The Space Race Guide

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say.

‘They’ also say that it takes minutes for a person to die without protective suits in outer space.

A fact that immediately crossed her mind when she realized she awoke on the wrong side of an air lock door. The window to that door revealed the intense gaze of a grinning man and alongside her some sort of realistic hologram of a woman in a dragon suit.

There was a moment that stood between seconds as thousands of thoughts ran through her mind at once. When she opened her mouth to yell, it seemed she had no voice. Touching her throat lightly she took a slow deep breath in as the sound of the mechanical clicks of outer doors surrounded her and the seal of the door begin to break.

In moments it would not matter.

The cool brush of air against her skin confused the senses as she opened her eyes to the rumble around her which revealed a marvelous abstract moving mosaic that seemed to respond to her as she moved backward through something like a vacuum; falling, diagonally, through space. As the force pulling her did not allow her to move or shift, the only option was to ride these vibrant swirling streaks of colors that defied both logic and gravity while moving through and around her.

It was only a few short breaths later when Danielle Cree blinked her eyes open she found herself in a familiar, safe place. The science lab at the Botany Station which smelled strongly of formaldehyde.

The scent caused her to blink and rub her eyes before wondering when, when exactly was here? Why I was here? How had I gotten here? Was I actually here?

That was when the instructor began her lesson and Cree remembered the day.

It was nearly graduation day and the Instructor carried on again about the last twenty-five years in space. A civil war between two countries ended in the middle of the twenty first century with nuclear explosions releasing so much toxicity in the atmosphere that most of Earth was deemed inhabitable within a few weeks. Those who could escape on spaceships, did. Immediately.

Looking down at her journal Cree shifted her pen anxiously as the Professor’s voice pulled her back into what could only be assumed the present, for the moment.

“…And you see. Had the privatization of the space race not begun in the early twenty first century, there would have been fewer spaceships worldwide and virtually no space stations in orbit when we needed them. Humanity would have been lost. We owe the one percent our lives and our loyalty.”

One young recruit interrupted.

“Shouldn’t the unnecessary polarization between the one percent and the everyone else be brought into these history lessons?”

“You’re soldiers, not mercenaries... Or politicians. How is it they say? Stay in your lane?”

The Professor smiled before clasping both her hands in front of her chest and lifting her attention to the back of the classroom where another teacher held the door open and gestured for her to come outside.

When the Instructor returned,

“Class, great news. Life has been detected on Earth. Everyone get back to your companies for an immediate formation.”

Danielle Cree closed her eyes again focusing on her breath, and on the actual present.

Where and what was the last thing that I remember doing?

When she breathed in this time the first thing she noticed was the cool air around her and the musty smell of old books.

Ah. The very best seat at the Internationals Space Station library. Her seat.

As she sat a moment thinking, she remembered that her squad had been assigned here to comb through inventory that was an absoute mess at every space station they had visited. Half of the squad returned yesterday to their previous assignment station to ensure some counts where correct because similar inconsistencies in the population were showing up across the board, which simply couldn't be correct.

With permission she had temporarily made the study hall in the library her office. The view was special to her, facing the town square, the window was located mid-level in the courtyard located on the east wing of the Internationals Space Station. Which, this seat, her seat provided an excellent view of the courthouse, the police and fire houses and all the people milling about.

For a moment she let herself drift in thought staring blankly over the screen of the computer at the erupting party in the streets. As she let her eyes wander over the people already too drunk to stumble, it suddenly made sense to her why the government, with their threats of court marshalling anyone who spoke of it after the Botany station, waited to tell the public about the rediscovery of life on Earth.

Cree considered making a quick exit before Brianna Smith crossed the window heading to the entrance of the library. A feeling of nervousness began to grow in her gut when Brianna’s oversized sunglasses and somewhat dodgy behavior spoke of a potential saftey concern or a nervousness in general.

A heavy sigh escaped Brianna as she swung open the door and quickly ducked in and breathing in the not so fresh scent of crisp old books and dusty rooms.

Why Danielle spent most of her childhood held up in here, Brianna would never know. What she did know is that this was not the time to be seen alone with her sister, whatever trouble Dani had gotten herself into this time, was making many powerful people, very nervous. That wasn't her problem but she wanted to end this nightmare before it began and she felt a vague warning might help Dani on her way out... and far, far away.

In the middle of several rows of the bench like tables, Brianna saw her sister sitting alone and though a soft spot threatened to engulf her heart, she stamped it down for both their sake.

