Chapter Eight

The large magnesium walls shook violently. The Isotonic waves were increasing with each passing day. Hidden deep within their bunkers, the Hascomes knew their home planet was slowly splitting itself apart. They had their top scientist working around the clock to try to find a way to slow down this disaster long enough for them to build enough transfer stations. The ruling class had tasked another set of scientist to do a diligent search for another planet that could accommodate the Hascomes delicate environmental needs. Their species was a temperature sensitive species. Their make up was that could adapt to any climate. The problem was that it could only do that once. The temperature and other weather patterns then had to remain virtually constant after that. They could only survive a variance of less than fifteen degrees in either direction.

It was during this search that the scientist came across the planet earth. They knew that due to the violent nature of humans, that this would not be a good fit for their population, however they came up with another idea.

“Oh, exalted Ones we, have narrowed down our search to five or six locations. However, we have also come across a species we feel would help us to see how our population would do in each of the environments we have located.” The chief scientist stated.

“Explain!” One ruler shouted.

“Exalted Ones, our species has suffered so much throughout our history on this planet, we want to give them the best life possible. Humans on the primitive planet earth have too much of a violent nature to risk sending anyone there. However, our species will need training to survive in the new locations we will send them. We know that time is not on our side, so we propose to transfer four humans into isolated areas and give them instructions on how to survive there. The data we gain from their mistakes would speed up the training process for our species.”

Another Isotonic wave shook the bunker.

“No harm will come to these humans?” One asked.

“No Exalted One.”

“It will save time in the transfer of our species?” Another one asked.

“Yes, Exalted One. We will build in safeguards to help them learn from their mistakes, and “helpers” to guide them,” the scientist said in a reassuring tone.

Another smaller wave shook the walls again.

“It seems we have little choice, you may proceed.”

The scientist list the chambers and set up everything they would need to run the experiment and record the data. They had limited knowledge of human behavior, and Saul’s stubborn streak was beginning to make them think they may have to implement measures that they were hoping to avoid.

“We have another issue Nok, the regulator took a big hit with the last wave. We can not return any of the humans to start for the next twenty-four hours!” One of the scientist aides shouted excitedly.

Nok made a typical Hascomes expression, then instructed the scientist in charge of the program for the “guides.”

“Make sure to instruct the humans in such a way that there is no chance of them doing anything foolish, until we get the regulator back on line.”

This scientist wanted to ask how that was supposed to happen but knew what the reply would be. He simply acknowledged Nok and went off mumbling to himself.

Several hours later, this group of scientist were hit with more disturbing news.

“A message from the most Exalted Ones. ‘Our time is running shorter than we had hoped. We have less than twenty measures to evacuate all. We need your data as soon as possible. Do whatever you can to speed this up.”

The messenger left with the only answer the scientist could give, and still live. They then sent for four young Hascomes, two male, and two female. When they arrived, Nok began to explain.

“Our time has been cut even shorter, and our regulator is still not working. We are going to have to send you in to help speed up the gathering of data. Once you make contact, all instructions and advise to the humans will be relayed through you. Each of you have had the file to study dealing with who you will be paired with. We also have an additional file that will be given you concerning what we have learned thus far about each human. Now time is of the essence. Be prepared to transfer as soon as the transfer station is ready.”

The four acknowledged their assignment and went off to prepare. These four were hand picked out of one hundred young ones that were originally chosen to do the experiment that the humans were doing. The switch to humans was made because the regulator (machine that brought the humans back to life) had failed to restore life back to their species. Thus, the training was taking far too long. These four had made the most progress and were held in case an emergency situation arose.

None of the four ever dreamed that not only would they have to partner with a human, but also try to get information from them, and not reveal anything about themselves. They received a notification that their transfer tubes were ready, In each tube was a small screen. Here, each one could get any final information about the one they were to be partnered with, plus a complete layout of the area they were going to. Included on that map was a lay out of where all resources were located, as well as hazards to be avoided. There were also designated spots where they could safely communicate and send data back to the scientist.

Timing of the transfer was vital for many reason. Elisabeth was the first to be transferred, and she was to be paired with Thomas.

“I hate the cold,” she mumbled as she made her last-minute clothing adjustment.

The transfer put her close enough to Thomas’ cabin so she did not freeze getting to it, yet far enough away so that he would not accidently see her transfer in.

“I know from reading the file, that I am bound to be bombarded with questions. I think the best way to handle this would be to claim memory loss.” Elisabeth said to herself.

She was not sure how the other three were going to handle this problem, but her choice made sense to her.

“Destination in five, four, three, two one.” Flashed on her screen.

When she opened her eyes the tube was gone and she found herself face down in the snow.

“Wow! The simulations come no where close on how cold this stuff is!”

She stood up and brushed all the snow off of her face, hair and clothes. She shivered and tried to shake off the cold.

“I surely hope that this is not the environment is not the one selected for the group that I am put in,”

She checked her digital map, that was disguised as a compass, and plotted her way to Thomas cabin Even though the air was cold, the sun was shinning and for the moment there was no snow falling. As she got to the top of a ridge, she could see Thomas’ cabin. The smoke coming from the chimney told her he was probably inside, and it would be warm. Her health meter was letting her know that she needed to bring her body temperature soon. Her next move was risky, but she felt it necessary to sell her story. She purposefully tripped and fell down the hill towards Thomas’ cabin, screaming all the way.

Thomas was out of the cabin in a flash and helped her to her feet.

“Who are you and where did you come from?” Thomas said in rapid succession.

“Umm, ooey, ouch.”

“My,  you are freezing” Thomas stated as he picked her up and carried her into his cabin.

Placing her near the fire, he got some warm blankets and covered her until she seem to recover some.

“Hey there, it is nice to see your eyes. Just lay still for a few more minutes, I need to go get some more wood.”

He tucked the blanket a little closer around her and dashed outside. Elisabeth checked her health meter.

“I hope that little stunt isn’t going to come back to bite me too hard,” she mumbled.

A few moments later, Thomas returned with a large pile of wood.

“I grabbed extra, because it looks like a storm is headed this way,” he told her as he sat down the pile.

“It is good you are inside now, no one would have made it through that up coming storm without a shelter.”

He grabbed a couple more logs and threw them on the fire. He hung up his coat, then grabbed a cup and dipped it into a pot that was hanging over the fire.

“Can you sit up?” He asked.

“I…I think so,” she replied weakly.

“This may not taste the best, but it will warm your insides,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you,” was all she could manage to say.

She had tasted over cooked stew before, but none as bad as what she just had,

“Sorry about that, I have not had to cook for a long time. I guess I stretched that stew a little too far. My name is Thomas.”

“I am Elisabeth. Can you please tell me where I am?”

Thomas shook his head.

“I have been trying to figure that out myself,” he replied.

“What do you mean?”

“Very simply, I have no idea where here is, and no clue as to how I got here. I keep thinking that this has to be a bad dream. Somewhere around a month ago I was in New York, out drinking with my work mates, and the next thing I know I wake up in this cabin. As I said, I have no clue.” Thomas ended in a frustrated tone.

He got up and through another log on the fire.

“What about you? He asked.

“I do not remember anything except seeing your cabin and falling down that hill.”

What she saw in his eyes was that of complete sadness. This maybe what she expected, but it did not make it any easier to see. This assignment may wind up being harder than what she thought.