Terror From Deep Space 9 (standard:science fiction, 9825 words)
Author: Waldo Pepper	Added: Apr 08 2006	Views/Reads: 3437/2314	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A security agent and her robot investigate the strange silence of a space station in deep space.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

his tired eyes. "Apparently Dr. Mitchell was one of the Association's 
golden boys a bright young student that they had nabbed     fresh out 
of collage and given a job. Everyone here thought that he would go far 
in the exploration of space. He was an expert in organic chemistry, 
mathematics, and robotics. Did some ground breaking work on that 
secretarial robot I have working for me in my office. He then began to 
work closely with 

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a Dr. Susan Oliver another one of the Association's prodigies in the
study of D.N.A. stem cell research. the experiments that they were 
carrying out were banned world wide and when the Association found out 
what they were doing they were both suspended for a year or two. the 
whole affair was hushed up from the public and a few strings were 
pulled to get them assigned to the Deep Space 9 Project. It would keep 
them out of the public eye and out of Harms Way. The two of them and a 
small crew were simply to man the space station and search for alien 
life for a six month period. They were to make weekly reports all very 
routine. The last two reports have been far from routine. The first was 
a cry for hel    p from Dr. Susan Oliver we believe saying that the 
station was being over run by something. The second a very garbled 
message from one of the technicians saying saying that she and another 
girl were the only ones left and to please send help. That was over a 
week ago and we haven't heard anything since." 

"That is the most unusual tern of events Sir," she said. "I recall
reading about Dr. Susan Oliver in all the papers when the Deep Space 9 
crew were picked. I met her briefly in her laboratory and didn't think 
that she was the type of woman that would scare easily." 

"No she isn't and that was one of the reasons we sent her," he said
closing the file. "The two technicians Janet Ross and Carol Simms were 
hand picked by me and have been on planets with alien jungles that 
would scare the crap out of any sane man. Something is going on out 
there and it may not be very nice. That is the reason you have been 
called in." 

"Perhaps I should go out and have a little look see Sir," she said.
"Life around my offi    ce has been a little quiet lately." 

"Yes go, but be Damn careful Jessica," he replied. "If they have
contacted some type of alien life form you don't know what type of 
buggered up situation you may be letting yourself in for." 

Suddenly Commander Harris's video screen came to life and the image of a
disheveled communication technician appeared. The poor man appeared not 
to have washed or slept in days by the dark circles under his eyes and 
the growth of beard on 

Page 4 

his face. 

"We are beginning to get another message from Deep Space 9 Sir," he said
in a tired voice. "I suggest that you report to Communications Control 
as soon as possible Sir." 

"Ah, word has come at last," said Harris getting to his feet. "You had
better come along Jessica this may be important." 

The Communication Control Center was a bee hive of activity when
Commander Harris and Jessica Towns arrived. Men and women sat at 
various listing posts recording then rerecording the garbled message as 
it traveled the many light y    ears through space. Suddenly the 
sensitive speakers were silent and the message was cut off. A lone 
radio operator sat at his console tying to regain communications with 
the now quiet station but to no avail. 

"I think that I have lost them Sir," he said looking up from his
controls. "Should I keep tying Sir?" 

"Yes, keep at it for a little wile longer Son," said Commander Harris.
"That message has a long way to travel and we must not miss a word of 
it." 

As the radio operator continued to try to contact the space station
Jessica and Commander Harris joined a group of men and women who were 
disparately editing some of the static from the garbled message that 
they just received. Finally a young women emerged from the group and 
made her way over to were Harris and Jessica stood. 

"We think we have the message cleaned up enough for you to hear it Sir,"
she said. "The recording is quite distorted but I think you can make it 
out." 

"Good play it for us at once," said Harris. "It may give us a clue to wh
  at is happening out there." 

Page 5 

"This is Deep Space 9, repeat Deep Space 9," said a weak female voice
through a multitude of static. "For God sake help us before it is too 
late.... Alien creature has.... Oh my God no...." 

"That was all we were able to receive Sir," she said. "We shall stand by
in case another contact is made." 

"Very good Sargent," said Harris turning to face Jessica. "Well, I guess
it will be up to you Miss Towns. What will be your plan of attack?" 

"I think that I will use a simple cargo ship Sir," she replied. "They
are not the fastest means of transportation in the universe but it will 
get me aboard the space station undetected. You can have your assault 
troops standing by in case I need them." 

"That is a good plan Miss Towns," he said. "I have a fleet of Star Ship
Troopers that are now near the planet Pluto. I will hold them there for 
you if you need them. But don't take any foolish chances Jessica. I can 
only give you 72 hours once you have boarded Deep Space 9. Get     in 
assess the situation and get out. After that I will order my Troopers 
to blow that Damn space station to Hell and back." 

Jessica boarded the Association's cargo ship later that afternoon and
within a couple of hours was well on her way. The cargo ship was one of 
many that were used to transport supplies and the odd passenger to 
various space stations in the galaxy. They were usually flown by a 
robot pilot but could be operated by anyone with basic flying 
experience. The pilot of Jessica's craft was on of the new XK9 series 
similar to the one that acted as Commander Harris secretary. "Tommy" as 
the robot liked to be called had already flown half a dozen missions 
and claimed to know the galaxy like the back of his hand. This new 
android was hand picked by Harris for the number of special 
qualifications he possessed such as accuracy with a weapon, the ability 
to get out of a tight situation when necessary, and his natural boyish 
charm." 

