The Alien Spore (standard:science fiction, 4422 words)
Author: Waldo Pepper	Added: Sep 10 2003	Views/Reads: 3244/2227	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Alien plants cause havoc on island research facility.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

will be studying our work. I have decided that she will stay with you 
so please make her feel welcome. You can give her a tour of our 
laboratory first thing in the morning and answer any question that she 
may ask." 

Leslie followed Susan out of the office and down a long hallway to the
end of the complex to were the technicians were lodged. The quarters 
consisted of two single beds, a writing  table, chairs, a bathroom and 
shower. Leslie found her flight bag at one of these doors and carried 
it into the room. 

"This really isn't much," said Susan closing the door. "But I call it
home. You can have my roommates bed for she is in hospital recovering 
from an accident in the laboratory." 

"Oh how awful," said Leslie opening her bag. "Please tell me what
happened?" 

"Carol was transplanting some of the seedling for Dr. Sternam from Alien
Life Form 6233 when one of the mature plants lashed out at her with a 
tentacle.  It cut her leg and arm quite badly." 

"Do you know what would make a plant do that," said Leslie? "We at the
head office did not even know an accident occurred." 

"Yes, well Dr. Sternam had the whole affair covered up," she replied.
"No accident report was ever filled out and Carol was air lifted out of 
here in the middle of the night. The few mature plants we have are 
quite frightening. They seem to have a mind of their own and hate every 
around them. Most of the girls will not go near them." 

"I see," said Leslie taking a seat next to Susan. "So you claim that Dr.
Sternam has actual mature plants growing in her laboratory." 

"Yes, they seem to propagate quickly in our atmosphere," she replied.
"Dr. Sternam believes that there is much to be learned from these 
strange forms of vegetation and is currently studying its DNA 
structure.  I and the other girls feel that these creatures are 
dangerous and this whole project should be shut down." 

"That is the belief of the head office and scientists around the world,"
said Leslie. "They have sent me here to see just how dangerous these 
spores have become." 

"I am glad that you are here Leslie." said Susan getting to her feet.
"Perhaps between the two of us we can persuade Dr. Sternam to stop this 
experiment before anyone else gets hurt." 

"Yes we can try," she replied. "And do this before this entire research
station becomes overrun with these spores. I also think that we should 
get some  sleep for tomorrow will be a busy day." 

"Yes, I think that is a good idea," said Susan moving to the closet. "I
think that some of Carol's blouses and skirts may fit you. I will lay 
out a couple and you can try them on in the morning.  In this moist 
tropical climate and anything with rubber or  spandex will rot in a 
matter of hours so keep that in mind when you dress. Also the 
laboratory sometimes reaches a temperature of forty degrees Celsius and 
working under those conditions can be Hell." 

The next morning Leslie awoke to the sound of running water from the
bathroom and sat up in her narrow bed.  She had slept only for a few 
hours and glancing at her bedside clock noticed that the time was 5:30 
A.M.  Throwing the covers back she swung her legs over the side of the 
bed and reached for her robe. The small room felt like a furnace and 
then suddenly the sound of the water stopped and Susan emerged wrapped 
in a large towel. 

"Well good morning sleepyhead," she said draying her hair. "How did you
sleep in thee luxurious accommodations?" 

"Oh fine I guess," she replied getting to her feet and tying her robe.
"But why is it so Damn hot in here?" 

"Dr. Sternam keeps it like this throughout the complex," said Susan.
"Claims it is good for the plants but most of the air conditioning 
doesn't work anyway. You will get use to it and after a nice cool 
shower you will feel great." 

The cool shower made Leslie feel like a new woman and now dressed in one
of Carol's blouses and skirts she was ready to meet the day.  She 
followed Susan into a small dinning room and helped herself to coffee, 
eggs, and toast. 

"Leslie Simms I would like to introduce Carolyn Johnson and Helen
Morse," said Susan as they approached two women who were also eating 
breakfast. "These are the other two women who are working on this 
project. Both are concerned about what Dr. Sternam is doing with these 
massive plants." 

"It is good that the Space Administration has finally sent someone to
close down this project," said Carolyn. "These spores can produce a 
full grown plant at an alarming rate." 

"Do you mean that this entire island could be overrun with plants," said
Leslie? 

"Yes, exactly," replied Helen.  "a spore can generate into a mature
plant in just under ten minutes. And thousands upon thousand of spores 
can be produced from a single plant. Dr. Sternam fells that this whole 
process is marvelous but one of these plants can slash a human to 
shreds with razor sharp tentacles and have recently become aggressive. 
If any spore were to reach the mainland the whole world would be in 
danger." 

