When Hero’s Emerge

As I struggle to get to my feet I can see well into the control room. I muster all my strength and push the fallen Alien from atop me. Samuel’s barrage has cleared the area for now, but there are others and I sense their presence is near. I run into the control room to find Samuel setting explosives on the computer panels. As I approach him I call out his name, Samuel turns with conviction and points his gun directly at my eyes. Then he stops, “Tedesco,” he cries! I simply nod my head, for there is no time to talk. With only seconds to spare Samuel hands me a weapon and returns to his objective. Once the explosives are set into place Samuel shakes his head and says, “we have only once chance to do this.” However before he can utter another word they arrive and they are angry…

When Hero’s Emerge

It is Samuel’s intention to destroy the portal on both sides and stop the creatures from ever crossing the threshold into our world again. Although it is too late to save our friends, Samuel will do all in his power to save our world.  In true form he burst through the portal with guns blazing, bringing down the creatures as they run for cover. As a soldier Samuel has the training and keen sense to defeat our enemy.  The creatures were unprepared for the carnage and now many lie lifeless inside the room that marks our escape.  When Samuel leaped beyond our world into theirs he assumed that I was dead.  He had no way of knowing that I would be waiting on the other side.  Thus when I realize that I am no longer alone in this alien realm, I call out to Samuel in an effort to lend aid to his quest. For the first time in what seems to be forever, there is hope. Even if we don’t escape, I will not die here alone.  Together we will fight and attempt to do the impossible.

When Hero’s Emerge

When I passed beyond the portal, the room was sealed and filled with a poisonous compound. It was the intent of my captors to execute my colleagues. The doors to the chamber were sealed closed and a toxic gas filtered through the vents. The room quickly filled with the poisonous toxin and my companions feel into a deathly slumber and there they will remain entombed within the chamber for all time. However Samuel was prepared; he has seen first hand the consequence of war. As ammunitions expert and a soldier of fortune a gas mask is a necessity. Unfortunately the others weren’t equipped with the life saving apparatus. Thus they perished inside the chamber, but Samuel would not let their deaths be in vain. Samuel vowed to change the course set in motion by our unearthing and destroy the portal before it was too late. Thus as soon as the toxin dissipated he prepared for the end. He set an explosive device inside the chamber that will destroy the portal and ensure that the creatures can never again enter our world. Samuel knows better then to leave anything to chance. He realizes that the portal must be closed on both sides in order for mankind to be saved from a fate that is far worse then death itself…

When Hero’s Emerge

It is at this moment that my heart stands still. How can I alone defeat these beings? Therefore I accept my destiny, for alone I am no match against them. I close my eyes and await what fate intended. I feel a gust of air and hear the tempered cries of the creatures as they rush past me. I hesitantly open my eyes and see them running; panic and confusion has taken hold and they pay no mind to my presence in the corridor or to their fallen comrade. Then from inside the control room a welcome sound emerges, one that I had thought was lost to me forever. Not that of an alien race but that of my own kind, and what follows is the thunderous bellow of bullets echoing through the chamber. Somehow my friend had made it through the portal and he was here to save mankind from a devastating future or he will die trying. I call out to him for I know that the portal must be destroyed, even if it means that we will remain on the other side of humanity.

A Plague Upon Mankind

I stare at the creature that seems undaunted by my appearance, and realize that he alone will bring attention to my presence. The creature stares at me with his blackened eyes and without speaking a word points at me. I hear his words call out in the silence of my mind, and he alerts the others that I have emerged. I hesitate for a moment and wait for him to move toward me. My hand is firmly wrapped around the syringe that is hidden behind my back and as he leans forward I quickly plunge it deep into his neck. However the excitement proves to be too much and before long the others are called to restrain me. Sadly, my efforts came to late. His cries alerted the others and they are running toward me. Has everything I’ve done thus far been in vain, will the legacy of humankind end here? I refuse to accept the end, and stand my ground knowing that I will not submit without a fight! However my fortitude will not last. As I prepare for the worst the downed creature grabs hold of my legs and pulls me to the ground. My struggle is futile for I know the others are fast approaching…

