07 Feb 150 Scifi

Rough Day At The Office

He fastened on his helmet. The final component of the hermetically sealed uniform he was forced to wear each day. Comfortable? No. Necessary? Yes. This thin layer of technical fiber was the only thing between Jim and one of the world’s deadliest viruses, XBE3.

This nameless contagion still lacked a formal title. You know, something sexy like influenza or mononucleosis. Why? Well, because scientists still knew so little about it. Other than the fact that it was airborne, and that its rapid reproduction rate resulted in a halt of respiratory function in a matter of hours. The most terrifying factor? It was man made.

XBE3 was the product of secret government program, funded to find a chemical warfare solution comparable to the force of an atom bomb. The program was successful.

Jim entered the laboratory and the final set of doors sealed behind him. He approached the microscopic apparatus in the center of the room and gingerly placed his hands around the metal equipment. That’s when he saw it. A small nick in his orange armor. A minute tear, but an ample opportunity for XBE3 to infiltrate his suit, and his immune system. Jim would not be leaving work that day.

Long Distance

The ground trembled beneath Adam’s feet as he ascended the trail in Runyon Canyon Park, one of Los Angeles most popular hiking destinations. He had just moved from New York with his Labrador Shadow, and today’s trek represented an effort to acquaint themselves with their new home.

He stumbled slightly and regained his balance. The ground shook again, this time with increased fervor. Must be a small earthquake he thought. He knew small quakes were common on the west coast, and attributed the disturbance to just another factor of LA life he’d have to get used to.

The quake subsided and the duo returned to their mission. Several minutes passed without a stir when it happened. With a disturbing rumble and a cacophonous crack, the ground split between the New Yorker and his canine companion. Adam dove to avoid falling into the depths below. Dust billowed in the air, creating a hazy cloud of sediment that made it difficult to see past his own hands. The shaking had stopped and the ground had settled, yet his heart was still rumbling with fear.

Shadow was nowhere in sight. Head in hands, he patiently waited for the dust to settle. When finally, he heard a bark.

Up, Up and Away

 Jim was glued to his seat from the force of the lift off. His organs strained against the pressure. No matter how many g-force training sessions he endured before this flight, he still wasn’t used to the unsettling sensation.

Finally, the ship burst through the outer limits of the mesosphere, before reaching its ultimate destination in the thermosphere. The shuttle would be orbiting Earth for the next 5 years, gathering new information on the extreme weather patterns that had plagued the planet as of late. Jim had forgotten how beautiful Earth looked from this distance.

Suddenly, the ship shook violently. Something was wrong. Was it a mechanical error? Jim grimaced in fear. He was prepared for situations like this, but that did little to slow his heart rate. The shaking had stopped.

“SHUTTLE DOORS OPENING” announced the ship’s computer system.

Jim was astonished. What could have overridden the system to open the hatch?

He unbuckled his seatbelt and raced toward the gate, before something stopped him dead in his tracks. A giant alien life form seized Jim by the throat with scaly, green claws.

In labored English, it ordered “take me to Chipotle.”