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Fathom's Phantoms Playing Hero

Karmn was not officially part of Lt. Hayward's squad so he was not breaking any company policy by parting ways... especially not when there were people that needed to be helped. He was only a little surprised when Mol followed after him with a very enthusiastic "Finally we're going somewhere. I didn't sign onto station security just to sit at a computer watching monitors. Whatever YOU'RE doing'll be better than that."

The Gorumn grunted. "Whatever these things are they're dangerous. They were on the Lagress and they're what killed Aztec. We can't just stay in the security control center without trying to help people."

The Cytkus winked. "So we're running into unknown threats with little or no intel... sounds like fun."

A growling, canine voice spoke up from behind them. "Yea... fun if you're insane."

Kamrn turned to see Sgt. Cox standing there with his paws on his hips. Directly beside him was Lieutenant Cox. Mol was more than happy enough to reply as she glanced between the Malamute and Dalmatian. "But you're still coming with anyway?"

The Lieutenant nodded. "We're heading to the upper deck to provide back up for the Executives but the Central Hub is on the way-- it makes more sense to coordinate our efforts."

Kamrn glanced past the two security guards to take note of the Cat standing behind them. "What about you, Doctor? You aren't staying here where it's safe?"

Dr. Cortez rolled his eyes. "I would have but from a purely numbers perspective there are more security traveling to the Central Hub than staying behind. Besides, I'll be going with these two when they head toward the Executive Deck. I have no idea what's going on but the security up there's a lot heavier than down here."

Not bothering to waste his time on arguments or further clarification Kamrn just shrugged. He glanced toward the Dalmatian. "You're the highest rank, Sir. Are you taking the lead on this, Lieutenant?"

The Dalmatian shook his head. "As far as I'm concerned this is your show. Whatever's going on here doesn't have anything to do with standard operating procedure, Sergeant. We'll put a hold on formality until whatever's going on gets resolved-- for now just call me Len."

The Malamute reached out and rested a paw on the Lieutenant's shoulder, "We have to keep control of the situation, Lieutenant... until we know what's going on we have to keep options secure and personnel in line."

Len shrugged the paw off. "Right now what we need to do is help people survive and, out of everyone here, only Cameron seems to get that. We have to be able to make quick decisions and rank's only going to get in our way."

The Malamute scowled. "Rank is what's keeping this whole thing from being a democracy-- voting takes time we don't have."

The Dalmatian matched the scowl. "If that's the case, Gil, then why are you questioning my decision?"

The Sergeant huffed, snorted, and gave a sarcastic salute then stormed off ahead down the hall. Mol glanced over at Len. "Wow... he's such a catch, I can clearly see why the two of you are together."

Len shot Mol a withering glare strong enough to actually silence the female Cytkus. "Gil does best in structured, orderly situations... that's the reason we transferred our contract to DRC security rather than military."

Dr. Cortez smiled, walking in the middle of the security officers. "Though I'm sure the increased pay from private sector work doesn't hurt either."

Mol grunted. "Whatever. As long as he doesn't do this when we're in a fight. I'm not much for having my squad mates routed because things stop being easy."

The Dalmatian scowled and stormed on ahead after the Malamute. Kamrn let out a sigh; things were certainly off to a good start.

* * * * * *

Thanks to having spent numerous shifts in the lower decks Kamrn had learned the location of some of the smaller personnel elevators. Although the trams would certainly have made the trip much faster the Gorum was nevertheless able to navigate the group through the maze of corridors and lead them to each of the lifts they'd need to use. Unlike the trams, which essentially had the run of the entire length of the station, the personnel elevators rarely covered more than five or six floors; they spent more traveling on each level than they did traveling between them.

It took almost twenty minutes after leaving the docking bay security control center the party finally arrived at the mid-level of the Central Hub: the spot that Kamrn had identified as the site of the tram incident. Based on the smell of burned electronics and scorched metal he had a feeling that his assumption was correct. Glancing back at everyone he waited long enough for everyone to gather together before motioning them forward. "This way to the tram station. Keep up."

Staying at the front of the group, Kamrn made sure he had Mol at his left. Behind him Dr. Cortez followed along obediently and the two Coxes brought up the rear. It wasn't an ideal team but he did feel better having a few extra security officers with him. What that amounted to in the long run however was very little-- especially considering what he knew of the creatures.

