PRDS - 4413 Part 1 Chapter 8: A Step

As Mable took off the covering tarp, there was an unfinished fence under it. The incomplete fence must be the way they infiltrate the basecamp. I could not notice the awkwardness of that tarp, although it was right next to where I was hiding. Mable and I made eye contact, assuring we wouldn’t disappoint ourselves and civilians. It was also very lucky not to get spotted by the security team on the way out, the lights never came around us.

I remembered the way to the gathering, since it was to the west of the way to P4R4D1S3. I located P4R4D1S3 to the north of the gathering point in my head. So all I had to do was to walk north from the lights. COM. device becomes useful especially for the rescue team that works on earth, unlike the security team. Of course, the security team must have a more advanced device for communication. I thought that as long as they are on earth, they have no other choice than using COM. device, which signal has a possibility to be intercepted by FREEMANs’ tech. The experienced rescue team’s taking over the control was the most ideal situation at the moment. In a lot of contexts.

“Do you know what happened in P4R4D1S3?”

In the middle of the thought process, Linda quietly asked a question.

“We had no idea why we had to take the escape pods. There should have been no danger that couldn’t be handled in P4R4D1S3. And the emergency landing… I understand you guys are not allowed to talk about it, but since we are on our way, could you give us any information?”

“I hate to say this, I was on my way to P4R4D1S3. I have no idea what was happening inside…”

Right at that moment, I recalled what happened at Dock 50. The evacuation, the smoothly cut hole, and consecutive emergency landing. I could not understand why I couldn’t dissociate FREEMANs’ terror and the Fall. I wanted to think of different dangers.

“It was a gas.”

Suddenly, Claire opened her mouth.

“People were collapsing in the gas, Dan told me to cover my mouth and nose. And mom came to get us.”

I thought P4R4D1S3 should have used a ventilation system for a gas. And they could not have used a ventilation system if it were sabotaged. Only the security team should have access to such an essential system. I felt something was very wrong. Continuously heard gunshots behind us were not the problem, whomever planned the Fall should be the most problematic in the situation.

The gigantic structure of P4R4D1S3 started to reveal its silhouette over the top of the dead forest. Even though it was in the middle of night, the majestic spaceship had its shape. Not just its size, the emergency lights were sporadically spreaded across the P4R4D1S3 surface. It seemed like electricity or some life sustaining systems were still available. If gas was the cause of the Fall, it shouldn’t have been a problem to us with an air filtering mask. I just wished the hand laser gun have no problem solving breaching the P4R4D1S3 surface.

One of the worst scenarios that I had in mind was that I had to see the trace of someone making it into the P4R4D1S3 before us. I was rather lucky not to encounter them on the way to P4R4D1S3. When I stood in front of the man-sized hole on P4R4D1S3, I immediately regretted not having night vision goggles. I completely had no idea what other techs the security team dropped, how many FREEMANs would be in P4R4D1S3. Without knowing any information, I was sure it is a suicide going in. But I somehow relieved FREEMANs’carelessness for not having any lookouts left on the outside, I handed my old handgun to George.

“Do you still remember how it works?”

“No jokes kid, I used this old weapon for decades before I got onto P4R4D1S3. But this handgun looks a bit new. Where did you get this?”

“I got it from the captain. Of the rescue team.”

There are two captains on earth, so I had to elaborate. With a surprised face, Linda suddenly interrupted.

“Hold on. You never told us that you are one of the rescue team. Civilian supported rescue team, right?”

Then I realized that I never told them that I was on the rescue team. I thought I might have made a mistake. Even though the rescue team is mostly civilian supported, there are some people who dislike how we involve in FREEMANs’ lives.

“Well, I thought you all knew. Isn’t that kind of obvious for having different uniforms from the security team? Don’t get me wrong, I am basically on the same mission: Getting you all back to P4R4D1S3.”

“I think you are the one getting this wrong. You are doing the right thing young man. Don’t get too stressed explaining. We are on your side. I’m sure Claire understands it too.”

Claire flinched at how the conversation went to her, but soon she nodded with positivity. I understood the way she nodded with her eyes fixed to the dark inside P4R4D1S3. I lowered my body to even the eyeline with Claire.

“It’s okay if you wait here. I will quickly run in and out. George and Linda will take care of you. Do you want to wait here?”

“I will go.”

Claire said as she slowly shook her head. I never intended to let her stop from going into the P4R4D1S3, but I felt bad to see how she was brave enough to move forward.

“Alright then.”

I stood up to get my mind prepared for a step. A step to an unknown world. The unknown P4R4D1S3.