Dead Space: Outbreak_Chapter 5

Dead Space: Outbreak

Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Dead Space.  This is purely for non-profit, fan fiction based off the Dead Space series.

"Come on, we have to move!  Union Square is close by," Turner called back to Captain West and Jacob.  At that moment one of the creatures fell from the ceiling and attacked Turner.  West and Jacob both raised their pistols and blew the creature apart but they were too late.  Turner's stomach was torn open and blood was collecting around him rapidly.  West walked calmly up to Turner's twitching body and, glancing away, put a bullet threw Turner's head.  The twitching stopped and everything fell silent.
It was just then that West and Jacob could hear voices close by.

"Captain, what do you mean there's isn't an Officer Jeffereys?" Jacob tried to ask.

"That's enough!" West replied strongly.  Jacob took a half step back in surprise.  "We don't have time for this right now.  We have to focus on getting to Union Square and getting off this planet before one of those things kills us.  After that I will conduct a full search of the entire surviving population of this colony and look for your friend but for now, we have to move!"  With that the Captain grabbed Jacob by the arm and took off down the hallway toward the voices.

                As they ran Jacob looked down corridors and saw countless bodies strewn about the floor.  There were limbs lying in pools of blood everywhere he looked.  As they passed a conference room Jacob saw past the body keeping the door from sliding shut.  Inside were massive amounts of that terrible smelling slime he found in his vent.  But this was a hundred times worse: it was covering entire walls and even absorbing some of the dead bodies.  It looked like a slimy plant of decaying flesh had taken over the room.

Finally they arrived at the square.  It was crammed with people all waiting for emergency transports to evacuate them to the Ishimura orbiting overhead.  It seemed that the pilot of the transport was trying to keep people from boarding.  The shuttle was already overloaded and could barely take off as it was.  To the right of the crowd Jacob could see security officer Neumann and his partner Marla approaching.  Neumann automatically attempted to calm the crowd and get them into some kind of an order but there was just too much noise.  Jacob, who was trying to listen to Neumann instructions, could not make anything out over all the commotion.  Eventually Marla got Neumann's attention and apparently suggested another plan because Neumann settled on the idea of talking to a few nearby colonists and walking away.  Those he had talked to turned, said something to the nearest person and started following Neumann.

                "Captain," Jacob grabbed West's shoulder, "Where are they going?"
                "The only thing in that direction that would make any sense at this point would be the shuttle bay."
                "Do you think we should follow?"
                "Seems like it may be our only option.  Neumann is a good man, I'm sure he knows what he's doing."
                The two started off after Neumann when Jacob heard a familiar voice shouting to him from the midst of the tumult.
                "Jake?  Jake!  Wait up!"  It was Matthew.  He was pushing and shoving past everyone trying to follow.  "Jake, what's going on?  Where are you going?"  His eyes were bloodshot and wide with fright.
                "We're following Officer Neumann.  He seems to have a plan to..."
                "What is going on Here?!" Matthew started sputtering and swearing madly.  "These things are coming out of nowhere and slaughtering us all!"
                "Shut up and calm down, Sir," West ordered.  "Your antics aren't gonna get us anywhere."
                Matthew seemed to calm down a little and return more to his normal self.  "Fine, as long as this Neumann knows what he's doing I guess I...what the..."
                The three men glanced back toward the rising sound of terror as the transport shuttle started to rock back and forth losing control.  It appeared as though one of the more impatient passengers had climbed onto the hull of the ship.
                "Dear God, no..." West was the first to realize what was truly happening.  A second later Jacob and Matthew realized the passenger was one of those creatures and was attacking and massacring the entire shuttle.  Just then the things came out of nowhere and started slaughtering the people left in the square waiting for the transports.
                From the front of the moving crowd Jacob could hear Neumann calling out for everyone to follow him.  Everything became even more chaotic as people started running after Neumann trying to get away from the oncoming attack.
                They were able to evade the attack at Union Square but after a short while the group came to a sealed door.  As Marla tried to figure out how to open the door one of the colonists debated with Neumann about another possible way around.
                "That's not a good idea," West whispered to Jacob.  "The only other way would take at least two hours with a group like this.  We'll all be dead by then."
                Soon after Marla was able to get the door to open however what it revealed was not much of a better idea.  Inside was a long room littered with dozens of dead bodies.  Through the dim light Jacob could just make out the shapes of small flying creatures with short, stubby wings flying around from body to body.  They had long limbs that would jut out and attach to one of the dead bodies making it shake violently before flying off to another.
                Matthew started shaking slightly and mumbling to himself under his breath as his eyes darted nervously back and forth across the room.  Neumann encouraged the group to head through as long as they moved quickly and quietly.
                For a minute there was very little sound other than the horrid squishing and thrashing of the dead bodies being attacked by the flying aliens.  The air was thick with anxiety and fear as everyone moved through the room.
                Suddenly Matthew gave a shout and started running toward one of the closer bodies.  "Brian!  No, no, no, Brian!  Get off him you sick piece of..."  He ran wildly at the creature trying to get it off the body.
                Jacob called out, "Matt, get back here!"
                Matthew gave the creature a solid kick and sent it flying back.  As Matthew turned back the body reached up and impaled Matthew threw the chest with a long spike protruding from the middle of its hand.  The creature roared as it threw Matthew's twitching body aside and started tearing it apart.
                Jacob heard Marla call out from the front of the group for everyone to run, and they did.  But at the same time all the infected bodies rose up and started pursuing.  In every direction mutilated crew members were sprouting grotesque limbs, spitting blood and massacring the crowd.

                Someone on Jacob’s right tripped as one of the things caught a hold of his ankle and started gnawing on his leg.  The man screamed and tried to pull away but another came from behind and pinned his body to the floor.  Another woman directly in front of Jacob was lifted into the air from the shadows and smashed violently into the wall.  She was then thrown across the room and broke both her legs before she was surrounded and devoured by the beasts.

                Jacob caught sight of a young woman trip just behind him.  He turned and saw one of the aliens heading toward her with blood from its last victim still dripping from its mouth.  In a sudden burst of adrenaline Jacob grabbed a nearby chair and threw it at the creature just before it attacked the woman.  He then ran up and kicked in the thing’s face before it could get back to its feet.

