THE HODMANDOD EFFECT

Three days passed with some good news on Courtney Vickers condition. Her fever was gone and both eyes returned to normal. Her vaginal flow had eased, but was still showing signs of arousal. Trotter would release her to perform the natural process of relieving herself, but only with two of the men standing at the door of the infirmary. They couldn’t see her, but they could keep her from making a dash to the outside. Once finished, Trotter made sure she was manacled and secured to the examination table.

In the meantime, Rogers confiscated all the outer perimeter devices so there could be no further unauthorized excursions into the night. If anyone were to try, they would meet a more favorable death at the defense shield than in the jaws of the blue boulders. Davis knew this measure was only as good as the man who held the key. If Rogers were to succumb to whatever was causing the suicidal tendencies, he would have no problem gaining a clean exit.

Only BOB-1 had the ability to come and go as he pleased. In the evenings, BOB-1 was placed outside as a sentry. If anyone were to venture out, he was equipped with a tranquilizer dart gun and programmed to render the person unconscious and report. Davis had argued that it wasn’t reasonable to expect the phenomenon to occur only at night. His argument was that it was only by coincidence and the effect could happen at any time. Rogers dismissed his reasoning for the fact that everyone was awake during the daylight hours and could watch over each other. It was during the night time that people were more apt to escape.

There was another thing that happened on that third day after Stocker was killed. The wind became only a fraction of its former self and the dust began to dissipate. It still hung in the air as a fog, just not as thick as before. All the Elpis’ crew was pleased with the change in the weather.

What they were not pleased with was the encroachment of the blue boulders. Their numbers had increased in the valley over the last few days and several were milling around the Elpis. Every so often, one of the beasts would walk into the defense shield, only to be turned away after several seconds. However, there was no harm done except for the coarse hair burning off its armor.

Rogers and Fisk were monitoring the energy drain on the shield every time one of the animals struck it. They would see a gradual drop until the creature withdrew. The needle on the gauge would rise once again, but never to the point where it had been before. Another thing they noticed was it seemed as if the creatures were trying to breach the shield. Whenever one would make contact, it would push and strain against the shocking force of the shield before finally giving up and moving off, its armor smoking from the burned hair. Both men were seriously concerned about the ship’s energy resources to keep the shield effective and its ability to maintain all other functions.

Courtney’s condition worsened when the creatures got closer to the ship. Her eyes would change and all the other symptoms would return. She would beg and plead for Trotter to let her go to them and that if she would they would leave the rest alone. Trotter knew this was a lie and tried to comfort her as much as possible. Eventually, she would resort to sedating Courtney once again.

Delmar Richardson was the species behavioral scientist for the mission and suggested it was the end of the rainy season that brought them to the valley in such great number. He surmised that once the rainy season started up again, they would leave in the same manner in which they arrived. The only problem is that no one could say when that would be. Constance, the environmental specialist, was unable to give them a clue. She advised that once the rainy season started, she could make the calculations that would help them deduce the changing of the weather.

For the moment, in Rogers’ mind, they needed weaponry that would keep the beasts away from the shield. And, the only place to find those was at the League ship and under the control of the soldiers. He decided the safest thing to do was send BOB-1. The creatures would show no interest in him as long as he kept moving. They wouldn’t mistake him for food and would only gather around him, out of curiosity, if he became stationary. The robot would be able to bring a couple of the Danko’s back with enough ammo to keep the creatures away. By now, even Davis didn’t mind if the animals were killed. He saw them as the threat Rooney had described so many weeks earlier. Rogers went to the bridge and contacted the lieutenant.

“Rooney, here,” the lieutenant said in answer to Rogers’ hail.

“Lieutenant, we have another situation.”

“My interest in your situations, commander, grows less by the day,” Rooney snorted. “Are any of those…blue boulder things…hanging around your area?”

“That’s classified information, commander,” Rooney said.

Several seconds of silence followed that comment as Rogers tried to maintain his cool.

“I’d like to send BOB-1 to your location,” he finally offered.

“For what purpose?”

“We…I…was wondering if you could spare a couple of those Danko’s you have.”

“Well, well,” Rooney said, leaning into the mic. “Let’s see if I can remember what was

said to me a while back.” Rooney began to quote Davis verbatim. “We haven’t been here twenty- four hours and have already declared war on one of this planet’s species. We have already shed blood, which is something I was hoping to change about man’s entire sordid past with a new beginning here. You see, commander, I have a vivid memory.”

