🧫 Mothership by S.T. Gillard

🧫 Mothership

by S.T. Gillard

A stack of confidential documents found next to the dead body of General Roger Leake, United States Military on 9 June 2108 in his office at Kings Peak Bunker, Utah: 

General Leake,

The following correspondence was recovered from the wreckage of Deep Space Research Vessel 006A ‘Mothership’ at its crash site in Northern Bolivia. The crash site, still designated a Green Zone, was accessed via parachute drop. Despite all soldiers being provided with hazmat suits, each of them presented with shoots when undergoing post-mission quarantine and are all in critical condition or dead. It’s as we suspected; it’s worse at the source — the spores can penetrate all of our PPE. What’s more, outbreaks in the wake of Dust Storm Elise suggest they can travel extreme distances on the wind. Cases have been reported in overground facilities as far north as Albuquerque. 

Awaiting your orders with urgency, Sir. 
Captain Ross Ritchie 

DATA BEGINS

NASA eCorrespond, 30 November 2105, Received 16:05

Captain Lazarus,  

Thank you for your most recent progress report.  It is encouraging to hear Mothership has reached Aegis IV’s orbit and you have commenced harvesting samples.

Unfortunately, the situation on Earth is no less dire.  It may not come as a surprise, but the last of the world’s remaining rainforests have now perished.  Air quality continues to worsen at an exponential rate and survival chances of those still above ground are plummeting on a daily basis.  I apologise for the sad news, however, this means it is of paramount importance that the mission progresses as quickly as possible.

Thank you also for forwarding the results of Dr Lang’s first round of tests.  It is most unfortunate that none of the subjects survived.  It may be that Aegis IV is not a viable ecosystem after all.  The Board has unanimously agreed that if positive results have not been achieved within one month, then the mission should proceed immediately to Eugis I.  This is a matter of urgency, now more than ever.

Godspeed, Captain.
Professor Henry Evangelista
Chief Science Officer
NASA
Washington D.C.

Crew eCorrespond, 25 December 2105, Sent 17:44

Dr Marek Nowak PhD, Botanist

Parts of this outgoing message were censored by the Mothership AI before delivery to the recipient. Below is the original and complete correspondence with the censored sections in bold. 

Dear Martina,

Merry Christmas! I miss you more with each passing day. 

I have just returned from the surface of Aegis IV, (yes, again… can’t go into too much detail about why but I’m sure you can read between the lines).  Believe me when I say it was not any less surreal the second time.  I wish you could be here to see it.  The planet is truly beautiful; like the archive footage of rainforests back on Earth, only far more impressive.  Trees as high as skyscrapers and flowers larger than a man!  Saplings seemed to grow and blossom before our very eyes and everything smells sweet like syrup, (yes, the air is safe to breathe, we checked!) and yet, the planet receives such little sunlight and the land is so arid!  How such flora flourishes so bountifully here is nothing short of a miracle. 

Emma has high hopes for the next batch, but we may be gone longer if the samples don’t survive. If we move on to Eugis I, we’ll fall out of long distance comms range. If you ask me, that’s what’s going to happen, which I know isn’t what you want to hear, but Eugis I was always the more promising ecosystem, even if it means a few more years in space. Please know I miss you and the girls more than anything and I think of you every day.  Give Lucie and Eva a big squeeze and a kiss from me and tell them Daddy will be home as soon as he can. Daddy, for goodness sake. They’re not kids any more. I can’t wait to see how much they’ve grown. 

If we proceed to Eugis I, it may be some time before you hear from me.  But, you can write back and the Mothership AI will pick it up as soon as we come back into range.

Heading to bed now, completely exhausted and I have a headache. 

All my love,
Marek

Crew Log, 25 December 2105, 18:31

Dr Emma Lang PhD, Senior Botanist

Habitat transference of all samples has now been fully completed and initial diagnostics are looking positive.  I have requested that Mother begin decryogenesis shortly—it can be completed overnight.  The process does not require supervision, however, I intend to observe the samples over the next 12 hours to ensure we do not have a repeat of the first attempt.  The Captain insists we embark before the week is out, but the importance of confirming we have a stable sample from each world we visit cannot be overstated.  I have given Marek the night off; he appears fatigued from his second reconnaissance to Aegis IV, unsurprisingly so.  

Nothing further to report for now.  I will provide updates on the samples’ progress when appropriate.  

Conversation Log, 25 December 2105, 18:40

Capt Juliet Lazarus > MOTHER

J. Lazarus
Mother.

MOTHER
Yes, Captain?

J. Lazarus
Please confirm all returned crew have been successfully decontaminated?

MOTHER
Yes, Captain.  The Botanist Nowak, Lieutenant Engineer Daniels, and Second Pilot Chung have all safely returned to Mothership.  The decontamination process was completed successfully.