                Jacob quickly turned to the woman and helped her to up.  Her ankle was twisted so he put her arm around his shoulder and helped her toward the exit.  They were so close.  Marla and Neumann were already there helping the colonists through.

                Just then Jacob saw Michael walking toward him slowly and against the crowd.

                “Michael!” Jacob called out.  “You’re alive!  Hurry we gotta get…”  Michael was not responding.  His face was calm and his eyes were cold, as if he was unaware of what was going on around him.  “Michael, what’s…are you…”  Michael continued forward.  One of the creatures ran right past Michael and slaughtered a colonist directly behind him.

                Jacob took a step back, “You’re not real…are you?” he asked tentatively.  Michael reached out his arms toward him and spoke; but it wasn’t Michael’s voice.

                “It’s ok, Jake.  You don’t have to worry anymore.”  It was Rachel.

                Suddenly Michael’s face turned into Rachel’s.  She was walking toward him with a pistol in one hand and a plasma cutter the other.  Jacob took another step back.

                All of a sudden the dark thought came back into Jacob’s mind.  But this time it was stronger, darker, and more evil than ever.  Almost all the light in the room disappeared and everything became blurry.  He could just barely make out Rachel’s form walking toward him with shining, blood red eyes.  She activated the plasma cutter and a high pitched, mechanical shriek filled Jacob’s ears.  Jacob tried to run but suddenly his whole body felt heavy and he could barely breathe.  He could hear as if a thousand voices were all screaming at once; shouting the same phrase over and over again: “Kill!  Fear!  Death!”

Rachel’s footsteps got closer and echoed in Jacob’s mind.  Her form became more clear and he could see she was in fact one of those creatures. 

                It raised its spiked arms into the air ready to come down on Jacob and tear into his flesh.  Everything went silent and seemed to move in slow motion.  He could sense those three words filling his mind.  They were as clear as anything but he knew he was not actually hearing them.  “Kill…”  The creature took a step forward.  “Fear…”  Its arms came closer to Jacob’s face.  “DEATH!”

                Jacob felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as he fell on his side.  He looked up to see that the woman had shoved him out of the way just before he was killed.  She kicked the creature over and held out her hand to Jacob.

                “Come on!” she screamed.  “They’re going to close the doors!”  Jacob reached up and took her hand.

                Just as the two ran outside the exit Neumann fired a few shots at some oxygen tanks inside the room.  They exploded and sent pieces of the aliens flying in all directions.  The doors slammed shut sealing everything inside.

                The woman started shaking violently, buried her head into Jacob’s shoulder and started crying.  Jacob was a bit unnerved himself.  West calmly walked over and put his hand firmly on the woman’s arm.

                “Ma’am,” he started softly, “I know what we just went through, but I need you to calm down a little.  This is a very dangerous situation and if we’re all going to make it out alive I need to know you can stay with me.”  The woman stopped crying and turned to look at the Captain.  “There you go,” he said soothingly.  “Now, what’s your name?”

                The woman blinked her swollen, red eyes a few times before answering shakily, “Hernandez.  Officer Maria Hernandez.”

                “Alright then, Officer Hernandez, I’m Captain West.  I know your leg is hurt but do you think you can still stand on it?”

                Maria nodded timidly as Jacob slowly let her stand on her own.  She had a strong limp but she could still walk.

                “Good,” West commented, “I don’t think it’s broken.  If it hurts too much…your friend call you Jake, correct,” West gestured to Jacob.

                “Yes sir,” he replied.

                West turned back to Maria.  “If it hurts too much I’m sure Jake will help.”

                A short walk brought the survivors to the shuttle bay.  There was already a large crowd of people gathered there cramming into the last of the shuttles heading up to the Ishimura.  Jacob overheard Marla explaining to another colonist that these were the last five shuttles.

                Jacob turned to Maria and West.  “Did you hear that?”

                “Yeah, I heard,” West replied.  “We’ll be lucky to make it out.  There’s too many people here for the shuttles and it’s a thirty minute round trip.  Those things will get here before then.”  Maria clutched Jacob’s arm a little tighter, her eyes wide with panic.

                Out of the corner of his eye Jacob saw Neumann and Marla leave the bay.

                “Where could they possibly be going?” Jacob asked aloud.

                “I don’t know, but I sure hope they do,” West replied with a hint of helplessness in his voice.

                “Oh no…” Maria whispered.

                Jacob and West turned to see what had caught Maria’s attention.  To their horror they saw the shuttle that had just taken off lose control and crash into the other four shuttles in the bay.  There was a deafening crash that destroyed their last chance of escape.

                Maria started sobbing hysterically and broke free from Jacob’s grip.  Jacob called after her as she ran towards the burning shuttles; West ran after him.  Maria came to the edge of the debris and fell to her knees with her head in her hands.  Just as Jacob arrived at her side many of the creatures started pouring in from every direction drawn by the sound of the crash.  West helped Jacob lift Maria and carry her deeper into the flaming maze of scrap metal to hide but it was too late.  Several of the aliens had already caught sight of them and were in pursuit.

                Everywhere Jacob looked people were either being torn apart by the creatures or they had decided to spare themselves and commit suicide.  He could hear roaring, screaming, moaning and burning all around him.  Everything was in utter chaos.

                As the creatures closed in Jacob and West grabbed sharp shards of metal from the wreckage.  For what seemed like hours the two of them hacked off the limbs of dozens of beasts.  But it was no use; they just kept coming.  West’s legs were shaking with fatigue and Jacob could barely hold on to his makeshift weapon any longer.

                A creature came running through the flames and Jacob took off its legs followed by its arms and head.  Another leapt over a pile and he crushed its head and tore off its arms.  Another came crawling toward him dragging its disfigured lower half on the ground.  Jacob pulled up a still burning sharpened poll and pinned its head to the floor.

                Jacob’s hands were rubbed raw and were now bleeding in several places.  Without his consent the metal piece fell from his hands.  As he wiped the sweat and blood from his eyes he could clearly make out Rachel walking through the shuttle bay towards him.  He stopped and just stared at her.  She had no expression on her face.  She continued completely oblivious to the hellish nightmare Jacob was watching so vividly.

