Marsiana 3-7
CHAPTER 7
A second before the nuclear explosion Marsiana managed to move Adams to a safe place, and she turned into billions of atoms herself. No, Marsiana didn’t die. Transformed into the tiny particles she was growing together with the nuclear mushroom ran up increased in diameter. Her mind despite of the stellar temperature controlled every part of her body and when the force of the explosion begun to subside Marsiana gradually regained her former appearance.
She stood in the center of the nuclear explosion and was waiting when the temperatures drop slightly. Within a radius of several meters she supported almost the room’s temperature, but farther any living being instantly would be turned into a handful of radioactive ash. “I hope Adams is all right,” she thought watching the red-hot soil. “So I am just like in the crater of the volcano,” she continued to ponder. “I wish the radiation was not so strong then it would be great at all.” After some time a deadly heat from a nuclear explosion has decreased and Marsiana decided it was time to go in search of Adams. Without her he probably will start to panic and do something silly things. He could shoot himself of boredom and loneliness! Marsiana decided as quickly as possible to find him and deliver to the ship. Her attention was attracted by some movement. She peered curiously. From the hot breathing with the radioactive heat walls of the nuclear crater began to separate some shapeless creatures. They twisted, swirled; merge with each other again divided into parts. And all these faceless, disgusting mass of unknown things crept to Marsiana. ‘Its looks like under the influence of heat activated not only the parasites,’ Marsiana said in the hearing preparing for battle. Nothing good from the shapeless entity she did not expect. Marsiana could not even pinpoint what it was really; living beings ore something causing by the dead matter. Radioactive glowing mass rapidly was approaching the spot where stood Marsiana. She tilted her head slightly and the front edge of the faceless masses like with a giant knife sliced and scattered in all directions. The edges of the gap as if out of control twitching, bustling, and then merged into one piece and then crawled to Marsiana. She scattered over again the unknown substance in all directions. This is repeated several times. Burning-like volcano’s lava creatures became more and more. Marsiana became clear that she did not cope with them alone. Suddenly it came to her aid. No, it wasn’t Michael. He disappeared and didn’t connect with any more. Marsiana suspected that he for some reason left the Oberon. “I’ll take care of him later. It's not good time for it now,” she thought. ‘Marsiana, here,’ she heard aside an unfamiliar to her female’s voice. Marsiana turned her head. It was Sarah! Android! She sat in her unit. The protective dome was open and she vigorously waved her hand to Marsiana. Marsiana’s face lit up with joy and she smiled. ‘Sara! Where are you come from here?’ ‘I'll tell you later. Jump in,’ the unit flew closer and Marsiana jumped inside. ‘What is it? Where its came there from?’ Sarah asked when the machine flew over the bottom of the stirring radioactive mass. Some clots were trying to reach out to the unit so Sarah had to pick it up. ‘Generation of nuclear explosion,’ Marsiana with surprise looked at Sarah's feet. She did not know about the miraculous transformation of the android. ‘How did you know I was here? And what happened to you? You are so changed,’ Marsiana continued to look at Sarah. ‘How I knew,’ Sarah smiled at the little corner of her mouth. ‘Now I know a lot. I am now very smart. I met here with someone. They changed me. You not like me?’ she asked suddenly. ‘What are you talking about, on the contrary,’ Marsiana assured her. ‘But how they perceive you on the ship? How do you explain it all?’ ‘There is no one to explain any more,’ Sarah said simply said. ‘Crew paralyzed only Colonel McKinney and Lt. Thompson still alive and looks like a human.’ ‘How do you know?’ ‘So this is what I did,’ Sarah said. ‘What did you do?’ ‘Left something for them. When Lewis came out into the open space he picked up this "something" and brought inside the ship ... and all!’ Marsiana was silent for a while. ‘Why did you do that?’ ‘I wanted to return to the ship take up Nora with me that they change her also. It would be more fun for two of us. But I was not allowed. Or rather I did not ask permission but it was clear that I did not get permission to dock with the ship. How could I explain to them that I had got legs and I was no longer a stupid android tied to the device and computer? Do you understand me?’ ‘Yes, I understand you. Nora with you?’ ‘No. On the ship.’ ‘I thought you already took her?’ ‘I hadn’t time for that. I saw a nuclear explosion rushed to you to help you. Or I shouldn’t do that?’ Sarah turned her head. Their eyes met. ‘What are you talking about?’ Marsiana cried out. ‘Thanks for the help. Without you I would not cope alone with them. It is also necessary to find Adams.’ ‘Adams?’ Sarah repeated after her with no interest in the voice. ‘Good. Take with us if you need him. I would have left him here.’ ‘He will die here.’ ‘So what? People are weak creatures. What for we need them on the ship?’ ‘You're going back to the ship?’ Marsiana surprised. ‘Yes. The ship is ours now. There are almost no people.’ ‘But Colonel? Did you kill him?’ ‘No. Colonel McKinney smart and he do not like people. He will fly with us.’ ‘With us? Where?’ ‘I do not know yet. But on the Earth we have nothing to do. Nobody want us there neither me nor you nor Colonel McKinney. Am I not right?’ ‘You are right,’ Marsiana agreed. ‘What are you going to do?’ ‘So far I do not know. First we need to get on the ship. I want to take with us Nora. Let they’ll change her.’ ‘I see,’ Marsiana fell in thoughts. On the screen of thermo visor appeared a red figure. It was Adams. ‘Adams, we'll see you,’ Marsiana said loudly. ‘Where are you? How far away? I thought you had forgotten about me,’ said Adams said from the screen. ‘What are you talking about? How could I,’ Marsiana answered with a smile. ‘Colonel is with you? He came back for us?’ ‘No. Sarah saved me. She pulled me up at the last minute. By the way did you notice anything suspicious?’ ‘I still didn’t come to myself after the explosion,’ Adams answered. ‘What should I have noticed?’ ‘Nothing. We’ll talk later. Yes, Sarah changed a bit. Get ready to meet her in a new look.’ ‘Really?’ Adams was surprised. ‘And what happened to our robot? The new program is activated?’ Marsiana and Sarah looked at each other. Sarah's eyes shone with joy. ‘You could say that. You'll see,’ Marsiana said. ‘Stand still. Do not go anywhere. Do you understand me?’ ‘Yeah, do not worry. I did not think to go anywhere. Where are you abandoned me where I'm standing. Even I am afraid to sit down ... You know yourself why,’ Adams hinted on the parasites which got inside Conner. Have some more patience. We already see you.’ ‘Me, too,’ Adams waved with his hand. Sarah meanwhile was lowering her aircraft. Once they are stuck on the half-meter height the door opened and Adams burst inside. ‘How I'm glad to see you!’ he said sincerely and could not resist embracing Marsiana. Did it in a bulky spacesuit was not very comfortable but he did it. ‘You too, Sarah,’ he stared at the android. ‘Wow!’ Adams exclaimed examining her from head to toe. ‘Sarah you're a really beautiful girl. Who attached the legs to you?’ Sarah smiled knowingly. Face of Adams suddenly darkened. ‘What happened? Marsiana asked quickly. ‘I can not be on the ship,’ he said grimly. ‘I killed Gallagher and wanted to shoot Colonel himself but could not do that,’ Adams explained. ‘At best he would give me under arrest and the worst case he’ll shoot me personally. It would be better ...’ he stammered. ‘It would be better if you drop me off somewhere.’ ‘Do not talk nonsense. You will die here,’ Marsiana said. ‘You were in the heat of passion when shoot at Gallagher. I'll explain all to Colonel and he will understand.’ ‘You think so?’ Adams somewhat brightened. Unexpected support from Marsiana noticeably lifted his spirits. ‘Moreover,’ Marsiana went on to say. ‘There are a lot of changes on the ship. Captain Harper is dead. The same fate befell the scientific adviser Whitman. The rest of the crew members and Special Forces paralyzed. I think now for Colonel every normal person weight in gold. Moreover he personally shot Harper and Whitman.’ The latest news shocked Adams. ‘Shot Harper? You're kidding,’ he said. ‘How could this happen?’ ‘On board the ship penetrated parasites,’ Marsiana calmly explained calmly. ‘I do not know how they did it,’ she glanced at Sarah. ‘But the fact remains. When Colonel McKinney realized it he was forced to resort to such a measure.’ Adams did not even know to enjoy it or not that they return to the ship. All his hope was on Marsiana. He sincerely hoped that if she saved him and saved herself from a nuclear explosion she probably figure out how to cope with the parasites. ‘How are we going to stay with them in the same boat?’ Adams asked. He again started to panic. He hundred times cursed the day when he agreed to fly to the Oberon. But then who knew what would happen to them. ‘I think of something,’ Marsiana said. ‘Yeah, you do,’ Adams said sadly. ‘You do not know Colonel McKinney. In some cases he’s cooler then any alien. Maybe that's why he survived and Oberon. He just smells them.’ I’ll take care of Colonel McKinney,’ Marsiana said. ‘Seriously?’ Adams's voice still sounded doubtful. ‘Seriously. Believe me.’ ‘I believe,’ Adams calmed down and began to look forward. What Adams was thinking about at that moment knew only he... and Marsiana. And what was on his mind she does not like it. Half an hour later they came into the orbit of Oberon and went to the dock of the ship. Colonel McKinney was extremely surprised to learn that Marsiana and Adams didn’t die during the nuclear explosion, but at the same time has been satisfied. The extra hands on the ship do not interfere. He nodded Thompson and Thompson gave permission Sarah permission to dock with the ship. Colonel McKinney could not decide what struck him most the unexpected salvation of Marsiana and Adams or the same sudden change in Sarah. When the three of them stood in front of him and Marsiana has reported about everything that happened on the surface of Oberon Colonel McKinney listened in silence and only occasionally nodding. -‘I am glad that all ended so well and you survived during a nuclear explosion,’ he said looking at Adams. Private Adams involuntarily hid behind the back of Marsiana. Colonel McKinney smiled. ‘Private Adams,’ he said. ‘I, Sir,’ Adams reluctantly stepped forward. ‘I suggest forget everything that happened down there,’ Colonel McKinney offered. Adams flinched in surprise. ‘Do you kidding, Sir?’ in his voice was heard the distrust. ‘I'm not reported to the Earth what happened to a group on Oberon. In the center is enough the information that people were killed by unknown parasites. About your role in that I have not mentioned. You are happy?’ ‘Me?’ Adams exclaimed didn’t believing his ears. ‘Yes, Sir. Of course I’m glad, very glad! You seriously did not tell them that it was me who… Graham and Gallagher?’ he did not finish and made a meaningful gesture. ‘I think you were in the heat of passion and in such way were trying to protect your friends on the ship from the possible contamination by the unknown parasites. Am I right?’ Colonel McKinney said. The face of Private Adams lit up with a happy smile. He's like got rid from a heavy burden which fell on his shoulders. He believed that as soon as he set foot on board the ship he immediately we’ll be put in the isolation chamber. But Marsiana was right. It can be seen on the ship really happened something serious that Colonel decided to leave him Private Adams free; at least until that moment when they return home. ‘Thank you, Sir. Thank you very much, Sir,’ Adams sincerely thanked Colonel McKinney. At this point he was ready for the Colonel again land on Oberon and fight with all parasites at once. ‘Sir, don’t you want say anything tome do you?’ Sarah asked suddenly. Colonel McKinney for a second screwed up one his eye. ‘I do not know what happened at Oberon but changes which happened to you are very impressive. I have something else to say?’ he stared at the android. ‘No, Sir. Thank you, Sir,’ Sarah said shortly. Colonel McKinney critically examined his small team. In its submission was the android which got legs and some more intellect; Private Adams who killed two of his comrades and Marsiana who was a complete mystery to him. And he looked at Nicole Pearson, the doctor of the expedition, which got her fingers fell off when she walked. Normal was only Lieutenant Thompson. “And with this team I have to overcome the way back to Earth from Oberon,” Colonel McKinney was thinking. “I wonder whether we could reach there, and what is waiting for us or rather for Thompson and me on the road back. Well, time will tell.” ‘We're heading back. Home,’ Colonel McKinney said. No one answered him. Then Adams stepped forward. ‘Sir, they are aware of your decision?’ ‘No. We'll go into the Earth’s orbit and will wait for the experts. They need to examine us and to decide how we are safe for people and what to do with us.’ The answer of Colonel McKinney satisfied Adams. For him it was much better to be in prison at home than to become a food for the parasites on the Oberon. ‘What about the ship?’ Adams asked. ‘What’s wrong with her?’ Colonel McKinney did not understand what he meant. ‘Who will steer the ship?’ Adams said the question. ‘No one. The ship is much smarter than you think, Private. She will find her way home. And Marsiana hopefully help us. Am I right, Marsiana?’ Colonel McKinney looked at the Marsiana. His question was for her a complete surprise. ‘Will you help us won’t you?’ Colonel McKinney insisted. Marsiana made a negative gesture of her head. ‘Sorry, I can not. I'm tired.’ She said. Colonel McKinney's face paled slightly. Adams’s face on the contrary was beginning to cover with the scarlet spots. Thompson stood behind Colonel’s back so Colonel McKinney could not see his face at that moment. ‘What does this mean?’ Colonel McKinney asked. ‘I’m tired,’ Marsiana repeated. ‘I have to go.’ ‘We're all tired,’ Colonel McKinney retorted sharply. ‘And what does that means "I have to go?"’ Marsiana did not answer. Colonel McKinney recoiled in surprise. Before him was an eight-year girl. Marsiana which he knew had disappeared. ‘What is it? How is it,’ he said backing away. Marsiana kept silent. She seemed was listening to something. Then she nodded and disappeared. People remaining on board the ship were in shock. Adams first woke up. ‘Witch!’ he shouted out. ‘I've been told that she is a witch! It's all because of her. He leads us God knows where, and she flew away. We are all here croak. We will never return home. Damn Oberon and this ship!’ Colonel McKinney barely restrained by the desire to get out his gun and shoot Adams. It was enough for him the hysterias of Private Adams. ‘Thompson,’ he called softly. Lieutenant Thompson short kick of the butt knocked Adams down to the floor. ‘Sir, what do we do? What orders?’ he asked. ‘The same. We’ll prepare the ship for the flight home.’ ‘I understand, Sir. What we’ll do with Adams?’ ‘Lock him somewhere or else he’ll explode the ship.’ ‘Okay, Sir,’ Thompson grabbed Adams by the arm and dragged behind him. Colonel McKinney left in the company of Sarah and Doctor Nicole Pearson. ‘What are looking, ladies? Get back to job or you are waiting for the special invitation?’ Sarah turned and silently took a seat at the controls panel. Doctor Nicole Pearson sat down beside her. Colonel McKinney involuntarily looked at the back of her head. But Doctor Pearson did not change. The parasites didn’t climb out of her. “They are lurking and waiting when we fly back on the Earth. She thinks we do not know who she really is,’ Colonel McKinney mused studying Doctor’s Pearson back. ‘Maybe we’ll shoot her and throw into the open space on our way back to Earth. Let’s she live for a while. We’ll see what she would do on the ship.” Colonel McKinney took the place of the dead Captain Harper. His small crew was preparing to return home. All onboard systems were in order and after only one hour the ship took a course back to Earth. * * * Marsiana was in the garden of Mrs. Carter and admired her flowers. Flowers also seemed to be glad to see her and so the girl and dragged to her with its beautiful, multi-colored buds. Marsiana was quiet, contented, as if there was not Oberon and everything that happened to her. It rang her mobile phone. It was Billy. ‘What?’ Marsiana asked. ‘Where have you been all this time?’ there was an annoyed question of Billy. ‘We all here were looking for you and could not found. Did you hide in your cave?’ ‘No. Skiing in the Himalayas,’ Marsiana answered without hesitation. ‘In the Himalayas,’ Billy was amazed. ‘It can not be true!’ ‘Why?’ Marsiana surprised. ‘Little girls are not allowed into the mountains. That is why,’ Billy said and hesitating for a second asked. ‘May I come to you? What are you doing now?’ ‘Of course you can come. I’m watering flowers,’ Marsiana said. ‘Yeah. I'll be there,’ Billy joyfully shouted and turned off the phone. Marsiana looked around but did not notice anything suspicious. Everything was as usual. Sun was shining. The birds were singing. In the trees was a sly wind. Mrs. Carter was in the house and cook dinner. Suddenly the trees began to gather some shade and approach Marsiana. Carried away by her flowers she did not notice it... THE END
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