They rounded the hall and the scent intensified. Several more steps and Kamrn was able to look down a side corridor and that's when he caught his first in-person glance of the Transit Station... and it looked like a war zone. Dr. Cortez paused behind him but the Gorumn paid the Cat little attention; it appeared that he had more important and much more pressing things to attend to.

Not pausing in his approach Kamrn pulled out his PCD and quickly checked IDs on everyone assembled. A light-furred fox woman named Victoria Carter had taken charge of tending to the injured. According to her record she had been put on administrative leave which was fortunate since that had apparently provided her the time to render first aid to the four wounded Humans who had been laid out across the waiting benches.

The Gorum was able to identify a Pointer named Jeremy Fowler from his electronic ID as well; the Dog was working to free two women trapped in what appeared to have once been the tram's driver's compartment, but he wasn't alone in that. A red fox was there too: Henry Maxfield, a bartender from the Central Hub. Kamrn had to double-check the ID read on the young Human girl who was working alongside Jeremy, but the inquiry provided the same name, and Kamrn nodded with certainty. "Lydia Parker."

Len and Gil wasted no time moving into the tram station, but Dr. Cortez remained back near Mol. "What could have done THIS?"

The Cytkus woman gave a very frank response. "Based on the evidence, I would bet it was a tram at high speed."

The Cat frowned. "Thank you for stating the obvious."

"Thank you for asking it."

Kamrn glanced back over his shoulder to Dr. Cortez. "There are people here that need help. See if you can support Dr. Carter. We have injured here."

The Feline waved away several bits of ash that floated past his face as he walked toward the benches. "We need a proper medical room and equipment... there are no facilities here and we barely have any supplies."

The Gorumn snorted. "I thought you brought a whole pack of emergency gear with you to tend to the injured at the landing pad."

It was the Cat's turn to snort. "Yea... well it got spaced along with the Gorilla I'd had holding it... Sergeant."

Kamrn was low on patience. "You're a doctor; do what you can."

The two Coxes were helping to keep onlookers away from the wreckage but a well-dressed Bear remained close at hand to help Jeremiah, Lydia, and the two victims from the driver's compartment up off of the tram line. The Gorumn checked all IDs: the bear was Harold Cruise, a businessman from the Central Hub; the Human was Jocelyn Schultz, just as he'd seen on the security screen; the Gazelle woman was--

"DOWN!"

The shout had come from Jocelyn, who tackled the Gen Dog near her; both fell to the ground as a shimmering, serpentine shape flew overhead where the Orca had just been standing. The Human let out a cry of surprise, and rolled on the ground in an attempt to put out the back her shirt, which had spontaneously combusted from the close proximity to the eel-like creature.

Gil's gun was out immediately. "HOSTILE!"

The Malamute leveled the weapon but held his fire as the eerie organism floated between him and the Gazelle woman; it lashed out and disappeared into the doe.

Kamrn shouted out a warning. "Get back, Gil!"

The canine Sergeant took a step back, gun still at the ready but he retreated further when two creatures emerged from the burned chest of the civilian. A moment later he began burst fire at the transparent, floating eels but, just as when Kamrn had shot at one back in the Lagress there was no effect save for the immediate and complete incineration of each round that got close, giving off the impression of little pops and crackles small fireworks shot out for entertainment. The creatures slowly rotated in the air-- no... this was certainly NOT entertainment.

Kamrn ran to the Sergeant and smacked the barrel of his gun down. "That's not doing anything! Bullets don't hurt em!"

Gil shouted back immediately. "Then what the FUCK are we supposed t'do? KNIFE em?!?"

The Gorum literally grabbed the Malamute by his scruff. "No... we run."

Len took control of evacuating the civilians and ushered them quickly from the area surrounding tram as Kamrn retrieved the Lieutenant. Jeremiah and Lydia picked up Jocelyn and retreated to where Mol was motioning people down the side hall. Drs Carter and Cortez were trying to get the injured mobile but to little effect. Eventually the Cat glanced at the Vixen. "We're not getting all these people out."

The Fox shook her head. "We have to try!"

Dr. Cortez eased the Human he was steadying back to the bench. "We'll die with em if we don't go now-- I've seen what these things do so either you come with or you're just another piece of bait. It's up to you, sweetheart... it'd be a shame to lose you, even if you might buy us a few extra seconds."

She paused long enough to stare at the Cat. "You're Victor Cortez."

"DOCTOR Victor Cort--"

The Vixen silenced him with a slap, "They gave you control of my med bay."

He reached up to rub the side of his muzzle. "Well, if they gave ME control of it then it isn't exactly YOURS now is it?"

