Project Azulus

Azulus Project

An Alexander Loche short story

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they can say. Though Perry Raken would beg to differ as he watched a crew member of several months float away into the dark emptiness, black filled the Darryl’s helmet as he drifted away from the Azulus.

Blood dripped down in thick droplets from the thick steel pipe Perry held in his broken hand. The smell of burning plastic filled the airtight space as he watched the last member of the shuttle float off; slowly being consumed by the thick darkness almost as if he was sinking into the deepest part of the ocean.

Screams of fear, terror and hate filled Perrys mind and though his lips remained sealed by the remaining glue left behind by the duct tape he could still hear the screams. Shivers of regret racked Perrys body dropping him to his knees, his face slamming into his palms as he let out a ragged scream, he had survived.

*

It had been months of outer orbit reconnaissance. The crew of six, Perry, Darryl, Tosha, Mark, Jackson, and the Captain Michael sat in the mess hall, eating re-processed food. Flickering lights filled the cold metallic space, accompanied by steel tables, white plastic appliances, and cups with squares of Velcro attached to the bottom fitting them in places to the table should the gravity fail. The smell of what one could only describe as pasta with stale bordering on expired cheese coating it into a film covered the plastic sectional formed plates. Heaps of protein squares stacked atop one another in the corner of the plate almost melting as the pasta with cheese collided giving off a putrid acidic scent. Expanded steel grates echoed as Captain Michael approached the center most table where the other five sat facing one another.

As the approaching noise to her back, Tosha lifted her head looking at the LED lights; “Cap, I never thought when I signed up the gourmet meals, they described when we signed up would smell resoundingly like trash mixed with shit.”

The mess filled with light laughter accompanied by the Captain clearing his throat. “Uhhhhmmm, well if any of you were worth the time or investment perhaps, they.” Michael pointed out the only window in the entire mess hall facing the small speck of a blue planet. “Would have provided something fitting your grand nature but seeing as you are in fact who you all are, this is ‘gourmet.” Leaning back in her chair Tosha threw her fork into the congealed pile of noodle and tofu spattering the table with flakes of white and yellow.

Michael standing with his hands clasped behind his back looked over the table. “Now if your quite finished.” Michael appraised the table, satisfied he had their attention. “Darryl, Tosha and Mark, I need you to report to the bridge, for flight status.”

Confused by the sudden assignment, the three turned looking at the Captain. Mark was the first to stand up, his hands dutifully clasped behind his back. Mark had come from a well-known family, more often than not the crew was known to insult his physical status his soft face, manicured hands, perfect hair despite his extended time out in space. The soft spoken and quick to complain co-pilot looked past his bright blond hair staring at Michael with his emerald eyes. “Sir, flight duty? We haven’t had to fire up the core sense we hit high orbit, what’s the occasion?”

Michael staired at Mark, then without word looked at Perry. “Perry, I need you to head below check on the flight core, I need to know if it’ll power up just fine, it has been several months, Lieutenant Jackson, I need you on standby in medical.”

Jackson a thick mountain boy turned marine, though bright did not usually talk. Made sense that Captain Michael had chosen him as his Lieutenant. Jackson looked to Michael and with a simple nod turned and walked off towards the med bay leaving what little remained of his food atop the table. The thick echo of Jackson leaving was all that remained of the bruit soldier.

Tosha pointing in the direction of Jackson, turned the Michael. “That, that thing is who I am supposed to see for my appointments; and why is he on standby. Cap, what is going on?”

Michael slumped his head out of annoyance. Slowly and dramatically, Michael turned to Perry. “What are you waiting for, I don’t recall asking you to wait. Move-out, now.”

Perry staired at Michael an equal display of annoyance painted across his face. “Unfortunately for you, I am not a military man, simply put I am a civilian and without the brick house. “Perry thumbed in the direction of medical. “You cannot force me to do anything without my consent, while the ship is military that core of yours is privately owned by my employer. We both know you need my approval before any action can be taken involving the drive.”