“No doubt a part of your extensive training,” Rogers commended.

“That’s right, commander,” Rooney said. “So far, there have been no apologies, no expressed regrets, no retractions of believing the sergeant and me had anything to do with the Astraeus. In addition, commander, there have been no apologies, no expressed regrets and no retractions of charging us with being trigger happy soldiers with no regard for life. The only thing Stone and I owe you or your crew is our contempt.”

“Then what do you think happened to the Astraeus?”

“Don’t you think it’s a little late to be asking me that question?”

“Perhaps it is,” Rogers lamented. “But, now we need your help. These things are draining the defense shield and the Elpis’ power with it. We have to have some means of stopping them. These ‘pop’ guns don’t cut it.”

“Tell me about it,” Rooney replied. “I’m sorry, commander. I don’t think it would be wise of me to similarly arm you with what we have. Brubaker and Fisk are going to have to come clean and let us do our job. We didn’t do anything to the Astraeus. It was someone else. Let us back in…as security and as soldiers…and we’ll find out who did.”

“Not my call, Rooney,” Rogers told him. “But if you don’t help us out, the blood of others will be on your hands.”

“What do you mean…others?”

“Stocker bought it,” Rogers said. “Those blue bastards got him.”

Rooney thought for a few seconds and let the news sink in.

“Stay there,” he told Rogers. “I’ll be right back.”

Rooney walked from the bridge and down to the crew quarters where Stone was sleeping. He knocked on the door and Stone told him to come in. Rooney opened the door and saw Stone lying on the bunk, looking at him.

“What’s up, lieutenant?”

“Those blue things killed Stocker,” he informed him. “Now, they’re trying to get through the defense shield we set up. It’s draining the Elpis’ power. I thought I would bounce it off you and see what you think.”

Stone sat up on the bed, still looking at Rooney. He clasped his hands and rubbed them together.

“It doesn’t matter to me, lieutenant. I follow orders. If you want to go out there and kill those things, then say the word. You want to stay here and let them fend for themselves, I’m ready to go back to sleep.”

Rooney allowed a slight smile to form as he looked down at his feet. The sergeant was one of the best soldiers he ever had the pleasure of being associated with. He raised his head and let out a sigh.

“Let’s go.”

**********

Fisk was manning the bridge, watching the number of blue creatures grow around the Elpis. Two days earlier there were only eight of them. Now, he lost count at three hundred. Their incessant grunts and howls was mind wracking. They were constantly hitting the defense shield and shrieking in pain as they pushed against it for several seconds, only to retreat with their hair burnt off. After a few would try it and move away, a new batch would make another attempt to break through.

Delmar Richardson decided to go outside and study their behavior. There wasn’t much else he could do. He set up three cameras to film them from different angles. While he was working, the beasts watched him intently and stepped up their efforts to break through the barrier. They were several deep. Some were just slowly milling around while others were watching his every move. Richardson couldn’t help but notice they were all defecating almost constantly. The loud stench that came from the piles and piles of manure was getting deeper around the defense perimeter. If not for the bio suit he was wearing, the smell would have been overpowering. What they believed had been a single event for the ammonia/gasoline odor mixture, now seemed to be prevalent during their incessant bowel movements. Luckily, the Elpis filter systems didn’t allow the poisonous gas to enter the ship.

The entire crew was enthralled at the films Richardson would show in the mess area. Several different species of animals kept approaching the massive carnivores, sometimes in great number, and simply allowed themselves to be devoured. The blue boulder creatures didn’t seem to have an end to their appetite and ate everything that came near enough for their jaws to latch on to.

Davis surmised that during the rainy season there wasn’t as much opportunity to feed, so they built up and stored fat to see them through the hard times. This, of course, would most likely mean the other animals on the planet saw their offspring born during the rain, thereby allowing them to replenish their number. Of all the animals they saw on Richardson’s film, it was apparent the blue beasts were the only ones that were predators.

Dr. Trotter grew weary of hearing them called ‘blue boulders’. It didn’t really fit, even though their blue hued armor was the reason for the nickname. She suggested the Latin name, Hyacintho Comestores (Blue Eaters), or Hyacoms for short. It was immediately agreed that it was an apt name for them and the ‘blue boulder’ moniker died.

