Scifi Romance: Solaris (Paranormal Alien Space Romance) (Fantasy Interstellar Military Short Stories) Read Online Free
we get back,” Jason said.
Cassie could see everyone was staring at Dahl. She could almost hear the thousands of questions in their heads. She looked over at Dahl and could see he was also uncomfortable with all the stares.
“I know what everyone is thinking,” Lars said addressing the crew. “I'll explain everything when we get back to HQ. In the meantime, just keep your mouths shut.”
“Lars, you know this is against Regulations,” Eric spoke up.
“I know. We were in danger. Decisions were made. I'll deal with the fall out,” Lars explained.
Cassie knew if Lars got in trouble for this it would be her fault. Lars wanted to leave Dahl behind, but Cassie made the choice to bring him along. She wasn't concerned with rules and regulations. She just saw someone who needed help and saved him without thinking.
Chapter 7.
The rest of the flight to Solaris was tensely quiet. Cassie could see everyone was still staring at Dahl. Dahl hung his head low as he tried to hide from everyone's eyes. Cassie worried about what would happen once they landed, but she didn't have to wait long to find out.
Everyone quickly stepped out and into the hangar. Cassie and Dahl were the last two to exit. Cassie saw Captain Jackson and a handful of Security Officers aiming rifles at the shuttle and the rest of the crew. Dahl immediately threw his hands in the air in surrender and tried to hide behind Cassie.
“What's going on?” Cassie asked.
“Security protocol,” Captain Jackson answered. “We got word from your Overwatch you were bringing something back. It is standard operating procedure to secure the hangar and all returning crew in order to prevent hostile lifeforms from entering Solaris .”
“This life form calls himself ‘Dahl’,” Lars spoke up. “He's not hostile. He's a rescue.”
“You know it's not that easy, Lars. There are rules that must be followed,” Captain Jackson said.
“He's a shape-shifter,” Cassie said, thinking quickly.
“What?” Captain Jackson asked.
“Dahl's species has evolved active camouflage as a survival mechanism. If I can study him in my lab, I think I can isolate the gene that allows him to change his form. If I can isolate that gene, then I can develop a bacteria to be seeded on a planet’s ecosystem. The bacteria would be programmed to alter the existing lifeforms, flora and fauna, to morph into those on Earth. It will allow us to terraform any planet we choose so we can live there. Dahl might be the key to finding a new home. No more searching, we just move in wherever we want,” Cassie explained.
“Are you serious? Can you really do that?” Lars whispered to Cassie.
“Maybe,” Cassie said.
Captain Jackson considered it for a moment then finally said, “Very well, Cassandra. Study this alien as much as you need. However, Landers HQ will be placed under quarantine. No Landers will be allowed to leave this section of the ship until the alien is returned to his home planet.”
Captain Jackson ordered his Security Officers to vacate the hangar and he followed them out of the door. Only the Landers and Dahl were left standing in the empty hangar in silence.
“Sorry,” Jennifer said breaking the awkward silence. “I had to report it when Jason said there was an 'extra'. It's the rules.”
“You did the right thing, Mom,” Jack said. “Lars is the one that let the alien on the ship.”
“Actually, I'm the one that brought him on board,” Cassie admitted. “Lars wanted to leave him behind, but I told him to follow us. He was scared and I felt bad for him.”
“There are rules for a reason, Cassie,” Jason said.
“Please, show her mercy,” Dahl interjected. “She saved my life, but if I am such a burden on you all, then I will return to my home,” he said sadly.
“No Dahl. You should stay,” Cassie said.
“No, he should leave. I would like to go home tonight,” Eric said.
“No. What I said to Captain
Cassie could see everyone was staring at Dahl. She could almost hear the thousands of questions in their heads. She looked over at Dahl and could see he was also uncomfortable with all the stares.
“I know what everyone is thinking,” Lars said addressing the crew. “I'll explain everything when we get back to HQ. In the meantime, just keep your mouths shut.”
“Lars, you know this is against Regulations,” Eric spoke up.
“I know. We were in danger. Decisions were made. I'll deal with the fall out,” Lars explained.
Cassie knew if Lars got in trouble for this it would be her fault. Lars wanted to leave Dahl behind, but Cassie made the choice to bring him along. She wasn't concerned with rules and regulations. She just saw someone who needed help and saved him without thinking.
Chapter 7.
The rest of the flight to Solaris was tensely quiet. Cassie could see everyone was still staring at Dahl. Dahl hung his head low as he tried to hide from everyone's eyes. Cassie worried about what would happen once they landed, but she didn't have to wait long to find out.
Everyone quickly stepped out and into the hangar. Cassie and Dahl were the last two to exit. Cassie saw Captain Jackson and a handful of Security Officers aiming rifles at the shuttle and the rest of the crew. Dahl immediately threw his hands in the air in surrender and tried to hide behind Cassie.
“What's going on?” Cassie asked.
“Security protocol,” Captain Jackson answered. “We got word from your Overwatch you were bringing something back. It is standard operating procedure to secure the hangar and all returning crew in order to prevent hostile lifeforms from entering Solaris .”
“This life form calls himself ‘Dahl’,” Lars spoke up. “He's not hostile. He's a rescue.”
“You know it's not that easy, Lars. There are rules that must be followed,” Captain Jackson said.
“He's a shape-shifter,” Cassie said, thinking quickly.
“What?” Captain Jackson asked.
“Dahl's species has evolved active camouflage as a survival mechanism. If I can study him in my lab, I think I can isolate the gene that allows him to change his form. If I can isolate that gene, then I can develop a bacteria to be seeded on a planet’s ecosystem. The bacteria would be programmed to alter the existing lifeforms, flora and fauna, to morph into those on Earth. It will allow us to terraform any planet we choose so we can live there. Dahl might be the key to finding a new home. No more searching, we just move in wherever we want,” Cassie explained.
“Are you serious? Can you really do that?” Lars whispered to Cassie.
“Maybe,” Cassie said.
Captain Jackson considered it for a moment then finally said, “Very well, Cassandra. Study this alien as much as you need. However, Landers HQ will be placed under quarantine. No Landers will be allowed to leave this section of the ship until the alien is returned to his home planet.”
Captain Jackson ordered his Security Officers to vacate the hangar and he followed them out of the door. Only the Landers and Dahl were left standing in the empty hangar in silence.
“Sorry,” Jennifer said breaking the awkward silence. “I had to report it when Jason said there was an 'extra'. It's the rules.”
“You did the right thing, Mom,” Jack said. “Lars is the one that let the alien on the ship.”
“Actually, I'm the one that brought him on board,” Cassie admitted. “Lars wanted to leave him behind, but I told him to follow us. He was scared and I felt bad for him.”
“There are rules for a reason, Cassie,” Jason said.
“Please, show her mercy,” Dahl interjected. “She saved my life, but if I am such a burden on you all, then I will return to my home,” he said sadly.
“No Dahl. You should stay,” Cassie said.
“No, he should leave. I would like to go home tonight,” Eric said.
“No. What I said to Captain
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