Dead Space:Stranded

Shocking Truth

"Rookie, good to see you! Who's this?" Asked Travers.

"Isabelle Shaw," Isabelle introduced herself.

"Did Morse and Wells make it back?" Asked Jackson.

"We're in one piece," Called Morse from across the room.

"Good, everyone's here. We couldn't find that fucking Marker here-" Travers began.

"It's in the North wing. I'll head there myself with the explosives and blow it to kingdom come," Said Jackson.

"Negative on that Rookie, I'm going with," Said Travers.

"So am I," Said Mitchell.

"You're fucking crazy Mitch," Said Aaron.

"We owe the others this much. Too many people have died, we need to destroy the Marker before we die too," Said Mitchell.

"Then I'll go too," Said Aaron.

"Alright, let's gear up. Gardner, you and Wells take Miss Shaw and Morse to the Falcon and wait for us to get back," Ordered Travers.

"Private Jackson, please look for my friends," Said Isabelle.

"I will," Said Jackson.

"Okay guys, let's roll out on this suicide mission," Said Aaron.

"Hey guys, watch yourselves out there," Said Morse, managing to stand.

"You too. You get to the ship, lock that fucker down tight, and wait for us," Said Travers.

The two groups split off. This was it, this was the end game. Jackson felt adrenaline pumping through his veins. He wished the others had let him go alone, but he was still thankful for the help.

The Marines encountered very little resistance on the way to the tram system. Jackson didn't like it, he knew that the Necromorphs would be waiting somewhere. Mitchell punched in their destination and the tram set off.

"Prescott would be all over that girl," Said Aaron.

"Probably not. He cared for Gardner a lot," Said Mitchell.

"Can't believe their gone. It just takes one second, and then their gone, forever. All that's left are memories. You can't bring them back, you can't save them. They just disappear from your life," Said Travers.

"Are you guys going to be alright?" Asked Jackson.

"Yeah, don't sweat it Rookie. It's funny, you're the only one that's held it together," Said Travers.

"I see Prescott..." Said Mitchell.

The Marines turned to look at Mitchell, staring out the tram window. Jackson looked out, he didn't see Prescott. Mitchell began to try to open the window.

"What are you doing?!" Asked Aaron.

"Pres is out there, we gotta get him!" Said Mitchell.

Mitchell shot the window out. He began to climb out.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" Travers reached forward and grabbed Mitchell.

"He's out there, I see him!" Said Mitchell.

"It's not real, it's the Marker messing with you," Said Jackson.

Mitchell shoved Travers away and raised his Pulse Rifle at the group.

"I'm going to save Prescott."

"Mitchell listen to me man, Prescott is gone. He's not out there, he never will be. Get a grip, okay? We need you in the fight," Aaron approached Mitchell.

"What? Oh...oh shit I'm sorry guys," Mitchell lowered his weapon.

"We gotta get to that Marker before we shoot each other," Said Aaron.

"We're here," Said Jackson.

The tram screeched to a halt at the North wing. The Marines poured out, securing the area.

"Looks clear enough," Said Travers.

A Necromorph pounced on him from above, and the two went flying back into the tram just as the doors were closing.

"No!" Mitchell ran forward to the door, trying to stop it manually.

The door continued closing, catching Mitchell's hand in it. Gunfire could be heard inside the tram, and then screaming. Mitchell punched at the door, obviously in pain.

"Get the door open!" Yelled Mitchell.

"If we open it that thing will come out," Said Aaron.

"Aaron open the damn door!" Mitchell screamed.

"Never said I wasn't going to. Rookie, get ready for that thing," Aaron hit the tram door button.

The door slid open a crack, releasing Mitchell's now broken hand. He dove out of the way as the Slasher came running through the door. Jackson had his Pulse Rifle up and fired, stopping the thing mid-run. Aaron's own fire joined in and they quickly dispatched the thing.

Aaron looked inside the tram, gagging.

"Travers is gone...shit," Said Aaron.

"That puts you in charge," Said Mitchell.

"Yeah...you know what I say? I say we get off the station, get the Aurora and blow this place sky high," Said Aaron.

"We've got to get rid of it now. I'll do it alone, you two get back," Said Jackson.

"Rookie, fuck the Marker man, let's go," Said Aaron.

"I can't do that Aaron. Now go, get out of here. Get back to the others, and away from the station," Said Jackson.

"Fine, you know what, you can go on this suicide mission. We'll wait for you," Said Aaron.

"Don't bother," Jackson whispered as he turned around.

"What?" Asked Aaron.

"Go Aaron!" Jackson rose his voice.

Aaron and Mitchell boarded the tram. They left without another word. Jackson was alone again. Now he could get to the Marker. All he had to do was fight through whatever was in his way.

He took off, not wasting anytime. He entered into a hallway, finding what first looked like a corpse that had been ripped in half. As he neared it he realized it wasn't a corpse, but something new.

The creature suddenly leapt at Jackson, and the two crashed to the ground. The creature slashed and roared, trying to tear into the Private. Jackson held the thing back with one hand and reached for his pistol, but it wasn't here. He had given it to Isabelle!

He reached instead for his knife and brought it up to the creature's face, stabbing swiftly and taking off it's bottom jaw. He kicked it off as it howled in pain. He brought his Pulse Rifle into play and quickly took the rest of it's head off. It writhed on the ground and then fell limp.

"Rookie, how you holding up?" Aaron's voice filled the radio.

"Just fine. I'll be at the Marker in a few minutes," Jackson replied.

"You left the explosives in the tram," Said Aaron.

"I'll improvise."

"Good luck. We've just arrived with the others."

"Don't wait for me."

Aaron said nothing more.

Jackson continued moving through the station, the cargo bay wouldn't be far now. He knew there'd be more Necromorphs waiting for him, maybe even new ones he had yet to encounter. He also knew that he had to get to that Marker.

He needed to get it aboard a shuttle. His superiors would be happy.

But his new friends wouldn't be.