The Prison (The Ark Book 2), page 11
She froze, holding a fistful of mats and staring at the table.
‘… But I don’t know how because you keep going to Garret and doing secret alien stuff.’
She gently placed the mats on the table and turned to face Ham.
‘I know things are hard right now, Ham. And the day will come when I can tell you everything. But for now, I need you to take care of me when I’m not working. Because I get lost in it.’
Self-reflection was something she had always avoided but the fact was, since the dreams, she never turned off from work. Never stopped thinking about the ship, or Garret or Silver Glove. She was constantly on edge and desperately afraid. Eventually something had to break, and she was terrified every day that it would be her.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
‘ALISSA? CAN YOU HEAR ME?’ THE FLOOR WAS beneath her. Why was she lying down? Her head swam and she opened her eyes and tried to turn round. The light of the place blinded her, the burn of sunlight, and she squinted away from it. Then came his voice again.
‘Alissa, come on, you have to get up.’
It was Silver Glove. He was helping her to her feet, and with his arms around her waist the first thing she noticed was his human hands. His flesh and bone hands.
They were standing on a dusty plain looking out over a desert. The air was stuffy and hot and stung Alissa’s face. She grabbed his hands and turned them over in her own.
‘Who are you?’ She shook her head as she spoke. ‘Why is your hand … like this?’ She lifted his arm slightly as if to emphasise her question.
‘My name is Japheth.’
Alissa faltered for a moment; this man had a name.
‘What?’ she whispered.
‘Japheth.’
‘How are you doing this?’ She motioned around them. ‘How are you in my head?’
Japheth took a deep breath, his face was filled with concern. He seemed ready to cry. She had never seen him look so dishevelled, so real.
‘I was born on Earth, like you. But I was taken by them’ – he motioned upwards – ‘and they used me like a puppet, took my face and my personality, the very essence of me, and they installed it into a machine. They used it to project him. But we’re connected, I see everything through his eyes. I saw you.’
Alissa stood in disbelief as he continued:
‘I don’t have a lot of time to explain, but I can use the tracker to reach out to you, when I’m not being used by them.’
Japheth had the haunted look of a man who had been broken, but there was still fight left in him and Alissa was prepared, now more than ever, to risk everything to save him. Because for the first time, she was seeing his real humanity and he deserved her help – their help.
***
The dreams continued each night and Alissa was defiant when faced with Silver Glove, and gentle when Japheth managed to come through to her. She and Japheth took time to learn about each other, talking about their families and their lives back on Earth. Japheth had lived in a small complex close to New Amerland called Germanus. She had heard of it – apparently the first man to take charge was of German decent and wished to honour his heritage. Most of the people were just focused on surviving, so no one questioned him. Japheth had worked as an educator; he was one of the people responsible for overseeing the Germanus aptitude test. He himself had failed and so was destined to die with so many others. The irony wasn’t lost on Alissa and she gave a bitter laugh.
The time she was spending with him was fulfilling for her. He was a man who cared about her, listened to her stories and said no harsh words. She wasn’t judged by him. She even found herself talking about her relationship, and its complicated nature, with Shem. And he listened and told her about his sister who had been born with an illness that plagued her life. He cared for her through their teenage years and into adulthood. After he was taken, he always wondered what became of her and it broke his heart to think of it. Worse still, he would never be able to go back and find her. He just hoped that someone, somewhere, had taken her in and looked after her.
It had only been a week since the tracker had been reinstalled, but it felt much longer to Alissa. She looked on Japheth as an old friend, and always looked forward to falling asleep in the hopes that she would see him.
***
One of the conditions of the reinstallation of the transmitter was that Alissa would report to Garret weekly with updates on the dreams, and to reveal any information that was relevant to the mission they had given themselves.
Alissa was sat in her office, shifting uncomfortably as she considered what the day would hold for her. The conversation with Ham that she had rehearsed in her head was something that she dreaded to her very core, but it was the right choice to make. She checked the time; it was nine in the morning and Ham would just be starting his shift. It’s now or never, she told herself.
***
Garret was on the bridge. It was rare that he ventured here since it reminded him of Clarke. This was his place and Garret felt for all the world like a cheap imitation and he hated it. For the first time since he received his promotion, he seated himself in the captain’s seat and looked out at the sea of blackness stretching out before him. The full front of the room was an interactive window space. It not only showed the view; it could zoom in on objects and show them in perfect clarity. It also served as a video relay during communications and allowed most ship systems to run through it. The idea was that N.O.A.H. could scan and target any number of objects, relay the information to the nav deck and avoid a level-critical incident.
There were only three officers working on the main bridge at any given time and today’s contingent were mostly unknown to Garret. He believed the nav officer was Isla; there was an engineering chief monitoring the ship’s wellbeing, whose name escaped Garret, and a security officer called Mercer. They sat in silence with Garret watching space go by, trying to forget the situation they were in and enjoy the stars the way he used to.
***
‘Noah, please tell me where Ham is.’