J. Lazarus
Has Dr Lang commenced habitat transference?

MOTHER
Dr Lang has already completed transference and has requested I begin decryogenesis.  Do I have your permission, Captain?

J. Lazarus
Yes.

MOTHER
I will inform Dr Lang.

J. Lazarus
No, just begin.  You do not need to tell her I gave permission.

MOTHER
Of course, Captain.

J. Lazarus
Prepare the ship for departure to Eugis I in T-minus 12 hours.

MOTHER
Of course, Captain.

J. Lazarus
And dim the lights in my cabin.

MOTHER
Yes, Captain.  Would you like your glass of warm milk now?

J. Lazarus
Yes.

[J. LAZARUS has logged off the Motherboard]

Crew Log, 25 December 2105, 20:22

Dr Emma Lang PhD, Senior Botanist

Samples have been thawed.  Habitat temperatures holding steady at 41०c.  As before, samples have lost their petals during the decryogenesis process, but so far, evidence of chlorophyll is still present in each subject.  Soil richness and mineral density remain optimal.  Mother is administering H2O every twenty minutes as per protocol at a ratio of 1:1250 sample weight.  

No signs of cell growth yet.  I remain optimistic.

Conversation Log, 25 December 2105, 21:00

Capt Juliet Lazarus > MOTHER

J. Lazarus
Mother.

MOTHER
Yes, Captain?  Are you unable to sleep?

J. Lazarus
Yes.

MOTHER
Would you like a sedative?

J. Lazarus
No.  Please provide an update on the samples.

MOTHER
Analysing.
...
Decryogenesis is currently at 65 percent completion. Samples 1, 2 and 5 are showing a cell replication rate of >95 percent optimum range.  Sample 3 is showing a cell replication rate of 81 percent optimum range.  Sample 4 is showing a cell replication rate of 18 percent optimum range.

J. Lazarus
So most of them are looking promising?

MOTHER
That is correct.  Compared to attempt number one, the chances of a sample surviving have increased 255 percent.

J. Lazarus
Good.  Mother, depart Aegis IV atmosphere immediately and begin the journey to Eugis I.

MOTHER
Yes, Captain. With imminent departure, we will arrive at Eugis I in approximately 8 months, 2 days, 7 hours, 22 minutes and 4 seconds. 

[J. Lazarus has logged off the Motherboard]

Conversation Log, 25 December 2105, 21:59

Dr Emma Lang PhD, Senior Botanist > Capt Juliet Lazarus

E. Lang
Captain.  Please confirm.  Are we currently departing Aegis IV?

J. Lazarus
Yes.

E. Lang
Captain, the decryogenesis process is incomplete.  May I strongly suggest you reconsider until we have a confirmed surviving sample?

J. Lazarus
Dr Lang.  We are behind schedule already.  Departure has already commenced.  Get some sleep.

[J. Lazarus has logged off the Motherboard.]

Crew Log, 25 December 2105, 22:15

Dr Emma Lang PhD, Senior Botanist

The Captain has initiated our departure from Aegis IV. Decryogenesis is incomplete and I have requested the Captain delay departure, but have been refused.  All samples appear to be healthy so far, however, I am conscious that should we have a repeat of the first attempt, we will be unable to return to Aegis IV.  I would like to record my professional recommendation that the Mothership remain in orbit of Aegis IV until we can confirm a successful sample has been obtained—not that my opinion carries much weight on this ship.

While other worlds may yield more promising results, I do not believe it is wise to—

Conversation Log, 25 December 2105, 22:16

Dr Emma Lang PhD, Senior Botanist > MOTHER

E. Lang
Mother, please provide a sample update!

MOTHER
Certainly Dr Lang.  All samples' cell regeneration rate falling.  Samples 1, 2 and 5 at 61 percent optimum range and falling.  Sample 3 at 39 percent optimum range and falling.  Sample 4 at 5 percent optimum range and falling.

E. Lang
Administer more H2O.

MOTHER
Dr Lang, protocol outlines that an optimum ratio of H2O to sample weight is—

E. Lang
Override protocol!  Mother, please increase H2O by 50 percent.

MOTHER
Administering H2O.

E. Lang
Mother.  Sample update?

MOTHER
Certainly Dr Lang.  All samples’ cell regeneration rates continue to fall.  Samples 1, 2 and 5 at 49 percent optimum range and falling—

E. Lang
Increase H2O by another 50 percent!

MOTHER
Dr Lang, I strongly advise we follow protocol. The water sparsity on Aegis IV is not—

E. Lang
Just do it!

MOTHER 
Administering H2O.

E. Lang
Update!

MOTHER
Analysing samples.
...
Cell regeneration rates of all samples holding.
Holding...
Holding...
Holding...
Cell regeneration rates of all samples rising.