“Danielle?”

It was almost as if her voice was too loud, the way it echoed through the large room.

“Hey, ahh… you, ok?”

However hard she tried to overcome it, the aggravation in her tone was pronounced. Though many years separated them, they had grown up together, they knew each other well enough, and Brianna knew that more than anything Dani wanted to be a part of the family, she just, couldn’t fit. Too smart, too sensitive, too analytical. Things couldn’t just be around Dani. If there were questions, she needed answers and that kind of mentality doesn’t bode well with the family business.

“Mom wanted me to see if you were coming tomorrow night.”

A moment passed between them before Cree turned to face her sister, as she moved, she squinted at the guy with the hoodie who passed by outside looking right at them.

Had he not just passed by going the other way?

The thought was set to the side as she turned and gave her younger sister her complete attention.

“You don’t want me to go.”

It was more of a statement than a question which was confirmed by the sudden relief in her sister’s body language.

“Look it’s been ten years. You left us. Things are different now. Every time you come around…”

Cree let the familiar talk ensue as she set her hands on her knees and exhaled heavily before standing and gathering her items spread across the table.

“Yea... Ok. Then maybe I won’t, ya know?”

Without so much as another word her sister took a few steps back and waved before turning away and leaving. The family had pushed Cree out and away when she enlisted, and though it never made sense how serving the people was such a bad thing. After years of contemplation, she reserved that this explanation was one that wasn’t meant to be understood by everyone, especially not her.

From a distance away Oscar Ortiz pulled his hood down as he watched the younger of the two women exit the library nervously and disappear into the crowd of people. Though he was sure he was spotted by his target, he was glad that he had walked by the window the second time. This second woman was a game changer, he finally understood why they tasked him to gather intel and information about this low-level supply soldier Danielle Cree. Though he was not acquainted with either of the women in the library, he did know of the younger girl’s father and his business.

This was the kind of news the Boss was looking for; he was sure of it.

Oscar was in a very precarious position, he had more than one boss and yet only one that really mattered. With his families standing employment to one of the richest families in orbit he was sought after by people running an underground business and though it took some time for him to realize it, they had bought and paid for his loyalty multiple times over.

Oscar and his family were spared largely from the sanctions put on everyone who was not of the one percent. These sanctions regarded everything from cleaner water, better food, resources, health, family restrictions and education. Both of his employers knew that he would do anything to keep him and his family safe.

As he slinked through the crowds of people in the streets, he realized that no one really had the time yet to really consider what this news could mean. Were there survivors all this time left on Earth? Had the damage been as bad as they said? When and how could we all return? Who is in charge down there?

It wasn’t long before his questions and his feet brought him to Cree’s living quarters. It took him the better part of a week to both get her habits down and get her neighbors nervous enough with rumors and missing or moved items in their rooms. With all the gossip he and his actions created it was a wonder that noone suspected him as they passed him virtually invisible in his maintence uniform. People so blinded by the latest gossip that they forget the purpose of that action is distraction.

When he saw Cree entering the lobby, he knew she would head straight to the shower room as he fell in at about thirty paces behind her noting the bag she held close. The need to get his hands on what was in her work bag trumped all fear and doubt in his mind.

With that he ducked into the break room, which had the breaker box for all the pods in this wing. A few moves later he was in the breaker box, just before he shut off the power to her pod he knew the control center would blink a warning for three minutes until they completed systems check requiring maintenance documentation of the power outage.

A busted fuse, he would say, if he had to answer the authorities.

When he stepped into her room, he noticed that she had been messier before, this sudden organization and lock boxes reasoned that she had become aware of his intrusion. A realization that both made him smile and gave him goosebumps. There was nothing she could do and no way for her to stop him from coming into her personal space. They both knew that and she would be no doubt affected by that truth.

As he left her room, he removed from his bag, the journal which he had taken from her room over a week ago. A smile creeped upon his face as he set it on her bedside table, a gift that might crawl beneath her skin and leave her unsettled enough to properly fear him.

As Cree later climbed out of the shower and dressed in the shower room, she began to wonder about the people in the hall passing her as she made her way to her room. It was sudden and strange how their demeanors, and attitudes had shifted drastically in less than a few days.

Many of the people who were once very kind, now passed her in the hallway growing oddly quiet when she neared. Instead of smiles she recevied awkward glances and whispered conversations directed away from her. Strange. It was feeling that way with her family also. They would stop talking when she entered a room and only begin again when she left the room.

