Chapter 1
The flight deck of the scientific research ship Quatus was quiet except for the tapping of fingers on control panels and the occasional chatter of co-pilots telling others of their family back on Earth. The captain sat in his command chair thinking of his wife Marie and their future together. One of the flight deck's lieutenants stood to attention next to the captain and gave him his report.
"Captain Barkes permission to speak? " asked the lieutenant.
"Fire away Jonsey," replied Cpt. Barkes
"Sir, the planet Primus will be coming into view in the next five minutes when we leave hyperspace. Further reports show that the closest docking bay is A15. We will be landing there before transporting the packages to the scientific research facilty, Bolron. with you're permission of course."
"Granted, and make sure those packages get there safely, we don't want to lose them in one of Primus' storms. Oh and one more thing."
"Sir?"
"I'm putting you in charge of the ship for a bit," commanded Barkes.
"very well sir, may i ask why?" asked Jonsey.
"It's beeen a long time since i had a good night's rest besides i won't be leaving the ship once we land. I'm not into this sciency bullcrap i'm a military man at heart. If that bullet hadn't of wounded me" Barkes slammed his fist onto the control panel in anger as he hated the idea of being away from where it really mattered. "I could still be with my comrades in the 110th battalion and never got stuck as a stupid captain of a research ship. I could have fought for the chance to be seen as a true hero and return to my beautiful wife." At that, Barkes got out of his chair and walked past Jonsey towards the door at the far side of the room.
"Of course sir," obeyed Jonsey, not nowing what else to say to his distrought Captain. Jonsey walked over to one of the flight deck's pilots. "How long until we reach Primus?"
"Thirty seconds," replied the pilot, "We've began slowing down for our emergence out of hyperspace." Jonsey nodded at the pilot and took a seat in the captains warm chair. He touched the control panel and it lit up, a small mic protruded from the egde of the control panel. Jonsey leaned forward and spoke into the mic, "Attention cryo bay 3C prepare the packages for imediate transportation."
"sir we have no reply coming from cryo bay 3C!" shouted one of the pilots. Jonsey's attention was immedietly drawn.
"Bring up the room's cameras!" commanded Jonsey. What Jonsey saw next was utterly horrifing. Blood was all over the place, seven bodies were laid sprawled over the floor with pools of blood gushing out of what was left of the seven scientists. Two heads were lying on the floor both covered with masks of shock and fear. Another head dangled from electrical cables in the ceiling with a look of surprise on his face. "Sound the alert i'll go rouse the captain!" Jonsey shot up out of the chair and rushed towards the door the captain left through. Halfway down the corridor the alarms were blaring. Jonsey reached the Captain's quarters and opened them. "Captain we gotta-" Jonsey's eyes searched the Captain's ruined room and feared for the worst. His eyes fell upon Barkes' mangled body in the corner of the room. His severed hand holding a bloodsmeared picture of him and a woman. A piercing screech was heard from a hole in the ceiling. Jonsey turned and ran back towards the brigde. He entered the bridge and sealed the door behind him.
"Lieutenant! We've scanned the ship for any signs of life," A co-pilot shouted, " we are the only one's left!" A look of horror replaced the panic and fear on Jonsey's face.
"They must have gotten out while we were in hyperspace," Jonsey exclaimed. Suddenly there was a loud banging on the door which leads to the rest of the ship. The door began to dent then buckle and then suddenly stopped. The bridge crew waited for what seemed like a year.