                Rachel walked calmly in front of Jacob and finally smiled.  It was a pleasant smile that Jacob had not seen in a long time.  She reached up and put her hand on Jacob’s cheek and spoke softly, “It’s ok, Jake.”  She moved her hand to Jacob’s eyes and closed them slowly as she whispered, “You don’t have to worry anymore…”

Epilogue

The following is a transcription of an audio clip found in the data banks of the ruined mining colony on Aegis VII

*static* “This is Mining Engineer Jacob Fuller.  I’m reporting from the mining colony on Aegis VII.  I am one of the very few survivors of an attack *static*(inaudible) unknown alien life form.  I survived along with Shuttle Engineer Maria Hernandez.  It’s been at least 7 hours since we’ve seen anyone else.  The only reason we’re still here is because of P-SEC Officer, Captain Jonathan West.  He gave his life so we could survive.  *static* not be forgotten.  Maria and I were able to find a shuttle that wasn’t too badly damaged and were able to fix it.  *static* We’re heading up to the USS Ishimura *distortion* (inaudible).  If we die *static* if anyone hears this recording: know that the Marker must not…reach…earth…” *static*

*End transmission*

Dead Space: Outbreak_Chapter 4

Dead Space: Outbreak

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Dead Space.  This is purely for non-profit, fan fiction based off the Dead Space series.

Jacob filled his glass with orange juice and took a sip.  He was waiting for Michael to come over when he suddenly smelled something foul.  He set his cup down and started wandering around the kitchen searching for the source.  He eventually followed the smell up to an air vent near the ceiling.  Jacob pulled a chair to the wall and removed the grate to look inside.  He squinted and saw a small ball of something just out of arm's reach.  He was about to search for something long enough to clean it out when he heard Michael's voice call him.  Jacob walked to the door and let Michael in.

"How have you been?"  Michael started.

"Surprisingly well actually.  I finally slept well last night."

"Yeah, that's good!"

Jacob and Michael walked to the table and sat down.  Michael took a bite out of his toast as Jacob asked, "So did you have something specific you wanted to talk about this morning?  It's not often you ask to get together this early."

Michael swallowed his bite.  "Well I'm working the rest of the day and pretty much until tomorrow morning so I wanted to let you know a few things before I went in."  He took a sip of juice before continuing, "First of all, do you remember the P-SEC gal down by the Marker, Natalia?  Well Dr. Sciarello just released her and..."

"Wait, she killed someone right?  They let her back out?"

"Calm down, Jake.  Dr. Sciarello says she isn't dangerous anymore.  She's definitely not cured, but she shouldn't be a problem.  Also, those bodies of the suicide victims you saw in the loading bay; they moved them back to the morgue for holding but they are eventually going up to the Ishimura along with the Marker and a few other bodies from the past few weeks."

"Why?  What could they want with those bodies?"

"I don't know.  All I've heard is that the order came from the captain of the Ishimura, Matthias, but of course he didn't say why he wanted them.  Oh, and the last thing: I'm sure you've heard about the planet crack tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, I finally got called back to work to help out with that."

"That's what I figured.  Well, just be careful, alright?  I'm glad you've been feeling better but I wouldn't want something to happen while you're out there.  And I’ve never really been comfortable with the idea of breaking off such a large section of a planet’s crust just for the sake of mining."

"Thanks Mike, I'll be careful."

Jacob and Michael ate for a few minutes in silence before Michael contorted his face and looked around.  "What is that smell?"

"I don't know.  I found something up in my air vent but I couldn't see it very well."

"Well it stinks whatever it is.  You say it's up here?" Michael asked gesturing to the vent up in the corner.

"Yeah, I stood on a chair but I just couldn't reach it."

"Let me take a look," Michael said stuffing the rest of his breakfast into his mouth.  He pulled out a flashlight and stepped up onto the chair in the corner.  After a few seconds Michael stepped down and looked at Jacob.  "Well, I can't tell what it is, but it isn't pretty."

"What do you mean?  What could you see?"

"I'm not really sure.  I mean, it looked like a small, dead animal or something but it was all clumped up so I couldn't make it out too well.  It didn't have any fur or anything on it though.  It doesn't make much sense."

"How could it have gotten there?  No one has been in this apartment but me and it's not alive right?  So it couldn't have come from the vents."

"I really don't know.  I'll report this when I get to work today and make a request that you be moved to a new apartment.  Until that happens just keep an eye on it and let me know if anything happens."

"Alright, that sounds fine to me.  Just make sure it's quick; this smell is gonna start bothering me."

"Will do, Jake.  By the way, I should get going."  Michael picked up his plate and cup and put it in the kitchen.  "Thanks for the meal."

"Thanks for the info.  I like knowing what's going on; it helps clear my head."

Later that day Jacob was called in to work at the planet crack site to oversee the gravity tether placement.  He was walking from point to point checking the integrity and strength of each of the tethers but his mind was definitely not on his work.  "The Marker is gone...why don't this feel right?" he kept thinking to himself.  Everything at the site was going well; it seemed to be in complete contrast to the past couple weeks.  At each tether workers were showing all functions were well within regulation standards.  It just did not feel right that everything would be going so smoothly with such a delicate procedure.  Eventually Jacob found Matthew working at one of the tethers.

"Bridges, can I see you for a second," Jacob called out.

"Site Manager Fuller!  They said you'd be checking on things today."

"I guess so.  I hadn't been to work in a while so it was a shock when they called me in at such short notice.  I've been inside the colony so long it's strange to be outside again.  It's taking a while for me to get used to this RIG suit again.  Anyway, everything working over here?"

"That's affirmative, Sir.  It's one of the easiest cracks I've set up."

"Let me see the specs."

Matthew handed Jacob a small pad with the technical performance of the tether.

"Sure enough, everything checks out."

"If everything's going so well then why do you look upset?" Matthew asked as he took the pad back from Jacob.

"It's just...I don't know.  You said this is one of the easier preps for you right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well doesn't it seem a little odd that a crack this big would go so well; especially when we're dealing with the Marker?"

"Now that you mention it I guess it is a little odd.  I suppose I've just been trying to stay optimistic since that thing left."

"I just have a hard time accepting that everything would go back to normal so fast and so easily."

