Shoot for Earth: MedSci Missions 3

Woon took off like a starter pistol had shot, then skidded to a halt in front of the location bot-drone Arfus indicated. He glanced around in confusion for a second, then Arfus pointed above, saying “Pull down a freezer from the ceiling.”

“Ah,” Woon said, finding a handle on the ceiling.

A transparent cylinder swirling with vapours pulled neatly out and rested just a bit too high for Woon’s stature.

“My digits don’t manipulate dexterously like the medical and catering bots,” Arfus said. “It’s best for you to extract what we need. I’ve highlighted them on the image on your Pocod.”

“Ok,” Woon said. “Stowing eleven vials in my carry belt. Was there any physical media in their computer that you took?”

“Yes, it’s in my media storage compartment. It was smaller than human made ones so I closed in the storage area to hold in firmly.”

“Did you email it over to Chiron for back-up?”

“Negative. I was able to download some information including where physical items were stored, but Shadowstar shielding prevents wifi data transfer over to Chiron.”

“Can you send it all to my Pocod in case we don’t all make it out?” Woon asked.

“The physical storage device I stowed has info not available to you digitally.”

“Not available to me? Is it available to you?”

“We’re running out of time,” Arfus said. The sounds at the door indicate a tool is being used to cut through it. I have vital information stowed. I must make it back to the ship so primary Sufra can use it.”

Woon cursed. Arfus had found a way to protect itself. “I’m going to hand some of these vials to Eats.”

Arfus flew in front of him. “No. Our escape plan requires humans to carry the vials.”

Woon gave an ancient Japanese curse. “I don’t think so!!” He got out a weapon and tried to move around Arfus. There was no way he was going to lay more guilt onto himself letting the aliens die instead of humans because Arfus interpreted his programming as instructions to do just that.

“If you shoot me, the mission will fail,” Arfus said calmly.

Stone faced, Woon nodded. Eats had been busy watching the door, but the argument caught his attention.

“Problem?” Eats asked.

“You should carry some of these vials in case we don’t all make it out,” Woon said.

“Sensible,” Eats said, moving towards them.

Arfus flew between them. “Admiral, I need you right away to hold a weapon out near the door. They’re about to break through.”

The distraction worked. It also happened to be true. A thick metal cut-out evading the braces the Chiron team had placed fell to the floor. A line of tall gangly aliens streamed through. Their skin was ghostly white, where it was visible on faces. The hair was upright, making them look a couple of feet taller at first glance. The hair, which turned out to be more like quills, quickly pointed right at the human invaders. Quills shot out at the same time as energy blasts filled the room.

With quills stinging his face, Woon took off into a flying leap that bowled over a Tasla trying to down Eats. The Tasla’s carefully re-adjusted aim landed on the ceiling as Woon thudded into him.