Mike.Brown.doc
Michael Brown
9/21/09
The following story is an adaption of Paul Bowles’ short story “Call at Corazon”. The scene I found most enticing was where he walked into his room at night, only to find his new wife not there. I felt the scene had a sense of horror, so I went with it. And being a fan of sci-fi, and the setting a ship, I felt obligated to put it on a spaceship. I also wanted to have a large focus be on his past, which through reading the story we find he obviously had a troubling one, and how he is trying to make sense of it. This all reflects from this quote that someone uses as a signature on an online community I belong to.
Science fiction plucks from within us our deepest fears and hopes then shows them to us in rough disguise:
the monster and the rocket.
W.H. Auden
Call at Corazon
The Man Wants an Answer
Two men sit underneath a single flickering light. On one side is Brick Mortinson, a bold man like his chin. Sitting opposite is a bloody mess doing its best to resemble a human. His left hand is nailed to the wooden table. Watching these proceedings are three burly guards. Brick speaks to the bloody mass, named Tren, “where is it”. The Bloodied man answers with silence. Brick is given a hammer. He looks at it, ponders, and reply’s with an overhead strike on the man’s left thumb. Tren’s blood splatters across Brick’s face. Brick asks again in a harsher tone. Tren whimpers like an abused dog. This does not faze Brick, for all he cares about is justice. Brick flattens Tren’s index and middle fingers with two quick blows. Brick smiles like a politician- inviting but ultimately conniving. Brick raises his left arm for another crushing blow. We see a gold ring on the finger about to be crushed. Brick pauses, and we see a tattoo of ‘Maria’ on his left forearm.
Boom! A wall explodes, sending body and debris everywhere. A view of the future greets us. Sleek futuristic buildings, once façade’s of mankind’s greatness, now riddled with holes and trash, relate mankind’s downfall. Hovercars and futuristic fighterjets dance with incoming laserbeams, all reaping destruction in an end all war. Brick’s ice-cold demeanor turns glazed as our view fades to black.
Fast Forward to 2187
We are presented with a mechanical caterpillar transporter, carrying large cargo boxes with alien warning symbols. Moving by with heavy steps, it’s clear that this is not earth, given the multitude of alien beings shopping at the makeshift market. We are on PS 11G8, a space station that resembles a 20th century mall. Hudson Bishop, an expressionless human with a treacherous scar stretching from underneath his left eye to above his left ear, is sitting on a floating bench observing the relatively new idea of alien commerce. Being the type of person who builds rules to make sense of the world around, alien culture seems to throw his worldview upside down. But even human culture does this to him.
Today is an odd day, as evidenced by the monkey climbing on its fat reptilian alien owner who runs a market stand. Hudson is happy to see an artifact of Earth in such a distant place. The monkey is a model man to Hudson, simple. He attempts to draw it on a pad he’s carrying. The drawing sucks.
Hudson’s wife Cara breaks his observance to complain of the smell. At Cara’s request, they approach the vendor with the pet monkey to buy booze. The alien offers Hudson a chance to buy an illegal tesla hand coil gun, but refuses. Hudson threatens to turn the man into authorities, prompting the alien to barter the monkey into Cara’s purchase. Hudson scan’s his finger to make the purchase.
On their way back to their quarters, they encounter a crowd watching an alien mystic perform. Stuck in the crowd, Cara notices someone trying to scan Hudson’s finger, a form of future credit card theft. But this is Brendan Davis, a friend from Cara’s youth. Make that first officer Davis of the freighter Vega. He explains he’s “only trying to make a buck” but wouldn’t steal from them because he only steals from the rich, something Hudson is far from. He apologizes and offers a ride aboard his ship, where they’ll get to PS 14G3, a short shuttle ride from Corazon- the planet colony they wish to join.
Human travel has been greatly reduced in the last two years due to the Galaxy’s ruling power, BEM, crackdown on Galacorp. The human company specializing in human expansionism was charged with genocide when they ‘relocated’ a primitive alien race called ‘Arachnid’ to the planet oxygen rich planet of Kalafras. The native alien race of Kalfras, who opposed a human colony, were subsequently devoured by the Aracia. Galacorp then used a known Arachnid virus to remove the large spider like organisms. Free of any nuisances, the company was finally able to build their intended colony.
While this is only a single case over 100 years of galactic travel, aliens have grown disdainful of human ambitions. Humans, armed with the galaxy’s most advanced weaponry in the form of Tesla Coils, only weakness seams to be the lack of a governing body.
All Aboard
When Galacorp’s travel license was suspended, Hudson and Cara’s new marriage was strained as they were stranded on their way to Corazon. Cara sees Brendan’s offer as a blessing.