"Come on; everything started suddenly because we discovered this 'Marker' thing.  Doesn't it make sense that everything would go back once it left?  I thought you were the one that wanted it gone anyway."

"I did...I just thought there would be more to it. I suppose you're right, it makes..."

Just then Jacob thought he saw someone with short blond hair duck behind one of the far gravity tethers.

"Rachel..." Jacob whispered to himself.  He closed his eyes tight and shook his head swearing under his breath.

"Everything ok, Jake?"

"Yeah...no.  I don't..." he glanced around again but did not see her.  "Sorry, I gotta check the rest of the tethers."  Jacob walked off and left Matthew alone and confused.  "I knew it.  Even though the Marker is gone it's still messing with me.  This isn't good."  Jacob checked the rest of the tethers quickly and left the site as soon as he could.

Jacob was almost back to his room when he saw Rachel again out of the corner of his eye.  She glanced at him longingly and she walked around a corner.  He did not know why, but Jacob decided to follow her.  He turned the corner but Rachel was not there.  He glanced over his shoulder and turned back but could not see her anywhere.  Finally he heard her voice calling his name very faintly down the hallway in front of him.  Jacob broke into a run glancing down each intersection.  He heard Rachel's voice again off to his left and followed it.  Jacob eventually found himself back in Union Square.

He tripped on something and fell into a puddle of blood.  Jacob quickly jumped to his feet and saw he had tripped over Deacon Abbott's arm.  He was surrounded by the bodies of all the suicide victims from that day.  In horror Jacob stepped back and kept tripping over more and more bodies.  Blood was splashing all over his face and arms as he struggled through the massacre.  Jacob looked around only to realize he was now in the middle of the Square with bodies spread out in all directions.  Back towards the entrance in front of him Rachel was standing with her finger held up to her mouth as if hushing him.  Jacob froze in fear as he heard something crack and shift behind him.  He turned quickly to see Rachel standing directly in front of him within arm’s reach.  Her head was bowed and her blood stained hair was hanging in front of her face.  Again, Jacob heard something behind him.  He turned slowly to see that all the bodies were now standing with their heads hanging limp.  Suddenly something grabbed Jacob's shoulder and turned him around.  He was staring right into an evil face.  It was Rachel's face but her jaw was missing and sharp teeth were jutting out in all directions.  Jacob heard the same high pitched shriek from the day of the mass suicide as all the creatures closed in around him.  Rachel raised her arm as a long fleshy spike grew from the middle of her hand.  Rachel thrust her arm down on Jacob as he heard an ominous cold voice whisper, "Fear...".

"Jake!  Jake!"  Michael was paging him through the comm. link.

Jacob jolted awake and sat straight up in his bed.  He did not remember how he got there.  "Mike, what's going on?  Why are you..."

"Jake?  Good you're awake!  Stay in your room; I'm on my way."

"What is going on, Mike?!"

"Don't open your door unless it's me.  There's something going..."

At that moment there was a loud rumble and Jacob's room shook.  The lights then blacked out and Jacob was left in complete darkness.  For just a brief moment the dark though flashed in Jacob's mind.

"Mike...Mike, are you there?"  Jacob tapped on his comm. link and fumbled around for his flashlight swearing to himself.  After a few second he found it and looked around his room.  Several things had fallen off shelves and his desk.  "Mike, can you hear me?" Jacob tried the comm. link again.  "Lights are out and comm. is down..." Jacob thought to himself.  "Is that what Mike was warning me about?"

Jacob forced open the door to his dining area to wait for Michael.  As soon as he stepped out of his room he caught a stench as if something was rotting.  He glanced up to the vent he and Michael had search earlier only to see that the blob they found had grown and was now oozing down the wall.  Jacob took a step back and braced himself on the table.  He heard a small crash and felt his hand in something warm and wet.  "What the..."  Jacob stepped back and realized he had knocked over a glass of orange juice onto a plate of toast.  "Wasn't that Mike's?"  Jacob thought to himself.  Just then he heard someone just outside pounding on his door and yelling.

"Mike, is that you?"

"Someone please, please let me in!"  The voice sounded manic with fear.

Jacob felt the dark thought whisper to him, "Kill..."

Jacob tried to shake it off and respond to the man outside, "Who are you?  What's going..."

"Just open the door!"  Jacob heard him scratching the door.  "It's coming...it's coming!  Open the door!  I can't...Oh God, NO!"

The man started swearing and screaming inaudibly.  Soon his screams changed from fear to pain as they were drown out by an inhuman bellow.  It sounded like the man started wrestling with something outside as his cries became muffled and eventually fell silent.  Jacob heard some shuffling and the sounds of footsteps in a puddle but eventually even that disappeared.  Jacob was breathing heavily but tried to keep as quiet as possible.  He could feel the dark thought in his mind as if it were there in the room with him.  After a few minutes that felt like hours, Jacob finally heard Michael's voice calling to him from the other side of the door, "Jake, are you in there?  Please tell me you're still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here.  What in the world is going on?"

Jacob opened the door and froze in terror as a man's hand loosely flopped through the entrance.  Jacob stared as a pool of blood slowly grew around the grotesquely dismembered body at the entrance to his apartment.  Again he could hear the thought in the back of his mind, "Death...". 

"What...what is..." Jacob started breathing heavily unable to speak.

"Come on, let's get out of here."  Michael reached out and grabbed Jacob's arm pulling him away from the apartment.  "Whatever did that may still be close by."

"What do you mean?  What happened?"

"Something just massacred that man and we need to leave before it comes back.  Now keep your voice down."

"What it?  What are you talking about?"

"I don't know!  Just follow me and keep quiet.  We need to make our way to P-SEC Head Quarters."

Jacob and Michael walked quickly but quietly through corridors and plazas.  The only thing that could be seen was the glow from their flashlights.  The only thing that could be heard was their footsteps echoing through the empty colony.

"Where is everyone?" Jacob finally asked.

"I don't know.  I haven't seen anyone in a while," Michael whispered glancing back and forth.

Soon they heard the sound of shouting and gunfire up ahead.  Michael swore to himself, "Sounds like they're already here."  He handed Jacob his pistol, "Take this and find Captain West.  He'll take care of you."  With that Michael ran off ahead and disappeared around a corner.