Courtney’s condition grew worse with the Hyacoms being in such close proximity to the ship. Trotter had to monitor her almost constantly. Brubaker was well enough to be moved to a cabin, as long as he stayed on oxygen. He had good days and bad days, but Trotter was afraid the bad would soon outnumber the good. By all evidence she could gain, his condition was worsening.

Fisk continued to watch the Hyacoms. The danger from them was growing. If the shield was to go down, or the Elpis lose power forcing it to go down, they would have to stay inside the ship until the monsters left. Since they had no real idea of how long the seasons lasted on the planet, it could possibly mean their death from starvation.

He heard a noise behind him and crooned his neck to see Julio Martinez walk in. The commander only glanced for recognition and didn’t look closely at the man. Ever since the

Hyacoms made camp around the ship, it was a common occurrence for crew members to come to the bridge and look outside.

“Hello, Dr. Martinez,” Fisk said, turning his attention back to the monitor. “You come to look at our friends?”

Martinez suddenly produced a large wrench he was holding behind him. His eyes were black and bloodshot and a snarl appeared on his face as he brought it down with tremendous force to the back of Fisk’s skull. The commander’s scalp split open as he slumped in the chair, unconscious. Julio dropped the wrench and moved to a small compartment, trying to open it. He furiously pulled on the latch and slammed his fist on top of it in frustration. Martinez rifled through Fisk’s pockets and found nothing. It was then he saw a stainless steel necklace around Fisk’s neck. He pulled it from the commander’s shirt and at the end of it found a key. Martinez yanked it from around the commander’s neck and smiled with glee when he was able to turn the lock on the compartment. He was sweating so much that droplets were falling from his nose, chin and face like rainwater. Martinez grabbed one of the devices that could turn off the entrance/exit section of the defense perimeter. He turned and hurriedly left the bridge, making his way to the hatch that led outside. To his surprise, BOB-1 was standing sentry at the hatch.

“Please state the nature of your business, Dr. Martinez,” BOB-1 stated.

“Uh…I…I need to go outside,” he muttered.

“Please state the nature of your outside business, Dr. Martinez,” BOB-1 repeated.

Julio’s brain was burning with the desire to mingle with the Hyacoms. He put a fist to his mouth and bit down on a finger. Martinez looked down the corridor to be sure no one was coming.

“Uh…look…Dr. Richardson asked me to check on one of his cameras,” Julio lied. “He thinks it’s…uh…mal…malfunctioning.”

“Dr. Richardson is capable of repairing his own equipment,” BOB-1 said. “Please explain why you have been selected for the procedure and not Dr. Richardson.”

The beating in his head was growing more and more intense with the unexpected delay. He had to get by the robot, but all BOB-1 had to do was touch him with an electronic burst and he would be incapacitated.

“Dr. Richardson,” he spoke slowly, hoping that would help his mechanical tormentor better understand his predicament. “Dr. Richardson…is…busy…editing…the last…film. Okay? He wants…me…to assist…him. As a courtesy. Okay?

“I am fully capable of performing this task, Dr. Martinez,” BOB-1 said. “Do you wish for me to affect repairs for you?”

“No!” Julio exclaimed, nervously looking down the corridor again, hoping no one heard him. “No,” he whispered gently. “I need to get some fresh air. Thank you, anyway.”

“The air quality around the exterior of the Elpis cannot be categorized as fresh, Dr. Martinez,” BOB-1 stated. “In fact, if you were to remain in the exterior for more than five minutes you would begin to experience lung damage. In seven minutes you would experience severe respiratory difficulties. In ten minutes…”

“I know!” Julio exclaimed again, the pain in his head, coupled with BOB-1’s continued speaking was driving him to maniacal status. “I know,” he repeated. “Death. In ten minutes I would be dead. I know. I promise I won’t be out there more than three minutes. Okay?”

BOB-1 didn’t respond until he had moved out of Martinez’ way.

“You may pass,” it said.

“Thank you,” Julio replied with anger.

Martinez hit the button that released the doorway leading to the hatch. Once inside the small decontamination area, he closed it behind him and opened the hatch, disappearing outside. BOB-1 moved back into place and resumed his duty.

Rogers was in his cabin when a light lit up on his console. A low sounding buzzer went off, alerting him to a com call. He rose from his bed and walked to the desk.

“Rogers, here,” he said.

