AfterLife

Chapter 2

Logan was too excited to sleep, in a few hours him and 50 others will be on a drop ship heading down to Earth. The World Leaders made an announcement the other day about what they found and how a small team was being sent down. Everyone celebrated and cried for the discovery, their going to broadcast the launch for the whole station to see.

Logan looks over to see Angel sleeping soundly, she looked so beautiful. A little tear ran down his cheek, he was going to miss her. He played with a neckless around his neck, Angel gave it to him a few hours ago. It was a gold heart locket with a picture of her in it, it also read “Love you forever”.

Logan snuggled down with his head on Angels bare chest listening to her breathing and heartbeat. He eventually fell asleep.

Beep…Beep…Beep

Logan groaned and turned off the Alarm, he kissed Angel on the forehead.

They both got up and got dressed, Angel started tearing up.

They hugged each other for a while, then Logan spoke.

“I promise I’ll work as fast as I can so the rest of you can come down.”

Angel looked up and smiled,

“Call me everyday ok.”

Logan nodded.

They walked out of his quarters and down the hall, all his bags were already on the drop ship along with all the supplies. He saw a crowd of people, they all clapped when they saw him. Few people shook his hand, hugged him, and kissed his forehead.

His other best friend Chris walked up and hugged him, Chris had sandy shaggy hair, fair skin, well toned body, and big green eyes.

“Good luck man.”

“Thanks, do me a favor, look after Angel for me ok.”

Logan said holding Angel tight.

Chris nodded.

“Of course man.”

He saw his team standing behind the World Leaders, Logan gave Angel one final kiss then stood with his team.

“Today is a historic day, these brave souls will be returning to Earth after 75 years. Today we all pray you have a safe landing and that Earth is livable again. Let’s pray we all can return home!! God Speed!!”

Said the England Leader, everyone cheered and clapped.

Logan and his team entered the ship, Logan turned around and blew a kiss to Angel. He saw his dad, he nodded at Logan and Logan nodded back.

Everyone took their seats, Connor sat down next to Logan.

“I couldn’t sleep last night I was so excited!”

Connor said buckling the 5 point harness.

“Me too dude, any idea how long it will be till we touch down?”

Logan asked tightening his buckles.

Connor shrugged,

“I think they said about 20 minutes, depends on the grey cloud no one knows how thick it is.”

After everyone was strapped in, two soldiers double checked everyone making sure they were buckled in correctly and tight.

“Ok everyone here we go launch in 5..4..3..2..1”

As soon as the pilot said one the ship shook,

“Ok we are safely detached from The Nautilus, we should be there in about 20 minutes, in the mean time sit back and enjoy the ride.”

The ship shook and bumped a little here and there, fear and excitement filled Logan. He couldn’t believe he was actually going to Earth, he’s read books and saw pictures of Earth. He loved listening to stories from his Grandfather about Earth before leaving for The Nautilus. His Grandfather told him about the oceans and how they covered most of the Earths surface, how they’ve discovered more space then the actual ocean. He would try to describe the smells on Earth, how they don’t compare to the artificial smells on the station. He would go on and on about flowers and how Logans grandmother had a beautiful garden of every flower. Logan’s Grandmother had to be terminated when Logan was little, she developed alzheimer's. It broke his grandfathers heart.

“Alright, we are about to enter the Grey then next stop the ground!”

Logan took a deep breath, he held on tight to the bars on his seat.

Suddenly a loud explosion, the lights went out and a loud horn was going off.

“What is happening? What was that?”

The ship started shaking violently, it was pitch black.

Logan couldn’t do anything but hold on tight and breath, terror filled his body. He couldn’t see anything, all he could hear was everyone screaming. A red light filled the room, just enough to see everyone crying and hold on to their seats. Logan can hear Connor saying a pray next to him.

When all of a sudden Logan heard a crash and everything went black and silent.

Logan was laying on the ground, his hearing was disoriented.

“Put out the fire!”

He heard one voice, he smelt burning.

He slowly opened his eyes, he saw Connor trying to put out a fire with an extinguisher. Emergency glow sticks lit the room, just enough to see. A sharp pain radiated from his forehead, he touched it. He breathed sharply, he looked at his fingers covered in blood. He heard screaming, he looked around to see a few people covered in blood, some pinned under broken pieces of the ship.

Connor got the fires under control, he saw Logan trying to get up.

“Take it easy, you got hit really hard.”

Connor said helping Logan to the sitting position.

Connor ripped off a part of his shirt and placed it on Logan’s forehead, Logan applied pressure to his wound.

“What happened?”

Connor shook his head,

“Have no idea, we haven’t been able to get into the cockpit. The door is sealed which probably means the ship broke in half, we’re trying to get everyone under control and help the wounded before we try to see if the outside is toxic or not.”

Logan nodded, he looked around to see the 3 doctors that came were heavy at work helping people. After Logan got his wound under control he went around helping, he knew basic medical from his time in the military.