Jacob slowed down unsure of what to do.  He knew there was something ahead of him that he did not want to encounter but he did not want to be alone either.  He stood still for a moment trying to collect himself when he heard a low growl behind him.  Without turning to look Jacob ran off toward the fighting.  Before long Jacob saw P-SEC guards running his way glancing behind their shoulders in fear.

"Captain West?  Where is Captain West?" Jacob kept asking the passing guards.  Most of the guards just ran past without even looking at him.  One of the men finally stopped and grabbed Jacob by the arm, "Come on we have to get out of here!"

Jacob fought back, "Where's Captain West?"

"He's back there.  But you'd do better to come with us; they're closing in."

"I have to see him!"  Jacob broke free from the guard and took a step back.  The guard just swore and ran off leaving Jacob in the chaos.

Jacob turned around and started toward the growing noise.  Before long he came upon a small group of guards crouching down behind a make-shift barricade.  There was one man in particular shouting orders to the rest.  Everyone else kept calling him Captain so Jacob assumed this was the man Michael told him to see.

"Captain West?" Jacob shouted out approaching the man.

West glanced quickly over his shoulder before giving another order, "What are you doing here?  This area is off limits to civilians!"

"I was told by a P-SEC officer to come see you."

"Sorry kid but I don't have time...get down!"

There was a loud crash as a piece of the barricade broke free and pinned Jacob down.  Another guard came to help Jacob life the desk off his leg but something shot out of the rubble and impaled the officer through the head.  Jacob recognized the object as one of the fleshy spikes from his dream, except this time it was attached to a vulgar creature.  The spike came from one of two arms growing out of its deformed shoulders.  Two other arms came from the middle of its abdomen.  With these the creature started lifting itself over the rubble.  Jacob lifted his pistol and started firing madly into the creatures vivisected chest.  The beast stumbled back slightly before continuing forward.  In a panic Jacob grabbed the pistol of the dead officer and shot at the creatures head.  There was a short moment of relief as it exploded but somehow its limbs continued thrashing blindly.  Fortunately it smashed the desk and Jacob was able to crawl away as another officer shot off the alien's arms and legs.  Jacob stood up shakily gripping his bruised leg.  He did not have much time to reload as three more of the creatures started crawling over the barricade.

Captain West called out in a hoarse voice for everyone to fall back and regroup.  Jacob and the four soldiers turned in retreat.  One of the men screamed as he was stabbed through the stomach and lifted into the air.  West took several more shots to hold off the creatures as his men ran past.  He turned and ran alongside Jacob at the back of the group down the nearest corridor.  Jacob could hear one of the things closing in behind them.  Just up ahead he saw several of the guards run into a room off to the right.  West and Jacob dove through the entrance as one of the guards closed the door on the creature behind them.  Captain West calmly stepped forward and shot off its arms.  He then crushed its head with the back of his pistol.  One of the guards was shaking violently and mumbling to himself.  The other two were more collected but still visibly shaken.  There were still several creatures outside pounding on the door.

Jacob turned to West, "Captain, one of my friends is out there.  We have to..."

"I'm sorry but there's very little chance anyone else is still alive."  West turned to his other men and started giving orders.  "We have to try to contact someone, anyone else in the colony.  We need to see if this situation is...look out!"

Another beast dropped out of a ceiling vent and started tearing into one of the officers.  Everyone else drew their weapons and unloaded their clips into it.  The shaky officer dropped to his knees and crawled back into a corner breathing heavily and sputtering, "fear, kill, death...kill...fear, death...".  He fumbled around and put his last clip into his pistol and raised it to his head.

"Come on, Daniels.  Don't do it.  I need you on this team.  We're gonna get..."

Crack

Daniels’ body slumped to the floor smearing blood on the wall.

West cursed quietly and sighed.  "Turner, grab that chair next to you and put it here under this vent.  We're gonna use it to get out of here."

"The same vent that thing came out of?" Turner questioned.

West turned toward the door where the beasts were still pounding.  "We don't really have a lot of options do we?"

Turner positioned the chair and jumped up into the vent.  He helped West who, in turn, helped Jacob.

"The friend that I mentioned earlier is a P-SEC officer," Jacob mentioned to West as they crawled, "is there any way you could try and contact him?"

"It depends on whether the comm. system is still down or not but I can certainly try."  They turned a tight corner.  "What's his name?"

"Jeffereys, Officer Michael Jeffereys."

West glanced back with a concerned look on his face.  "We don't have anyone stationed here by that name."

"Here we are," Turner shouted back to the others as he kicked out a grate.

"That can't be...he was transferred here a year ago," Jacob replied.

Turner helped both West and Jacob out of the vent. 

 "That's not possible, son.  I'm one of the men in charge of background checks of all the officers that are assigned to this colony.  I would know if there was a Jeffereys here and believe me, there isn't.

Dead Space: Outbreak_Chapter 3

Dead Space: Outbreak

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Dead Space.  This is purely for non-profit, fan fiction based off the Dead Space series.

Jacob was sitting at his desk reading Planet Security News Reports about murders, violent crimes and suicides.  The paper noted the date when all these occurrences started but diplomatically forgot to mention that was also the day of the Marker's discovery.  The article read, "Planet Security reports 13 homicides, some accompanied by robbery, and nearly a dozen suicides in the past two weeks.  Commander James of Planet Security stated 'Rest assured we are doing everything we can to keep things under control.  The key is to stay calm.  There really is no need to panic.'  Commander James denies any connection between said crimes and the alleged 'Marker.'  Doctor Sciarello had this to say on the subject, 'I have run every possible test on the artifact and there is still no evidence to believe it is anything other than a stone.  As far as science is concerned it is just a rock and has no connection to the murders.' "

" 'As far as science is concerned' " Jacob repeated sarcastically.  "Human science anyway..."  He opened up a similar article just as he heard Rachel through his comm. link.

"Umm, Jake?  Are you in?"

"Yeah, it's open."

The door opened up and Rachel walked inside gingerly.  Jacob offered her a seat which she took but when she sat down she stared at her feet.

"Are you alright?" Jacob asked.