"I suggest that you try to contact Communications Control Tommy,"    
said Jessica entering the cockpit of the cargo ship. "By now they may 
have gotten through to Deep 

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Space 9." 

"I talked to them ten minutes ago Miss Jessica," he replied looking up.
"Still no contact only a lot of static. We will have a better chance of 
reaching them ourselves in about 20 hours." 

"Good, we shall try then," she said. "I still can't understand how a
fully operational space station can be completely shut down for such a 
long period of time," 

"There are strange things that happen in deep space Miss Jessica," he
replied. "I was aboard Deep Space 3 when it was hit by a strange case 
of the black plague. It killed every man woman and child in the matter 
of 10 hours. To this day there is not a doctor in the galaxy that can 
explain were it came from or what be the cure. They finally  said that 
the space station was cursed and never have been built in that location 
of the galaxy. Even today some will not serve there. I think that there 
is so much we don't know about this galaxy and nev    er will. 

"I am glad that you are with me on this trip Tommy," she said. "Did
Commander Harris have anything to do with it?" 

"He may have had a slight hand in it," he replied smiling. "He told me
to watch your back and get you home safe. Said if anything happened to 
you he would tear me limb from limb and then throw me in the junk yard. 
And knowing Iron Man Harris the way I do he would probably do it. But 
don't worry Miss Jessica Tommy will look after you." 

"Did Commander Harris let you hear the last recording we received from
the space station Tommy," she asked slipping into the seat next to the 
robot? 

"Yes he did Miss Jessica," he replied. "the copy that I heard had a lot
of static but I was able to make it out all right. I have a copy of it 
stored in my memory bank if you want to refer two it. I also took the 
liberty to record a complete dossier of Dr. Susan Oliver and Dr. 
Cameron Mitchell. I also have the records of the two technicians. I 
thought that they may come in handy a little later." 

Page 7 

"Yes, indeed they will," she replied. "But I still can't understand what
kind of alien we are dealing with. Deep Space 9 is thousands of light 
years from any known solar system." 

"That is quite true Miss Jessica but Black holes have been quite
prevalent in that area of the galaxy," he said. "Perhaps something from 
a Black hole has raised it's ugly little head. We could even be dealing 
with something from another time in space." 

"Yes I suppose we could," she replied suddenly feeling very tired. "I
had not really thought of a Black Hole. It is something that we know so 
little about." 

"I think you are do for a sleep period Miss Jessica," he said. "I will
keep us on course and wake you if there are any problems or if I hear 
from Communication Control. You will feel better after a little rest." 

"Yes, I suppose I should get a little sleep," she replied getting to her
feet. "I will see you in a couple of hours." 

Jessica made her way to a small cabin in the rear of the cargo ship were
she ha    d stored her belongings. It contained a bunk, writing table, 
and two chairs. She curled up on the bunk and tried to think about Deep 
Space 9 and what her and Tommy might encounter when they reached their 
destination but before she could reach any conclusion she was fast 
asleep. 

"Your sleep period has ended," said a pleasant female voice from a
speaker beside Jessica's bunk. "Your next rest period will be in 
thirteen hours and five minutes." 

Jessica rolled over and sat up. She had slept for seven hours and still
felt like crap. ÔThe sleeping conditions aboard this ship aren't the 
greatest," she thought getting to her feet. ÔPerhaps I need a cup of 
coffee and a little food.' 

"Good morning Miss Jessica," said Tommy looking up from the console of
the cargo ship. "Did you have a good rest period?" 

Page 8 

"Yes I suppose so," she replied slipping into the seat next to him. "But
I still feel like crap. Are still on course and making good time?" 

"Better then I expected," he replied switching the craft     to auto
pilot. "these old cargo ships can really put out if you know how to fly 
them. We should be along side Deep Space 9 in about 6 hours. If you 
like I can fix you some food that will make you feel better. We can 
then contact our friend on the space station." 

"That sounds good Tommy," she said getting to her feet. "I can also
outfit you with one of my new heat seeking blasters that I have brought 
along. Have you been checked out in ordinance?" 

"Yes, that is one of my specialties," he replied. "I have also been
trained in hand to hand combat and demolitions. I took part in the 
quelling of the prison riot on Mars last year for the Space Association 
and almost got my trail shot off." 

"Well I hope that we have better luck here and not have to use our
weapons,"  she said. "But in a buzzer situation like this you never 
know." 

Jessica followed Tommy into the galley of the cargo ship were the robot
started to prepare eggs, bacon, toast, and a pot of steaming coffee for 
the young girl. Wile the food was     being cooked Jessica returned to 
her cabin and reappeared a few minutes later with a new blaster for the 
android. 

"Were on Earth did you get fresh bacon and eggs Tommy," she said sitting
down to the meal. "This isn't regular stock rations for a cargo ship." 

"No it isn't Miss Jessica," he replied. "I am known throughout the
galaxy for my scrounging skills. I took personal charge of refurbishing 
the larder of this craft. The people aboard Deep Space 9 may be in a 
bad way and this extra food may come in handy." 

"That they may," she said digging into the bacon and eggs. "this food is


Page 9 

wonderful. Do you have any more surprises for me?" 

"Only that I have packed some rather unusual things in my gear when I
came aboard Miss Jessica," he replied. "Nothing really out of the 
ordinary really, an extensive stock of explosives, various knives and 
other implements for hand to hand combat, and a rare stock of various 
chemicals that we may need. You see I have this friend on the planet 
Venus that can g    et me anything in the galaxy for I like to be 
prepared." 