"Then we must destroy the plants ourselves," said Leslie. "Now what
facilities have you to house these plants?" 

"An isolation chamber," said Susan.  "But it seems that every generation
is getting stronger and stronger. If they were to break out we are 
finished." 

Suddenly Dr. Sternam entered the mess hall and helped herself to toast
and coffee.  She took note that Leslie was seated having breakfast with 
her crew and made her way over towards them. 

"I see that you have met my team," she said taking a seat.  "They are
all notable scientists and are doing some impotent research here. Once 
you have finished your tour you will realize just how significant this 
work is." 

"Do you not think that these alien plants are dangerous," said Leslie. 
"Apparently you have one girl already in hospital after an accident." 

"Oh that was nothing," said Dr. Sternam sipping her coffee. "The foolish
girl was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  All she received 
was a scratch. The mature plants are housed in an isolation chamber and 
this is one of the most secure facilities in the complex. Your tour 
will bring to light just how careful we are here to insure the utmost 
safety to our staff. Now I must leave you for I have a great deal of 
work to do. If you could report to my office later we will continue 
this discussion." 

Susan watched as Dr. Sternam left the mess hall and then shook her head.
The weeks of frustration mixed with moments of terror were beginning to 
have an effect on her.  Finishing her coffee she put down the empty 
cup. 

"I think that we may have to pay Mike Penner a visit," she said. "He may
have something in his bag of tricks that could help us." 

"And who is this Mike Penner," asked Leslie?" 

"He is an ex-special forces agent who is now selling gasoline and
supplies to the local fishermen around here," replied Helen. "He is a 
rather unsavory gentleman that I would not take home to mother but he 
may have what we need if those plants decide to brake out of the 
isolation chamber." 

"Yes, perhaps you and Carolyn should pay him a visit," said Leslie.
"Having an ace in the hole may be a good idea." 

Susan led Leslie to the far end of the complex were the laboratory was
located. Helen and Carolyn had slipped quietly away to locate Mike 
Penner to purchase anything that would burn or blow up the plants.  
Carolyn had suggested that they store the arsenal in a small cave that 
she had found on the beach and they all agreed to met in the mess hall 
in two hours. 

"We do have the most up to date laboratory in the country," said Susan
as she punched her security code into the door lock.  "The Space 
Administration has spent millions on this complex." 

"Yes, the exploration of space and the study of alien life forms has
just begun and will continue for many years," said Leslie. "But this 
must be done in a safe controlled environment. Dr. Sternam has stepped 
over that boundary by allowing her plants to get to such a gigantic 
size. In doing this she has put many lives in danger." 

"As you can see all security procedures are being carried out to the
letter," said Susan.  "The mature plants are housed individually behind 
this glass panel. The glass is a special transparent substance that is 
four inches thick and even a high speed armor piercing shell would not 
penetrate it. The remainder of the chamber is ten inches of stainless 
steel." 

"The mature plants seem safe enough for now." she said. "But just how
mobile is this creature?" 

"Now that is a rather interesting question," replied Susan. "This plant
does not have any kind of root system as we know and it obtains it 
water and nourishment from our atmosphere.  Its mobility is obtained 
from an array from an array of tentacles that it can lash out and 
attach to any solid object. These can be also contracted and by this 
method the creature can actually pull himself along." 

"Interesting," said Leslie. "And you say that this a second array of
tentacles complete separate from the first that was used for defense." 

"Yes, and I would add quite an effective mans of mobility," she replied.
"also those defense tentacles can lash out at an unsuspecting pray at a 
distance of up to fifteen feet or more as poor Carol found out. It is a 
rather nasty surprise if you are not expecting it. I have also found 
out that the tentacles that are used for mobility have rows of suckers 
on them similar to a squid. With these it can hold its pray wile the 
first array slash it to pieces." 

"Those are indeed nasty little critters," said Leslie. "I shall inform
Dr. Sternam that all the mature plant must be destroyed immediately." 

"Good," said Leslie glancing at the clock in the laboratory. "Now I
suggest that we go back to the mess hall and see how Helen and Carolyn 
have made out." 

Dr. Sternam left her office and quickly made her way to the laboratory.
One or two more samples of DNA and she would be able to prove her 
theory.  She would be able to tell her superiors not only what part of 
the galaxy these creatures came from but also how they were able to 
reproduce so quickly. Turning on the laboratory lights she took a seat 
at her writing desk and looked over her notes one last time.  Suddenly 
a loud crash and shattering of glass was heard in the isolation chamber 
and this was followed by the wail of the alarm system. 