“Notifying you, commander, that Dr. Martinez has changed his location to the exterior of the ship.” BOB-1 stated.

“Why?”

“To affect repairs on one of Dr. Richardson’s cameras,” Bob replied.

Rogers flipped a switch giving him access to a viewing monitor. Using a toggle switch, he moved the exterior camera to find Martinez. Rogers hit the ship-wide com.

“Red alert!” He yelled. “All men outside with weapons!”

In moments, Rogers was with the other men and outside the ship. They didn’t have time to put on their bio suits and were immediately affected by the noxious fumes that met them. Martinez had deactivated the small entrance/exit portion of the shield and was walking through it, masturbating as he went. He barely made it through when one of the Hyacoms tore into his midsection, almost slicing him in half. The Hyacom was met with a barrage of lead from every man’s gun, forcing it to drop Martinez. Another Hyacom bit off his leg in one bite while another started to drag him away by the other. The bullets were only slowing the Hyacoms down as more moved in to get their share of the kill.

Suddenly, loud blasts reverberated in their ears as the Hyacoms began to burst apart in a wide swath of destruction. Rogers and the others looked up to see Rooney and Stone approaching fast. They had rigged one of the plasma rifles to the back of their rover. It was fully automatic, firing the 25mm depleted uranium enriched plasma rounds. Rooney was driving the rover, hanging out from the driver’s side and firing his Danko assault rifle to enhance the killing field’s effect.

The beasts tried to flee but were so slow they were easy targets for the soldiers. Davis and Rogers saw the Hyacoms that were eating Martinez, drop him and turn to leave. Both men ran forward and pulled what was left of him inside the defense perimeter. Rogers picked up his deactivation device and switched the shield back on. He and the others ran back inside the Elpis, carrying the remains of their botanist with them. All that was left was his head, neck, left shoulder and arm. Everything else was gone.

Rooney and Stone continued their rampage on the retreating Hyacoms, killing as many as they could without mercy. Rooney brought the rover to a stop and emerged with an additional Danko. With one in each hand he marched toward his prey, firing with extreme accuracy and deadliness. Stone reloaded the plasma rifle and resumed his attack, even though the creatures had finally made the tree line. Rooney raised a hand, indicating that Stone should cease fire, and the sergeant did as he was instructed. As the dust settled from the battle, the bodies of the Hyacoms were numerous to see. According to their training, the two soldiers walked over the dead and conducted a body count. They agreed with hand signals, due to the RFM’s they were wearing, that 172 of the Hyacoms had been slain. Stone looked down at his feet and saw that both of them were ankle deep in Hyacom shit.

Several minutes went by before Rogers reappeared. He was wearing a bio suit and motioned for the soldiers to come inside. The commander deactivated the entrance/exit area of the shield and indicated to them it was safe to enter.

Rooney looked at Stone and gave him a signal to stay put. If it were a trap, Rooney wanted one man on the outside with the ability to obliterate the Elpis. Stone nodded and jogged back to the plasma rifle, taking his position. When Rooney was satisfied, he walked forward and went inside with Rogers. They both decontaminated and walked to the mess area where the others were waiting. Only Trotter, Fisk, Brubaker and Courtney were absent. Neither man said a word between them until then.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Rogers said. “I believe you’re all acquainted with the lieutenant.”

Davis and Richardson kept their seats. The others greeted Rooney with smiles and pats on the back. The slight did not go unnoticed.

“Lieutenant,” Rogers said, “we’ve just carried Commander Fisk to the infirmary. It seems Martinez attacked him. Dr. Trotter is treating him.”

“Is he going to be all right?” Rooney asked, glaring at Davis.

“We don’t know,” Rogers answered, glancing back and forth at Davis and Rooney. “He’s got a nasty gash on his head. Trotter thinks he may have a serious concussion. We’ll have to wait and see.”

“So, what now?” Rooney asked, keeping his stare on Davis.

“We would like to declare a truce,” Rogers said. “It’s not in anyone’s best interests for us to not be helping one another. Don’t you agree?”

Rooney took three steps and faced Davis.

“What do you say about that?”

Davis looked around, nervously, but kept his composure.

“I’m just a lowly scientist,” he said. “What do I know about diplomatic trifles and such?”

Rooney turned his back to Davis as a sign of disrespect that was lost on the man. He spoke directly to Rogers.