Sighing, Michael returned his attention to Tosha who by now was smiling from ear to ear. “Clean up the mess hall then report to your nav station or by god I’ll throw you out the lock.” As for Mark and Darryl get your asses up top or congregate in the lock with Tosha and continued to piss me off.” Tosha was a military reject who everybody suspected had dirt on the Admiral who ran the Azulus project. Either to get rid of Tosha or the falsehood that it was a prestigious position Tosha wound up in Michael’s employ.

Darryl a highly educated flight instructor for the navy shook his head and calmly walked off. Contrary to his daily demeanor, Darryl had been dishonorably discharged for insubordination when he struck a superior officer for referring to his black heritage. Sense his discharge he was sought out by Michael on behalf of project Azulus.

With Both Mark and Darryl walking towards the upper bulkhead ladder, Michael turned to Perry who stood unmoving, with only Tosha standing along side watching what Michael suspected was the side show.

Michael, motioned Perry down the rear bulkhead ladder in the back of the room, in the direction of the Core that was located several decks below the mess. Sighing, Perry waved the Captain off as he walked towards the ladder.

As Perry climbed down the ladder, he heard the last few remarks between both Michael and Tosha before the Captain started his decent down the ladder.

Arriving at the center most deck of the Azulus Perry stopped before the bulkhead door that led to the core. With his muscular arms crossed in front of his thick chest, Perry turned expecting to be waiting on Michael. “Well why do I need to activate the core?”

As Perry turned, he noticed Michael held a thick steel pipe in his hand and a look of hate painted across his face.

Perry raised his hands to ward off Michael but was not fast enough.

-Crack-.

Perry’s focus came and went as he felt as if he was being drug. The expanded steel grate sawed at his face as he was drug by both ankles over the now open bulkhead leading into the core. As he was being drug Perry could hear two familiar voices arguing.

“I said pick up your end?”

“I am you ass, you said when he opened the door, not in the middle of the damn hall. What were you thinking, what if Jackson or the Darryl saw you?”

“Just shut your mouth and pick up your end, I think he’s coming to.”

Slowly Perry regained feeling in his hands, though they felt heavy.

“Stop put him down here. Get me that tape. Hurry he’s waking up.”

Though Perry could feel the panic his body felt as if it weighed a ton, his arms felt like noodles, his feet tingled and he could feel from his waist to his knees. Trying to get to his feet, Perry brough his hands under his chest, but as he pushed Perry could feel his muscles refusing to move. Collapsing face first onto the steel grate Perry felt hot leaking out the back of his head.

“Here, I found your tape. Now what?”

“Grab his arms and help me roll him over, hurry up.”

Perry tried to resist, but he felt as if his arms had been soaked in water for days, his muscles refused to respond.

“Hold them together damn it. Yeah like that.”

Perry looked at his hands his eyes darting from side-to-side with confusion. “What’s wrong with my hands why can’t I move them, who’s hands are wrapped around my wrists?”

-RRRRIIIIIPPPP-

The sound of stretching duct tape was enough for Perry to look up from his fingers still confused as to why he could not move them.

Wrap after wrap of tape secured his hands at the wrist. After nearly using the entire roll of duct tape used the last ten inches and placed it over his mouth.

Coming to Perry between Tosha and Michael, rage filled his veins. Trying to struggle free Perry was almost able to get to his feet when Michael kicked Perry’s legs out from under him forcing the engineer to fall to his backside.

Michael wasting no time, placed his heel onto Perry’s shoulder kicking him to the side forcing Perry to fall onto his shoulder with his hands still taped together.

“Michael, just kill him. It’s not like it’s going to matter anyways.”

“Tosha, shut up what if the core overheats. He still has a use. Though not for much longer.”

Tosha leaned forwards running her fingers through Perry’s hair, “shame.” Standing to her feet, Tosha lifted her right leg then slammed the heel of her boot down onto Perry’s skull.

“Tosha, NO!”

The pale white light left Perry’s eyes, as the dark enclosed the environment around him.

*

ATTENTION HULL BREACH MED BAY. ATTENTOIN HULL BREACH MED BAY. ATTENTION HULL BREACH MED BAY.

