movements in the darkness made any clearer details next to impossible.

  Anna continued to wave her torch around as she stepped across the clearing and onto the nose of the ship. She inched her way over the front viewscreen to the top. The fire kept the avians at bay, but the flames grew smaller. And the predators’ defiant screeches pounded at her resolve. They were now so close to her that they were diving in to get to her on the side where the torch wasn’t, forcing her to swing it back at them.

  Anna continued to reverse until she was several meters from the front of the ship. “Kate, open the airlock.”

  As she heard the telltale sound of the opening hatch, she stepped quicker. She fired another shot and pegged another one that dropped onto the hull and died. The group scattered for a second, giving her enough time to turn and leap into the airlock.

  “Close it!” Anna slid down the ladder and tumbled to the floor. The hatch slammed above her. Just as she was about to clamber to her feet, she screamed as a sharp pain pierced her shoulder. A predator had slipped inside, and it screeched as it tasted its first human.

  Chapter 10

  Anna dropped her torch and pistol and grabbed for the little animal clamped to her shoulder. It flapped its wings, buffeting her hand while feeding on its new prey. Unable to get a good hold on it, she rolled over and bore all her weight onto the tiny body. Pinned under her, it squealed in pain, then bit harder, causing her to scream in agony. She put all her weight onto it that she could, again and again, until it finally released its hold. She leaped away and drew her survival knife, lunged at the beast and plunged the knife into its torso before it could take flight. The creature screeched louder than before, and Anna stabbed it a second and third time. Its cries faded, then it finally stopped moving.

  Dropping the knife in her hand, Anna slumped to the floor of the airlock and sobbed. The airlock door slid open behind her.

  “Oh, my god! Are you all right?” Kate’s voice expressed concern.

  Anna bawled a while longer before regaining her composure. “Can you scan my shoulder?”

  A few seconds passed in relative silence, the only sounds the muted feasting of the predators on top of the ship. “You have taken some muscle and tissue damage in your right shoulder, but nothing too serious. I do not detect any toxins or poisons in your system. Is there anything else I can do, Anna?”

  Anna sat up, wincing. “No, you’ve done all you can do right now.”

  She rose to her feet slowly, then walked to the head, using the wall to brace herself. She cleaned and dressed the wound as Kate watched from the doorway.

  Cleaning the blood away from her shoulder revealed three puncture marks that weren’t that big – although they hurt a lot – which did not surprise her considering the size of her assailant. She quickly bandaged the injury as best she could. “How much longer until the eclipse ends?”

  “Five hours and twenty-one minutes.” Kate’s voice was soft and compassionate.

  Anna acknowledged her with a nod, and returned the first aid kit to its niche under the sink. She moved from the head
to the bridge, careful to move her shoulder as little as possible.

  “Are you all right, Anna?”

  Anna flopped down into the pilot’s seat and stared through the window into the now lightening landscape. “I don’t want to go outside again, at least not until the sun has come out again.”

  “I can understand why.”

  Peering at the sensors display, Anna watched the cloud of airborne predators move eastward away from the clearing and eliminate two more unknown creatures. Her eyes centered on individual signs of life appearing on the holographic screen. As long as I’m stranded here, I’m going to have to endure this day of darkness every month. The idea nauseated her. “Is it just me, or does it seem like every creature on this moon wants to kill me?”

  Kate circled around the chair and crouched down in front of Anna. “It sure seems like it right now, but we cannot be too sure, given the little knowledge we have of the wildlife of this world. If it is anything like Earth, I am sure it has its share of herbivorous creatures that don’t want to eat you.”

  A smirk broke through Anna’s pouting face. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  “I know I am right. Come on. We need to get your mind off all of this for a while. Want to continue that cribbage game we started? I saved it at the point where we left off.”

  The ladies moved to the middle of the floor and continued their game without any further disturbances. As the game progressed, Anna’s mood lightened to where the only reminder of her incident was the dull pain in her shoulder and the bandage.

  * * * * *

  Anna sat cross-legged on the floor and rested her chin in her hand while studying the backgammon board floating in front of her.

  “Anna?” Kate broke the silence. Anna shifted her eyes from the board to Kate’s face.

  “Sunlight levels outside have increased by five percent over the last two minutes.”

  Anna’s face lit up. Without saying a word, she scrambled to her feet and dashed to the forward window. She leaned on the unadorned console and looked outside. Although it was still dark, the twilight had become a shade brighter. A sense of childish wonder flowed through her, as if she’d never seen a sunrise before. Glancing at the sensor display, she noticed no life signs. She frowned. “Where did they go?”