Alissa was zipping up her boots. She had a tendency to kick them off and let her feet enjoy the warm beige carpet, sliding them over the fuzzy surface or wiggling her toes into it.
‘Please clarify. Ham?’
Alissa frowned, then remembered why she didn’t use N.O.A.H. to find Ham. Ham’s real name was known to only a select few. His parents had given him the nickname after his grandfather had found him up to his eyeballs in packaged fake-meat products, his cheeks packed and a guilty look on his face. The name had stuck and fortunately he quite liked it; he said it made him feel special.
‘Okay, Noah. Please tell me where … Aristotle Windsor is currently located.’
His parents had thought themselves very fancy. They insisted that they were descended from the British monarchy and made sure that was reflected in the name of every family member.
The masculine computer voice responded, ‘Aristotle Windsor is currently in Tech Lab Three.’
‘Thanks Noah!’ Alissa called out as she left the room.
‘You are welcome,’ came the robotic reply.
At the tech lab, Alissa stood in the open doorway for a few minutes, leaning on the wooden frame with her arms folded, watching Ham work. It was evident to her that he wasn’t enhanced right now and yet his hands worked masterfully over the engine parts he was manipulating, and the focus on his face was clear. Alissa watched as a proud mother would. No one ever saw Ham like this – he lost all confidence when people were around. People were cruel. She saw how remarks could cut him and wished she could wrap him up and keep him safe. Instead she was going to ask him to help her on a suicide mission and he was going to say yes because he cared so much.
Ham, for his part, was having a moment. Sometimes, he thought, you can just tell you’re not alone – you know you’re being watched. That’s how he felt right then, so he glanced over his shoulder and smiled when he saw Alissa standing in the doorway.
‘Hey!’
His enthusiastic greeting was accompanied by an even more enthusiastic waving of the hand. Alissa smiled in return, but to Ham she still looked sad.
‘What’s the matter? Are you still upset about Shem?’
The question clearly caught her off guard. She muttered about it not being important while she scuffed her boot to and fro on the carpet.
There was an empty chair next to Ham and she claimed it, turning it sideways to get comfy.
‘Ham, I need you to do something for me.’
He went back to working on his engine part and nodded. ‘Sure, what d’ya need?’
‘Well, I need to you come on a mission with me.’
Ham looked up. ‘Go on a mission? There’s nowhere to go.’
‘Well, ordinarily that would be true. But we are on a journey to meet with a potentially hostile alien life form, and I need to go to them, find Japheth and save him.’ Ham’s face was a picture of confusion as she continued: ‘They are responsible for all the bad stuff that’s happened since I got taken. We need to talk to them, try and make them see that we mean no harm to anyone.’
Ham was looking at the part in his hands and turning it over. Shem had made him promise to take care of Alissa no matter what. But this was scary. He remembered the little boy pointing the gun at him, and remembered how terrified he was. He never wanted to feel that way again. But Alissa needed him.
‘Alissa, I can’t. I’ve none of the drugs left.’
‘Ham, you are smarter and better than anyone else on this ship. Nothing gets past you when it comes to tech. You’re the only one who will understand their technology and I might need that.’ Then she took a deep breath and released it in a whoosh. ‘But Ham, it’s gonna be dangerous. We might both die.’
He thought of his promise to Shem. ‘Okay Alissa. I’ll go with you, but on one condition.’
Alissa raised her eyebrows. ‘And what’s that?’
‘I want to tell Shem.’
Alissa stiffened. She couldn’t let knowledge of the mission spread around the ship, but Ham was right – Shem would need to know. He deserved to know. Without saying another word, Alissa nodded.
CHAPTER TWENTY
GARRET HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT ALISSA’S ACTIONS and behaviour. Explaining the mission to Ham was one thing – he needed to understand exactly what was at risk. But to let him tell a prisoner was altogether unacceptable.
‘How could you be so stupid, Alissa?’
Garret was pacing. His voice was low but shaking. It was clear he was trying to control his temper and Alissa hated what she was seeing. But she sat silently, allowing him to continue.
‘I can’t understand why you would allow a security risk like this one. You’re irresponsible, and you consistently put your own feelings before the welfare of this ship.’
Her silence was annoying him so she kept it up. Eventually, he sat down and looked at her.
‘Tell me why, Alissa.’
Calmly Alissa uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, resting her arms on the table.
‘We need a good pilot, Garret. Think about it.’
***
Shem and Ham sat beside each other on the bench in the cell. Shem was staring at the wall in disbelief.
‘You’re both going.’
It was a statement, not a question. His two closest friends were leaving the Ark to fight aliens and probably die.
‘Do you think there is a scenario in which I wouldn’t move the Earth to come with you?’
Ham’s shoulders slumped. This is something he was desperately afraid of. He didn’t want Shem to be in danger and he couldn’t look after them both.
‘Shem, no. Don’t even think about it. Anyway, for obvious reasons you can’t.’
‘Bullshit.’ Shem spat the word out and leapt to his feet. ‘You’re supposed to be watching over her, and now you tell me you’re going on a suicide mission? This is bullshit, Ham!’