"Yes, I suppose everything you have will be useful," she said finishing
her coffee and getting to her feet. "But we must try and make contact 
with the space station. They should be in radio contact with us by 
now." 

The two quickly made their way back to the cockpit of the ship. Jessica
stood nervously by as the android turned on the radio and adjusted the 
dials. 

"Cargo Ship PXY calling Deep Space 9.... Cargo Ship PXY calling Deep
Space please acknowledge...." he said into his microphone. "Cargo Ship 
PXY calling Deep Space 9 please acknowledge..." For the next few 
minutes the crackle of static was all that could be heard through 
Tommy's radio. He tried once more but still no answer, then suddenly 
through the auto distortion a weak female voice. 

"Deep Space 9 calling Cargo Ship PXY..." she replied. "Thank God someone
has finally come.... Dock at cargo bay 861 but please be careful... 
Someone will be waiting... Need water and food urgently...      Robotic 
systems aboard space station not functioning...  "Oh my God they are 
moving again..." 

Jessica continued to listen to the female voice as it became buried in a
wall of static. ÔWhat was starting again,' she thought as Tommy tried 
once more to contact the young woman? ÔAnd what could possibly shut 
down the entire robotic system in a space station?' 

Page 10 

"Should I try calling her once more Miss Jessica," she said looking up?
"I may get through again." 

"No, I don't think that there is any use," she replied. "Contact
Communications Control on Earth and report our contact with Deep Space 
9. I will get some water and emergency rations together for when we 
dock. How close are we to Deep Space 9?" 

"The space station is dead ahead," Miss Jessica. he replied. "You can
see it quite clear in the viewfinder." 

Jessica peered through the viewfinder as the space station came into
focus. Deep Space 9 looked like some odd piece of space junk that had 
been orbiting a dead planet for eons. It appea    red that most of the 
electrical system system was shut down with the odd light flashing at 
intervals from different parts of the ship. The automatic homing signal 
the mainstay in communications to all Deep Space projects flickered 
occasionally from the main mast of the space station. 

"Deep Space 9 is in a lot of trouble Tommy," she said turning to face
the robot. "Try and dock as quickly and carefully as possible." 

"Yes, you are right Miss Jessica," he said peering through his
viewfinder. "I have never seen a space station in such a deplorable 
condition. Perhaps we should forget this whole rescue affair and just 
send in the Star Troopers." 

"No, these people need help now," she replied. "We have enough food and
water aboard for a rescue mission. If the situation worsens we will 
call in the Troopers." 

As Tommy began to move the ship closer to the cargo bays Jessica had
time to take a closer look at the space station and just how 
extensively it had been shut down. ÔPerhaps I should have taken Tommy's 
    advice and let the Star Ship Troopers handle this whole affair,' 
she thought looking over the dead hulking mass as they approached. 
Suddenly she spotted a faint signal light flashing from one of the 
cargo bays on the space station and felt the ship turn sharply to 
follow it. In a few minutes they were docked and the android had the 
engines shut down. Opening a hatch and peered into 

Page 11 

the darkness of the loading bay she could see nothing.  A moment later
Tommy was at her side armed with two portable lights and their 
backpacks of food and water. 

"Hello, is anyone about," she called drawing her blaster and shining her
light into the gloom. "We are on a rescue mission from Earth and have 
brought food and water for you." 

"Over here," replied a faint female voice out of the darkness. "And keep
your voices down for they may be sill about somewhere." 

Jessica shone her light into the far corner of the cargo bay and onto
the shape of a young girl who was hiding behind a row of packing 
crates. She wa    s not much older then herself and wore a tattered lab 
coat, dirty blouse, torn skirt, and looked exhausted. 

"Thank God you have come," she said as Jessica and the android
approached. "I couldn't have lasted out much longer." 

Jessica gave the young girl a drink from her canteen which contained
water laced with a high energy protein compound.  After a few minutes 
the color returned to the girl's face and she slowly got to her feet. 

"My name is Janet Ross," she said handing the canteen back to Jessica.
"I am one of the assistants to Dr. Cameron Mitchell and Dr. Susan 
Oliver." 

"Were there not two assistants on this space station," asked Jessica? 

"Yes, Miss Carol Simms also worked for them," she replied. "She was
abducted by one of the robots shortly after the trouble began." 

"Abducted by one of the robots," said Jessica. "Since when can a service
robot on a space station abduct anyone?" 

Page 12 

"Perhaps the young woman will be able to answer all your questions
better after she has had so    me food and a little rest Miss Jessica," 
said Tommy. "The poor woman is in a state of exhaustion." 

"Yes of course you are right Tommy," she replied helping the young woman
towards the ship. "A good hot meal and a little sleep is all you need. 
My questions can wait till later." 

Janet Ross slept soundly for over six hours and when she awakened she
felt more like her old self. Entering the galley of the cargo ship she 
found Tommy busily preparing the ingredients for a meal. A large pot of 
savory stew bubbled quietly on his stove as he cut and peeled fresh 
vegetables and fruit 

"Is this all for me Tommy," she said looking over the feast? "I haven't
seen fresh fruit and vegetables for months." 

"I thought that the two of you should have a wholesome meal Miss Janet,"
he replied. "My hobo stew is known throughout the galaxy. It is said it 
helped cure a bad outbreak of jungle fever on the planet Venus last 
year. A bowl of this will fix you right up." 

