ALIENS: VOYAGE IN TIME  

Chapter One

       Two hundred and fifty miles off the coast of Virginia, in the year 2,068, Lt. Mike Stall quickly enters entry file number 175.36 on his personal computer: Our elite squad of twenty five marines are in fierce pursuit of a new breed of aliens that I have labeled S.H.A.L. (submersible hostile alien life form). The S.H.A.L. are a resourceful bunch. With the ability to survive on land as well as underwater, these aliens have been skillfully retreating for over a period of two months.  We’ve been following the S.H.A.L. from Norfolk to here --- the middle of nowhere --- when the aliens decided to dive, so we followed the bastards (bad idea). During the underwater chase, we managed to lose Lt. Kastov’s squad to an acid spill initiated by the Queen. But we have the ugly mothers on the run once more.  And now, the aliens seem to be heading toward the Bermuda Triangle. The bad thing is the triangle has been experiencing a load of tropical storms. Such a venture could probe to be costly. End entry.

       “Lt. Stall, Sir, the Triangle is just ahead.  If those creatures decide to surface during the storm I can’t guarantee that we will keep up with them.” Stg. Wu says, his eyes as wide open as the sea around us.

       “Yes, I know,” The LT., replies, keeping a watchful eye on the radar screen in front of him. “Enable the targeting systems, I want a clear shot on the aliens before they get an  opportunity to surface.”

       “Laser torpedoes on line and ready to blast off, Lt.,” the young Corporal Able announces.

       “Good, commence firing on the aliens at once,” the Lt., orders. The Cornerstone jolts backward as a vast number of blazing white bolts stampede towards their targets.

       “Sergeant Wu, the S.H.A.L. are splitting up, some heading back towards the Cornerstone and the others toward the surface,” Corporal Able says, holding on for his life to the control panels.

       “Lt., I do believe they want a fight,” Sergeant Wu says, with an smile on his face. “Tired of running are they?  Good I’m tired of chasing them.”

       “Track both parties and prepare for another torpedo blast. Direct most of the firepower toward the incoming party.

       “What is the status of the first torpedo blast?” The Lt. asks.

       “Three confirmed kills sir,” the gunner, private first class Ben Jackson replies.

       “Commence firing when ready, gunner Jackson,” Sergeant Wu hollers.

       Once again the Cornerstone rocks back, unloading the second round of torpedoes.

       Silence creeps over the control chamber.  Suddenly, on all the radar monitors, a quick flash of light appears and the three signals that had been racing toward the Cornerstone quickly disappear.

       “Direct hit, Sergeant!  Three more confirmed kills!” Jackson informs the Sergeant.

       “Excellent,” the Sergeant Turns to the Lt., “three more confirmed kills, Sir.”

       Lt. Stall smirks as the control chamber is filled with the joyful cheers of the crewmen onboard.

       “What's the status of the surfacing S.H.A.L.?” Stall asks

       “Radar indicates that the five aliens have surfaced and are now bearing due west. They’re apparently heading back to the mainland, Lt.,” Jackson tells him.

       “Follow them. We can’t afford to lose them now. If those things reach the mainland again, there will be no telling what could occur.

       “Sergeant Wu,” Wu turns around, signaling for Corporal Able, “ready the Marines for a surface assault, Corporal Able.”

       “You heard the man, Marines, lets move it!”

Meanwhile on the turbulent surface above the Cornerstone, something begins to brew in the air above the violent waves. All of a sudden a bolt of brilliant energy rips open the dark air and smashes into the ocean, nearly missing the aliens. The water around the aliens begin to churn and spin. Faster and faster. Resultantly, the aliens are drawn skyward into a mysterious spout of seawater, wind, and electromagnetic energy.

       While just below the surface of the ocean, the Cornerstone continues its chase upwards, unsuspicious to the situation occurring above.

       “Sergeant, I’ve lost radar contact with the bugs,” the gunner reports. “I’m not getting their signals anymore.”

       “That’s ludicrous!  Get those things back on line, and fast soldier!” Sergeant Wu hollers.

       “What’s the problem, Wu?” Lt. Stalls asks.

       “We’ve lost radar contact with the bugs, Sir.  The current atmospheric conditions are causing havoc with the radar signals.”

       “How much longer till we reach the surface?”

       “E.T.A. Jackson,” Sergeant Wu orders him.

       “Two minutes, Sergeant, “ Jackson quickly answers.

       “Any contact with the S.H.A.L., Jackson?” The Lt. asks, his eyes peeled to the gunner’s radar screen.

       “None yet, Sir.”

       “Continue searching for them.” Stall turns to the Sergeant and asks, “Are your men ready?”

       “Yes, Sir”

       “Good.”

       As the Cornerstones continues to rise toward the surface, it is forced violently to the left. And then back the other direction. And then back to the left. Over and over again.

       While inside the Cornerstone, the sudden left to right and right to left movements are stirring the marines into a mild frenzy.

       “What’s going on, Wu? The Lt. asks, doing his best to remain balanced.

       “Jackson?” Wu growls to his gunner.

       “The Cornerstone’s trapped in some sort of electromagnetic field. Our radar screens are going haywire—" A sudden push forward is followed by the lights of the cabin extinguishing themselves.  Finally all is quiet, except for the complaints of the crew and the water-rushing pass the Cornerstones as it continues to ascend.

       “We’ve lost all power Sergeant Wu.” The gunner informs them, breaking the silence.

       “Bring it back!” Wu hollers at him.

       “Do we have auxiliary power, Gunner Jackson?”

       “I’ve tried, Sir, but no dice. That’s been zapped, too.”

       “I have a bad feeling about this, Sergeant?” Stall says.