“Where’s Brubaker?”

“He’s in his quarters,” Rogers replied. “Do you want to see him?”

“Yes,” he said. “I think I’m entitled.”

“Follow me,” Rogers agreed.

The two men left the mess area and walked down two corridors until finally reaching the captain’s cabin. Rogers gently knocked on the door.

“Enter,” Brubaker said, coughing.

Rooney walked in and was appalled at what he saw. Brubaker’s leg was swollen and almost purple. His complexion was pale and he looked haggard.

“Captain,” Rooney said, saluting.

“Knock it off,” Brubaker wheezed. “Have you come to gloat?”

Rooney stepped further into the room as Rogers looked on.

“No, sir,” Rooney said. “I’m not that kind of man. I’m here to see how you’re doing and to speak with you. Do I have permission?”

“Granted,” Brubaker said, immediately going into a coughing fit.

Rooney waited for it to subside, and then continued.

“Sir, we didn’t sabotage the Astraeus. The only thing I did was program the Bobs to come to me with a message if they were tampered with. That’s exactly what BOB-2 did right before he blew up the ship. I didn’t have time to tell you and when you showed up; I never was given the chance.”

“There was a direct link to your security console,” Brubaker said, his wheeze worse than before. “The code was yours that activated him. How do you explain that?”

“I can’t,” Rooney admitted. “What I can tell you is that if you will let me, I’ll find out who the traitor is, sir. And then…I’ll kill him.”

Brubaker stared at him.

“I’m a soldier of the Federal States, sir,” Rooney went on. “When’s the last time you heard that one of us went rogue?”

The captain let that sink in and lowered his head.

“You would be the first time,” he said.

“That’s right, captain,” Rooney pressed. “And I can guarantee you that neither I nor

Sergeant Stone wish to be the first. We would gouge out our eyes with toothpicks before betraying the trust of the service. All I ask is you give me the chance to find this piece of shit.

Just give me the chance, sir.”

“We have other problems, lieutenant,” Rogers said. “We’ve discovered that there isn’t anything on this planet we can use for food. Not the plants and not the animals. The Elpis can’t get us back home, and we don’t even know if there is a home to go back to. Our only hope is to combine our resources and figure out how to fly that League ship.”

“That isn’t your biggest problem, sir,” Rooney replied.

“We have a bigger problem than food?” Rogers asked with a smirk.

“Yes, sir,” Rooney said. “We do.”

“What could that be?”

“There’s another one coming,” Rooney advised. “Another League ship. And this time they mean business.”

**********

Trotter had the unenviable task of performing a post mortem on the remains of Julio Martinez, such as they were. The soldiers were using the rover to drag the bodies of the dead Hyacoms far from the Elpis. The scientists and flight crew, save for Brubaker and Courtney, were busy gathering everything useful and transporting it to the League vessel by use of the second rover. The supplies in the infirmary would be taken last to give Trotter enough time to see if she could find anything with Martinez’ remains.

She took as many samples as possible before going for the one thing that was still intact;

Martinez’ brain. Trotter had Geraldo running analysis on the samples and then went to work cutting into the dead man’s skull. She carefully extracted the brain and placed it in a sterile pan.

The doctor then performed a radiconography scan of the grey and white matter, effectively slicing the brain in correlated plates for study on the computerized microscope. Once finished with that procedure, she took the organ to a real slicer and cut it into many thin slices for further study. The computer microscope began its analysis while she was performing that procedure. She knew it might take hours for the analysis to be completed, and started looking at one of the slices in her own microscope. She and Flores were working fast. Rogers relayed to the rest that

Rooney believed another League ship’s arrival was imminent. They had to get everything moved as quickly as possible.

It wasn’t until three hours later that Trotter came upon something familiar. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something in Martinez’ brain that shouldn’t be there and it was something she had seen before. It was a strange looking micro-organism; and, not just one…but thousands that seemed to be working as a single life form. The organisms were red in color and possessed cilia much like a paramecium. It was almost triangular in shape. At each point was a long appendage that intertwined with its neighbors. Further research revealed even more disturbing news. The micro-organisms were in several areas of Martinez’ brain. The largest concentration was found in the amygdala, a ganglion of the limbic system adjoining the temporal lobe of the brain that involves emotions of fear and aggression. The second largest concentration was in the nucleus accumbens, which controls the release of dopamine. An equal number was also found in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, or the VTA, which actually releases the dopamine into the system. Dopamine has been known to strongly affect sexual gratification needs and responses in the human brain.

