When they neared the end of the walkway, Jack risked another glance at the creatures in pursuit. The female was still in the lead. Her single red eye stared at him. Their movement, gangly and awkward within the narrow confines offered by the walkway, slowed the Dormitory monsters down. That would change when they reached the wider corridors. If they failed to find a way to stop the female monster and her followers, their chances of survival weren’t good.
They ran into the viewing room at the end of the walkway and headed straight for the door opposite. Theo punched the button. They all rushed through into the cargo section of the ship. Breathless from their exhausting dash, they stared at the approaching creatures through the rapidly narrowing gap until the closed door blocked them from their sight.
Lucy trembled. “We’re still not safe. They’ll open the door and get us.”
Jack slipped the ice axe from Henry’s rucksack and smashed the door control. “I’m hoping that’ll prevent the door from working, but I think hanging around to find out would be a bad move.” He held the axe up to Henry. “Do you mind if I keep hold of this?”
Henry panted and grabbed at his aching side. “Be my guest. It’s of more use in your hands than mine, but let’s get moving. It’s imperative we reach the secondary control room.”
Jane reminded them they still had to find Richard.
“He could be anywhere on the ship by now,” said Theo.
“Or dead!” added Lucy. The thought of wandering alone through the ship was a nightmare she’d never be able to endure.
Henry glanced at his concerned companions. “All we can do is keep moving and hope we run into Richard or find the control room.”
Theo led the way along the corridor.
Richard was worried. Not because a new danger threatened his life, but the opposite—he’d not seen or heard any monsters for a while. The thought that one could appear at any moment was almost as terrifying as the attack itself. He cautiously peered around a corner, but like the last few he had passed through, the corridor was also clear of monsters. He unzipped his jacket to look at the sleeping creature nestled in an inside pocket sleeping off its meal. Its skin was green, which he thought was a good sign. He smiled. His new-found friend would bring him wealth and fame beyond his wildest expectations. He zipped up the jacket and set off along the corridor.
Behind the next door he came to, he found a surprise. Henry, Theo, Max, Jane, Lucy and Jack rushed toward him.
“It’s Richard,” called out Theo, surprised the man was still alive.
The smile upon Richard’s lips was genuine. He was relieved more than he thought he would be by the reunion. “You all made it then.”
“Except for Eli,” said Theo, sadly.
Richard turned a shoulder to reveal Eli’s bag on his back. “I thought he might be dead. I found his rucksack in the jungle room. I think one of the monsters got him.”
Jane creased her nose and looked at Richard’s soiled clothing. “What happened to you?”
Richard shook his head. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
I didn’t think we’d see you again after you disappeared down that foul chute,” said Henry.
Richard looked at Henry. “You saw that?”
“We were hiding in one of the empty giant pods when you entered the room,” explained Max.
“Thanks for your help.”
“You know as well as we do, Richard, that if we’d revealed ourselves, we would’ve all been killed,” said Henry, defensively.
Aware time was of the essence, Theo quickly updated Richard with events since their parting and their need to find the auxiliary control room.
The look on Richard’s face after hearing the request didn’t inspire confidence in the others that the control room would be easy to reach. He just as quickly explained his concerns. The team was astounded by his description of the specimen room they’d have to pass through and by what they thought must be a wildly embellished tale of how he’d killed the monster inside.
“If that’s the only one you saw, maybe it’ll be safe to travel through now,” said Theo, hopefully.
“Though obviously it’s a concern, it’s a risk we’ll have to take as we need to reach the control room,” said Henry.
Screeches echoed along the corridor. The Dormitory monsters had entered this part of the ship.
Jane turned to Richard. “Can you remember the way?”
Richard shrugged. “I think so.”
“Then lead on,” ordered Henry.
Richard led the group back through the ship.
Though Richard had to pause and get his bearings a couple of times at intersections, he managed to backtrack his route to the specimen room, and ready to flee, cautiously opened the door.
Crimson light bathed the group peering nervously through the opening.
Jack’s eyes took in the room’s huge size and the many areas in shadow that might conceal lurking creatures. Another step enabled him to look down the first row of specimen tanks on his left and right. He cocked an ear. The quiet deep hum of a motor and an occasional glug of fluid was all he heard. He turned to glance at the others waiting in the doorway. “Wait there while I walk to the end and see what’s around the corner.”
When he turned away, Lucy took out her camera, stepped into the room and crossed to the nearest row of specimens.
Henry shook his head but didn’t waste his breath trying to stop her. “Be careful, Lucy.”
If Lucy had heard, she showed no sign. She was too fascinated by the amazing sights that filled her roaming vision. Thrilled eyes wandered over creatures suspended in the red liquid, each more extraordinary and fantastical than the previous. She could hardly contain her excitement at seeing the range of strange life-forms. She glanced at the other filled racks in her line of vision. It saddened her that soon the species from a whole planet would be lost. She started taking photographs.
Jack gazed down every aisle he passed; all were clear. He paused at the dead, but still fearsome Web monster, and glanced up at the bloodstained crane contraption. Though he’d disbelieved Richard’s hard-to-believe tale of how he’d killed the creature, the evidence here proved he’d been mistaken. To use the crane as a weapon hinted at a level of quick thinking and courage he wouldn’t have credited the man with previously. He walked to the end of the rows and glanced each way. The red light flooding the space revealed it free of danger. He turned and waved the others forward. As soon as they were through, Theo closed the door.
The others were also fascinated by the strange creatures and momentarily forgetting the monsters they were so keen to escape from they, moved through the room gazing at the strange creatures.
Max pulled out the video camera and stared filming. “We should be thankful these creatures aren’t roaming free like those others.”
Jack pointed out the broken containers and the askew rack. “It seems the ship’s bumpy landing set a few free. Probably those monsters we’ve encountered.”
Jane peered through the glass at a small creature with six limbs, a tiny head and claws a raptor would be proud of. “It’s proof they’re living specimens in suspended animation.”
Max panned the camera around the room. “It’s disheartening that all this will soon be lost.”
Theo nodded his agreement. “If we do manage to escape and alert the outside world of what we’ve discovered, and it’s possible, perhaps a rescue mission can be launched to save the ship. NASA and the armed forces would surely do anything to get their hands on this advanced technology and maybe even these creatures.”
Henry wasn’t so enthusiastic. These creatures didn’t belong on Earth. If even one escaped and was able to survive the Antarctic climate and somehow managed to reach the mainland, they’d soon become top of the food chain, and if they bred, the consequences would be disastrous. No, he thought, perhaps it’s better they perish.