Shem was almost yelling as he paced around the tiny room. Ham, on the other hand, had gone very quiet. He lifted his feet onto the bench and hugged his knees while his eyes followed Shem round the room. It took a few minutes before Shem realised the position his friend was in and when he did, it was like being punched in the gut.
‘Man, I’m sorry, Ham.’ Shem had stopped right in the centre of the cell and was staring at the door. ‘I’ve never had anyone in my life like you. Or Alissa. I don’t think people like you two even exist anywhere else.’ He slowly walked back to the bench and sat down. ‘If my choice is to die with you or live the rest of my life without you guys then …’
Ham knew the rest. After all, he was doing the same for Alissa, protecting her from whoever or whatever may want to hurt her, albeit the only way he would be any use to anyone would be with the enhancers. He started to tear up as he remembered that the last packet was used to work on the implant device.
‘I need to speak to Garret,’ said Shem.
Ham nodded in response and they stood up together. It occurred to Ham that if Garret said no then this would probably be the last time he saw Shem. He turned and hugged his friend tight. Moments like this weren’t easy for him and he tried not to be upset, but the tears fell, and he felt ashamed.
Shem, on the other hand, held Ham with nothing but pure affection. He understood what Ham was feeling and would give him the last memory he deserved.
***
‘I’m sorry Shem, but it’s protocol.’
Alissa stepped behind Shem as he shook his head in disbelief. The handcuffs weren’t exactly uncomfortable, but it was the humiliation that hurt. Being in a cell was one thing but being paraded around the ship in handcuffs was altogether more distressing.
‘I get it Alissa.’
It was the first words they had spoken since the argument. Alissa wasn’t best pleased when Garret sent her personally to get Shem; she had the feeling it would happen but to be living the moment she dreaded was awful. She felt like the executioner taking the condemned man to his final destination.
Once the cuffs were in place Shem turned to face Alissa.
‘Talk to me, Al.’
His eyes were pleading, but Alissa couldn’t let this get personal; she was on duty. She thought back to the day he punched Ryan and wondered how it had all come to this.
‘Come on, I need to get you to Garret.’
When they arrived at the office Garret and Underwood were waiting. Alissa walked Shem in and sat him down in the chair facing Garret.
‘Thank you, Alissa. You’re excused.’
For a second the words didn’t register. She had just assumed she would be here for the meeting, since she was the commanding officer for the mission. And since it was her idea in the first place. When she finally found the words, they tumbled out quicker and less professionally than she had hoped.
‘Wait, what? No, I’m staying for this, Garret.’
‘Alissa, I have made a great many allowances for you and your friends for obvious reasons.’ He paused his usual long pause and Alissa wanted to scream. ‘However, this is a conflict of interest for you.’
She just started at him open-mouthed. To be fair, she wasn’t used to being told no and had grown accustomed to the freedoms she had been afforded. Looking around the office she saw Underwood, and her face explained it all. She has been whispering in Garret’s ear – the perfect new first officer, who clearly disliked Alissa.
‘Fine.’ It was supposed to sound nonchalant but instead was dripping with hurt. She turned on her heel and left the room.
***
‘Alright Mr Mitchell, you wanted a meeting with me. Please state your reason.’
As Garret spoke, Underwood took up a comms pad, set it to record and placed it on the desk between Garret and Shem.
Clearing his throat, Shem began the speech he had been rehearsing.
‘First of all, I want to thank you for agreeing to see me. And for letting me fight my corner here.’ He was nervous and his mouth was drying up as he spoke. He coughed, and Alice presented him with a glass of water from which he took a long drink. Garret nodded for him to continue.
‘I have made mistakes on this ship and I’ve currently got a lot of time to think about them. There are so many things I wish I could go back and change but that’s not possible. So instead I want to make a difference now. I know about the mission and I want to go.’
Garret raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
‘I’m expendable, sir. I’m in prison and when I do get out, I’ll be a cleaner. I’m not needed here anymore. So, don’t let me disappear into nothing. Give me the chance to atone.’
Garret now took the opportunity to ask what was on his mind. ‘This is all very selfless of you. The mission is one of peace and diplomacy, but within a hostile environment. You may very well simply be shot on sight. What are you asking for in return?’
Shem looked down. ‘I want my friends back. I don’t want anything from you, sir.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE REMAINDER OF THE JOURNEY WAS SPENT training. Shem was temporarily released on the understanding that while he wasn’t in training he would be confined to quarters. This suited the three friends perfectly, and it was strange how easily they fell back into an easy camaraderie. Shem and Alissa never spoke again about their fight and instead focused on rebuilding what they had once had.
The night before they were due to reach the coordinates, Alissa’s comms pad bleeped with a message. It was an invite to a fancy dinner at Shem’s quarters, with the specific instruction that it was black tie. She laughed at the thought of Ham and Shem in suits.
She went immediately to Megan’s. The doctor was around four months gone and showing a lovely little bump. Alissa smiled as she was invited into Megan’s room. Garret had insisted on staying in his own quarters, which left the captain’s free for Megan.
