Ben Hammott - Ice Rift

Scott looked at the hand and at the ramp below him. He released one precarious grip on the ice wall, grabbed Theo’s hand and leapt onto the ramp. He swayed and was nearly cast over the side by a gust of wind. When Theo yanked him into the ship he stumbled to the floor. Theo closed the door and looked at Scott.

Scott gazed around the cargo bay. “Is this a…”

“It sure is.” Theo helped Scott to his feet. “The others are in the cockpit.”

Stunned, Scott followed Theo.

AS THE CRAFT SWOOPED down toward the base camp, legs swung out and it gently landed on the ice. A few moments later the rear door opened and its passengers disembarked down the ramp.

Still pulling on his cold weather coat, Pike ran out of the cabin. “Is that a spaceship?” he asked, in disbelief.

“Only a small one,” replied Jack, nonchalantly.

“The mother ship we found under the ice was much more impressive,” said Jane.

“Yeah, it was huge,” said Theo, “and full of alien monsters.”

Pike was stunned and envious. “You lot are so lucky.”

“To be alive, yes, we are,” said Jane, “but not all of us survived.”

Pike noticed Henry, Max and Eli were missing. “They’re dead!”

Jane nodded.

Pike was astonished again when a small strange figure walked out of the spacecraft. “Is that an alien?”

“Only a small one,” answered Jack with a smile. “The others were much bigger and a lot more vicious.”

“But don’t worry, he’s friendly. He saved our lives,” Jane said.

Pike noticed Jack shivering. “Let’s go inside where it’s warm, and you can tell me all about it.”

Jack turned to Haax. “Are you coming inside?”

“No, I will leave. I have spent enough time on this planet.”

“Where will you go?” Jane asked.

Haax shrugged and gazed up at the sky. “With the scout ship I can go anywhere. I have the whole universe to choose from. This is a good opportunity for one of you humans to come and see some of the galaxy. It is a huge and wondrous place with sights you could not imagine or believe.” Haax looked at Lucy, who also shivered even though she wore her cold weather gear. “What about you, Lucy? There is so much to see and many new species to meet, and most are not as vicious as those you met on the ship. It will be interesting and fun.”

Lucy looked doubtful.

“What else will you do? After what you have witnessed aboard the spaceship, Earth will seem far too small now. Come on, come with me. Let me take you away from this cold planet to ones much more hospitable. I’ll bring you back if you don’t like it. Stay here and how long will it be before you regret not coming?”

Lucy stared at Haax. There was something in his eyes, an insistent stare. He knew. She shivered. She couldn’t stand much more of this cold. “Okay, Haax. I will come with you.”

“But you can’t,” Jane argued, surprised she would even contemplate such a thing. “How could you possibly survive in space and on strange planets?”

“She will be fine,” said Haax. “You could not possibly imagine how advanced our technology is, and there are many planets out there not too dissimilar to Earth’s atmosphere.”

“Why shouldn’t I go?” said Lucy. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Just think of all I can learn. Now we know there are other species out there, and not all are friendly, Earth might need a few space friends in the future. I’ve made up my mind. I’m going.”

Jane could tell Lucy was adamant in her decision. “Well, for the record, Lucy, I think you’re crazy, but if you’re sure it’s want you want…”

“It is.”

Jane gave Lucy a hug. “You be careful out there, up there.”

Lucy smiled. “I will.” She said goodbyes to the rest of the team and climbed aboard the ship.

As Richard turned away and headed for the cabin, a purr came from beneath his jacket.

Haax stared at the slight lump in Richard’s jacket. “Richard, I think you have something you want to give me.”

Richard stopped and turned. He stared at the small alien. “No, Haax, I have nothing I want to give you, except my thanks for saving us and to wish you a good journey.”

Haax rested a hand casually on the butt of the pistol sticking from its holster. “Is that really how you want to play it? What you have taken does not belong here. Give it to me and we will part as friends, because I assure you, I will not be leaving without it. Alternatively, if you do want to keep it, you can come with me.”

The astonished group looked between Richard and Haax.

Jane smiled when she wondered if Richard did go with Haax how long it would be before he annoyed him and was flushed from an air lock into space. “You should go, Richard.”

“I’m not going anywhere with him,” stated Richard.

Jane glared at him. “Then whatever you’ve taken, give it back.”

Richard glanced at Jane, the alien and his hand resting on the weapon, and sighed sadly. When he unzipped his coat, the cute alien stirred from the cold and opened its eyes when Richard lifted him out.

All were astonished by the sight of the small creature.

Richard approached Haax, lifted Lucifer to his face and looked into its large eyes. “Well, my friend, it’s time for us to part, so be careful out there.”

The small creature purred and nuzzled Richard’s cheek.

Richard handed him to Haax. “I’d like to take a photo, if that’s okay?”

Haax nodded and held the small creature in his arms.

Richard took a couple of photos of Lucifer, making sure to include Haax and the shuttle craft in the frame. “Take good care of him.”

“I will.” Haax said his goodbyes and climbed aboard the ship.

They all stood back and watched the small spacecraft lift effortlessly off the ice and zoom into the sky until the clouds obscured its view.

Richard continued to take photographs until it disappeared.

“I’m surprised Lucy chose to go with Haax,” said Jack.

“I admire her,” said Theo. “If I didn’t have a family, I might have considered joining them.”

“As she said, it’s an ideal opportunity for her to set up friendly relations with an alien species,” Jane glanced up into the sky. “I’ve a feeling that in the future, Earth will need all the space friends she can get.”

“I can’t stand it any longer,” said Pike. “You’ve got to tell me what happened in the rift and about the spaceship and the alien monsters and everything.”

“Cook us a hot meal and we’ll tell you everything,” said Jane.

“But first I need a beer,” added Jack.

“It’s a deal. I’ll soon have something cooking.”

The small craft entered space, a speck of dust in the universe.

Haax glanced at Lucy as she sat in the co-pilot’s seat after removing her cold weather clothing. “As pleasing as that particular form is to my appreciative eyes, you can drop the disguise now.”

Lucy looked at him with a knowing gaze. “I thought you knew.”

“Not straight away, though. Don’t get me wrong, your mimicry ability is the best I’ve ever seen—not that I’ve seen many, so there could be a lot better out there somewhere and you are crap at it—but it impressed me.”

“You certainly know how to flatter a girl.”

“Except you are not a girl—female maybe, but no girl.”

Lucy smiled. “Point taken. So… if you knew I was me, why did you agree to bring me along and what gave me away?”