Suddenly Jessica entered the galley from the cockpit o   ÿf the ship and
took a seat next to Janet at the table. She carried a spare blaster and 
handed it to the young girl. 

"You may need this before the day is out," she said. "It is good that
you are up and looking so well. A little of Tommy's food and you will 
be as right as rain. I just contacted Communication Control and spoke 
to Commander Red Harris. I asked for more time to do a complete search 
of the space station but he is still only giving us 72 hours to assess 
the situation here. He is then moving in his Star Ship Troopers to blow 
Deep Space 9 out of the galaxy. So Janet you must tell us everything 
that has been happening here." 

"Yes, I suppose I should," she replied. "So many strange things have
been happening here I don't know were to begin." 

Page 13 

"Just start at the beginning Miss Janet," said Tommy as he began to dish
out his stew to the two young women. "Miss Jessica and I are here to 
help you so everything that you say will be just between the two of us. 
I feel that there is an evil fo    rce behind what is happening here 
and we must rid it of it's presence." 

"Yes you are right Tommy Deep Space 9 is possessed by some evil force
and getting rid of it may not be that easy," she said starting to eat 
her stew. "It all began about three weeks ago when Carol and I were on 
watch monitoring the galaxy for alien life forms. We suddenly spotted 
what we first thought was a meteor shower. It abruptly appeared out of 
nowhere and before we knew what was happening it was all around us. 
Carol thought that it came from a new Deep Hole she had charted the 
previous week. As I activated the asteroid shield I noticed a strange 
space craft moving with the asteroid cluster. It was saucer shaped and 
as it flew it gave off an unusual blue light. I quickly activated our 
action stations and within a few minutes were joined by both Dr. 
Cameron and Dr. Oliver. When we told them what was happening they both 
smiled and did not seem the least concerned. Dr. Cameron explained that 
the space ship was a new cargo vessel that     theSpace Association was 
now using and that it was delivering a shipment of security robots and 
a new computer called Dextron 3 to us. I nodded my approval but the two 
scientists seemed different to me. I mention it to Carol but she said 
it was only my imagination." 

"You said both scientists appeared different," said Jessica. "In what
way?" 

"Well in the first place Dr. Cameron is a sweet old man once you get to
know him," she replied. "He is a devoted scientist and believes that 
his work out here will make a difference to mankind. He has always very 
patient with both Carol and me when we have made a mess of things. Dr. 
Oliver is also a devoted scientist and although not as easy going a Dr. 
Cameron a real fine lady. She would spend time just talking about men 
and relationships. The kind of things all women talk about back home. 
That all changed with the arrival of the security robots and the 
computer Dextreon 3." 

"Why were security robots brought onto the space station Miss Janet,"
asked Tommy? "Deep     Space 9 isn't involved in any operation were 
extra security is involved." 

Page 14 

"That is what I asked Dr. Cameron," she replied. "He told me that all
Deep Space projects were increasing security to all their stations. I 
believed him at first until I discovered that he and Dr. Oliver were 
using the space station laboratory for experiments of their own." 

"What type of experiments," asked Jessica? 

"I think hat they were pertaining to some of their earlier work that
they were doing on stem cell research and the study of D.N.A.," she 
replied. "I cannot really be sure for they only used Carol and I to 
carry out some basic tests for them." 

"Were could Dr. Cameron and Dr. Oliver acquire D.N.A. samples out here,"
asked Jessica? "His mission on Deep Space 9 was only to look for alien 
life forms not experiment with D.N.A." 

"They may have found some samples on one of those meteors that passed by
the space station Miss Jessica," replied Tommy. "The mysterious space 
craft that docked here could also h    ave supplied them with samples 
of their own." 

"Yes, that is possible," said Jessica. "But how could you possibly grow
D.N.A. out here? To do that you need a host of specialized equipment 
and the knowledge to operate it." 

"Possibly and advanced civilization could supply all that," said Tommy.
"But to what purpose?" 

"I would say that Dr. Cameron and Dr. Oliver now have a sample of D.N.A.
growing in their laboratory," said Janet. "Carol and I came to the same 
conclusion as Tommy so one night we tried to break into the main 
laboratory to see for ourselves. But unfortunately we were discovered 
by one of the security robots that gave out an alarm. Carol was 
captured and I was able to break away and radio for help. They have 
been tearing the space station apart looking for me ever since." 

Page 15 

"I see," said Jessica sipping her coffee. "I think the first thing we
must do is rescue Carol. Then we will see what Dr. Cameron and Dr. 
Oliver have been up to. Were on the space station do you think they a   
re  holding her?" 

"I would imagine in one of the punishment cells," replied Janet.
"They're located in the older portion of the space station that was 
once a storage area. The punishment cells are Dr. Oliver's idea for 
maintaining discipline on the space station. She is often found there 
watching the security robots dishing out punishment. I must warn you 
Jessica getting to the punishment cells may be difficult for all the 
passageways are heavily patrolled by security robots." 

"You just show us the way Miss Janet and leave the security robots to me
Miss Janet," said Tommy. "We all have blasters and I have a few nasty 
surprises for our robot friends if they happen to come by." 

"Yes, that is all good Tommy," said Jessica. "But what I rally need from
you Janet is a detailed map of the space station showing the passage 
ways. Do you think that you can draw me one on my computer?" 

"Yes, I think so," she replied. "Dr. Cameron and Dr. Oliver have made a
few modifications in some areas of the space statio    n but I will 
show it all in my map." 