Flashing red lights with sirens awoken Perry. Crimson pooled along Perry’s face as his eyes focused. His ears rang, sirens echoed throughout the lower deck.

ATTENTION HULL BREACH MED BAY. ATTENTOIN HULL BREACH MED BAY. ATTENTION HULL BREACH MED BAY.

Gathering himself Perry rocked from side to side until he was able to get to his knees then slowly his feet. sirens pierced his ears. Stumbling Perry noticed the engineering bulkhead doors had been closed and were sealed.

“Vacuum has depressurized the ship, forcing it into lockdown.”

Stinging pain racked through Perry, nearly dropping him to a knee.

“I need to shut off the pumps, seal off Medical, repressurize and then, well then I need to find that moron and the Cap, yeah he and I need to work some things out.”

Stumbling, Perry tripped on an electrical pipe that had been strapped to the deck upon construction of the core. Landing back on his shoulder Perry grunted out of pain. Laying on his back Perry could no longer hear anything aside from the alarm siren that ran in a loop.

With a -grunt- Perry sat up. Looking to his feet Perry followed the grey electrical metallic conduit from where it exited the bulkhead wall to where it entered the control cabinet he fell beside. On the floor beside the cabinet was a single Unistrut strap with an exposed bolt. Lumbering on his backside Perry scooted towards the bolt.

Slamming the split between his wrists onto the exposed bolt Perry felt a -pop- as the bolt forced its way through the various layers of tape. Sawing back and forth Perry worked steadily taking his time until finally he was able to cut through the tape freeing his hands.

Wasting no time Perry stood to his feet, ripping the tape off his mouth.

In the center of the bulkhead Perry awoken to, was a control panel that rose four feet from the floor and spanned almost ten feel long with hundreds of buttons knobs and monitors for the various controls of the core. The core was intended for propulsion, and the ships navigation systems. Due to the potential stress space flight had on the ship it was always a worry that the ship could overheat, explode, or simply rip apart should the core become unstable. It was with this fear that several ‘blocks’ were built into the core’s system preventing the core if any abnormalities arose. The core’s panel held overrides for the entire ship aside from that of navigation allowing the ships engineer the ability to keep those who occupied alive.

Standing in front of the panel, Perry disabled the ear shattering alarm loop leaving only the strobes active. Sealing each bulkhead in the ship, Perry disabled the ships locking system including overrides that even the Captain himself may possess.

Holding the back of his head Perry slowly removed his hand looking to his palm. Red coated each finger in a thick acidic paste. “What are you up to?”

Looking back to the monitor Perry noticed the core had been disabled, all gauges and checks appeared clear, the core had not been ignited, though it appeared to have been primed awaiting on the flight crew to energize. Confused, Perry cleared the ‘prime’ sequence and for good measure locked out the core.

Finishing up, Perry was surprised when the communications monitor lit up with a familiar face.

“Perry, I see your awake, I’m glad, I thought she had killed you. None the less, I have to thank you for clearing that pesky alarm code, I couldn’t hear myself think.”

Perry felt his blood boil at the casual tone Michael used. Just as Perry was about to reply he noticed something in the background of the monitor. Squinting Perry moved closer to the monitor.

With a confused inquiry Michael returned the gaze until he realized Perry was looking behind him.

Turning Michael allowed the camera to showcase the cockpit of the Azulus. “Oh that… I was hoping to surprise you with that, should you wake up, but hey who am I to deprive you.”

To Perry’s surprise Tosha hung from the ceiling by what appeared to be electrical wiring. Also alarming to Perry was Tosha was wearing her flight suit. While Tosha hung from the ceiling by herself Perry couldn’t help but ask, “Where is the others, why was there a breach in Medical? What are you doing?”

Chuckling Michael brought both palms level with his shoulders, “do’ no well that’s not entirely true. Jackson, well Jackson was unfortunately in a random explosion of what I assume was isopropyl related explosion, Tosha, well Tosha was Tosha and I had enough.”

Perry staired into the monitor, “why?”

