Beyond the Darkside 35 1-5

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The sound of electrons rearranging on the surface of the molecular analyzer grated on Aldric’s nerves. The hiss-chirp hiss-chirp cadence generated by the device was new, or at least it was new to him. He never noticed it before, but he was distracted before. Everything was clearer now, so it only made sense that he would notice sounds that were obviously masked before. Ignoring the sound was difficult, but it did not keep him from understanding the information.

The complex patterns taking shape on the analyzer was unlike anything he had seen before in organic matter. The DNA, or what passed for DNA in the remains of the tentacles that came pouring through the dimensional gate, mimicked the wave pattern of the energy that came from opening the gate in the first place. Was the creature’s DNA change when it went through the gate, or was the gate somehow connected to the creatures? Hard to answer that question without going through the gate himself, and he was not crazy enough to try going through the gate. Not yet anyway.

Beyond the Darkside 34-21 to 24

“No. She-”

“She might be,” Hanse interrupted. “I’m not saying she is, but we have to play it safe. If you’re right then a little extra time won’t matter, but if you’re wrong we could be handing Isis and the rest of the resistance over to Dewitt or someone else.”

“I am already on the inside. I can learn more and when the time is right I will take you to her myself,” Debra said.

Evan let out a breath that he had been holding without even realizing it. “You’re right, about waiting I mean, but I don’t think she’s working for Aldric or anyone else.”

Beyond the Darkside 34-16 to 20

“Mostly food and medical supplies, but we swiped some parts too,” Hanse said.

Debra slowly shifted her gaze to her husband. “And that is it?”

Hanse tilted his head to the side and grinned. “Well there were a few weapons and a prototype code breaker, but that’s it: promise.”

“Great.” Debra shook her head and sighed. “Well that should be enough to get Vo off my back, at least for now, but that doesn’t mean you two are off the hook. Odds are both her and Aldric Dewitt will be coming for you two soon enough, so I would just as soon get you both out of my house.”

Beyond the Darkside 34-1 to 15

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The sparse dinner pleased Evan far more than it had any right to. He smiled and stroked his too thin stomach. The vat grown chicken and greenhouse broccoli tasted better than anything he ate while in the company of the resistance or Isis herself. He did not know if it was because he was not a prisoner at the moment, or if it was that much better than the survival rations that always seemed to be on the menu of the resistance. Ultimately it did not matter, but it tickled Evan’s mind and he smiled.

“You look rather pleased with yourself,” Hanse said as he shut the door behind him and walked into the living room of his wife’s home. The big man’s grin did not have the artificial or sinister qualities Evan was used to. An hour spent with Debbie in her bedroom, neither of them caring what Evan could hear, improved his demeanor as much as the food improved Evan’s.

Beyond the Darkside: 32-18 to 23

Hanse reached behind his back and grabbed the grip of the handgun he kept tucked into the back of his pants. He did his best to keep his hands from shaking, but a tremor persisted.

“Don’t do it, Hanse,” Evan said.

The safety clicked off with a flick of Hanse’s thumb.

Evan put his hands up in front of him with the palms facing Hanse. “If you’d rather I left, then point me in the right direction–”

“Out the airlock, you fuck,” Hanse said as he jerked his head in the direction of the garage’s exit.

“Sorry, but I’m not killing myself today,” Evan said. “You point me in the right direction, give me a lift, and I’ll stay far away from you and Isis.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Debra said as the door into the house opened.

Beyond the Darkside 32-13 to 17

Evan looked around the garage. “Is there a bathroom or something?”

“In the house, but you’ll have to strip out here,” Hanse said. “The little woman wouldn’t like it if we brought them inside.”

“But…I…” Evan climbed out of the shuttle and looked about. “What about privacy?”

“Stuff your privacy little man. I’ve been watching you in your little room since you arrived,” Hanse said as he exited the shuttle. He poked Evan in the chest with a finger and said, “Everything.”