Janet sat down at Jessica's computer and within a few minutes had drawn
a detailed map of the space station. She paid close attention to the 
alterations the two scientists had made and showed them to the best of 
her recollection. 

"The drawing is excellent," said Jessica. "Now with a little luck we may
be able to rescue Carol." 

The main passageway was deserted when the two women and the android
stepped out of the docking bay and into the semi-darkness of the 
passage. The odd emergency light still flickered giving the channel an 
eerie glow. The three moved quickly for the first hundred yards to were 
the passage suddenly narrowed and came to a sharp right turn. 

Page 16 

"So far so good," whispered Janet who had taken the lead. "Perhaps Dr.
Cameron has the security robots doing other things." 

Just as she spoke a faint shuffling noise was heard coming towards them.
Tommy who's robotic senses were more finely tuned then that of the 
humans was the first to see th    e security robot slowly making it's 
way towards them. Moving out into the passage he drew his blaster and 
quickly fired a laser beam melting the computer chips in  the advancing 
android. 

"He won't bother us any more Miss Jessica," he said returning the weapon
to its holster. "I think that this may be a good place to set out a 
little surprise for any more of Dr. Cameron's friends that happen by." 

Tommy hid a small explosive charge on one of the walls of the passage
and attached a light beam to it.  He then armed the detonator that it 
contained and then joined the two young women who were studying a map 
of the space station. 

"We are getting close to the punishment cells," said Janet pointing to
the map. "From here on the passageway is regularly patrolled by 
robots." 

"Do not concern yourself with that Miss Janet," said Tommy. "I can sniff
out those walking plastic abortions with no problem and will lay a few 
of my surprises along the way for them." 

As the trio moved closer to the punishment cells     Tommy set out a
series of explosive charges along the passageway. They moved carefully 
through the gloom and after rounding one more sharp turn approached a 
series of bright lights. 

"Those are the punishment cells," whispered Janet coming to a halt. "Now
we must be very careful for this whole area is patrolled by robots. Dr. 
Cameron has also two XK4 robots working down here." 

"I have heard of the XK4 robot," said Jessica. "They are almost human in


Page 17 

appearance, emotion, and temperament. They are being used widely on
Earth." 

"The two Dr. Cameron has he has turned into sadistic fiendish brutes,"
she replied. One is called Ortega and he is the favorite of Dr. Oliver. 
She has personally programed him to beat and electronically shock a 
prisoner for the least provocation. I only hope Carol has been able to 
survive his little bag of tricks." 

Tommy quickly scanned the area around the brightly lit punishment cells
and could detect no movement. The trio quickly moved away from the 
bright lights t    owards the end of the block of cells. From one of 
the chambers a harsh voice could be heard augmented by moaning and an 
occasional scream. The two young women and the android drew their 
blasters and quickly approached a cell door that lay ajar. Through the 
opening Jessica could see a half naked women strapped to a padded chair 
moaning slightly. Long thin electrical wires were attached to her 
breasts and private parts and then to a small black box that a robot 
held in his hands. 

"You have been very negligent in answering my questions Miss Simms," he
said. "So please make it easy on yourself and tell me were Miss Janet 
Ross is hiding." 

"Oh please, I really don't know," sobbed the young girl. "Please no
more.  I have told you all can." 

"You don't have to look to far for me you sadistic piece of metal and
plastic," said Janet stepping into the cell, leveling her blaster at 
the robot, and pulling the trigger. Eliminating a Bastard like you will 
be a service to all mankind." 

The blaster recoiled slightl    y in the young girl's hand as it sent
out a beam of energy that entered the robot. The discharge melted the 
android's computer system causing him to buckle and fall to the floor. 
He shuttered for a moment then lay still. 

"Are you all right Carol," said Janet moving to the side of her friend.
"this is Jessica Towns and Tommy. They have been sent to help us." 

Page 18 

"Thank God they have finally sent someone," she replied slowly getting
to her feet. "I couldn't take much more of Dr. Oliver's torture. She 
was just down here enjoying what that sadistic piece of metal was doing 
to me." 

"She and Dr. Cameron will pay for what they have done to us," said
Janet. "I will make certain of that." 

"Yes, they will both pay for what has occurred here," said Jessica. "The
Space Association will see to that. But first we must find out what 
those two fanatics have been working on in their laboratory. If they 
have created some type of creature from a D.N.A. sample it must not be 
allowed to escape from this space     station." 

"I have told Jessica and Tommy all I know of Dr. Cameron's experiments
Carol," said Janet. "And how we think he may be trying to grow a living 
organism from a D.N.A. sample." 

"I think that he may have succeeded," she replied. "I was brought into
the laboratory after being captured for questioning by Dr. Cameron. 
Wile there I was able to see a large tank in which I am certain I saw 
something. There was a great deal of mist inside but I am sure I saw 
some sort of creature." 

"Exactly what did the creature look like Miss Carol," said Tommy? 

"It is really hard to describe for I saw it for only a moment," she
replied. "But I think it had greenish blue scales on it's body the kind 
you would find on a lizard and it appeared to be walking upright on its 
hind legs. It's head was also covered in scales and resembled that of 
an alligator or crocodile." 

Did either of you ever hear Dr. Cameron or Dr. Oliver discuss the
creature amongst themselves," asked Jessica. 

"I did once," replied Janet. "Dr    . Oliver asked Dr. Cameron if the
tank he had the specimen in was large enough and if it could maintain 
the correct  temperature and 

Page 19 

humidity to keep the specimen alive. He told her not  to worry for he
had just received instructions regarding all that." 