She gave him another slap, and, despite his suggestion, picked up the young man she'd been trying to help. She hefted him up so she could carry him over her shoulder. The Cat smirked, following after her, winking at Kamrn as they passed by. "She likes me... I can tell."

Having little time to deal with the foolishness Kamrn motioned to the two Coxes, "Let's go! Out!"

Len remained by the tracks, moving the rest of the bystanders back toward the group. He waved at Harold, who was working to free an older woman from one of the tram's broken doors. "Come on! We gotta go!"

The bear tightened his grip on the woman's arm and she suddenly spasmed. A moment later the bear let out a roar of surprise and alarm as two eels burned through the door but that roar stopped when one entered into his chest; afew moments later two emerged. Karmn closed his eyes, shaking his head before shouting "LEN! MOVE IT!"

The Dalmatian moved quickly to follow; the four already present serpentine phantasms joined by several more as they burned their way out of the destroyed Tram. So for the second time that night Kamrn was forced to retreat. He hated running but he was a realist and knew that they couldn't kill whatever those were with conventional weaponry.

He waited just long enough for Len to catch up before looking to the rest of his party. The civilians had been evacuated and for a moment he considered following after them to provide whatever support he could... but that little nagging voice in the back of his mind reiterated the fact that guns just wouldn't do the trick. He was, in truth, conflicted.

"Well?" Gil growled. "Now what?"

* * * * * *

Lydia considered herself both astute and quick-witted but the numerous situational changes that had overtaken the station left her marginally off-balance. The loss of communications had been one thing but the breakdown of tram service followed quickly thereafter. Added to that the complete destruction of the tram station and having to rescue people from the wreckage and she was at her limit. When a security team appeared and evacuated everyone because of some strange ghost-eel infestation it was more than she was able to process.

Rather than carve her own way, Lydia took the path of least resistance and simply listened to orders. The security team had them quickly evacuate the tram station and pushed them back into the Central Hub. Lydia made sure that Henry remained close by but other than that she didn't bother giving a damn to identify anyone or anything. Stuck in her own mind she spent the intellectual downtime trying to digest everything, and frankly the brain-equivalent of overeating gave her a metal stomach ache.

The young lady felt like a lapine pinball as she was pushed and shoved by the others around her. Here-and-there were the people she'd been waiting with at the tram station and the others were the evacuees of the crashed tram. As they moved further into the Central Hub, directed at the front by a pair of canine security officers, the crowd increased. They made it to the center of the shopping court when their group ran into the security team that had apparently been oppressing the store owners. Lydia was both reassured and concerned at the same time; they would hopefully be better protected from those THINGS, but the security officers WERE after her, after all.

The two security teams met up with the hub team apparently deferring to one of the Dogs leading the transit evacuees; the Dalmatian had a relatively mild voice that somehow managed to come across as convincingly authoritative... and he was a Lieutenant. It was obviously enough for the security forces that were already in the Hub when they arrived and he quickly established order and directed the civilians toward the outer exit; if nothing else he was good at directing traffic.

Lydia caught sight of the Gorumn Sergeant as well. During all the commotion the green skinned security officer kept the line of evacuees moving by consistently pushing people in the right direction, offering little more than a gruff "Move!" or "That way!" or "Keep up!" About that time the young lady realized that she needed to start thinking for herself; everyone was moving like a bunch of cattle to the slaughter, and the programmer did not much like the idea of that kind of end destination.

Henry apparently caught sight of Lydia slipping toward the edge of the crowd and pushed after her, "Where ya goin', duckie?"

The girl slid into the cover of a doorway. "If those things from the tram are after people I don't like the idea of staying with the group-- you saw how fast they killed everyone in the tram and those people weren't packed half as tight."

The Fox paused, considering that for a moment before finally nodding. "Aight... follow me; the bar's just around th' corna."

Lydia followed after Henry who slowly blazed a trail through the numerous pressing bodies until he managed to slide into an open area between two shop walls, revealing a back door to the establishment. The Fox pressed his PCD to the security scanner and it popped open. Gunshots sounded from the tunnel leading to the Tram Station indicating that whatever those glowing air worms were had followed. "Let's go... I think they're in the Hub!"

Henry motioned for the Human to head inside and followed after her, closing and securing the door once they were through. The Fox then passed by, indicating with a flick of his muzzle. "This way... we're better off if we can close the shudders on the window... less likely whatever those things are'll come in 'ere."