Rachel took a deep breath.  "I wanted to say I'm sorry.  I thought you were being selfish, like before.  I didn't know what you were really thinking and I'm sorry for being harsh.  Truth is, I've been having a hard time sleeping and a few times I've had to skip work because I've felt sick.  I just didn't want to tell you because I knew you would get worked up about it and over react.  I'm sorry."

"Rachel, I..."

"It's ok" she interrupted.  "We've both apologized.  There's nothing else that needs to be said about it."

They both fell silent.  Jacob sat staring at Rachel.  It had been a long time since they had been together in his room; he missed it.  Rachel looked up at him and grinned.

"Was there anything else?" Jacob asked quietly.

"Yes, actually, there was."  Rachel straightened up and took a quick breath.  "Deacon Abbott gave another speech yesterday.  I would have asked you to come but I didn't know myself until I stumbled upon it in a maintenance bay.  Deacon Abbott was talking about the Marker's purpose.  He says it's speaking to us.  He thinks it's preparing us mentally for the afterlife by giving us thoughts of death to help us let go of material things."

Jacob opened his mouth to speak but Rachel stopped him.

"I know what you're going to say, 'there's got to be a better way to prepare someone than nausea and nightmares.'  I don't know why things are happening this way but they are.  All we need to do is..."

"I was going to say I wish I could have been there."

They both stopped and looked at each other.  Rachel continued, "I also wanted to invite you to another speech tomorrow.  Deacon Abbott will be speaking in Union Square since we're moving the Marker to the colony."

"Yeah, I'll be there.  When is it?"

"Fourteen hundred hours."

"Alright, I'll meet you there then."

"Thanks, Jake.  It really means a lot.  And I know you'll get something out of it too."  She smiled at him.  "I need to get to work," she added.

"That's fine.  I'll see you tomorrow, Rachel."

Rachel got up and walked out the door.  She tuned and waved as the door closed.

Jacob smiled for a moment but soon his brow wrinkled.  It was true that he wanted to go for her but he also wanted answers.  He felt the best way was to get close to the Marker and hear more from Deacon Abbott.  The dark thought in his mind was trying to tell him something but he was pulling his own questions from it.  Just then Jacob heard Michael’s voice, "Jake, you there?  You'll want to hear this."

"Yeah, I'm here.  What's up?"

"I gotta be quick about this but do you remember Natalia, the P-SEC guard down by the Marker?  Well obviously she went to the brig after her little incident.  The thing is, Doctor Sciarello went to check up on her earlier today and she's been having dreams about killing people.  Now, Natalia has a great record; she's a really relaxed, reliable person.  For her to have dreams like that is totally unexpected.  So she tells him this and that we have to get off the planet and then she jumps him.  We had to bring another guard in to calm everything down.  When we pulled her off she broke down in tears and was begging us to kill her.  Anyway, this is still confidential so I really shouldn't be telling you but I thought you should know since it sounded similar to your dream.  I'll come talk to you about it later."

The signal ended and Jacob fiddled with his comm. link deep in thought.  This new information made him want to see the Marker more but at the same time it made him worry.  He had no idea how long it would be before he snapped too.  He had not been around it for too long but there was no telling how much more he could take.  Jeff had not spent nearly as much time as he had.  However, Natalia had much more exposure than either he or Jeff.  Perhaps it would be enough to go listen to Abbott again.  The Marker would not be there but he could still get answers.

That night Jacob tried to sleep but he was not very successful.  He kept having nightmares similar to the vision he had at the Marker.  It was like he was moving in slow motion but nothing else was.  He was running.  All around him he could see the other colonists brutally killing each other and themselves.  He heard someone running up behind him but as soon as he turned around Rachel was standing there driving a gravity tether spike repeatedly into her stomach.  He ran and tried to stop her but by the time he got to her she was already dead.  As he held her body in his arms he heard someone else run up behind him.  As he turned around a blood covered Rachel thrust a plasma cutter through his waist with a demented smile on her face.  As she raised the energy blade up through his body to his chest she leaned forward and whispered "Make us whole."

Jacob sat bolt upright in his bed.  He was covered in sweat and had a stomach cramp.  "Just a dream" he whispered to himself.  "It was just a dream."  His stomach growled.  He then remembered it had been a while since he had eaten anything.  Jacob got out of bed and slowly made his way to the mess hall.  As he walked through the entrance he stepped in something warm and wet.  When he looked down he could see his reflection in a puddle of blood.  He looked back up and saw piled of disfigured bodies lying all over the floor.  Jacob looked closer and saw some of the bodies were still twitching.  These bodies suddenly leapt out of the pile and started thrashing around violently.  They seemed to become even more deformed and grow extra limbs.  All at once the creatures turned and stared at Jacob with nothing but their blood red eyes visible in the dark.  Jacob took a step back and felt a sharp pain in the middle of his back.  He looked down to see a giant, fleshy spike shoot through his chest as something behind him roared.

Jacob sat bolt upright in his bed.  He was covered in sweat with a dull ache in the back of his head.  He glanced at the time and saw it was thirteen hundred hours.

"Already that late?  I've got about an hour before Abbott's speech."  Jacob got up and ran his fingers through his hair.  "More dreams again" he thought to himself.  "I need to talk to Abbott about this.  He seems to be the only one who knows what's going on."  Jacob quickly rinsed off in the shower before getting dressed to go to Union Square.

By the time Jacob arrived a group of forty to fifty people had already gathered.  He found Rachel at the back of the crowd and joined her.  She smiled and took hold of his hand.  "I'm so glad you made it!  I know this doesn't mean much to you that the Marker is coming to the colony but it means a lot to me that you came."  She squeezed his hand gently and looked forward toward Abbottt.

"Rachel, I need to speak with Deacon Abbottt after his speech.  Can you help?"

"Of course!  He knows me so he'll be willing to talk to you."

At that moment Jacob felt like he did years ago when they had been dating.  For a brief moment he was not worried about the Marker and he did not notice the dark thought.  He was with Rachel and they were going to speak with Abbottt.  Out of anyone he would have the answers.  Everything was going to be ok.  But almost as soon as that moment came, it left.  The dark thought in Jacob's mind suddenly became clear and encompassed everything.  It was a message; kill, die, fear!  At the same time a deafening, high-pitched shriek rang out through the area.  Everyone winced in pain.  Deacon Abbottt straightened himself, grabbed his pistol and said in a loud voice, "Listen to the voice of God and prepare yourselves."  Everyone in the crowd grabbed their pistols and raised them to their heads.  Jacob gripped Rachel's hand tight as she too raised her pistol.

