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Apol o 918 The trip of no return
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Joseph Thomas
It was three days ago since the operation, upon my
arrival, I had been covered in a giant anti radioactive
bag, then isolated from the entire staff of Apollo 918,
the worst part was that I could not see Dr. Estevez, as
only the specialists in this field were able to treat me.
They ran certain test to make sure everything was fine
with me. Until finally I was able to get out of there
and return to my duties as head of security for Apollo
918. Thank God the two suits managed to save my
life and my body had no traces of contamination.
The first thing I did after leaving the hospital was
send for agent Robert urgently. There were the
murders still to solve, which until now had only been
committed in our ship, the other two being free of any
altercation. Agent Robert was present immediately in
my office, I could tell in his face, he had interesting
news about the information only a few days ago I had
provided to him. I, was eager to get into action.
- Any new news? Were you able to use the
information I gave you?
- Yes, and I have something that will surprise enough.
The agent, as always, sat down by the table without
asking.
- I hope you brought the report I asked, you had
plenty of time, actually several days.
- Don’t worry Colonel, it was worth the wait - the
agent started talking, I decided not to interrupt again,
before leaving you sent the report to my computer.
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Major Pot is already aware of the issue, he will come
to see it as soon as possible, thanks to the files you
gave me, it was discovered that indeed the senator
Thomson was doing business with our enemies. We
have records that prove the Senator selected ten
possible suspects. All are being watched now, but the
most interesting thing of all, is that among these ten
subjects are Jarod Hemle Hunke and Lindsay. This
caught my attention, the girl I knew belonged to the
enemy group, but the guy I was curious about, and
decided to seek more information comparing the files
that made it to Apollo 918 before the holocaust the
planet. It turns out the real Jarod Hunke was found
dead about twenty miles from his home just one day
before leaving for the secret facility. So the man that
died in the ship is not Jarod. We do not know who he
is and how he got here. But we also know that one of
the civilians in the ship MARGARET is not who he
says, as his record belongs to the paternal brother of
Jarod. And he was also killed in France a day before
leaving for Europe's secret facilities. However,
according to the results of DNA the testing effectively
proved it is the blood brother of Harold Hunke; Now,
I found no link between the senator and the people he
chose for civilians on the ship Margaret. Only the guy
already in custody knows. We waited for you to make
the first interrogation.
- Good work agent, good job, I said almost excitedly
I’m going to see Colonel Fabiens to coordinate the
interrogation.
- Wait Colonel, the most interesting thing I have not
told you yet, he said. The agent stopped me with this
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Joseph Thomas
phrase. - In your absence we inspected the panels that
Harold or Lindsay wanted to open. And found this. -
The agent pulled out of his pocket a nylon bag and
inside was a small trigger fusion. Sufficient to set off
a small bomb H, or hydrogen. The puzzle of these
murders began to come together. The hydrogen was
the fuel the ships used and this type of detonator told
me that the risk was higher than expected. If these
terrorist infiltrators were trying to make or detonate a
bomb on our ship we would not let them, because we
were on their trail. I ordered the agent to double up on
the monitoring of the eight suspects we already knew
of, as well as throughout the ship, I wanted to talk to
Harold Hunke.
*********
I passed the checkpoints in the tunnels that connected
the two ships. I found Colonel Fabiens doing his
routine tasks and was glad to see me again. They had
the guy in custody, two French soldiers guarded the
door of the room where he was being held. We went
and the boy looked peaceful. While lying in bed his
eyes were still closed, but he was awake, we heard a
kind of prayer that came from her lips almost
imperceptible. Noticing our visit he stood. I ordered
him to sit. We want to talk to you. -I said cordially.
The boy nodded, not a single gesture showed me that
he was scared. He waited in silence for the first
question.
- Do you speak English?
- Yes, He replied.
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Apol o 918 The trip of no return
- Who are you? I asked looking into his eyes.
- Aston Hunke. – He replied.
- That's not true. I know you're not Aston Hunke. You
changed identities with that person. That person is
dead. He was killed the day before you showed up
with false identity in Europe’s secret facilities. Your
brother did the same in the United States. Jarod’s
identity supplanted Hunke, we know from DNA tests
that you are brothers. But they are not the Hunke
brothers.
- The boy looked up at me surprised. He did not
expect me to tell him what I had just mentioned, his
response was a question.
- How is my brother, also being held like me?
- Your brother is dead. I said with the low tone, he
was found dead in a confrontation in Apollo 72ship
with a girl named Lindsay Hemle, do you know her?
The boy's eyes were teary eyed, he did not mention a
single word. I waited a few minutes trying for him to
react, but he still did not lift his eyes again ... Behind
me Colonel Fabiens remained silent with arms folded
across his chest. From my experience I decided to
leave the boy alone for a while, I stood up and said a
few words before leaving.