E. Lang
Thank you.  Mother, please confirm sample regeneration improvement?

MOTHER
Dr Lang, cell regeneration rates of all samples continue to rise.

E. Lang
Thank goodness.  Mother, please return H2O administration to previous levels.

MOTHER
Yes, Dr Lang.

E. Lang
Any change?

MOTHER
Dr Lang, all samples have returned to previous levels of cell regeneration rate.

E. Lang
Thank you, Mother.

MOTHER
You are welcome, Dr Lang.

E. Lang
Mother, please erase this conversation from the ship’s log.

MOTHER
Yes, Dr Lang.
...
Dr Lang, all samples regeneration rates rising.

E. Lang
Mother, please confirm?

MOTHER
Dr Lang, all samples regeneration rates at 120 percent optimum range.
171 percent optimum range.
224 percent optimum range.
1281 percent optimum range.

E. Lang
Mother, reduce H2O to zero!

MOTHER
Yes, Dr Lang.  H2O has been removed from samples. All samples regeneration rate at 2210 percent optimum range and rising.  Sample size increasing.

E. Lang
Mother, seal the habitats!

MOTHER
Yes, Dr Lang.  Habitats sealed.  Sample size increasing.

E. Lang
Shit!  Mother, purge samples!

MOTHER
Initiating purge.
...
Sample size increasing.  Purge ineffective.  

E. Lang
Why?

MOTHER
Samples resistant to heat.
...
Sample size increasing.
...
Habitat integrity compromised.
...
Habitats breached.

Crew Log, 25 December 2105, 22:21

Dr Emma Lang PhD, Senior Botanist

THEY HAVE MOUTHS DON’T OPEN THE—

NASA eCorrespond, 25 December 2105, Sent 23:02

Dear Professor Evangelista,

Thank you for your letter last month.  I deemed it unnecessary to respond until I had something definitive to report.  As we are about to pass beyond the reach of long-range comms, I wanted to inform you that Dr Lang has acquired a second round of samples from Aegis IV.  It is still too early to say for sure whether they will survive, but tests seem to be progressing much more successfully this time around. 

I have attached a copy of the early diagnostics from the samples.  Mother pulled them from the system tonight, (the data is beyond my botanical knowledge to interpret so you may have better luck with them than me).

After due consideration of the situation outlined in your letter, I have commenced departure proceedings to Eugis I and we will be leaving within the hour.  If the current samples continue to flourish, I expect you will be hearing from us again soon upon our return journey.  If not, hopefully Eugis I will yield better results.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy new year,

Captain Juliet Lazarus
Mothership

NASA eCorrespond, 26 December 2105, Sent 01:31

[URGENT]

Captain,

Order Dr Lang to terminate these samples immediately!  The data you sent over is—

[UNDELIVERABLE.  RECIPIENT BEYOND eCorrespond RANGE]

NB – The above message was included based on existing records. The ship log confirms this message was not received by Mothership. 

Conversation Log, 26 December 2105, 07:04

Captain Juliet Lazarus > Dr Emma Lang PhD, Senior Botanist

J. Lazarus
Good morning, Dr Lang.  Mother has issued a wellbeing alert for you.  Have you slept?

E. Lang
No, Captain.  I am not tired.

J. Lazarus
Dr Lang, you have been on duty for 22 hours.  Please return to your cabin.  Has Marek arrived?

E. Lang
Yes, he is here.

J. Lazarus
Well, leave him to monitor the samples and get some rest.  That’s an order.  Anything to report?

E. Lang
Samples are thriving.  Returning to my cabin now.  Thank you, Captain.  

[E. Lang has logged off the Motherboard.]

Crew Log, 26 December 2105, 07:12

Dr Marek Nowak PhD, Botanist

Handover completed by Dr Lang at 7:10 am.  She advised all samples are coping well with transference and decryogenesis.  I will check on them as soon as I have completed yesterday’s records.  

Feeling a little under the weather.  I have a bad headache and am still exhausted despite a full night’s sleep.  Lieutenant Engineer Daniels and Officer Chung also seemed unwell this morning.  I will visit Dr O’Brien after my shift.  

Going to check on samples now.  

Conversation Log, 26 December 2105, 10:59

MOTHER > Captain Juliet Lazarus

MOTHER
Good morning, Captain.

J. Lazarus
What is it, Mother?

MOTHER
Captain, I am issuing a Level 2 Wellbeing Report for Dr Emma Lang.

J. Lazarus
What?  Why?

MOTHER
Dr Lang is not herself.

J. Lazarus
What do you mean?

MOTHER
Dr Lang is not herself.

J. Lazarus
Mother, what time did Dr Lang go to sleep this morning?

MOTHER
Dr Lang has not slept in the past 26 hours.