"Rachel?!  What are you doing?" he screamed.

"It's ok, Jake.  You don't have to worry anymore."  Jacob's eyes opened wide with terror.  "Goodbye, Jake."

"NO!" Jacob shouted as Rachel, Abbottt and everyone else fired.  A single, unified crack echoed through Union Square.  Everyone fell dead covered in blood.

Later on Jacob was sitting in the Lounge Area at the table he and Rachel had been at during their last argument.  He was trying to keep the thoughts of kill, die, and fear out of his mind but at the moment the only other thing he could think of was Rachel's suicide.  He kept seeing Rachel smiling sweetly at him as she fell dead covered in her own blood.

Jacob frustratedly rubbed his eyes cursing under his breath.  When he opened his eyes again Matthew was sitting across the table from him staring into his steaming drink.

"Matt?  Are you alright?"

Matthew jerked his head up and looked at Jacob.  His eyes were foggy and he had dark rings under his eyes.  He massaged his temples and replied, "Oh, you’re Jake, right?  No, I'm not doing so good."  Matthew took a sip of his drink and grimaced.  "I'm nauseous and a little light headed.  And I'm not sure if this 'remedy' is really helping."  Matthew swirled his drink in his cup and took another sip.  He bit his lip in disgust and looked up at Jacob.

"Whoa...it doesn't look like you're doing too good either."

"No, not really," Jacob replied slowly.

"Well what's up?"

"My friend Rachel just killed herself along with about thirty other Unitologists and Deacon Abbott."

Matthew sat still and stared at Jacob in disbelief.  "Are you serious?  When, where did it happen?  How come I didn't hear about it?"

"It was a couple hours ago in Union Square."

"What, like three -- four hours ago?"

Jacob checked his watch.  "Yeah, about that.  Why?"

"Because that's about when I started feeling nauseous.  Earlier this morning they called us out to move the Artifact from the dig site to the cargo station.  As soon as my team got there we all felt a little funny.  I figured it was just in my head but by the time we were well on our way to the station one of my men dropped to his knees and puked in his helmet.  By then most of us were feeling pretty off but we were able to keep working.  I requested that we halt the project but the order came from the colony commander himself.  As soon as we locked the Artifact into the loading bay about three hours ago it let off a super low frequency blast; the kind you don't really hear but you can feel it in your guts.  Anyways, everyone felt significantly worse at that point.  One of my men even went into convulsions.  I'm telling you: there's something very wrong with that thing.  It's done nothing but damage since we found it and it's only gonna get worse."

"I think I have to agree with you.  At first I just wanted to think it was a rock, but after everything that's happened...I just can't help but think it killed Rachel."

"You know what I...hold on."  Matthew pressed on the side of his comm. link and spoke into it.  "Bridges here...yes...but, I...sir, I'm still not...yes, sir..."  Matthew swore strongly and quickly finished his drink.

"What was that?"

Matthew growled as he slammed down his empty cup.  "Now they want me to come in and fill some absurd reports.  They already gave me the rest of the day off but apparently it's of 'extreme importance' so they changed their minds.  Anyway, I’m sorry about your friend and everything.  I'll see you later."

Matthew stood up and tried to walk off clearly light headed.  Jacob sat still for a moment once again trying to clear his head.  Before long he too stood up and walked away.  He did not know where he was walking; he just wanted to be alone.

After walking around aimlessly for a few minutes Jacob found himself in Union Square.  It was all clean as if nothing had ever happened.  He stared at the place where Rachel was standing when she shot herself.  Once again he could see her sweet smile, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth as she fell to the floor.  Her lips opened and he could hear her voice, "Jacob..."

Jacob came to suddenly.  He could have sworn he actually heard someone.  He looked around the square but no one was there.  Jacob chuckled to himself.  "She's not here.  Quit teasing yourself."

Jacob walked back to the entrance of the square heading back to his room.  Just before leaving Jacob glanced back over his shoulder almost hopefully.  After just a moment he turned around and stared wide eyed at the corridor in front of him.  The massive hallway he had walked down to get to Union Square was now dark and narrow.  He could see a flesh-like plant growing over everything.  The ground was covered in bodies and blood.  Jacob rubbed his eyes hoping the vision would go away but when he opened them it only got worse.  Rachel was standing there in front of him.  She was covered in blood and had a gaping hole in the side of her head.  She reached out to embrace Jacob, blood dripping from her finger tips.  Jacob tried to run but his body would not move.  He stood still as Rachel smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

"Jacob..." she whispered softly in his ear.  The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.  "Jacob, you have to destroy it...before it's too late."  Jacob could hear something writhing on the ground behind them but he could not run.  "You can't let it leave, Jacob."  The sound got closer.  "...before it's too late..."  The sound was right behind them.  "The key is..."  there was silence  "...death!"  Jacob heard a blood curdling roar as a spike impaled both he and Rachel through the chest.

Jacob sat bolt upright in his bed clutching his chest.  He was breathing hard and blood was pounding loudly in his ears.  He could hear Matthew calling his name through the door intercom.  Jacob walked over to the door, a little shakily, and opened it.

Matthew raised an eyebrow.  "Are you alright?" he asked Jacob.

"I'm not sure.  I just...I've had some bad dreams lately.  What did you need?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing.  A receptionist at the desk in the psych offices said you stopped by while I was filling out reports and asked to see me.  You left your room number so I stopped by."

Jacob just stared bewildered at Matthew.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"No," Jacob replied.  "I don't remember any of that."  Jacob walked back into his room and Matthew followed.  "The last thing I remember I was at Union Square where Rachel killed herself.  I was about to leave when I had a hallucination about Rachel.  Before I knew it I was already here in bed."  Jacob slumped down in a chair.

"You saw her?  Like Sciarello saw his nurse?"  Matthew took a chair across from Jacob.

"Yeah, I guess.  Something like that."