After everyone was attended to Logan went to find the command for the ship to see if the outside was toxic or not. Logan picked up a glow stick and looked around for the ships tablet, no luck.

“Are the radiation suits still functional?”

Logan asked.

One of the scientists nodded her head,

“Yes they are still intact.”

“Ok everyone suit up, help the injured into their suits.”

Everyone got into the radiation suits, Logan walked up to the big drop door. He took a deep breath and pushed the button, the door slowly dropped down. A bright blinding light made Logan cover his eyes, he quickly blinked his eyes to adjust. How can it be so bright with the Grey surrounding Earth? The question quickly disappeared when his eyes adjusted, everything was so green. Trees, bushes, grass, rocks, and more. Logan slowly walked out of the ship, he can feel the uneven ground under him as he walked on the rocks. He looked at his suit to see the readings, no radiation. Logan grabbed his helmet and slowly twisted it off, a loud hiss escaped. He slowly pulled the helmet off and took a deep breath, he filled his lungs with the scent of pine and dirt. The air smelt crisp and fresh unlike the air on The Nautilus, Logan closed his and felt the light breeze brush his face. Every else on the ship took off their helmet and breathed the air.

“This is unbelievable, can’t believe Earth was habitable this whole time. Looks like Earth fixed itself after the remaining people died off.”

Connor said pulling off the rest of his suit.

“We’ll I wouldn’t say it’s 100% habitable yet, we still don’t know what the radiation has done to most of the planet or the water source if there is any. Right now let’s set up base and try to get the radio up and working so we can contact The Nautilus. Maybe they know what happened and need to know we’re alive.”

Logan said removing his suit, he took off the radiation reader and clipped it around his wrist. Some people started to set up tents, they started using the ship as a medical bay and storage for supplies. Logan walked around the ship to see the whole front of the ship was missing, it looked like a bomb exploded cause the ship to rip in two. He had to find the other half of the ship, the cockpit had the radio in it. Logan walked back to where everyone was setting up camp, Connor was talking with a few people who looked worried.

Connor walked up to Logan rubbing his head,

“We have a problem man, half our supplies were damaged or destroyed in the explosion. Half our food, water, medical, weapons, everything.”

Logan signed,

“Yea the front of the ship is missing, we have to go find it we need that radio. We can radio the The Nautilus and maybe they can send us down more supplies.”

Connor nodded,

“I’ll get a few soldiers together and we’ll head out in 10.”

Logan nodded.

Logan looked around taking in the scenery, it was breathtaking. It was better then Logan imaged, the colors are so vibrant and the smells are unbelievable. He reached out and touched the leafs on the trees, it was smooth to the touch. Connor came back with a few soldiers who still had their weapons.

“Ok we’re ready to go.”

Connor said throwing a duffel bag over his shoulder, he handed the extra one to Logan.

Logan threw it over his shoulder,

“Ok everyone listen up, we’re going to find the other half of the ship. We need the radio to contact The Nautilus to find out what happened and to send more supplies. In the mean time build up camp, do not wonder. I know everything looks exciting but we still don’t know if there’s radiation pockets. We’ll be back soon, can all the mechanics and engineers come to me please.”

8 people walked up to Logan,

“While we’re gone can you guys look at the ship and find out what caused the explosion.”

Logan whispered.

The 8 people nodded and started for the front of the ship. Logan, Connor and the military men went in the direction of all the debris.

“Here one of the men handed this to me but I don’t know how to use it.”

Connor said handing Logan a pistol.

“Thanks, this is incredible. Look at all these trees. But how is it so bright when the whole planet is covered by the Grey?”

Connor shrugged,

“Maybe the Grey is reflecting the sun off of its self sending some rays down here. That’s the only way all these plants could grow with out the suns rays directly.”

Logan nodded, they walked through the forest. It was quite and peaceful, made Logan a little sad realizing there most likely wasn’t any wild life. He read in books and stories by the Elders about birds living in the trees and they made whistle noises. They also said there was what they called little critters that would run around the forest floor like, squirrels, mice, foxes, bunny’s, snakes and more. Logan was really hoping to see some specially a deer or a moose, even some of the more dangerous animals like a bear or a wolf. Logan was just glad to be alive on the ground, he kept checking his reader to see if there was any radiation in the area.

They came to a clearing, Logan saw smoke coming from the other side of the clearing.

“There, that must be the other half of the ship.”

He said pointing to the smoke, a loud roar came behind them. Everyone turned around to see a big black bear with its skin half melted off, it’s face was half gone. It’s eyes were a milky white, it started charging at them. Everyone started shooting at it but it wasn’t going down, it swung it’s giant paw hitting one of the military men sending them flying threw the air like a doll hitting the trees with a loud crack.

Logan aimed his pistol but it just clicked, empty.