"There may be one more thing that may be a concern," said Carol. "Dr.
Cameron is using the second XK4 robot to guard the laboratory and his 
new creature. He is a far more advanced model then the one you put to 
ret here." 

"I would still like to get a closer look at that creature before we
destroy it," said Jessica. "The Space Association will be very 
interested in knowing were something like this came from." 

"I would say it came out of the Black Hole that Janet was observing Miss
Jessica," replied Tommy. "She did say that there was a great deal of 
activity there before the metier shower." 

"Yes, that is true," said Jessica. "The strange space craft that docked
here and left the D.N.A. samples may also be hiding there.  But first 
we must      make our way back to Dr. Cameron's laboratory and be on 
guard especially for that new XK4 robot." 

"I should be able to handle him all right Miss Jessica," said Tommy. "I
still have a few tricks up my sleeve." 

As the three young women and the android made their way through the
gloom of the passageway a sudden thud of one of Tommy's explosive 
charges could be heard. This was followed by another and then the sound 
of an alarm bell. 

"They have sounded the general alarm," said Janet coming to a halt. "Now
every security robot on the space station will be searching for us." 

"In that case we had better make tracks for the laboratory," said
Jessica. "It will not be too pleasant if we are captured." 

Page 20 

In a few minutes they approached another brightly lit area of the space
station. Two security robots stood guard beside a large steel door that 
was marked with a "Restricted Area Keep Out" sign. 

"Behind that door is the laboratory," said Carol. "Our only problem is
the two friends of Dr. Came    ron that are parked outside." 

"You just leave those two little beauties to Miss Jessica and me miss
Carol," said Tommy drawing his blaster. "We shall make short work of 
them." 

Tommy and Jessica moved into the shadows of the passageway and began to
slowly creep towards the robots. When they were about 30 feet from the 
androids they both fired their blasters at point blank range. The two 
robots crumbled and fell to the floor as the laser beams hit their mark 
leaving nothing but twisted metal and plastic. Jessica then signaled to 
Janet and Carol that the coast was clear and to join them. 

"Now we must be on guard for that new XK4 robot that may be lurking
about," said Jessica. "It may pay us a rather nasty surprise if we are 
not vigilant." 

They found the laboratory to be a large well lit room that contained two
long tables upon which lay an array of glass tubing and flasks. Along 
one wall stood an enormous steel tank with a glass viewing window on 
its entry door. The vessel was filled with a swirling     purple vapor 
and looming inside the mist was a large object.. 

"My God look at the size of the thing," said Janet. "Our blasters will
never stop anything as big as that." 

"Yes, you are right Janet," said Jessica. "We will have to find another
way." 

Suddenly the muffled voice of Dr. Cameron could be heard at the
laboratory door and the three young women and the android quickly hid 
behind some large packing cases. The laboratory door opened and both 
Dr. Cameron and Dr. Oliver entered the room. 

Page 21 

"I am very concerned about the creature's development Dr. Oliver. said
Dr. Cameron. "You see how large he has grown in the past six hours. He 
now almost fills the new tank that I have made for him. Have you 
anything that will stop his growth?" 

"No, not really," she replied. "But there is one type of steroid that I
have not yet tried. But an injection of that could be very risky for it 
is a powerful drug. I just need more time to study his D.N.A. 
structure." 

More time is something that we do not     have my dear," he said. "If
that thing breaks free of the tank we will all be dead and he will have 
complete control of the space station. After that God knows what he 
will do." 

"In that case the steroid injection is our only hope," she replied. "I
will liquefy a dose of the drug and pump it into the tank with the gas 
that he breaths." 

Dr. Oliver moved to one of the long tables and within a few minutes had
a bluish green liquid that lay in one of the glass flasks bubbling and 
giving off a reddish green gas. The vapor began to move through a 
twisted length of glass tubing that had a coolant running through it 
towards a thin length of rubber conduit that Dr. Oliver had connected 
to an outlet on the side of the tank. 

"I hope that this drug will impede the creatures growth," she said
peering at the bluish green liquid as it continued to bubble. "It 
should also make the beast more docile so that I will have time to 
study his D.N.A. makeup." 

"I have also just learned that Miss Simms has escaped from ou    r
punishment cells," said Dr. Cameron. "Our new robot Ortega was found 
blown to bits by one of the security androids. A general alarm has been 
put out for her and she will pay for what she has done." 

"She cannot get far on this space station," said Dr. Oliver. "I would
send out the second XK9 android to search for her. He will locate her 
in no time and deal out all the punishment that young minx can handle." 


Page 22 

"I shall see to it," he replied. "And how is the injection of the
steroid going?" 

"It seems to be proceeding all right," she said. "The steroid gas should
now be mixing with the vapor in his tank. We should know within an hour 
or so if there is any reaction." 

"I don't think the new steroid that Dr. Oliver is trying will impede the
growth of the creature," whispered Carol from her hiding place. "It may 
just make him angry and want to escape from the tank." 

"In that case we may have to destroy the space station to be rid of
him," said Jessica. "I think that Tommy should set out some     
explosive charges in case we have to." 