-Listen, I want to think that your brother was not on
the side of evil. Hopefully his death will not be in
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Joseph Thomas
vain. I do not know who you are, I do not know who
your brother was either, but if you can help stop these
murderers you will be of great help. I will wait until
you are ready to talk to me, just let them know and
one of the guards will come get me. I regret very
much the death of your brother, remember, we are on
the good side, just a few of us here of our species.
You are just in time to help save them. - I gestured to
my companion to come behind me. Once outside the
room, Colonel Fabiens asked:
- Why did you stop the interrogation?
- Something tells me this guy knows something, but
does not belong to them. Hopefully in a few hours, he
will the talk. I responded to the colonel before
heading back to the tunnel that would take me back to
the Apollo 918.
Pretty rest after the last three days, it was best to catch
up on how things were. I toured the ship, I did a short
interview on each floor with security guards and crew
chiefs. Everything was quiet. Civilians began act a bit
uneasy but normal and expected. The levels dedicated
to the animal species there was no new, except a
lionesses gave birth to a little baby that was the
entertainment of many. The workshops functioned
according to the daily work and the stores were all
good. Everything under control, I thought it best to
also check how the Apollo 918 hospital was running.
First time I was deeply interested in this topic without
me knowing why.
She was standing with her back to me when I reached
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Apol o 918 The trip of no return
for the door. As always her neat white coat showed
her perfect silhouette, still remember the feeling my
hands take her by the waist, tight military trousers
marked her strong and firm legs. Further north of her
thighs something that made me crazy. She had not
noticed my presence and for a few minutes, I was just
staring at her. Until one of the doctors noticed me and
greeted me loudly, then she turned to look at me, her
face broke into a blushing smile. She did not come to
me. As I walked toward her, I was watching as she
gave nurses and patients instructions, until finally I
had her beautiful bright eyes in front of me.
- Good afternoon, Colonel. Is something wrong that
you are in the hospital?
Now I do not know what to say, the art that women
have to put men between the sword and the wall.
- No, I'm fine, just a routine visit. It was the answer
that came from my mouth without thinking.
- How’s your arm? The Dr. insisted.
- My arm is fine, although still a little sore. I
answered with a lie, just wanted to take the
opportunity to feel her hands on my skin again, I
would not let that pass.
- Come with me, let's look at the wound. She told me.
My mind jumped for joy, because my little white lie
had worked.
We went to the same room as last time. The same
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Joseph Thomas
table, the same tray into the rack. But this time I
closed the door. I took her by the waist. With my
hands I turned her body around holding her close to
me a few seconds. She said nothing, I touched her
soft cheeks, I did not kiss her, but we just stared into
each other’s eyes and she stayed still and let me hug
her, while stroking her back firmly. I whispered into
her ear that everything would be fine. She pressed her
arms against my body, looked down and lost her eyes
up to my shoulder. Then my intercom broke the
magic.
- Colonel Paul? Commander Pot requests your
presence in the control room.
It was the phrase that rang in my ear and both of us
heard. Our bodies were separated, never had I hated
an intercom as much as this time. I went walking
toward the hallway that would take me to where the
General was. I ran my hand through my shoulder and
discovered moisture from a tears the doctor had shed
on my uniform.
*********
Commander Pot was waiting in the main hall of the
control room. As I entered, he stood almost lunged at
me, exclaiming:
- Good news Colonel. Finally some good news!
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Apol o 918 The trip of no return
On the table were the leading astronomers and
scientists of the three ships, on a screen in the left
wall showed images of galaxies and planets. I sat at
the table and I joined the conversation that already
had begun at that meeting. The man who had
supplanted Dr. Hans, Dr. MCCARTY and now chief
astronomer and research director of Apollo 918 was
the one that began the dialogue.
-According to our studies and calculations we have
concluded that indeed in the Magellanic Cloud galaxy
there is a planet, the Taurus III, which has developed
a kind of atmosphere with chemicals almost identical
to that of the earth. We also confirmed the presence
of a liquid that may be water. We can see two small
oceans Taurus III, all the other surface is solid. We
have a plan to corroborate this information. The
science and astronomer Dr. Thomas Reynolds will
explain in detail what it is.
A man in his fifties, about six feet tall, with total
baldness, and firm body of a man that had seemed to
have exercised. He stood up and took the remote
control in his hands. With this he spoke and passing
different images on the screen at his back.
- As Dr. McCarty mentioned, indeed we may well
have found a planet where settle our civilization. The
Taurus III in the LMC. The plan is to send a ship to
take samples of liquid, solids and gas. Also if
approved we would send some animal species within
this ship, in order to prove that the atomic
teleportation does not affect in any way the life and
survival of our species, so far this method is just a
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Joseph Thomas
theory proven, we need to confirm solid objects, such
as metals, wood, etc.., but that has not been tested or
with animal life. To reach Taurus III would have to
go through a black hole, so it is necessary because of
the distance that separates us from it. Using this
method, if all goes well, in 72 hours the survey ship
should bring back the results. Only after that would
we confirm our theory.
