Parthenon

CHAPTER ONE

Mission Control was a controlled frenzy of people preparing for launch. This was normal for any mission into space. Thousands of tasks needed to be completed before the vehicle out on the pad could lift off into the great unknown. This time, though, it was different. Instead of a trip to the orbiting space station Cosmos-1 or a visit to the moon, this vehicle was headed to an orbiting space dock where mankind's first faster-than-light drive waited to be joined to her prior to initial flight testing.

Test pilot Colonel Duke Cressida looked out the window of the Flight Ready Room and saw the United Earth Research Vessel Astrid as it sat at the near end of the launching ramp. Like spaceships in the movies from the middle of the 20th century, the Astrid would use the ramp in conjunction with a drop-away booster sled to gain enough energy to leave the confines of the Earth's surface. Once in space, her massive reactionless engines would provide the thrust necessary for her to travel to the Moon and back.

Today, though, there would be no Moon. Instead, Astrid would mate with the waiting star drive which would then propel her to edge of the solar system and back in a little less than a day. At least that was the plan. Like all test flights, there was uncertainty. Humans had ever broken the light-speed barrier and doing so may have unforeseen dangers.

Still want to do this, Duke? Mission Director James Sewell asked as the transport backed up to the ready room exit. Like the room, the transporter maintained a Class-1000 clean environment in its interior.

Hmmmm...? Yeah, I do, sir, Duke said as the techs made final adjustments to his suit. Quick jaunt to the edge of the solar system and back. Easy peasy.

James smiled. He never thought to use the words easy peasy to describe jumping into another universe.

We're ready, sirs, one of the techs said.

Time to go, Duke said before one of the techs placed his helmet over his head and locked it into its ring,.

Good luck, Duke, the director said. The two shook hands before the techs walked Duke to the waiting transporter. When he arrived at the pad, a technician accompanied him to the Astrid's cockpit.

Sir, fair winds and smooth seas, the tech said as he helped Duke secure his harness.

Thank you... I don't think we’ve met before.

Technician Orcan, sir. If there's going to be a problem, then I'll find it. I was part of the team that made final adjustments to the FTL drive.

Good to know, Orcan, and thanks, Duke said as he began preflight.

###

Mission Control, this is Astrid. Mating is complete, and my board is green. Permission to leave dock, over.

Astrid, this is Mission Control. We concur. Your NAVComp has been fed the updated flight plan. Up is go. Good luck and Godspeed.

Roger that, Mission Control. Launching on my mark... Mark!

The ship's drives gently pushed it out of the dock. Moments later, it was traveling under one-gee acceleration on a vector which would take it out 90 degrees to the ecliptic to avoid minor obstacles such as planets, moons, and the like. Duke reached over and activated the star drive support systems including navigation shields and inertial dampening systems. It just wouldn't do to scratch the ship's paint with a rock or splatter his body against an interior bulkhead.

With status lights green and the ship encased in its protective fields, Duke was ready.

"Mission Control, this is Astrid. All systems show green. Initiating star drive in three... Two... One... Mark!

He pressed the button, and space folded around the ship.

He was not heard from again.

CHAPTER TWO

Listen up! Gunny Sergeant Seamus Cleary barked to his security team. Our mission is to secure the ARK facility and keep a lot of scared and panicked people from overrunning it. We do not panic. We do not forget our training. We do not forget that we are United Earth Marines and that those people in front of us and behind us are citizens. If we must, we will shoot anyone who poses a threat, but we will do so with extreme prejudice. Do you understand me?

Yes, Gunnery Sargent! they said in unison.

I can't hear you!

Yes, Gunnery Sargent!!

The bus took that moment to come around a turn and run into a stake truck filled with armed individuals. Time slowed as Sarge watched the people in the back of the truck turn to smoke as the Ellie pathogen overcame them. Then the bus hit the truck, throwing one of the people through the windshield half-way through their transformation. Quickly, as if being overcome by a wave, Marines at the front of the bus, including the driver, turned to smoke. Now driver-less, the bus careened off the road to come to a stop at the bottom of a ravine where it burst into flame.

###

Over here! I found someone! Carla yelled before running over to where Sarge lay. She immediately checked for a pulse while others joined her.

Are they alive? Julia asked while the others formed a defensive ring around the unconscious Gunny Sergeant.

Yes, ma'am, but I don't know how. She pointed to the drag marks exiting the burnt bus and ending where Sarge lay. That's a fifty-foot drop, and the bus landed on its side. He should be dead.

Skipper, there are no signs of the dead or living. Ellie must have gotten them all, a young corporal reported.

Captain Lasky looked down at Sarge. Yet here he is. Somehow he survived the crash and remained human. She looked at his chevrons. Marines. Improvise, adapt, and overcome. Ladies, get him out of here and back to town!

Are you going to tell Command, ma'am?

Once the doc checks him out. She took his hand. Damn you, Gunny, you will live. We need you.

###

The first thing Sarge saw when he opened his eyes were white ceiling tiles and fluorescent lights. Where the hell am I? he asked, not really expecting a reply.

You are in Sweetwater General Hospital. Four days ago, we pulled you from a wrecked bus about ten miles from here. You were the only survivor. Do you remember anything prior to the wreck?

Sarge sat up slowly, carefully swinging his legs over the side of the bed so he could sit.

Why is this bed so low? I thought hospital beds could be raised.

It's at full extension. You had a growth spurt since arriving here.

He looked at the woman talking to him. She was in her late thirties and wearing an Army uniform with captain's bars. He tried to get up, but his legs were too weak, so he saluted. Gunnery Sergeant Seamus Clarey, ma'am...

Captain Julia Lasky. At ease, Sarge. You have earned a rest. Anyway, the Army, and Marines, are on hold for a while.

Ma'am, what did you mean by growth spurt? I'm almost 30, I can't have a growth spurt.

Sarge, are you taking part in the Chimera Project?

Ma'am, I cannot either confirm or deny the existence of the Chimera Project...

When was the last time you had your pills?

Shit! he said before reaching up and finding two huge horns growing from either side of his head. Moving his hand further back, he found elongated ears which twitched when he touched them. LT, any chance we could keep this on the QT?

Too late. A picture of you got out on the net. You are now Sweetwater's official celebrity. She took a phone from her pocket. The head of Area 51 security wants you to give her a call. The number is on the desktop

Her...? Oh, right. Ellie. Thanks.

I'll be right outside. She walked out, leaving him sitting there wondering what the hell else could happen. He dialed the number.

###

Mayor Rona Smith walked up and leaned on the wall next to the captain. Did you ask him?

Not yet. He's talking to Area 51. I'll ask when he's finished.

The door opened and Sarge slowly, painfully stepped out of the room.

Sarge, what the hell? Julia asked. Get back to bed.

Sarge looked down on her and smiled. Who's your friend, Skipper?

This is Mayor Rona Smith. Rona, this is Gunnery Sergeant Seamus Clarey.