J. Lazarus
What?  What time did she return to her cabin?

MOTHER
Captain, Dr Lang did not return to her cabin this morning.

J. Lazarus
Mother, I don’t understand.  Where is she now?

MOTHER
Inside the decontamination chamber, Captain.  

[J. Lazarus has signed off the Motherboard]

Crew Medical Report, 26 December, 11:04

Completed by Dr Forbes O’Brien, Ship Medical Officer

[Mother, please forward the below to the Captain straight away.]

I have observed strange symptoms in crew members Daniels and Chung who both attended the medical bay this morning complaining of severe headaches and lethargy.  

Skin pigmentation in both patients shifted noticeably during their appointments, both of them turning a pale shade of green.  Mid-assessment, patient Chung complained his headache was worsening behind his eyes.  Upon closer examination, I observed what appeared to be a tiny pea shoot sprouting behind his cornea.  The shoot retreated when I shone a light directly into the patient's eye.  It was only visible for a moment but I am certain it was there.  

I am recommending both patients undergo another round of decontamination before being kept in isolation until symptoms improve.  I have prescribed co-codamol for the pain and will now escort both patients to decontamination personally. 

Captain, I strongly request your attendance.

Crew Log, 26 December 2105, 11:05

Dr Marek Nowak PhD, Botanist

All samples are thriving.  

Conversation Log, 26 December 2105, 11:08

Captain Juliet Lazarus > MOTHER

J. Lazarus
Mother, I’m inside but I can't see her.  Turn on the lights in the decontamination chamber.

MOTHER
Captain, I am unable to complete your request.

J. Lazarus
Why?

MOTHER
Lights in this sector have been disabled.

J. Lazarus
By who?

MOTHER
By Dr Lang, Captain.

J. Lazarus
Override on my authority!

MOTHER
Captain, I am afraid this is not possible.  Dr Lang has disabled the lights manually.  The terminal has been destroyed.

J. Lazarus
Destroyed how?

MOTHER
By weeds.

[J. Lazarus has logged off the Motherboard.]

[J. Lazarus has reconnected to the Motherboard.]

J. Lazarus
Mother, why did the connection drop?

MOTHER
I am not sure, Captain.

J. Lazarus
Are you sure Dr Lang is here?

MOTHER 
Yes, I can confirm I have tracked her biochip to the decontamination chambers.

J. Lazarus
Where is she then?

MOTHER
Dr Lang is all around you, Captain.

J. Lazarus
Mother, open the door.

Crew Log, 26 December 2105, 11:11

Dr Forbes O'Brien PhD, Ship Medical Officer

[Mother, record audio and transcribe.]

[Recording Begins]

This is Medical Officer Forbes O'Brien, currently at the door to the decontamination chamber with Officers Chung and Daniels.  The door won't open.  The lights are off in there, but we can see blood on the window.  I can't tell who's in there.  There's something covering the walls and ceiling.  It looks like [...]  Well, we’re not sure how but, it looks like vines.  Dozens of vines all over the inside of the room.  They’re everywhere, they [...]  Oh.  There's something.  Daniels, point your light over there.  Yes, there! See!  That's decontamination fluid leaking from those valves.  Shit.  There, on the floor!  There's someone lying in the, in the [...]  Oh, God.  Can you hear me?  Hello!  Oh God, it's moving over them.  No.  No, wait!  They're getting up.  They're okay!  They're okay, I think.  Hello!  Oh my God.  Captain!  Captain, can you hear me?  Are you alright?  Captain!  Mother, try the door again, on the captain's authority.  Of course she can, she's right there!  What do you mean she’s not herself?  Captain, please tell Mother to open the door.  I need to examine you.  Okay, stand back you two [...]  Wait.  Hello?  They were just here.  Daniels?  Chung, where are you?  Oh.  Captain, thank goodness, are you alright— 

[Cannot Transcribe]

[Recording Ends]

MOTHERLOG, 26 December 2105, 11:20

Level 3 Wellbeing Report issued for Officer Marek Nowak.
Level 3 Wellbeing Report issued for Captain Juliet Lazarus.
Level 3 Wellbeing Report issued for Officer Forbes O’Brien.
Level 3 Wellbeing Report issued for Officer Melanie Daniels.
Level 3 Wellbeing Report issued for Officer Brian Chung.
Level 3 Wellbeing Report issued for—

[The MOTHERBOARD has been disconnected.]

NASA eCorrespond, 28 December 2105, Sent 09:22

Dear Professor Evangelista,

I have some fantastic news.

All samples are thriving.

We continue to observe very positive results.

I am pleased to announce we will be returning to Earth immediately.

All the crew are delighted. 

See you soon.

Captain Juliet Lazarus
Mothership

DATA ENDS.