Commander Pot nodded and made some scientists
questions that were answered by them. After nearly
an hour of debate General Pot approved the dispatch
of the ship. Dr. McCarty is responsible for all studies
and would be the head of this investigation, reporting
progress every twelve hours to the commanders of the
three main ships.
The meeting ended and I was alone with the general, I
wanted to talk to him personally. Now alone, it was
the
general
who
started
the
conversation.
- Glad to see you and back to your duties. Since I was
given the report of what happened on earth, I want to
tell you that although it was a very risky decision I
congratulate you for your courage.
- I just did my job, Commander. I replied.
- Let's move to another topic. - The man crossed his
arms over his chest and leaned back into his seat. -
How are the interviews with the boy at the
MARGARET ship?
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Apol o 918 The trip of no return
- This morning we first spoke with him. Actually he
was a bit upset when he learned of the death of his
brother, so we decided to let him rest and not
continue with the questioning, my personal opinion is
that this guy has valuable information. But I don’t
think he belongs to the bad side, let’s hope he wants
to talk. We will give him a few hours and at night I
will be visiting him.
- Remember, Colonel, that this situation is delicate, I
do not want another person dead in this ship. The
Commander's tone was strong-Try for this guy to give
you the information you have, for the moment I have
given orders for all each suspects to be watched
closely and monitored. I do not want to leave any
loose ends and give the enemy the opportunity to
threaten the safety of this ship and this mission.
- I'm sure the guy will talk.
- After you talk to him at night not delay a second to
come to me with your report, whatever happens on
that interview I'll be waiting.
After a military greet, I stood up and left the
Commander, we had finished our conversation. I
decided to rest a couple of hours while it was time to
go to the Margaret ship, but my calculations within
two hours of rest went wrong, leaving the central
control room agent Robert met me, he came looking
for me because the man wanted to talk to me. I turned
around my steps and went straight to the tunnel that
led me to the room where I expected this guy
incognito. I found him sitting on the bed. As I entered
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Joseph Thomas
the room, he motioned for me to sit.
I did and waited for him to start talking. After a few
seconds he became interested in the body of his
brother, for the details of his death, and asked
permission to see him one last time. I answered all
their questions with absolute truth. I explained what
the real situation was and that it presented a problem,
I asked for his help. I knew the boy was confused, but
my intuition did not deceive me from the first
moment when I thought this guy before him was not
among our enemies. After I spoke to him honestly
and he decided to tell his story.
- The story is long, I needed time to listen. My real
name is Abdel Hadi. I am twenty-six years and
although I was born in Iran, I lived for fifteen years in
France. My brother’s real name was Arfan Hadi, also
born in Iran, four years older than me. Our father
brought us up in the Baha’i religion. Our brothers
have been abused, tortured and massacred for
hundreds of years by groups of the Islamic Republic.
When my brother was fifteen he witnessed our
father’s death. Then tied him to a horse, dragged his
butchered body through the streets. My brother saw
that. He vowed for vengeance. Some friends of my
father took us out of Iran, me to France, and my
brother to the United States. Arfan never forgot, and
although our beliefs do not support revenge or war, he
swore vengeance on our enemies. Then infiltrated in
an anti-Western Islamic groups within American
territory. A week before presenting to the secret
facility my brother traveled on false documents and
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Apol o 918 The trip of no return
visited me. He told me about the ships and the escape
plan. That an influential senator had managed to
introduce civilian personnel to a group of ten. The
order was for the group to assassinate leading
scientists before the discovery of another destination
and perpetrate a terrorist act inside the ship detonating
a bomb that, as I said, had infiltrated while building
the ship. I do not know the exact location, but he
mentioned several times ponds and marine species.
There was a problem, Jarold Hunke’s brother had
been chosen in the UK for their qualifications at a
university in London. The day before leaving back to
America my brother killed Aston Hunke. He
confessed this to me, that night he gave me all of
Aston’s documents, asked me to be present at the
European secret facilities after 36 hours. He murdered
Aston Hunke to save the lives of all civilians who are
on this ship. He had to be here and stop the terrorist
plot. But he could not trust anyone, not knowing who
was with the senator and who was not. He was
ordered to kill that guy and get me on the ship. We
should not have any contact while we were here. The
last time he was at my side was in France, he told me
everything and told me that if anything went wrong,
find someone you trust and tell my story. I did not
have names, just telling you what I know. All these
days I have prayed for him. But today when I heard
he was dead, I know his plan failed. So I decided to
tell you everything. I swear I'm telling you everything
I know.
I thanked Arfan for his decision to tell his story, and
shook my hand as a sign that I believed everything he
was saying.
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Joseph Thomas
I promised that I personally would take him to see the
body of his brother and when we got to our next
destination, I would help him