With a soft smile, Michael shrugged his shoulders. “Project Azulus.”

With a flick of Michael’s hand, the monitor went static.

Perry stood looking at the monitor, “Project Azulus? What does… Fine, have it your way Michael.”

Moving away from the consol. Perry locked down the Medical bay area closing all relating ventilation and walkways from it to the interior of the ship. With the alarms subsiding, Perry re-pressurized the ship. Once the monitor recognized the ship as a habitable lifeboat, Perry released the ship restrictions to the proxy card that still hung from his shirt pocket.

Walking toward the bulkhead door, Perry kicked something that slid across the deck where it impacted the wall beside the bulkhead doors. Looking towards the source of the noise Perry noticed it was the pipe that had been used on him. Blood ran in a thin trail from Perry’s feet to where it final rested against the wall.

With a grunt Perry retrieved the pipe while feeling at the soft and warm spot on the back of his head. Michael, I have something you may want back.

Tapping his proxy card to the door reader a soft -beep- sounded and the door slid open. As the door opened, Perry readied himself for a fight that never came. Just past the bulkhead was nothing, just cold grates unthawing from the hull breach. Flashing red lights sparkled in the corners casting menacing shadows around the central ladder that lead to the upper decks.

Climbing up each rung of the ladder, proved difficult for Perry as he carried the pipe. A soft -clang- rang with each step. Though it gave his position away, he had hoped it struck fear into Michael’s mind.

Once back into the Mess, Perry looked around. Frozen paste that once was the crew’s food lay sprawled across the table in the direction of Medical from what Perry assumed was the breach. All the windows were enclosed in their protective grates sealing out the darkness beyond.

Waling around the oval table Perry looked around incase Michael or another crew member lay in wait for him; but to Perry’s satisfaction none were seen. Only his heavy breathing gave life to the growing grave that was the Azulus.

Walking past the sealed breach for medical, Perry headed for the ladder for the upper decks. As he grabbed the middle rung readying to lift himself up, he heard a soft -tap, tap, tap- from outside the ship. Turning Michael looked for the source of the noise, his heavy pipe held tightly in both hands like a batter waiting for a fast ball. Looking from one window to the next, he noticed one of the shuttered windows on the far side of the Mess the had not completely closed. Upon his discovery, Perry lowered the pipe crooking his neck at the fine line of perfect darkness. Walking slowly the sound grew louder, more frantic. Looking around at his surroundings Perry ensured he was alone. Leaning forward Perry looked out the window. There was nothing. Looking from side to side, Perry noticed only the black of space, a few twinkling lights of dying stars hundreds of light years away were all that replied to his gaze. Leaning back Perry started to turn around when Darryl and his space suit impacted the window. Falling to his backside, Perry gripped the pipe at its end pointing the other end towards the window.

Looking at the window, Perry noticed Darryl was pointing to his wrist as he held the display towards the window. Perry rushed to his feet running towards the window he hit the override for the shutters. With the window fully open he noticed Darryl was pointing at the oxygen level of his suit, the display read six minutes remaining. Banging at the window, Perry yelled while pointing towards the upper decks “Get to the air lock.”

With what appeared a limited nod of approval, Darryl, using his suit’s propulsion, launched himself towards the upper deck and out of sight of the Mess hall window. Once Darryl was out of sight, Perry turned in a rush for the ladder. Slamming into the ladder with his shoulder, Perry grabbed ahold with a grunt and climbed up to the next deck where the Azulus airlock was housed.

Getting onto the air lock deck, Perry sprinted towards the rear most bulkhead in hopes that the airlock was prepared to cycle. Arriving at the air lock bulkhead Perry tapped his proxy badge to the console. As Perry’s card -beeped- the inner airlock overhead lights turned on. Looking through the windows at the enclosed room, Perry noticed what appeared to be two bodies laying against the outer air lock doors one wearing a suit the name ‘Mark’ printed on the right breast. Hanging under Mark’s arm was the limp bloodied body of Jackson. His face white as snow, frost blanketing parts of Jackson’s exposed body on the side of Jackson’s neck was a large gash with what appeared to be a part of a fire extinguisher exposed. Despite the red and white strobing lights Perry could see the display on Marks arm was blinking yellow and red, indicating that he had ran out of oxygen.

