Alone

[Cptn_Giovanni 0]

"Alone"

Log entry 39: 19 August, 2157

 

The little girl scurried to the back of the pod as light suddenly penetrated the vessel and blinded her. She didn't particularly like the light after being in the dark for so long. The bright white light blinded her. Just out of the light's range, she stayed where just as suddenly as the mysterious light came, a pair of hands and a strange voice called out to her. This was the first time she heard another's voice in such a long time. The voice called out to her again, but the girl refused to move. For someone so young and tender, who had been through so much, one could blame her for freezing in her place.

ONE AND A HALF WEEKS AGO....

 

Five-year-old Tricia O'Connor was having the time of her life on board the Carnival Grandeur. It was her first time in space, and just a few days ago, she celebrated her fifth birthday in the Grand Restaurant with her parents. She loved the big chocolate ice cream cake and the presents she got, most especially the giant teddy bear from mum and dad, and the stunning views from nebullans were nice too. It was the family's first vacation in years, and they were enjoying every minute of it. It was also a mile stone for the average family from Aurora, Ontario, Canada, as it was their first time ever in outer space.

 

Tricia liked being on the ship, it was fun and had all sorts of activities and amenities to keep her entertained. But all of this changed when the weird grey fish bowl men came onto the ship. They were scary and came onto the ship and started shooting people. Nobody knew why they came on board, but they said nothing and continued their onslaught for hours. There weren't many places people could hide from them as they swarmed over every part of the ship. But somehow, Tricia and her parents escaped death. Just as suddenly as the mysterious invaders appeared; they left just as quickly.

 

Emerging from their hiding place, they could see that nobody was left alive. Bodies lie everywhere and they had to step over them carefully to move through the ship. "Don't worry dear. Every thing's al right now" reassured her mother. They wandered around the ship for about half an hour looking for more survivors. Someone from the crew that managed to survive and give them help. They called out, but were answered by an eerie silence. They walked along like this for a few more minutes before the ship shook violently. This was accompanied by another shake, then another, then another and so on. Bulkheads and ceiling panels fell around them as they ran for safety.

 

Fires erupted around them as the Grandeur shook and suddenly started to pitch heavily to her port. Clutching her daughter in her arms, Tricia's mother Connie and her father James found what could be their last resort; the ship's escape pods at the end of the deck. For safety and emergencies, the Carnival Grandeur came equipped with escape pods located in every deck of the ship. It was designed so that there were enough pods for everybody on the ship. Prior to launching, the O'Connor's and the rest of the passengers were briefed on their locations and instructions on how to use them.

 

With the ship around them falling apart, James and Connie quickly stuffed Tricia into the escape pod. Just as they themselves were about to step in, a massive explosion rocked the ship again, causing debris to fall around the pod, blocking access into the entrance. Miraculously, the debris the pod, but sadly, caused a debris to dislodge and fall on the father and mother. Unable to move or to get the debris out of the way, the doomed couple committed their last act of parental love and devotion for Tricia. With the last of her strength, Connie reached out and just pressed the launch button.

 

Just before blacking out, James and Connie saw their daughter's escape pod shoot out of the ship and into the stars. The couple lost consciousness shortly after that. Minutes later, the Grandeur exploded in a huge ball of fire. The explosion sent a shock wave that pushed the escape pod. The pod surged forward like a canon from the momentum of the shock wave. From inside of the pod, Tricia could see debris and a bright orange light. It engulfed a few other escape pods, which incinerated them instantly. Somehow, her pod was spared, and soon all she could see was dark space.

 

TODAY

It's been over a week since Tricia was in the escape pod -- not that she knew that. She was well beyond scared by now, being all by herself for so long. Luckily she had her Teddy to keep her company all this time, but she wanted to see her mummy and daddy again. She was also hungry and thirsty. The food and drinks in the escape pod ran out two days ago and there was nothing left. As the days past, Tricia grew more weak and lethargic in the dark and cramped escape pod. The pod creaked and groaned around her in the bright red nebula. Tears formed in her eyes as she fearfully clutched her bear.

 

Inside, through the window, she could see a ship inside. It wasn't as big as the Grandeur , but it looked to be strong until she saw that the ship was broken and in many little pieces. She whimpered softly as her stomach twisted. But there was nothing left to quell this feeling. With considerable energy from her diminishing strength, Tricia moved to the other side of the pod, wondering if her mummy or daddy would come get her. She was just about to fall asleep when she felt her pod shake. The escape pod was only designed for a few days in space and drifting in the nebula with its crushing pressure and electrical surges was starting to have an effect on its structural integrity, it would only be a matter of time before it gets crushed like a pop can from the outer pressure.

CHALLENGER LAUNCH BAY, PRESENT TIME

 

As her eyes started to become used to the light again, Tricia could see the strange lady looking back at her on top of the pod. She looked up curiously at the lady who was calling out to her. She didn't really know what to do. Her daddy always told her not to talk to strangers. Her stomach rumbled a bit as the lady was seemingly getting closer to her. Tired and hungry though, Tricia brushed aside some of her dirty blonde hair that was once bright and shiny, and formed no resistance to the fast approaching hands other than move slowly farther back of the escape pod. Soon, she could move no farther. Tricia's bright blue eyes looked at the hands of the closely approaching lady still calling out to her, but she did nothing. At least her voice sounded reassuring and somewhat comforting...