When she stepped into her room she looked around feeling as if something in the room were ‘off’. It was not something she could immediately put her finger on. Then she noticed the bedroom fan was off, and the blinking clock in the corner. Surely she had mindlessly done something or another, perhaps the entire floor had a quick power outage and she didn’t notice while showering?

After she had dressed, she clicked on her bedside lamp and sat slowly on her bed, staring very long and very hard at the once missing journal. It now sat next to her bed side table as if it had never left.

“How in the world did you get there?”

As she sat staring, she considered the last time she was certain she had seen it. Was it here or at the library? Unsure why it mattered she focused on the thought for a while longer before laying her head on the pillow.

Oscar was up and almost out the door early the next day when his phone blinked a message from the Boss.

“Any updates?”

“Not yet.”

"Get on it.”

When his phone vibrated again, he was locking his apartment door. This time it was Josh, Cree’s friendly next-door neighbor. Oscar waited a ring as he pulled his bag around the front to check his stash and stow away his keys. Addicts were the easiest to manipulate, most of the time they thought they were just being someone’s pal. A slap on the shoulder, a bit of intel they didn’t know was worth anything and they paid high prices for their fix. The kind of stuff friendships are made of.

“Hey, yea? You said you would hook me up with that bag today man?”

Though he liked the money, Oscar hated addicts. Sure, he sold to them. But who gets addicted? Such a weak cop out. They’ll overdose eventually. Its just a matter of time really.

“Sure do Bro. What’s the word on our friend?”

“Ole’ neighbor chick? I just saw her leave in a hurry. What’s your bag with her anyway?”

Oscar checked his watch avoiding the question.

“I can meet you at the courthouse in thirty… ish minutes.”

"Cool! Today’s my day off man… this’ll be great.”

Oscar clicked the end call button and immediately took off toward the lower levels. If she was late, she would be headed the shortcut route to the library, and he knew the perfect intersection they could cut her off at.

It wasn’t the safest route, but it was one she knew well and there was a cut through which led her to the backside of the library saving her half the time of the mid-level trek through the station courtyard. Cree always hated being late but shifting her routine heavily influenced her tardiness for a time. Being late meant she rushed, she forgot things, and one of those things today was packing her work bag. Thankfully she wore her best pair of cargo pants which had many large pockets all along the legs. Before ensuring the pockets were closed tight she stuffed each of the pockets with the essentials,and snatched her lunch bag, stuffing a jacket and some water in it before heading out the door.

When she was about halfway through the tunnels, she began hearing someone kicking the water that trailed along the middle of the pathway. A feeling in her gut grew that caused the hair on the back of her neck and arms rise. The water was gross. In some places it was mainly sewage. Usually, people walked on either side of that trail of water, not through it.

Suddenly the idea to take a ladder up to the mid-level of the station crossed her mind and she immediately dismissed it. Such a detour, she thought, would easily add much more time to her walk. Why would she change course now? A few steps passed the ladder, another feeling wrenched her gut so immediately she regretted not turning back. Still she pressed onward. Fates be damned.

Just as the gut feeling faded and gave rise to a feeling of ease, she noticed a guy with a hoodie staring right at her from across the way. The breath in her throat felt caught as she considered how to react, could it be the same guy from yesterday outside the library? No right? Perhaps he was not looking at her. Curiosity forced her to wave, a response that no doubt confused anyone else, but what she learned was worth it. When he tilted his head drastically, she knew he was paying just as much attention to her, as she was to him.

When the sound of the feet splashing rapidly through water bounced off the walls of the tunnel is when she considered her folly. A body collided against her side and she was looking the wrong direction. Th sudden impact caused the air to whoosh from her lungs. A person not much larger than her, who weighed less, and by their stench they lived in these tunnels. Time seemed to speed up as their bodies finally met the metal floor sliding to a stop against the wall. Cree prepared for a strike, instead the man struggled to stand while ripping the bag from around her and running the way she had came.

A nearby voice seemed to catch her in a trance as she dizzily searched for the source. The overwhelming smell of something like jasmine and bergamot created something like a full body chill that crept up her spine to the base of her skull, tingling her scalp.

It was a few moments later she realized a woman with dark hair and dark eyes looked down at her with her luscious moving lips. What was she saying?

Cree shifted or tried to, as sound again touched her ears and she attempted to dismiss the surprisingly strong hand laying against the base of her neck holding her in place.