Trotter left her microscope and walked to the desk. She opened a binder and began to look at her notes. After more than ten minutes of study, her eyes widened when she read one particular entry. The bugs she was looking at that were so prevalent in Martinez’ brain were the same ones she had seen in the Hyacoms’ stool samples. She leaned back and thought about the implications before going back to the remains. Trotter had a hunch and acted on it right away. With expert and surgical precision, she removed his pituitary gland. She didn’t hesitate to put it under the microscope and wasn’t surprised to find thousands of the organisms undulating on it, in it and around it.

The pituitary gland controls the release of oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin increases the feelings of trust and vasopressin increases ‘bonding’. She slapped herself in the face for not running tests on increased natural, organic chemicals in Courtney’s system. It was now clear that she and Martinez had been infected. It was also a high probability that Stocker had been infected, as well. Her main fear was that everyone was infected.

Trotter returned to the study of the brain and after another hour she saw that the lateral orbitofrontal cortex was also rife with the bugs. She took off her glasses and rubbed both eyes.

Trotter smiled and slightly chuckled, shaking her head. She knew what was happening. She also knew that Ajax Strata Prime was no more habitable by human beings than Jupiter could ever be.

A meeting was called by Trotter that caused no little aggravation to Rogers. He was working diligently on getting everyone and everything out of the Elpis and to the other ship. As far as he was concerned, there wasn’t time to be having meetings. All he needed was a report from the doctor and then for her to move out. However, when she filled him in on some of her findings, he agreed it was necessary for all to hear. Soon, everyone was gathered in the mess area on the Elpis so she could tell them the bad news.

“I know you all are very busy,” she began, “but there isn’t a soul here who doesn’t need to hear this. I’ve finished the post mortem on Dr. Martinez…or…what’s left of him, and I have found some disturbing facts.” Trotter stopped and lit a cigarette. She took a deep drag and began to pace back and forth during her report. “It’s important that I start with something we have on Earth that is similar to what we are dealing with here.” She stopped at a projector and turned it on. A photo of a group of tachyzoites appeared on the wall. “Could someone turn out the light, please?” Rogers pointed a small device at the wall and the lights went off. “Thank you, commander,” Trotter said. “What you see here is the toxoplasma gondii parasite that lives on

Earth. It is a species of parasitic protozoa. The main host of this little critter is the normal house cat of which we love. While inside a cat’s gut, they have lots and lots of sex. I could be more scientific and doctor-like, but that would only bore you. So, I’m going to paraphrase a lot and move this thing along. About a third to half of the human population is infected with these little beasties. At first it was thought they had little to no effect on humans until the mid-twenty-first century. It was then they found a connection between this parasite and schizophrenia, suicidal tendencies, depression and sometimes other significant mood disturbances. The standard treatment to counter the infection was and still is pyrimethamine. The really interesting part about these parasites is what they do to mice and other rodents once they become infected with them. You see, the rodent is a typical intermediate host. The parasites were found to collect in the rodent’s brains and somehow re- program them to lose all fear of cats. In fact, they would even run to the cat and research showed the rodents were sexually excited when in close proximity to them.”

“You can’t be serious,” Richardson scoffed.

“Oh,” Trotter said, flicking the two inch long ashes from her half spent cigarette. “I’m quite serious, doctor. Weren’t you there to witness Stocker fucking a Hyacom? Anyway, I digress.” Trotter changed the picture being projected to the red parasites she discovered. “Here is the new and improved version of toxoplasma gondii that resides with us on Ajax Strata Prime. It affects us in the same way that T. gondii affects rodents. I also submit that it works on us better than other creatures of this planet due to our carbon make-up.” Trotter changed the picture again. “This is a section of Dr. Martinez brain.” She pointed to an angry looking part of it. “Here you see a massive infestation of the parasite. I have other photos of different areas I found, but you get the picture…no pun intended. In effect, the parasite shuts down behavioral control, removes our fear of the Hyacoms and gets us really excited about sexing up with them when they get close. The parasites also gather around the pituitary gland. When the Hyacoms are close enough, they cause the gland to release massive amounts of oxytocin which increases our feelings of trust. At the same time, it releases mega-amounts of vasopressin which increases bonding. In other words, without any control over our own thoughts or behavior, when we see a Hyacom, we trust it…bond with it…and want to either fuck it or be fucked by it.”