Hudson hoped boarding the enormous freighter would lessen their relationship fights; It hasn’t. He warns her of Brendan, who Hudson views as a crook and Cara views as a Robin Hood. Christy knows Hudson lives in a moral black and white world, his views as simple as his pet monkey. These fights have worn on her, prompting her to take a drink when they’re in their quarters aboard the space freighter. Hudson, a non-drinker, leaves the monkey tied in the room to go on a walk, taking only his drawing pad and a pencil.
The primitive drawing tools stand against the 22nd century, much like Hudson. Robotic transporters are busy stowing cargo away for the three-week journey. Hudson follows the caterpillar walker with alien markings from earlier into a storage bin with a skylight overlooking the loneliness of space. While Hudson pretends to hate the fights he has with Cara, he actually enjoys the distraction it provides. Loneliness scares Hudson because it allows his poisonous memories of Earth to come back.
Chasing Justice
We see Brick Mortinson open his eyes. He blurry eyes are able to recognize Nick limping away. Nick grabs a deserted swoop bike (like a motorcycle without wheels) and speeds off. Armed with a love for justice and a tesla hand coil, Brick gets up and aims. But justice cannot have its say yet, for Brick must get the coordinates for the stolen tesla cannon, a weapon that in the wrong hands could kill millions. He sets the crosshairs on an incoming swoop. Firing, the electrical current rips the flesh of its owner apart, leaving the vehicle untouched. Having lost 10 precious seconds, Brick hops on and pulls the throttle to full, chasing the rebel. We see the devastation being wrought on the once utopian society as Brick inches closer to Nick. Debris from a crashing hovercar leaves a slice in Brick’s skin from underneath his left eye to above his ear. Doesn’t matter to Brick, he keeps the throttle on full. It is all in vain as a group of rebel CS fighters ambush Brick. He fate now lies in enemy hands.
A Very Dark Night
An explosion rings and Hudson is brought out of his haze. His drawing is near complete; it is a stream. Four men enter through the loading dock’s door. The leader punches in numbers on a keypad, simultaneously opening hundreds of storage bins. Second captain Davis uses the intercom to announce they are under pirate attack. He is panting because he was just with Christy. They were having drinks.
The four pirates separate to search each individual container for the arsenal of Tesla rifles rumored to be sent on the ship. A Kalafrasian pirate named A’bec finds a container of 21st century human weaponry. A pirate approaches the bin where Hudson’s hiding on top of in shadows. Hudson knows he can either let the pirate choose his fate, or Hudson can make it himself. Hudson leaps down, lands on top of the pirate and places the pencil in the unexpectant man’s eye. He grab’s the guy’s tesla coil rifle and blasts the pirate coming to the dead man’s aid. He puts the tesla’s autoaim on another pirate, who runs around a corner before it locks on. The pirate comes screaming back, with an 8’ Aracia hot in pursuit.
With stories of its terror on Kalafras, the Aracia have become the galaxy’s most notorious non-intelligent being. The Aracia travel in groups, using swarm techniques like piranha’s to brutally hunt its prey. Standing at 6’ to 8’, they use 3 legs to walk and have two arms with vicious bones fashioned like blades coming out. Since its home planets close proximity to its sun, its skin has a rubberlike density. While the males are notorious for its killing, the female (only one lives in each group, they are rare) is notorious for its webbing it creates. Called Dodi, It has become a fashionable drug in some corners of the galaxy; An ounce on the black market is worth a small fortune due to its rarity and potency.
“You gotta be fucking me” mouths Hudson. He puts the crosshairs of the Tesla rifle on the beast and fires. The expected splatter effect doesn’t occur. A beast beating human ingenuity? Hudson shivers. A’bec comes from around a corner, blasting a 21st century bullet projectile rifle. The monster spouts black blood from the projectile, lets out a deafly scream and falls. Having already fought these monsters once on his home planet, A’bec knows a tesla’s concentrated electrical stream is useless against the being’s rubber skin. This accounts for why someone would ship an arsenal of bullet projectile weaponry, for whoever is shipping these beast needs them to eliminate a rogue Aracia. The beasts have been frozen in cyronic chambers for shipment, but because the pirates opened the containers they were now thawing, a process that can’t be undone. The two unlikely team return to the 21st century arsenal and stock up. We are shown Hudson’s stream drawing again, now drenched in blood.
Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate
A’bec explains they must get to the 1c loading dock, where the pirates have rounded up the crew. Hudson is weary of the fire growing in him. He does not want to turn to his animalistic instincts which allowed him to survive on Earth for 25 years. As they make the trek, they realize something’s wrong with the ship. Lights flicker and belches of superheated air come from the wall. The occasional glance of space now seems inviting compared to the hell arriving.