With a voice that felt something like what she imagined honey would on her tongue, the woman spoke cautioning her gently.

“No-no. One moment, take a breath child.”

Cree rocked from side to side and eventually the woman gave her space enough to stand.

“Yea, yea. Got it, fine.”

“Are you sure you’re, ok?”

The woman helped her stand before reaching forward with a card in her hand.

Jessica Briggs. Inventory Consultant.

As she shook off the scent that seemed to linger around the woman Cree noticed the woman was strikenly attractive. The intoxicatingly beautiful type to avoid at all costs.

“Look, we need someone like you on the inside. Name your price.”

Cree brushed off her clothes, smiling as she reminded herself that talk is cheap. When she lifted her chin she squinted at the woman and gestured to her military uniform.

“I have a job.”

Jessica ran her fingers through her hair before looking back up at her with much softer eyes.

“If you change your mind. Call. Or… just, call anyway?”

The breath Cree took was difficult to conceal as she situated her jacket around her neck.

“Thank you for your assistance.”

When Cree spun on her heels toward the back entrance to the library, Jessica shook her head before sending a text message.

It was that message which vibrated against Oscar’s leg as he searched the lower levels for the fiend he hired. The moment he glanced down to pull his phone from his pocket, the toothless man lurched from a shadowy corner toward him with his arms outstretched.

“Jesus! …addicts!” Oscar pushed the man back and away before a bag was shoved against his chest.

“Got it boss. Got it, got it, got it. Now you gimmie!” Too close for comfort Oscar moved his head away from that wild tongue the old man wiggled before he brought his hands up in front of Oscar as if accept an offering.

Oscar dropped him a bag of goodies enough that would surely put the man out, or down. Preferably the latter, though he doubted it, this man was a festering wound in a moldy environment and though he served a momentary purpose, his life ultimately held no value. The air lock escape would suit him best.

The anticipated moment of triumph when he opened the bag was immediately snuffed out as nothing more than lunch and a jacket was revealed. Immediately he reached for and grabbed the dirty collar of the toothless man, yanking him to the ground.

In front of the man, he held the near empty bag growling.

“This was it? No other bag? You didn’t take anything!?”

“Shit-shit-shit. No. Let go!” The toothless man managed not to drop any of the loose powder on the scrap of paper he had set it on.

Where was her computer? Where was her identification cards, keys, passwords, phone?

Again, the feel of his phone vibrating against this leg distracted him and this time he answered it.

“Still a No-go Boss.”

Jessica lowered her chin speaking softly into the phone as she watched Cree walk up the back of the steps.

“Let us hope she has a price.”

With a cold splash of water to the face Cree felt a bit better already. In the mirror she checked her face, neck, shoulders and back for bruises. With minor damage only and a small headache, she washed her hands again and checked her pockets. When she pulled out her flash drives, phone, data cards, and wallet, she was relieved that nothing was broken.

It occurred to her that all of those things would have been in her work bag had she been better prepared this morning before leaving.

Usually, she would be carrying her bag.

Usually. The word hung around in her mind like a lollipop would against a tongue.

As she made her way to the receptionist’s desk to retrieve her work laptop she said the word aloud for good measure.

‘Usually.’

Patterns. Her habits. The shower room resulting in a missing journal, clocks reset and cameras with no footage. This attack in the shortcut through the alley she usually took to get to work if she was in a rush. A bag that would usually be full of important things ripped from her shoulders by someone who looked more homeless than high.

Why all this attention, all the sudden? What had she done that would warrant any surveillance at all? Most of these people knew her since childhood.

Since childhood.

Another thought she let linger as she considered the behavior of her family.

Willfully ignorant is the term that she stumbled upon when she started to put the pieces together.

Without knowing what they had done, her attackers had given her the clues she needed to uncover the who, and to begin the process of understanding what had been stolen from the Space Stations or gone missing over the years.

The thought of her families sudden prosperity around the same time she enlisted in the Space Core.

It was later that day she contacted the Human Resources department, it was to find out who was in charge during the time her father’s company took over the Government contract. A moment passed where the knot in her gut told her she was making the wrong move. For the sake of curiosity and follow through, she wrote a report about her findings at both stations and sent a memorandum to offically request multiple privilaged documents.

That night when she left the library, she saw the shadow of a person just outside the lamp light leading down into the lower levels. Though her heart skipped with fear that the people from earlier returned, Cree could see the exposed knee of a brown leg. The woman Jessica stood with one foot against the pillar and the other leaning, holding up her shapely figure against the lamp post.

