Premonition 2: The Battle for Earth

Chapter #9: Cryogenium

***Elsewhere on Mecha Station, The Docks***

As Hella pulled into the parking lot of the docks, Duke hopped into the back of the van and pulled out Hella’s investigation backpack. He gave it to her, with some hesitation.

“What’s up?” Hella asked.

“So, what exactly are we looking for? You weren’t really clear about our goals; coming here today. We’ve already done a look at the docks before….you really think we’ll find another clue?” At this Hella smiled and spoke up.

“Actually I didn’t want to notify the group because my inkling to come back to the docks were based off of nothing concrete…..,” Hella explained. As the two walked into the docks, they noticed the operator wave at them and immediately let them in. “I called in ahead of time to let them know we were coming back. Anyway to answer your question….the reason I wanted to come back to the docks was because I remembered the ship Zeta society used had cryo pods.”

Walking over to the entrance of Zeta’s society’s original ship, Hella and Duke opened the hatch and shimmied inside. Just as they reached the cockpit of the ship, Hella looked at Duke and continued her explanation.

“The cryo pods of modern ships we use at Mecha Station are linear and fairly new. However…” she said as they beckoned Duke to follow her. They began walking down the line to the back of the ship where the cryo pods were. “Old ships such as this, if per say they contain cryo pods -  have consequently old pod designs. So much so, that staying in those cryo pods for extended periods of time would result in the inhabitant of the pod to contract cryogenium.”

“What’s cryogenium?” Duke asked as they arrived at the cryo pods near the back of the ship.

“Cryogenium, is our ticket to finding Zeta society. We surmised that Zeta society arrived here from Zeta Station, but they spent a very long time at light speed travel – almost two years. There is no way that Stryker would allow his entire crew to endure that length of travel – without cryo sleep. So, my assumption is that he used the cryo pods of his ship,” Hella said as she knelt down and took out the contents of her backpack. As she worked, using temperature measuring tools, she continued after a moment of analysis. “It’s as I surmised, the pods here are leaking cryogenium. Inhabitants of the pod would have contracted it.”

“But how would cryogenium lead to us finding Zeta society?” Duke asked as he leaned on the wall of the ship, watching his teammate intently.

“Because cryogenium causes extreme cold temperatures in its contracted hosts for at least 60 days. There is no way anyone would be able to function on that level of cold without the need for artificial warmth…” Hella explained further.

“I see what you’re saying now….and I think I know where your going. We sell artificial heated blankets for this specific reason – especially this deep into space,” Duke said.

“Exactly, we should tell the communications specialist to monitor for any acquisition of heated blankets. The station is well heated as is, and most, if not everyone is already acclimated,” Hella said.

“Except for Zeta society!” Duke exclaimed.

“Exactly,” Hella said.

“Good on you Hella, I’ll radio Sarah now….” Duke said as he reached for his radio.