Beyond the Darkside: 32-9 to 12

“You know her?” Evan asked.

“Know her? Hell, wonder boy, she’s my wife,” Hanse said with a foolish grin.

“Wait, you’re married?”

“What? You think I spend all of my time keeping an eye on you?” He turned and smiled at his wife. “I have this lovely creature to come home too.”

“Not that you do,” Debra said. “You haven’t been home in three days.”

“Well I’ve been busy,” Hanse said.

“Obviously, but would it hurt to check in every now and then at least?” she asked.

Beyond the DarkSide: 32-6 to 8

“Well I’ll be damned,” Hanse said.

“What? What is it?” Evan asked while frantically looking about.

“It looks like we’re saved.” Hanse picked up his pace, bounding forward with long strides that ate up the distance.

Evan chased after him, but he watched the distance between them grow. He worried that the revolutionary intended to ditch Evan and save himself. Then he saw the shuttle.

The dull mustard yellow shuttle sat between two craters and blended in with the surroundings. A white light blinked twice and went dark. It did so a few seconds later, but stopped once Evan turned in its direction. Hanse got to the shuttle and waved Evan forward. “Come on,” he shouted.

Evan’s breath came in panting gasps by the time he got to the shuttle door. He climbed inside the red lit interior and Hanse closed the hatch. A cheerful, masculine voice announced, “Please keep all safety gear in place.” Air rushed into the bay through a series of vents in the ceiling. After a minute the hissing stopped and the light changed from red to white.

Hanse unlatched his helmet and pulled it off. He sucked in a noisy breath and declared, “Still recycled, but the freshest air I’ve had in thirty minutes.” Evan followed his lead, but kept the helmet in his lap rather than tossing it to the ground.

The metal clank and hiss of an airlock opening turned both of their heads toward the front of the shuttle. A tall, thin woman in grey flights it stepped through the door and glared at the two of them. She opened her mouth to speak, but Hanse cut her off. “Debbie, baby, I’m so glad to see you.” His exuberant greeting and accompanying smile did not elicit the response he hoped for. Debra’s glare grew more pronounced and the silence more palpable.

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Beyond the DarkSide: 31-14 to 15

“I’ll need the location,” Debra said, “and a budget.”

“Fine,” Margaret huffed. She tapped the screen of her terminal, sending Debra the location of the warehouse and access to an account for expenses. “Done. Now get me what I want.”

Debra turned and walked from the room without saying a word. Margaret watched the woman leave and briefly considered having her shot before she left, but the woman’s record suggested she was someone that got the job done, and Margaret was woefully lacking for people who she could say that about. The door closed and thoughts of killing the security chief faded away.

Margaret pinched the bridge of her nose and stared at the screen once more. Nothing moved, but that was to be expected from a camera located on the lunar surface. Why did this feel important? Maybe her fixation with Aldric was getting the better of her, but she did not think so. She could feel it. The balance shifted and she could not figure out whether or not it was in her favor.

The buzzer chimed again and Cathy’s cute little face with her perfect sweetheart lips popped up on the screen. “What?” she asked, clipping the word off short.

“Kraven is here to see you,” Cathy said.

“Good. Send him and see that we are not disturbed.” Margaret poked the image with a finger, once more banishing Cathy from her sight.

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Beyond the DarkSide: 31-12 to 13

“CWAC” by Unknown photographerCredit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA- – Found at http://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/the-canadian-womens-army-corps/ – website for The Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-mer, Normandy. Accessed 1st May 2007. Photograph taken October 30th, 1943 by Canadian Crown employee and hence out of copyright.. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CWAC.jpg#/media/File:CWAC.jpg

A tall, lanky woman in her early thirties, Debra Carter carried herself with a quiet confidence that Margaret instantly admired and hated. Alarms went off in her head. This woman was a threat to her, or at least her plans, but for the moment Margaret needed her, so she pushed down the warning and smiled.

“Welcome, Debra,” Margaret said as she stood up. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”