A Plague Upon Mankind

I am fully aware of the risk involved, I cannot just walk into the computer room without being seen. Once I am within reach of the portal, I will make a run for it, and use whatever means necessary to stop the creatures should the situation call for it. If I fail at my task the end result will be the same and the future of man will be no more. With my mind and body clear of the toxins I wait for the transport tube to come to a stop, knowing not what waits on the other side. The winch slows down and then comes to a sudden stop; I take a deep breath and hold tight the syringe between my clenched fist. When first the door opens, I am relieved to see that no being is waiting on the other side. With a false sense of security, I exit the transport tube and walk beyond the corner of a long quiet corridor. However my confidence is quickly thwarted when I turn another corner and walk right into the very creature I am trying to avoid…

A Plague Upon Mankind

The creature had given me drugs to dull my senses, once my mind became clear of their effect I was able to search my mind and recall the events that brought me here. The portal room is below, and in order to escape this nightmare I must make my way back there, before being discovered. I am acutely aware that it is the transportation tubes that feed the massive ship in the same way that our arteries transport nutrients to our body. Oxygen flows through the tubes and cultivates the life force that operates the ship. Once inside the tubes you feel its energy flowing through you. I remember distinctly that my mind was in sync with the movement. In the same way that these creatures are able to communicate through my mind, so does the ship guide me. Had the creatures intended to sharpen my intellect or is it simply that the ship offers nutrients that enhance the mind? Either way without the drugs, I am able to see clearly and navigate through the massive ship as if it were my home. If I can manage to avoid contact with these creatures, I should be able to reach the portal.

A Plague Upon Mankind

Before leaving the room I drag the lifeless body of the alien into the corner behind a desk. Hopefully she won’t be discovered too soon and this will buy me some much-needed time. The corridors of the massive ship branch out in several directions. I search my memory for anything that may be vaguely familiar; a window or stairwell that I may have past when they first captured me. My eyes pan each crevice of the ship until I hear the sound of several creatures approaching and quietly duck into an empty room and allow them to pass. When suddenly it occurs to me that energy must come from a power source. The portal would need to be powered by something substantial. Possibly computers, but the room would be massive to support something this powerful. When I was first sedated, I remember falling in and out of sleep; the elevator or transportation tube as they call it. That is how I ended up here…

A Plague Upon Mankind

Dr. Simpson’s actions shock me and cause me to fall away from the cage. In doing so I knock over a table that contains assorted medical instruments. With the creature temporarily preoccupied, I grab hold of a long syringe that contains a green liquid and I can only assume that it is the virus that has overtaken William. As the creature bends forward to grab hold of me, I plunge the syringe deep into her heart. Unable to speak she pulls the venomous needle from her chest and stares at me in disbelief. The creature stands above me clutching her heart and in an instant falls to her knees gasping for her last breath. I look around the room for a weapon, anything to help clear my path should I encounter another. Then I see what appears to be some form of a firearm strapped to the fallen Alien. I quickly grab her weapon along with another syringe and make my way into the barren hallway; but before doing so I take one last look at my colleague and whisper, “I’m sorry and may God be with you”.  

A Plague Upon Mankind

These creatures are brutal; they have stripped my friend and colleague of his humanity and plan to destroy all mankind. I will not allow my fear to return and fight the feelings that are welling up inside me. “I sense that you fight your emotions,” states the creature? “Then I will have to show you!” Uncoupling my hands and feet, the creature drags me to the room where Dr.Simpson is being held. Cowering in the corner of a cramped cage I face my fears head on. I crawl to the outside of the cage and speak his name; “William, it is me Tedesco, can you hear me?” The broken being looks into my eyes as if he has some recollection of his name and then stops before rushing the cage. His eyes have turned inward, his nose is barely visible and his jaw is unhinged; his body is covered in boils and he is void of communication. With venom in his heart he grunts and growls and snaps at me through the bars and I know that William is no longer a man.