“For what purpose do these things do that?” Rogers asked.

“Procreation,” Trotter said, lighting another cigarette. “Just like in the cat’s gut, these guys reproduce in the gut of the Hyacom. Later, they’re shit out and when the shit dries the wind picks them up and we breathe them right in. Their little babies grow inside of us, take over our minds, and when they get ready to have sex, they march us right to the Hyacom so we can be consumed. Once in the Hyacom’s small intestine…if they have a small intestine…they mature and make more little buggers to be shit out later.”

“That’s why we’ve seen many of the other animals run up to them and be eaten,” Flores said. “But, why doesn’t it affect them all?”

“Good question,” Trotter said, taking a deep drag. “During the course of this planet’s evolution, along with its flora and fauna, their systems have developed a resistance. While not one hundred percent effective, it’s enough that the other species can continue existing without becoming a gourmet meal for the Hyacoms. That’s where the really bad news comes in.”

“Give it to us and be done with it,” Davis said, bored to tears.

“We’re the newcomers here, doctor,” Trotter smiled, walking slowly toward him as she spoke. “We don’t have eons and eons of existence here to develop a resistance. The odds of us all being infected are certain. All of us that is, except for the soldiers.”

All eyes turned to Rooney and Stone.

“Why them?” Richardson almost asked in a complaining voice.

“If I’m not mistaken, Rooney has been adamant that he and the sergeant…at all times…are protected from the atmosphere. Am I correct, lieutenant?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Rooney replied.

“I’m certain they’ve been exposed,” Trotter continued. “But this type of parasite requires a cohesive existence of many to survive within a host. The soldiers and I may be the only ones who have not constantly been outside without a breathing apparatus of some kind. I believe that you all can be sure of being infected.”

“You mean that all of us…one by one…will give ourselves to those creatures?” Rogers questioned.

“That’s what happened to the crew of the League ship,” Rooney said, now understanding. “They were all destroyed by the Hyacoms.”

“Yes, lieutenant,” Trotter said, walking back to the picture on the wall. “They eventually couldn’t help themselves. Courtney is near death as we speak. The parasites are at the threshold of their life span within her. Once they die, those portions of her brain that are infected will die with them. They will also destroy her pituitary gland. Once they are dead, her death will take place soon after.”

“There’s nothing you can do to save her?” Leslie asked, tears streaking down her face. “No, Leslie,” Trotter said, sorrowfully. “I’m afraid there isn’t.”

“What about that pyrimethamine?” Richardson asked. “I thought you said that was a treatment?”

“I did,” Trotter shot back. “But we don’t have any. For some odd and unexplainable reason the medical wizards on Earth didn’t think we would be attacked by a toxoplasma parasite that would feed us to the local carnivores.”

“Is there any way you can make a derivative?” Davis questioned. “A synthetic of some

kind?”

Trotter chuckled.

“What do you think I am?” She quizzed. “A fucking pharmaceutical factory? I’m an

M.D. I just prescribe the shit, I don’t make it. But I am a research specialist. I may find a way.”

“What do we do now?” Rogers asked, dejected.

“There has to be a reason, other than genetic, why a good many of the animals here don’t fall prey to these things and then to the Hyacoms,” Trotter suggested. “You all need to start observing the other creatures. Find out what they eat, where they go to drink, what their habits are, everything that might give us a clue on how to beat this thing.”

“But, if we go out there,” Davis said, “what’s to keep us from allowing ourselves to be eaten?”

“Good question,” Trotter replied. “I don’t think anyone should be alone or get too far apart. If Rooney doesn’t mind, he and the sergeant can watch over you. If anyone starts to go ape-shit, they can stop whoever it is and bring you to me. Is that all right with you, lieutenant?”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Rooney said.

“That’s a bunch of rubbish,” Richardson said, standing. “For all we know they’re the ones that blew up the Astraeus. I wouldn’t trust my life to them for one second.”

Trotter blew smoke in his direction.

“They saved Courtney, didn’t they? What motivated them to do that? Why don’t you sit down and shut up for a change.” Trotter glared at him.

“That’s a good idea,” Rogers added. “Instead of pointing fingers and distrusting anyone, we need to pull together. And that includes you.” He finished the sentence with an added glare toward Delmar.