When an Aracia reveals itself with a ghoulish scream, there careful walk becomes a sprint. They shoot over their shoulder as the monster catches up. A’bec is taken down by the jumping monster. Hudson continues to run in terror.
Upon arrival, Hudson is greeted by a traditional pirates greeting of a gun pressed against his temple. Panting, he struggles to relay the situation. Blackstar, the pirates outfits captain, is skeptical. Captian Blackstar of the Narcissus is a famous human pirate in this part of the Cienega solar system known for wearing a patch over an eye he lost in a hunting incident. The pirates have captured about 20 passengers and crew, having them stay in the loading dock. Cara is not with them, nor is Davis. The pirates are a ragtag group of 15 humans and aliens. Some carry Tesla’s, while the rest carry bullet projectile weaponry.
A pirate guarding the door screams in agony, for an Aracia spike has penetrated the airlock door and gone through the guys face. The pirates stumble in horror as more the Aracia swarm pound against the door, breaking it down. Blackstar stands in awe. Everything is a hunt to this maniacal man, some more challenging than others. As the Aracia break through the airlock, a bloodbath ensues. The beasts revel in this situation; so does Blackstar. Never one to play defense, Blackstar charges forward, showing an uncanny athleticism while firing and diving at the Aracia. The defenseless captured are massacred while the pirates and Hudson fight for their own lives. At one point Hudson jumps on top of a charging Araciad. He plunges his left arm into the beast’s eyeball, as if to grab its soul. He comes back empty handed.
The lights go out. The humans are now the away team, but Hudson must face his fears to escape to find a soul he cares about. Well, maybe. Ducking and diving, he makes it to a dark hallway with no end in sight. He must make it back to his room where he hopes Cara is hiding.
Nightmares Win
We are back on Earth, another memory from Hudson’s past. We are presented with Brick and Cara at a table, with a Mafioso looking third man in the middle smoking a large cigar. Brick is smoking a cigarette with a heavily bandaged left arm. He has a fresh scar across his face, the same one as Hudson. He is much paler and sickly than the last time we saw him. Cara looks less promiscuous.
The middleman introduces Brick as ‘Hudson’ to Cara. It becomes evident through these talks that to leave planet Earth, they must abide by Galacorp’s rule of married couples capable of producing three children only on colonies. They are getting married as a business deal, sealed with a handshake and vested in the powers of the mob. This can’t be legal, but it does provide hope.
End of the Run
We are back on the Vega, were Hudson approaches the quarters assigned to him and Cara. With a flashlight mounted on his m41A pulse rifle, a small light is able to guide him through the smoke and darkness. Hudson’s fears begin to come true as a stream of blood slips past him as he enters. He sighs when he sees the remainders of the monkey sitting in the pool. Alone, Hudson picks up a half drunken bottle of beer and chugs it down. As he ponders his next move with the bitter taste still in his mouth, he is taken down from behind by an Aracia.
All or Nothing
We see a bloodied and beaten face of Cara. She is trapped in a massive amount of a spider web like substance. So is officer Davis, A’Bec, and now an unconscious Hudson. A smaller Aracia stands guard.
The Aracia is downed by a stream of bullets by an insane looking Blackstar and 5 equally crazed pirates. Judging by their bloodied faces, they are the survivors of the battle Hudson fled. Unfortunately, Blackstar is not here on a rescue mission, but rather to gather the ultra-valuable web. The captured beg for their life. A small group of Aracia arrive and two of the pirates are killed in the melee. Blackstar needs the extra manpower to push the cart full of Dodi. He wonders aloud were the mother Aracia is who produced the Dodi. The remaining pirates cut the group out of the webs. Blackstar remarks that Cara smells like booze and cigarettes, the way he likes his woman. Hudson tries to comfort her, but she pulls away agitated. The group knows they must make it back to the Narcissus, their only chance of safety.
Talk is Cheap
We see a badly beaten Brick, restrained in a chair back on Earth. A group of CS soldiers stand guard, the faction group Tren is part of. The CS leader, Kessler, wastes no time with words like how Brick did with Tren earlier. What Kessler want is in the room now. CS soldiers grab Brick’s left arm with the tattoo of ‘Maria’, his Earth love, and place it on the table. Kessler allows Tren, the victim of Brick’s search for justice, to slice the arm from the elbow down, severing it. Brick knows the magnitude of the action; his fingerprint is one of the few to have the authority to start a government issue Tessla cannon. Brick was in a search for a stolen cannon. He now knows where it is. It doesn’t matter anymore; he delivered the key to start it. Brick’s heroism will kill millions.