“Hi.”

With a finger she pointed toward herself.

“Jessica.”

Cree waved and sort of squinted curiously as she pointed to herself also.

“Cree.”

The woman hooked Cree’s arm and pulled her in step alongside her. Instantly a sweet citrusy, earthy smell engulfed Cree’s senses as Jessica’s words caressed her ear like a symphony might have.

“Lower levels again huh? I’ll protect you.”

Cree felt light as a feather and so overcome with peace she was certain the moment could have only been a dream. Though she knew she was awake she struggled to shift her mind and body into gear.

“Will you?” Cree paused. “Protect me?”

The same smell from earlier mixed around Cree’s head in a visual way, much stronger now leaving her feeling as if surrounded by a weighed haze. It was difficult to think, and why would she want too?

Who was this woman with the dangerous glint behind her lovely dark eyes?

“Do you smell that?” Jessica asked as the heat of her breath slid against Cree’s neck like a warm invitation on a cold night.

Cree shivered.

“I did. I do.”

“Wonderful, isn’t it?”

Cree leaned a little heavier on Jessica as they walked, her legs feeling strangely weak.

“Only a dab and anybody is like putty in my hands baby. Much more potent than any drug your kind created, well anywhere.”

“Why drugs?” Cree exhaled the question heavily.

“You know I work in the department alongside yours?”

“I did not.” Cree responded sticking one finger in the air rather drunkenly.

This time when Cree looked at Jessica, she saw something that both frightened her and provided for her an answer.

“What is this shape around your aura here?” Cree whispered before trailing off with her thoughts,

“Can Dragons be spirit animals? I read about spirit animals as a child. I wonder what mine is.”

"You are a strange one, but no-no, follow me now.”

They walked together in a surprisingly comfortable silence until Cree noticed she had no idea where they were. Jessica sensed when Cree’s body became tense, and she drew Cree nearer allowing the scent to overcome her once again.

“The only problem is the short length of time in which the smell renders you incapacitated. Like a scent can take a person back to a place in time, this takes your subconscious for whatever ride the wearer chooses.”

“Are you human?”

“No. I am a skin walker, something like the chameleons you have on earth. You know of them? I know you like your books.” Jessica paused smiling for a moment before continuing.

“What you’re seeing exists in another dimension. An armor… I am fascinated that you can see it.”

“It’s quite lovely. Not something I can feel though.”

“Yes, you wouldn’t.” Another pause before she added , “It’s too bad that I am certain you cannot be trusted.”

“Oh? And why not?” Cree feigned surprise and anger so well she tipped them both over to the side.

“You have or will soon find out about the missing people.”

Cree leaned back again and smiled.

“I did. But that is just a mistake in the numbers? There is no way… I mean. That many people… someone would notice. Too many kids not too notice.”

Jessica’s grip around Cree tightened as the sentence lingered like smoke on a placid lake.

“Tell me those numbers are wrong.” Cree glared at her.

“I cannot.”

Jessica’s aura seemed to flux as they drew nearer an air lock beneath the station.

“Your people will do anything to anyone for any reason, and some don’t even need a reason. Money is just a means of control, a temporary fail safe preventing the inevitable chaos which will fall upon your people. It is something I marvel at every time I watch another of you turn against a friend, family, foe, stranger, disenfranchised, disabled. There are very few people who stand alone against this, only a few who don't succumb as easily as the rest. The lot of you distracted by the promise of money and riches while we enslave your people, and mine your earth.”

Cree laughed. “I mean. It’s a good plan.”

“Because of your families standing with me, your demise will be done discreetly and quietly. We have already found a suitable replacement for you in your squad.”

Jessica sighed heavily before they stopped at the end of the airlock and the doors behind them closed.

Cree began to realize this moment for what it was just as she took a deep breath. Jessica morphed into what seemed to be a legit suit of armor. The texture and shape of it was dragon like, scaly and her dark eyes were set behind a helmet in the shape of a dragon’s head.

“We could have had so much fun.”

Cree glared and shook her head as her heartbeat followed the click of the locks to the doors. The air seal breaking was the last thing she heard before she closed her eyes and mind to her surroundings.

Like what she imagined a cool fall breeze would be, the air from space touched her leg and yanked her backward. Suddenly she felt as if she were falling. Falling through space, diagonally?