Dr. Oliver moved closer to the observation window of the tank to get a
closer view of the creature. The steroid vapor had been entering the 
steel cylinder and mixing with the other gasses for about fifteen 
minutes and seemed to be having some effect on the creature.  He had 
suddenly become quite agitated and began to bang on the steel door with 
his razor sharp claws. When this had no effect he began to rock the 
chamber back and forth in an attempt to topple it. Suddenly a loud 
crash was heard as the large observation window finally gave way to one 
of the creatures blows and a large reptilian from emerged from the 
mist. 

"No, no, get back," cried Dr. Oliver scampering out of the way of the
creatures claws as he approached her. "We are your friends and want to 
help you." 

The creature stood well over 10 feet tall and looked like some beast
that roamed the Earth in the prehistoric age. He had the head, scales, 
and tail of some gigantic alligator  but stood upright l    ike an 
ancient dinosaur. He also had two enormous razor sharp claws that he 
flayed wildly at the young doctor as she continued to back away. 

"Our blasters may slow him down a little," said Jessica getting to her
feet. "Tommy, you arm your explosive charges with as long a time fuse 
as possible and you 

Page 23 

two stay close to me. We will have to make it back to the cargo ship as
quickly as possible." 

As Jessica finished speaking the laboratory door opened and Dr. Cameron
entered followed by the second XK4 robot. The creature seeing two more 
alien forms backed off on his advance on Dr. Oliver and began to assess 
this new situation. 

"The creature must return to its tank immediately," barked the metallic
voice of the android as it began to advance on the beast. "The creature 
must return to its tank immediately." 

"Android XK4 get back here immediately," cried Dr. Cameron moving closer
to the creature! "He will rip you to shreds with those claws of his." 

The robot seemed not to hear the direct o    rder and continued to
advance on the creature. The beast sensing that he was being threatened 
let out a low growl and moved forwards his razor sharp claws  lashing 
out in the direction of the advancing android. The robot managed to 
side step the first two vicious blows but the third caught him mid 
section almost tearing him in half and leaving him a mass of twisted 
wire and plastic. Dr. Cameron seeing the android go down attempted to 
rush to his said forgetting that the creature was waiting for him 

"Please let me help you," said Dr. Cameron once more advancing on the
creature. "Go back into your tank and quiet down." 

The passionate plea from Dr. Cameron seemed to calm the creature for a
moment for he took a few steps back towards the smashed window of the 
tank. then suddenly he turned and letting out a low growl he sprang at 
the advancing doctor slashing at him with his razor sharp claws. Dr. 
Oliver screamed as the second blow caught the doctor's right arm 
ripping it to shreds. this was followed by a th    ird and forth more 
deadly blow that left poor Dr. Cameron quite dead and laying in a pool 
of blood. 

"The timers are all set Miss Jessica," said Tommy drawing his blaster.
"We have about twenty minutes to get back to our ship." 

Page 24 

"Good," she replied also drawing her blaster. "You all keep close
together and follow Tommy and me." 

The creature began to sense three possibly four alien life forms moving
about the laboratory but could not determine their exact location. He 
watched and listened for a few moments more and then began to slowly 
make his way towards the exit door. Suddenly he stopped detecting 
movement off to his right and placing all his senses on high alert once 
more scanned the laboratory. 

"He knows that we are here," whispered Jessica coming to a sudden halt.
"But he doesn't know exactly were we are. Everyone keep perfectly still 
and perhaps he will not find us." 

The creature continued to scan the laboratory for any alien life form
but could not detect any movement. He knew th    at they were somewhere 
in the laboratory and was determined that they would not leave alive. 
They would have to pass through the exit door to vacate the premises he 
thought and it would be a simple matter to guard the door at all cost. 
He then slipped into the shadows to wait. 

"The creature is guarding the exit door to prevent our escape Miss
Jessica," whispered Tommy. "I can just make him out hiding in the 
shadows along the right wall." 

"Do you think that you could distract our little friend for a moment or
two Tommy," said Jessica? "We need time to get through that door." 

"I may have something that may do the trick Miss Jessica," he replied.
"Just leave everything to me." 

Tommy selected one of his newly developed flash explosive charges and a
smoke grenade from his array of demolition equipment. The flash charge 
would startle the creature and not do too much damage to the room wile 
the smoke grenade would give them the cover to escape. 

Page 25 

"These two little beauties is all we need," he     said. "Just be ready
to go when the fun starts." 

Tommy quickly moved a little closer to were the creature lay hiding and
tossed his flash charge directly at the beast. It went off with a 
bright yellow flash and loud bang that startled the creature for a 
moment. The android then lobbed in the smoke grenade which when it went 
off instantly filled the room with thick bluish red smoke. 

"Now is our chance," cried Jessica! "Move out and everyone stay close to
me." 

The creature lay stunned for a moment but quickly regained his senses.
He hastily scanned the room and detected movement through the exit door 
and into the passage.  Letting out a low growl he fought his way 
through the smoke and into the passageway finding nothing. 

Dr. Oliver stood over the slashed body of Dr. Cameron and shook her
head. "He was a brilliant man," she thought throwing a used lab coat 
over his remains. "He will be missed by the world of science, killed by 
a creature he was trying to help. But perhaps his experiments had gone 
t    oo far. The creature was definably out of control and must be 
stopped for if he  was allowed to escape from the space station there 
would be no end to the amount of damage he would do." She made her way 
to a store room that lay adjacent to the laboratory and selected half a 
dozen stun grenades and a spare blaster that she had put away for safe 
keeping. Perhaps she could put an end to this terror that had murdered 
her friend and mentor. 