The programmer nodded, following Henry down the hall and to the front of the bar where they quickly discovered they weren't alone. A Cytkus security guard had the front door open and was motioning people inside. Lydia recognized Jeremiah and Victoria from the tram station along with the human woman who had been on the tram. The Cytkus pulled the door closed once everyone had made it into the bar and stood at the entrance with her combat rifle drawn, watching the events unfold outside.

While the programmer paused at the realization she and Henry had company the Fox didn't even bat an eye. Smiling, he went out to meet everyone. "I would normally say we're closed but, considering the situation, could I perchance convince you all to help me seal the shuttas?"

The group worked quickly to lower the thick, roll-down metal blinds. The newcomers handled three of the four blinds while Henry got the fourth himself. Lydia was just starting to calm down, comfortable with their hiding place when the Cytkus woman moved away from the door. "Everyone get back! They're coming this way!"

Victoria joined Lydia behind the bar as everyone else stepped back from the shuttered windows. Henry stepped their way a moment later and grabbed hold of the programmer's hand. "Come on... if they're coming this way we don't want to be in the front."

The girl didn't object and followed quickly after but paused when she heard the gunfire stop. Glancing back, Lydia watched as two transparent, ethereal shapes flowed through the metal shudders as if they were no more restrictive than the taped finish line at the end of a race. A third came straight through the door leaving a perfectly circular hole in the glass. At that point the Cytkus security officer started firing again.

The third creature seemed temporarily suppressed by the gunfire, floating right where it was as the ammo incinerated upon contact. Apparently the security guard wasn't coming anywhere close to killing it but at least she had it pinned down, so to speak. That was, until a second ghostly snake approached the Cytkus from behind; the gunfire stopped when it struck her, disappearing into her body. She fell as blood boiled out of her nose and eyes, leaving two of the alien specters floating where she had stood.

Henry yanked Lydia's arm. "Come on, Duckey! We can't stay 'ere!"

Lydia lingered for a moment longer, eyes focused on the sight of a streaking fireball flying through the air from behind the bar. It took all of two seconds for her to realize that either Victoria or Jeremiah had apparently pieced together a firebomb from the alcohol. Although she didn't get to see the results as he fled down the hall she did hear Jeremiah shout. "It's stopped em!"

The exclamation was followed by a cheer from the survivors... but the celebration was short lived. Jocelyn came running after her and Henry, glancing over her shoulder as the remaining two Gens followed. "They... ATE the fire..."

Victoria cried out. "There's twice as many now... they're multiplying!"

Jeremiah, who was at the rear of the group, shouted. "These things are increasing number every time they kill someone, but they ignored everyone the moment there was fire-- they must be using heat to reproduce!"

Henry glanced at Lydia. "That gives me an idea."

The programmer opened her mouth to speak but the Fox didn't give her a chance. The two ran off into the kitchen before anybody had the opportunity to question them. Henry led Lydia to a walk in freezer. The Programmer gave her companion a questioning glance. "You saw what they did to the metal shutters... you really think the door's going to stop em?"

the Fox pushed her into the storage room which was far smaller than the young woman had first assumed. "If they're attracted t' heat it might help hide you."

Lydia was barely able to fit as she was squeezed in between the well-stocked shelves. "What about you?"

Henry winked. "I'm a Fox. I'll thinka somethin'. You just stay safe an' see if that AI can 'elp us out some."

The programmer was about to object but Henry didn't give her a chance; the door shut firmly and Lydia heard the unmistakable sound of the electronic lock sealing it off. Heartbeat racing, the programmer did the only thing she could: she fumbled about in the dark until she could activate the light on her PCD.

With the door shut the freezer looked even smaller... if at all possible. Lydia shivered, half from the cold and half from the enclosed space. She wasn't claustrophobic thankfully but the overstocked shelves made moving difficult with how little room was available. She was just about to link up with ALVIN when the program beat her to it, "Hello, Lydia. I have been following your progress and have prepared a plan that will increase your likelihood of survival."

Brain strained from the still-developing nature of events, all the girl could offer in return was a "Huh? What plan?"

ALVIN's upbeat reply was, nevertheless, somehow ominous. "I have learned that the Phantoms are susceptible to absolute zero temperatures."

"Phantoms?"

The Collie avatar of ALVIN appeared on Lydia's PCD screen. "Yes, Phantoms."

The programmer looked down at the screen. "Those things? The snake-things?"

