The Noise (Part 9)
DECLASSIFIED
The Creature entered the code into the security lock and the airlock opened. Immediately it smashed the console to pieces and the door remained now permanently unsealed. Alarms immediately signaled the severity of the situation. Red lights flashed and the digital voice of the main computer warned of decontamination procedures, now in effect. The Creature emitted that noise. It was laughing.
The Major had not completely gone. He had been assimilated into the Creature and all his knowledge had been stored. Security procedures were part of this knowledge and the Creature knew now, every stage of the decontamination protocols. Any breach of airtight seals was an immediate Level 5 protocol initiation. Or to put it bluntly, the Epsilon base would be erased from New Earth in 5 Old Earth minutes. The Major was aware of this but could do nothing about it, apart from watching, like a ghost inside the machine. A killing machine.
Duke and Dr. Harker heard the alarms and knew exactly what they meant. Five minds simultaneously knew the situation. Five minutes and this place went up like Mount Vesuvius and everything for a 5km radius would be eradicated and irradiated. Their only chance was to find the emergency chrysalis pod and beat the explosion. It was going to be close.