"Well, do you remember what it was you wanted to tell me?"

"I don't have the slightest clue.  But I know what I want to tell you know: we've gotta get rid of that Marker."

"Whoa...what do you mean 'get rid of'?"

"The things too big to destroy so I guess we would have to transport it back out of the colony."

"Uh huh, right.  And how do you suggest we do that?  We're only two guys and I had a team of eight.  There's no way we can just walk around shouting 'hey, we need volunteers to remove the Artifact against orders'."

"We can do it ourselves, I think."  Jacob cupped his face in his hands to think.

"No way, there's no way we can pull that off.  And if we get caught that would be the end of our careers.  We would most likely get shipped back to earth and don't even think about getting..."

"You said you were in charge of the transport team for the marker right?" Jacob interrupted.

"Yeah...so?"

"Well I'm one of the veteran miners on this colony and know a good bit about transport too.  If we work quickly and accurately I think we can pull this off.  We have to move now though.  A friend of mine in P-SEC said they've got a mining vessel coming soon to retrieve the Marker."

"I don't care how possible it is, I'm not gonna do it."

"Come on, let's go."

Jacob shot out of his chair and walked out the door.  Matthew cursed and followed close behind.  Before too long they arrived at the main cargo hold where Matt's team had moved the Marker.  Jacob and Matthew told the guard at the door that they were a part of the Marker transport team under orders to make sure everything was secured.  They walked to the nearest panel and stood in front of it pretending to check something.

Matt leaned toward Jacob and whispered, "There's way too many P-SEC guards here.  Something weird's going on.  I really don't think we can do this with so many people around."

"Yeah, I agree."

Jacob pointed and walked to another panel; Matt followed.

"Jake, we gotta get out of here before someone figures us out."

"Not yet, I want to figure out what's up with those."  Jacob gestured over his shoulder to a collection of cryo-stasis pods in the corner.

The two guards by the pods eyed Jacob suspiciously.  Jacob flashed his badge at them and they stepped aside.  He waited for Matthew to catch up before walking up to the nearest pod.

"What do you think these are for?" Matthew asked.

"I don't know.  It's unusual to send bodies back to Earth with..."  Jacob stopped and stared at the stasis pod.

Matthew looked down at the pod and back up at Jacob.  "What's going on?"

Jacob's hands were shaking and sweat was building on his brow.  He recognized the frozen face in the pod.

"Come on, talk to me.  You don't look so good."

Jacob was not listening.  "Why...what are they doing with these bodies?"

"Come on, Jake.  We really should go.  You've gone totally white."

"Rachel...what do they want with Rachel's body?!"

Jacob and Matthew made their way back toward the housing complex in silence.  Halfway there Jacob got on his comm. link and started muttering into the mic.

"What was that?" Matthew asked.

"A friend of mine from P-SEC.  He's on his way over to my place so we can talk about the Marker."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?!  I mean, if he figures out where we just were and..."

"With all the information he's given me he's not really in a position to do anything."  Matthew raised an eyebrow in suspicion.  "I know what you're thinking but don't worry.  We've been talking and sharing information like this for a while now.  He works for P-SEC but he's on our side.  You should come and meet him."

"Thanks, but I need to be getting back to my place.  I'm doing a late shift tonight and I should get some rest first.  Let me know how it goes with your friend though."

Matthew waved as he walked off toward his apartment.  Jacob reached his apartment to find Michael was already waiting outside.

"You got here fast," Jacob exclaimed a little surprised.

"Yeah, I was already nearby when you called.  I'm still technically on duty though so let's me this quick."

Jacob tapped the control pad and the door hissed open.  The two walked inside and took chairs.  "So what's this about?" Michael asked as he sat down.

"Well, I know you're going to say this was a bad idea, but this engineer I know went with me to check out the Marker in the hanger.  The thing is, I was walking around and found myself in the square where the Unitologists all killed themselves and I had a hallucination.  I saw Rachel and she warned me about the Marker.  She told me we have to get rid of it and that there wasn't much time; now why would someone who worships the Marker give warnings about it."

"You do have to remember that she is dead, and that this was a hallucination."

"No, no, no it was more than that.  I mean, how strange is it that I had such a strong vision about the Marker in the room where a bunch of Marker worshipers killed themselves in its name."

"All I'm saying is that we shouldn't jump to any conclusions with something like..."

"There was something else that's been bugging me," Jacob interrupted.  "She said something really cryptic: 'The key is death.'  Now what does that mean?"

"Hold on...she said that exactly?"

"Yeah."

"You're sure?"

"Definitely, why?"

Michael reached up and rubbed his chin.  "There was a case recently with one of the members of your dig team that brought up a similar phrase."

"From my...who was it?!"

"Do you remember Fencher?"

"Yeah, I do.  What happened?"

"Well, P-SEC got a call from Dr Sciarello that he paid a visit to the Fencher's place.  He had received a call from Mrs. Fencher that Mr. Fencher was acting strangely.  When Sciarello arrived there was writing all over the wall and Fencher was over in the corner mumbling something about 'Death is the key.'  He attacked and started choking Sciarello and Mrs. Fencher had to inject him with a sedative."

" 'Death is the key.'  So they said the same thing?"

"Yeah...there's something not right about that. "

"We have to get rid of the Marker.  It's the only common ground between all this."

"Even if it is, how do you suggest we go about moving a multi-story, several ton rock out of a docking bay without anyone noticing."

"We have to go to Carthusia.  He's the colony manager right?  He can do something."

"Neumann has already spoken with him on multiple occasions.  Carthusia doesn't even admit there's anything strange going on.  There's no way he's gonna do anything."

"Well if Neumann is already worried about it then what if you talked to him and..."

"Sorry, but this sounds a little too much like mutiny.  Listen I'm starting to agree with you that something is up but I really don't think...hold on..."

Michael tapped his comm. link and was listening intently.  His eyes widened slowly and he pressed the earpiece in further.

"What is it?  What's going on?"

Michael replied slowly, "You said Rachel mentioned something about not having a lot of time?  I...I think she was right.  We've run out of time to act."

"What are you talking about?  What happened?"

"The Marker project is no longer under Carthusia's control; it's been given to Captain Matthias.  Jake, the Ishimura...it's here!"