The Truth Doesn’t Matter When Lies Can Shatter
The Crew arrives to the Pirate ship exhausted. Another member of the pirate crew is lost, leaving 2 left. The crew has sustained some injuries, with Hudson having lost a finger on his left hand. The torn skin is synthetic though, revealing his robotic left arm from his elbow down. Blackstar still maintains a grin, beaming at his treasure. The crew’s elation turns to fright when they realize the Aracia have damaged the cruiser’s brain, making flight impossible.
With desperation in the air and tensions high, it is now obvious to Hudson that something has happened between Brendan and Cara. Hudson feels betrayed; while he entered the relationship with no feelings, he has grown used to Cara and the distraction she provides to his shameful past. Hudson puts a gun to the forehead of Brendan. He asks how the Aracia got on Brendan’s freighter. Davis thought he was getting a bribe for a large shipment of illegal Tesla Coils, which the BEM had banned Galacorp from doing. Once again, he’s only trying to “make a buck”.
Turning the tables, Brendan reveals Hudson’s deepest fear; his terrifying past. Brendan was a republic state (the same organization Brick fought for) pilot on Earth. He was familiar with the story of Brick Mortinson, the man blamed for Earth’s ultimate destruction. Brendan said it was hard to connect Brick and Hudson, but his robotic hand and kill everything style made Brendan’s suspicions true. Hudson tries to defend his actions, but the weight of the guilt keeps him silent. Blackstar laughs.
Cara is caught off guard. She had no idea Hudson Bishop’s true name is Brick Mortinson. While their marriage was always a facade, she never thought his identity was also. Let alone that she had a fake marriage with a mass murderer, who on Earth had become infamous for giving a terrorist faction the ability to use a Tesla Cannon. Humankind was now in shambles because of Brick.
Sinking Ships
Blackstar breaks the fight with a reminder that if they don’t find a way off the ship, it doesn’t matter who did what, they will all be dead.
By now Brendan, once the most useless, is now indispensable for knowing the location of the two escape pods on board, which are on the other side of the ship. With two spots on each pod, three of the crew will be left for dead. Knowing the final journey will be deadly, the crew agrees to put off deciding who will leave the living hell until they reach the escape pods.
Blackstar devises a plan using two of his offroad vehicles he used for hunting docked on the Narcissus. They would drive and shoot straight through, taking the most direct route. The plan sucks, but with the deteriorating condition the Vega is in, the group will only survive if they move fast. While it will take teamwork to get there, in the back of all their heads is the fact that there’s 7 of them and 4 spots left.
It is now machine versus beast as they charge through the darkness. With only headlights guiding the way, they shoot blindly. The lead car explodes, the two pirates and A’bec are gone, a casualty of the car bomb Blackstar had planted. Blackstar laughs as the explosion and death of his shipmates creates a moment for a clear path. All part of the plan.
But the 10’ gap in the bridge they are crossing is not. Davis stops the car. With a strained ammo supply, Blackstar knows death is behind them and probably in front. “Hit it!” he screams and the car charges forward to the lip. As the car floats above the madness for a brief second happiness ensues, but comes to a crashing fall when the other side of the gap where they land gives out, creating a 45 degree angle. The offroader struggles to catch its tread. The tires screech, as do the incoming Aracia. Blackstar presses a four wheel drive button and the car sprints forward. Hudson throws the last grenade at the walkway to make it impossible for the Aracia to follow.
Nobody’s Hero
The group arrives at the escape station. It is ominously quiet, but they don’t care, they’re leaving. Not so fast, Blackstar pulls out a Tesla Coil pistol and points it at the remaining three. He needs room for his treasure chest of Dodi. With Blackstar intent on going solo, there are only two spots available for the remaining three.
Hudson and Davis point their rifles at each other. Cara is shaking. It is words rather than weapons making their pain felt, with Cara as judge. Davis sees himself as helping humanity, while what Brick did was humanity’s death. Brick sees his action as an unintended consequence of justice. Something Davis doesn’t understand.
A wailing scream hurtles down the hallway. The mother Aracia Blackstar had warned of has arrived. It is 20 ft high. She jumps and thrashes. Brick barely makes it out of the way. Cara is trapped. Brick and Davis see the opening to the escape pod. Davis starts shooting at it, intent on helping a human. Brick turns and runs to the escape pod. Stone faced, he takes one last look at Cara and presses the ignition. As the pod hurtles off into space, Hudson thinks he sees blood getting splattered across a window back on the Vega.