Perry lost himself for a brief second until the exterior siren echoed through out the ship indicating that Darryl was waiting on him with his limited oxygen.

Shaking his head, Perry went back to the controls engaging the airlock’s cycling system. Immediately following this the exterior doors opened, ejecting the bodies of both Mark and Jackson into the nothingness. Darryl, despite the human debris, rushed into the space and cycled the outer doors closed. With a -crash- the outer doors slammed shut sealing the chamber. With the inner airlock chamber lights cycling from caution red to green, Perry operated the controls to pressurize the airlock.

Walking himself through the process like he was back in training Perry whispered aloud. “Approve, confirm outer doors sealed, lock bulkhead, pressure interior, override inner door seal.”

While walking himself through the process Perry could hear a loud banging on the airlock glass. It was Darryl. Knowing all too well he was almost out of air, Perry waved at the window with a thumbs up. “I’ve almost got it. You’ll be out in just a sec.”

Perry, finalizing the process was suddenly tackled from behind slamming into the airlock door windows. In that second he saw that Darryl wasn’t telling Perry he was almost out or air he was warning him that Michael was coming.

Turning from the airlock doors Perry swung the thick metal pipe at Michael, contacting the Captain on his shoulder. The effort was not enough to phase the sadistic man. With a knee to his stomach and a punch to the side of his neck, Perry crumbled to the ground, the pipe clattering out of reach. In a heap, Perry struggled for breath. He was only able to watch the feet of Michael as he walked away from Perry towards the airlock controls.

“Perry, Perry, Perry. Your time will come soon enough.” Michael playfully knocked at the thick bulkhead window just in front of Darryl. “I know you cant hear me, but color me impressed. I thought I killed you with Mark. Look at how resourceful you can be when you have to. And here I waited by the maintenance hatch for you to go there. Instead, you went to engineering hoping ol’ Perry was still alive.” Taking a half step back Michael pointed playfully at the stone-faced Darryl. “You, sir, have my admiration.”

With the same extended finger, Michael made a circular motion starting with his finger then swinging his whole arm in a circle Michael tapped the ‘CANCEL’ sealing the inner doors and re-opening the outer airlock bulkhead.

Watching as Darryl punched at the inner bulkhead glass Michael made a rude gesture before walking away from the doors and back to Perry. Dropping to his knees Michael tilted his head to the side shrugging, “So close.”

Standing, Michael kicked Perry in the face.

*

​Perry awoke to the ship shifting the inner cabin’s weight. Blinking repeatedly, Perry felt the smooth thud of the metal pipe as it rolled into his head. Realizing where he was Perry sat up. Grabbing the pipe, Perry scanned the deck looking for Michael. After not seeing the Captain, Perry turned to the Airlock doors, where Darryl slowly drifted off past the outer bulkhead doors. The lack of movement was enough for Perry to know Darryl was dead. It was only he and Michael left.

Taking in a deep breath, Perry looked out the window as Darryl faded from sight. It was in that instance he noticed the constellation was wrong. Mars, the planet in the far-off distance which until now had ran parallel with them out the port side, was gone. Michael had used the low-level propulsion to maneuver the ship.

​Tightening his grip on the metal pipe, Perry gritted his teeth. “Michael!”

​Walking confidently, Perry headed towards the last ladder. It was the ladder to the navigation deck and the top level of the ship.

With each rung, Perry checked his surroundings. He refused to be caught off guard a third time. Reaching the top of the ladder, Perry crawled out of the hatch, standing on the flat cold grate of the flight deck. Behind him was the ships communication room that lead into the crew barracks. Opposite was the bulkhead door that led into the flight navigation deck.

Checking for his proxy card, Perry noticed that it was missing. Looking at his surroundings, Perry saw the access panel to the flight deck was lit green, allowing him access.

Tapping the ‘OPEN’ option on the doors control, the bulkhead doors slid open with a -woosh-.