"We were lucky to give that creature the slip Miss Jessica," said Tommy
as they continued down the dark passage. "In all my travels in the 
galaxy I have never seen a brute as ugly and as vicious as that one. 
But were but in some region of Hell would he have come from?" 

"I would say out of the newly discover Black Hole," she replied. "But we
are not out of the woods yet for that creature is bound to be after 
us." 

"Yes, and we also have Dr. Cameron's security robots to contend with,"
added 

Page 26 

Janet. "Don't forget a general alarm has been put out for Carol and I   
 and every android on the space station will be on the lookout for us." 


The creature was indeed in hot pursuit of the trio scanning every inch
of the passageway for any sign of human life. "I must eliminate these 
annoying homosapans at any cost," he thought coming to a halt at a long 
dark area of the passage that was littered with rubbish. "I will then 
be able to go on with the next stage of my master plan." 

Carol Simms made her way slowly down the darkened passage her blaster
clutched firmly in her right hand. She had fallen back away from 
Jessica and the others due to the fact that the long session she had 
spent in the punishment cells was beginning to have an effect on the 
poor girl. Suddenly she detected some movement in the darkness to the 
left of her which was followed by a low growl causing the young girl to 
come a sudden halt. She listened for a moment and then tried to peer 
into the gloom that surrounded her but could hear or see nothing. With 
her blaster still clutched firmly in her right hand     and ready to 
fire at a moments notice she continued once more down the darkened 
passage. 

Approximately four hundred yards to the rear of were the young girl
stood Dr. Oliver was also making her way through the darkness. She too 
had heard the low growl of of the creature and now had increased her 
pace more determined then ever to put an end to this diabolical brute 
that she had helped to create. As she approached the landing bay she 
caught a glimpse of the beast waiting in ambush for the young girl to 
pass. She quickly fished out three stun grenades and proceeded to arm 
them as Carol slowly approached. 

"Carol, to the right of you the creature," she cried lobbing one of the
grenades! "Get into the darkness so that he can't see you!" 

The explosion from the percussion grenade startled the creature for a
moment but did no great harm. The blast could be heard all along the 
passage and out onto the landing bay  alerting Jessica and the others 
that the creature was near. 

"Carol has wondering away from us,    " said Janet moving quickly to the
entrance to the passage. "We must find her before the creature does." 

Page 27 

"Yes, but we must hurry," said Jessica. "Tommy's explosives are set and
this whole space station will blow in under ten minutes." 

The two young women and the android quickly entered the passageway as a
second explosion was heard.They made their way to its source and found 
Dr. Oliver and Carol engaged in battling the creature with stun 
grenades and blasters. They weren't inflicting much harm on the beast 
other then keeping him at bay and making him angry. 

"Janet, Jessica," said Carol from were she stood in the shadows arming
her last grenade. "I am glad to see you. That creature almost had me 
had it not been for Dr. Oliver and these few percussion grenades that 
she had brought along. Have you anything that will stop that beast?" 

"I think that stopping him may be a little difficult at this point in
time Miss Carol," said Tommy. "But I may be able to slow him down a 
little with these smo    ke and incendiary charges that I have left. It 
may give us enough time to make a getaway." 

"Yes, that seems to be our only chance of escape," said Jessica. "We
will try and give you as much covering fire as we can before we make a 
break for the landing bay." 

Tommy moved quickly getting as close to the creature as he could the
moment the four young women opened fire. The android positioned himself 
so that he could lob his explosives with ease and still be able to make 
an escape when he had to. 

The blaster fire did no great damage to the beast but did hold his
attention and make him angry. ÔThese pitiful humans,' he thought as he 
lay in the darkness. ÔI shall destroy every last one of them.' 

Tommy tossed this first incendiary charge almost directly at the
creature. It went off with a flash of red and yellow flame that lit up 
a good deal of the passageway. The explosion and subsequent fire drove 
the beast back some thirty to fifty yards but he soon regained his 
composure and moved quickly after the p    erpetrator. His second 
charge was a direct hit which he followed with two smoke grenades that 
plunged the 

Page 28 

passage into a thick black vapor., This made what visibility that there
was almost impossible and he quickly made his way through the mist to 
the landing bay. 

"I can't believe we all made it," said Carol as she moved towards the
cargo ship. "When I found myself in that darkened passageway I thought 
that it was over for me. If it wasn't for Dr. Oliver that beast would 
have had me. I owe her my life." 

"If we don't get out of here fast it will be the end to all of us," said
Jessica. "This space station is about to blow so I suggest we move and 
move quickly." 

Tommy started the rocket engine to the ship and maneuvered the craft
skillfully away from the space station. The four young women stood at 
the viewing screen of the ship and peered at the space station as it 
grew smaller and smaller. Suddenly a bright  flash of reds, yellow, and 
green was seen as the space station erupted into an inf    erno. 

"That should be the end of our little friend," said Janet turning away
from the screen. "But what will become of that mysterious space craft 
that Carol and I saw?" 

"The Star Ship Troopers will look after it Miss Janet," replied Tommy.
"I contacted them as soon as we cleared the space station an gave them 
its location. They will follow that craft into the Black Hole if 
necessary." 

"It is a shame that the Star Ship Troopers have to destroy that space
craft," said Dr. Oliver. "To think what we c   /ould have learned of 
the creature and the civilization in which he belongs." 

"Yes, I suppose we could," said Jessica. "And perhaps in time we will
encounter other beings similar to the one we have just destroyed. But 
our only hope is that they are friendly and not intent on taking over 
our planet." 

The End 


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