The bear made eye contact with Logan and charged, Logan barely rolled out of the way. Everyone was still trying to take it down, Logan ran for the rifle of the soldier who was hit into the trees. Logan took aim as the bear charged at him and shot it in the eye, it went down and slid to a stop at Logan’s feet.

Logan sighed with relief then quick covered his nose and mouth. A nasty gross smell came off the body, it was making him gage.

“What is it?”

One of the soldiers asked pulling his shirt over his nose.

“It was what looks like a black bear, with that being said we’re most likely in North America. But it’s odd, from what I learned about black bears is their typically not aggressive. Their more afraid of people and normally aren’t this big, it looks like it’s… mutated.”

Said one of the female soldiers.

“We’ll whatever it was it killed Rick, let’s go get this f*****g radio so we can bring back his body and bury it.”

Said the lead soldier, Kyle.

Logan nodded. They wrapped Rick up in a blanket and covered him in branches.

“We’ll come back for him after we get the radio, let’s go before we see another one.”

Logan said walking across the clearing.

They came to the middle of the clearing, it went down hill to a giant lake with the rest of the ship in the middle of it.

“Water! There’s still water on Earth!”

Yelled Connor.

“Wait don’t touch it, we don’t know if it’s toxic.”

Logan said grabbing Connors arm before a ran down to it.

Logan looked at his reader, he saw a very small reading of radiation.

“But that could be from the ship, here I have a kit in my bag I’ll test the water.”

Connor said taking off his bag, he pulled out a little kit. He put on some gloves and very carefully dipped a small vile in the water filling it halfway. He put in two drops of a clear liquid and swirled it around, the water went blue then clear.

“See it’s safe, no radiation.”

Logan nodded.

“Ok, you 4 stay here watch the area. The rest of us will go on the ship, we’ll find the radio and whatever supplies that aren’t damaged.”

The 4 soldiers nodded and spread out looking around.

Logan, Connor and the other soldiers slowly made their way to the ship. The water was cold, it went up the Logans chest. They climbed up into the big opening caused by the explosion, half the ship was under water.

There were a few crates that looked undamaged,

“Take those and bring them outside, I’ll keep looking for the radio.”

Logan pointed to the crates, Connor and the other soldiers grabbed the crates and carried them out of the ship.

Logan took a deep breath and went under the water, he made his way to the front. He found the radio, he tied pulling it out of the control panel.

He pulled it out, a dead body floated in front of Logan’s face. It was the pilot, his face was half burnt and one of his eyes was popped out of its socket. Logan backed up, when something caught his eye past the pilot. It looked like a black figure watching him outside the ship under water, it had what looked like goggles and a black hood.

Logan’s lungs started to ache, he quickly swam to the surface. He gasp for air, he made his way out of the ship with the radio.

He quickly swam to the shoreline,

“There was something in the water,”

Logan said panting,

“It had goggles and was wearing black, it looked like a person.”

The soldiers chuckled,

“You hit your head pretty hard on the ship, your seeing things dude. It probably was debris from the ship.”

Connor said pulling out alcohol wipes and fresh gaze, he cleaned Logan’s head wound.

Logan winched,

“It looked so real though.”

Logan looked at the radio, it was damaged from the water.

“Maybe one of the mechanics or engineers can see if they can fix it.”

Logan put it in his bag, he helped pick up the supplies that weren’t ruined and they headed back to camp. It looked like it was starting to get dark, so there was still nighttime on the planet. They made it back to Ricks body, one of the soldiers threw him over his shoulder and carried him back to camp. They got back just in time, it got very dark. The people who stayed behind had some lanterns set up lighting the camp, everyone cheered when they saw Logan and the others with supplies. Then they stopped when they saw Ricks lifeless body wrapped up in a blanket.

“What happened?”

Said one of the soldiers.

“We got attacked by a mutated black bear, there seems to be some animals that survived the radiation but made them crazy and really hard to kill. We light it up with lead but it still didn’t go down, it didn’t even slow it down till Logan shot it in the head. It was like those very old Earth movies we used to watch, what were they called?”

Said Kyle rubbing his head.

“Zombies.”

Said a female scientist. Whispers filled the camp.

“It’s ok, we will take the scraps from the ship and build a wall around us. I found the radio but it’s damaged from water, does anyone what to try and fix it?”

“I will!”

Said the same female scientist who mentioned zombies.

“You um..”

Logan said not know her name.

“Amy.”

Logan nodded and handed her the radio, Logan grabbed Connors arm and pulled him aside.

“That pistol you gave me, who gave it to you?”

Logan whispered.

Connor looked over at Ricks body and nodded,

“It was Rick why?”

Logan looked over at the body,

“It was empty, why would he give you an empty gun?”

Connor shrugged,

“Maybe he didn’t know it was empty.”

Logan grunted,

“Something doesn’t feel right, the ship exploding and Rick giving you an empty gun, it feels like someone is…”

Connor looked at him,

“Is what?”

Logan looked around the camp,

“Trying to sabotage our mission.”