As Perry walked through the bulkhead doors, he noticed Michael was standing looking out one of the three large windows over the flight consol. The bright blue ball known as Earth filled each of the three windows.

Waving over his shoulder, Michael gestured at Perry.

“Earlier you asked me why. Why would I do all of this? Simple, this.” Michael made a grand gesture with his hands. “The Azulus was supposed to be a grand assignment but instead I was assigned the rejects. Failures, each and every one of you. It’s been months. Months of listening to you people snore, chew, argue about orders, bitch, piss, and moan.” Michael turned facing Perry. “You, you were the only one who had any type of accreditation, but after being around you, even you were dismal.” Walking to the pilot’s chair Michael sat down. “I got a communication yesterday. They were going to extend out time out here. Said they wanted us to monitor Mars.”

Bending forward, Michael wiped his face with bloodied hands as he started laughing manically. “Stay with you people. No, no, no, no. Not anymore. If they want this ship, they can have it. Unfortunately, you locked me out of the core and without that daddy’s boy Mark I don’t have access.” Lifting his head Michael’s face contorted displaying what could only be described as murderous glee. “Bet you didn’t know I had flight privileges, its not much but it’ll do. At least for what I need.

Perry continued to stalk towards Michael the pipe held tightly in both hands.

“There is nothing you can do now. I have locked the in the course corrections and we have passed the minimal correction marker.” Leaning his head back and to his left he looked at Perry with the corners of his eyes. “You should go. At least you’d have a few hours to make your arrangements.”

Turning his head back, Michael accessed the panel under his right hand. His fingers taping frantically.

ATTENTION HULL AUTHORIZED PURGE FLIGHT DECK, ALL PERSONALL EVACUATE!

ATTENTION HULL PURGE INITIATED FLIGHT DECK, ALL PERSONALL EVACUATE!

Red and white strobe lights pulsed.

Looking from side-to-side Perry took a step backwards.

“Make fast, Perry. Time is short.”

Perry watched as Michael continued tapping at the panel. Numerous clicking sounds consistent with the maintenance hatch locks popped just overhead. Turning Perry ran as fast as he could towards the Flight bulkhead door. Perry ran through the doors as they slammed shut. Michael’s laughter could be heard through the solid doors.

Stopping just short of the bulkhead doors, Michael leaned his head against the cold steel. The faint cackling of the madman was silenced as what sounded like a loud -thud- slammed into the door. Pulling his head back Perry watched as the face of the steel door coated itself in a thin sheet of ice.

It felt like a lifetime as Perry stood mesmerized by the icy door. The statements made by Michael tore through Perrys mind. “Failure. Dismal.”

Perry turned his back to the frozen bulkhead dropping the pipe at his side. Though the pipe sent a -ringing- through the entire ship Perry did not hear a single note. He was focused. Perry walked to the ladder at calm and steady pace. He heard nothing, felt nothing. Dropping from the flight deck, he passed the airlocks. A ping of guilt at not being able to help Darryl stabbed at his stomach. Descending the ladder to the Mess, Perry thought about Mark and his efforts in trying to save Jackson. Walking though the Mess hall, Perry could smell the rotting paste as it thawed against the walls in the now warm ship. Thoughts of anger and rage at the memory of Tosha forced Perry to clench his fists.

Despite the anger he felt towards the hand he had been delt, Perry descended to engineering. Arriving at the bulkhead Perry reached for his Proxy card only to notice it was still missing. Sighing, Perry entered the five-digit password to override the door. ‘MARIE.’ It was the name of his wife. At the thought of her, he felt the sting of guilt for leaving her behind on Earth. A wash of determination came over his body as the door -swooshed- open omitting entry into core engineering.

Walking over the bulkhead door tracks Perry arrived at the Core console. With a spattering of tears Perry entered the combination to overload the nuclear core. Using the overload command Perry silenced all alarms and took a step back and watched as the reactor started to overheat. Thoughts of home his wife and home raced through his mind. Finally, the Core breached, and a flash of light was all that was left of the Azulus.