The Visit from Mrs. Black

Pandemic-Part 5: The Knight in the Dragon's Den

The communications on the Mother Ship were lit ablaze with flashing lights from both the Right and Left ships, but went on for what seemed like forever unanswered as Tobey lay passed out by the bridge. When it seemed like hope was lost, both switches were flipped by long, feminine fingers as both Jonah Wolucowitz and a fair haired, older looking man answered the call to Mrs. Black, who stood there with her arms crossed.

Jonah started first. "Mrs. Black, do you know what happened to Captain Smolders? Because according to protocol-"

Mrs. Black shook her head and said:

"Captain Smolders was impulsive, wouldn't listen to me. And along with Eugene, has been greatly affected by the disease due to first hand contact."

The man spoke with a thick, foreign accent as he said "The disease that killed Smolders?"

Mrs. Black stared at him. "I am afraid so."

Both were silent for a moment.

"Can I help you boys with more news?"

Jonah spoke now. "Well... we need a captain. Nobody's going to sleep and-and... It's chaos!"

The man spoke now. "If one were to survive this virus, will it compromise Protocol Adam and Eve?"

Mrs. Black's eyebrows raised. "Adam and Eve?"

Jonah smacked his head. "I totally forgot! Just like the Bible, start civilization from scratch and blend our races with-"

Mrs. Black interrupted once more:

"Yes, as I have discovered, the disease contains a certain spermicide that would compromise the mission entirely, and unfortunately, I have not developed a cure or vaccine to treat it."

The man looked down for a moment. "Fuck!"

Jonah spoke again. "What's your call, Right Captain?"

The man looked back up and said "We can't let them leave the Mother Ship. I'm locking my doors, and I suggest you do the same."

With that, the man switched off, and Jonah stared at the fake smile of Mrs. Black, and he switched off.

At the bridge, people were talking, borderline shouting, as Jonah walked into the bridge. He could see in some of their faces, there was actual fear, and the overlying sense they won't see the light of tomorrow, while some had faces of anger, in wanting action as they shouted across the room towards each other. Anger, fear, panic struck the deck, and with that, Jonah screamed as loud as he could to silence them, and they were silent and paid attention to Jonah as he stood in the center of the bridge.

"I came in contact with the ship's medic and Right Captain, and following the Left Captain's death, we are going to lock our doors until further notice."

Everyone started in yet another hubbub, some with reassurance, but most with panic.

Jonah heard one voice say "Is he really dead?"

Another says "Who's going to be our captain?"

Reginald, who snickered through the entire debacle, said "Who killed him?"

Then, midst the chaos of it all, Jonah had a thought so interesting, that he hushed everyone down in order for everyone to hear:

"Let's start at the beginning. For those of you who don't know, an alien disease, now I'm assuming it's "The Plague", has entered our ship. It took the life of Left Captain Smolders, and perhaps even Eugene."