"What the Hell," she said getting to her feet.  "Is that cursed alarm
system acting up again." 

Dr. Sternum made her way in the direction of the sound to investigate. 
She was met by an enormous plant that lashed out at her with deadly 
tentacles. Backing away from the slow moving creature she slammed one 
of the inner doors to the chamber trapping it for a moment. But 
unfortunately this frail metal door would do little to stop the 
creature and in a matter of minutes it began to buckle. 

Helen had just begun to explain the vast array of supplies and munitions
that she and Carolyn had purchased from Mike Penner when the alarm 
sounded.  The equipment which included plastic explosives, two flame 
throwers, were now hidden in a small cave at the far end of the beach. 
Penner had also added a fifty gallon drum of high test  aviation gas 
and joked the they could burn half the island with what they had. 

"What do you suppose could be wrong," said Carolyn getting to her feet? 
"that alarm only sounds in an extreme emergency." 

Suddenly the intercom sounded and the frightened voice of Dr. Sternam
was heard over a background of breaking glass and tearing metal. "All 
staff are to evacuate the complex immediately," she said. "Then await 
further instructions." 

The four young women quickly made their way to an exit and then out into
the afternoon sunshine.  Instead of waiting for instructions as they 
were told Helen led the group down to the beach and their hidden cash 
of arms. 

"Do you think that we will be able to stop these creatures." said Susan
coming to a halt for a moment? "Perhaps we should call in the army for 
help." 

"The army would only cause panic as soon as the news services learned
about this," replied Leslie. "We will try and stop them with what we 
have and use the armed forces only as a last resort." 

Once at the entrance to the cave Helen and Carolyn began to carry out
the explosives and an array of knives and protective clothing. The 
charges were a new incendiary device that would turn a good size room 
into an inferno in a matter of a few seconds.  Leslie and Helen each 
strapped on one of the flame throwers wile Carolyn wheeled out the 
aviation gas. Each woman took as many explosives as she could carry 
plus the spare tanks for the flame throwers. 

"We shall split into two groups," said Leslie. "Susan you come with me
and Carolyn go with Helen. I think that we should use the gasoline and 
white prosperous only as a last resort and remember that these plants 
must be stopped at any cost." 

When they approached the complex they found Dr. Sternam wrapping a
bandage around a small gash she had received in her arm and looking 
rather dazed and confused. Her always neat appearance was suddenly 
forgotten for her blouse was torn and face covered with grime and 
sweat. 

"Oh good you are all safe," she said securing the bandage. "I do not
know what has gotten into my plants for they are destroying everything 
in their path." 

"We all tried to warn you how dangerous these plants were Dr. Sternam
but you would not listen," said Susan. "Now they have broken free and 
destroyed half the complex." 

"Yes, perhaps I have been a little foolish in way of thinking concerning
these creatures," she replied. "But we can learn so much from them. 
They hold the answers scientists have been asking for centuries and 
perhaps they feel they are being threatened." 

"We don't plan to threaten them Dr. Sternam," said Leslie. "But blow
them straight to Hell. You should have destroyed those vile creatures 
weeks ago." 

"No, please thin k of my work," she said. "I have spent my like studying
life on other planets and I cannot allow you to jeopardize all my 
efforts." 

The women split into two groups and entered the building. The research
facility was had been built two years ago at a cost of over two million 
dollars and lay on a small hill overlooking the ocean. the complex was 
the most secure and energy efficient of its kind and was equipped with 
every modern convenience. It's hallways were a maze of corridors that 
led to offices and laboratories. The facility that housed the spores 
was on the north wing and was the most secure. 

"Look at the damage these plants have done,"said Susan as she gazed at
smashed computers and overturned desks. "It is as if these creatures 
had purposely set out to destroy and kill everyone in this complex." 

"Perhaps they have," replied Leslie. "That may be their mission here on
Earth." 

Dr. Sternam quickly followed the women back into the complex. "I must
stop those young fools from destroying my plants," she muttered under 
her breath as they made their way towards the isolation chamber. "I 
will not have my work and years of research disturbed." As they moved 
closer to the laboratory the sound of breaking glass and tearing metal 
could be heard along with the occasional scream. Turning the corridor 
they were met by two enormous plants that had just broken into the 
hallway. Susan took two explosive charges out of her bag and prepared 
to throw them wile Leslie armed her flame thrower. 