"That is the name internal records from Captain Nida Jorn's office have provided them, yes. Considering your current situation I have calculated your odds of survival at 92.8864137% as long as we disconnect your current surroundings from the station's primary air supply before I put the plan into effect."

Lydia looked up to the vents when she heard the freezer's fans stop. "ALVIN... that means I'll suffocate. You can't do that."

The Collie on her PCD screen smiled reassuringly. "I already did, Lydia. And you do not have to worry-- you have approximately twenty minutes of oxygen before your health will be put at risk, and it will take far less time to vent the atmosphere from the surrounding areas in the Central Hub."

"VENT THE ATMOSPHERE?!?!"

ALVIN's avatar nodded. "Yes, Lydia. I have discovered that the Phantoms cannot function without heat. This may explain why survey teams discovered that the civilization that first encountered them had developed a way to trap them by using--"

"Do you have ANY idea how much trouble I'll get into? Besides-- Everyone'll die!!!"

The Collie on Lydia's PCD screen blinked, "Not everyone, but the likelihood for casualties is extremely high, yes. That is why I will require you to override the safety protocols keeping this action from taking place."

Lydia shook her head. "No! Absolutely not! There are PEOPLE out there!"

ALVIN leveled his gaze at her. "Your chance for survival without venting the atmosphere is currently at 22% I have rounded it to the nearest whole number for sake of brevity, but we must act quickly-- you are now at 19%."

"ALVIN, breaking into a computer system is one thing, but venting the--"

"Those who accompanied you into the kitchen have been detected by the Phantoms and will be under attack in twelve seconds-- your chance of survival is now at 14%."

Lydia fretted. "ALVIN, you can't ask me to let you kill people."

"I will save as many as possible, but I do not want you to die, Lydia. Please provide me access to override codes."

She felt warmth from tears on her cheeks. Lydia used to think she was 'hard core' and that everyone was just a bunch of sheep... but she wasn't about to let people die. "Can you save everyone?"

The program didn't answer her question. "Lydia, this freezer will not protect you from the Phantoms-- your chance for survival is now in the single digits. Please allow me to vent the atmosphere, Lydia; we will save more lives in the long run than this will cost."

The programmer slammed her hand against one of the shelves crying out at the unacceptable solution to an unbeatable problem. "Alright! Just... try not to kill people!"

"Your survival is first and foremost, Lydia, but I will do what I can. Safety protocols are now disengaged. I am venting the middle three floors of the Central Hub, degrees five through one hundred forty."

Despite what Lydia knew was happening it was surprisingly uneventful inside her current enclosure. There were some muffled sounds from beyond the freezer but nothing anywhere as earth-shattering as the programmer imagined it might have been if she were out there experiencing it firsthand. "ALVIN... can you... maybe set up some pockets of atmosphere... you know... so people can at least survive once you stop venting everything?"

ALVIN's melodious laughter was at once disarming and concerning. "I have already established contingencies, Lydia. The Phantoms have been expelled from the kitchen. I have locked down the emergency seals that are meant to contain kitchen fires and re pressurized the room beyond your freezer. Initial scans indicate that Phantom mortality is at approximately 80% while station casualties amount to only 30% of civilians present."

Lydia let out a deep breath; it wasn't as bad as it could have been.. right? "Oh... okay-- I... I guess that's... good? 30%... oh my god... we killed all those people?"

The Collie avatar's head shook, "No, Lydia... you did not kill 30% of the people, I did. YOU saved 70%. I hope you will take comfort in knowing that."

Lydia would have slid down into a seated position if there'd been room to do so. "So many people dead..."

ALVIN proceeded with logic but his voice held a strong tone of comfort. "This is correct, yes. The number of casualties sustained in total are far less than may have occurred if the Phantoms had been allowed to continue their attack on the populace of the Central Hub. Despite the fact that my primary interest was in saving your life you were adamant about saving as many people as possible; their survival is what rests on your shoulders."

Lydia sighed, tears freezing when they hit the metal floor. She rested her head against the shelf in front of her. "Yea... whatever."

She made no attempt to move, even after hearing the sound of the freezer unlocking. ALVIN finally spoke up. "Lydia, the freezer door may now be opened. I am sorry you feel sorrow over events beyond your control but you have survived. I am pleased at our progress."

The young woman rotated her shoulders, feeling the ache in her body from the cold and heart from the decision she'd made. Lydia pushed the door open, purposefully not meeting the gaze of those outside it. "Progress will be not having to do that again."