Trotter walked up to Rooney.

“Do you have any more of those RFM’s?”

“Yes, doctor,” Rooney said. “We have eight.”

“I’ll need one,” she said.

“You got it,” Rooney replied.

“What about the rest of us?” Richardson barked.

Trotter turned to him and scowled.

“You don’t need one,” she told him.

“You don’t know for sure if any of us are infected,” he remarked.

“That’s right,” Trotter agreed. “That’s why I’m going to test everybody, even the soldiers. We need to be sure. That’s all I’ve got, people. You can start lining up at the infirmary so I can confirm the infection. I want the soldiers first. Once I’ve cleared them, they can go about their business of relocating us.”

The meeting was over and everyone did as they were instructed. Everyone, that is, except

Richardson. He refused to be tested and Trotter didn’t care. After Rooney and Stone gave blood and had a picture taken of their head, the two walked out of the infirmary and stopped outside.

“I’m going to see the captain,” Rooney explained. “You go ahead and finish loading the rovers. I’ll be with you in a few moments.”

Stone nodded and walked to the exit hatch. Rooney made his way to the captain’s quarters. Rogers watched him as he went by. The lieutenant was with the captain for more than half an hour and then came out. He walked by the infirmary and saw that most of the crew was now gone. Only Flores and Leslie remained to be tested. Rooney walked on to the exit hatch and was stopped by Rogers before he could leave.

“What did you and the captain talk about?”

“Contingency plans,” Rooney answered.

“What kind of contingency plans?” Rogers pressed.

“The kind that might save our lives, commander,” Rooney said. “The captain is in no shape to be moved. He decided it’s best to stay on the Elpis.”

Rogers looked at Rooney, horrified.

“We can’t just leave him here.”

“We can, and we will,” Rooney stated. “It’s his decision, and I agree with his reasons.” “What kind of thing are you?” Rogers hissed. “You’re nothing but a brainwashed robot

without compassion. I’ll have a talk with him myself.”

“That’s your prerogative, sir,” Rooney said. “May I go now?”

“Yeah,” Rogers said, disgusted. “Go about your duty. That seems to be all you ever had anyway.”

Rogers left Rooney standing there as he went to see Brubaker. Rooney put on his RFM and went outside. Stone was almost done loading up both rovers. Davis and Flores had pitched in after being tested and sped the process along. A hand signal from Stone told him they were ready to go.

The soldiers left the scientists behind and drove to the League ship. Once there, they started the long process of unloading and packing the gear inside. It took nearly an hour and both men needed a break. Stone made some coffee and met Rooney in the bridge. They settled in and remained quiet, enjoying the hot brew.

Suddenly, the message board crackled to life. Rooney quickly leaned forward and hit the activation button. He was surprised to see it was a message from Earth and not the onrushing second ship.

“Sub-Saharan League Command to Hope of Johannesburg and Captain Kanu. This will be the last message you receive from Earth. Do not…we repeat…do not return. Our planet is experiencing catastrophic weather. Severe earthquakes have left the planet desolate. Tsunamis have been reported on every coast worldwide. The Yellowstone area has erupted with great

destructive force and the resultant ash has darkened the skies on a planetary scale. It is considered that all life will be eradicated within a six month time frame. Do not return. May divine providence see to your success and the continuation of the human race. Godspeed.”

“Look at that!” Rooney exclaimed, pointing at the monitor. “That message was sent twenty Earth years ago!”

“Son of a bitch,” Stone whispered. “We’re all that’s left. I wonder what took it so long to reach us?”

“I don’t know,” Rooney said. “But it looks authentic. There’s no way they could know that we’re here and not their own people.”

“Kind of makes me wonder why we haven’t heard anything from the other ship,” Stone pondered. “You think they turned around…maybe got destroyed or something?”

“Again, sergeant,” Rooney replied, “how would I know? All I can tell you is if we don’t get off this planet and find another one…somehow, some way…we’re all going to die here; with or without parasites.”

“I hope the League shows up,” Stone said, thoughtfully. “It would be better to go out like a soldier than it would to get eaten or starve to death.”

“You know the old saying, sergeant,” Rooney said. “Better to live one day as a lion, than a hundred years as a sheep. Let’s hope they make it.”

“Yes, sir,” Stone replied. “Let’s hope.”