"Please wait," cried Dr. Sternam stepping out in front of the group.
"Let me try to communicate with them. I am sure that I can convince 
them to settle down and that we mean them no harm." 

Without waiting for a reply Dr. Sternum turned and began to slowly walk
towards the two plants. When she got to within twenty feet of the first 
it lashed out with one of its tentacles knocking her to the floor.  The 
second creature let fly with its own deadly appendage cutting the woman 
almost in half and killing her instantly.  As she lay in a pool of 
blood Susan and Carolyn threw their charges surrounding the creatures 
in flame. they quickly moved back to a safe distance but as soon as the 
inferno had died down began to advance once more. Leslie and Helen's 
flame throwers had the same effect not causing much damage to these 
hardy creatures. 

"The thermal grenades and flame throwers are not stopping them," cried
Susan! "We need something with more power." 

"Yes, and I think I may know what it may be," replied Carolyn. "Lets get
out of here and I will tell you what I have in mind." 

Once outside Carolyn led the group back to were they had left the
reminder of their supplies. Everyone replenished their stock of thermal 
grenades wile Leslie attached a fresh cylinder to her flame thrower. 

"What is your plan," said Susan placing the last of the charges into her
bag? "I have been thinking that we may have to call in the Army and Air 
force to help us out." 

"We may not have to," replied Carolyn. "I thought that we could lay a
trap for the creatures in the entrance to the complex using the white 
prosperous, thermal grenades, and aviation gas that we have. We could 
then draw the little darlings out here and touch everything off with 
these Very pistols that Mike Penner so thoughtfully gave us." 

"That just may work," said Leslie. "The combination of gas and
prosperous should burn those hideous things to a crisp. Susan and I 
could coax them out and you and Helen touch it all off. But let us get 
free first for this is going to be one Hell of a fire." 

The large tank of aviation gas was pushed into the entrance of the
complex and then the five pound packages of white phosphorous stacked 
around it. Four thermal charges were also added and then two small 
stopcocks on the tank opened so that some of the liquid would run out. 
Susan and Leslie then left the group and made their way once more into 
the building wile Helen and Carolyn took up a position behind some 
shrubs to wait for their return. 

"Do you think we should use the flame thrower or thermal charges," said
Susan? 

"I think the thermal charges should do nicely," replied Leslie. "But
throw them just to get their attention." 

As they approached the mess hall Susan saw one of the plants moving down
the corridor towards them. Behind it two more lumbered along at a slow 
but steady pace. 

"We have company," said Susan coming to a halt and reaching for one of
her thermal charges in her bag. "Three of the little darlings have come 
to greet us." 

"Yes, I see them," said Leslie also holding a charge. "Now remember what
I told you,  and at the count of three let them have it." 

The two thermal charges exploded a few feet in front of the first plant
and instantly stopped their progress.  a few minutes later when the 
flames died down they all began to move once more now more quickly as 
if angered by the display of aggression. 

"We will give them one more blast of thermal charges so that they follow
us outside," said Leslie. "But once we are clear of the building find 
some cover as quickly as you can." 

Helen crouched behind a stone wall and slipped a fresh cartridge into
her Very pistol and then waved to Carolyn that she was ready.  Carolyn 
lay hidden behind a row of shrubs some twenty feet from he  
r.  
Suddenly the two young women heard the second explosion and saw two 
figures dart out of the complex and take cover behind a stone monument. 
 A few minutes later one of the plants emerged lashing out with its 
tentacles at everything that moved. Two more of the creatures came into 
sight and began to follow the first moving slowly towards the drum of 
gasoline.  Helen waited until all three were directly in front of the 
gasoline before firing. Carolyn did the same their shells igniting the 
thermal charges and white prosperous in a blinding flash. The gasoline 
was he next to go covering the three plants in a mass of flame. When 
the inferno had died down there was little left of these creatures that 
had killed so savagely and spread so much havoc. 

"Your plan  
 has seemed to have worked," said Susan looking over the
scorched ground. "But these creatures have made a mess of our complex. 
Do you think that this will be the end of them?" 

"That is a god question," replied Leslie."I suspect we will have a full
inquire by the Space Administration and no blame attached to any of 
this.  A new and better facility will be built here and we will 
continue our study of Alien life forms." 

"Yes, I suppose that you are right our work must proceed," said Susan.
"And as Dr. Sternam once said we have much to learn from an Alien 
being. But we must be careful extremely careful." 

The End 


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