Fusion: Checkmate

WAAARKK!! WAAARRRRKK!!

Both Mikey and I squawked with terror like parrots in a Peruvian Aviary as the Alien face leered out of the plastic curtain toward us.

It made a muted honking noise, like some terrible alien goose monster.

I thrust Mikey at it to buy me some time. He fell at its feet, squawking and flapping his limbs about. Damn, I wished I had bought a spoon so I had some way of fighting back against this foul beast from the very depths of Space.

The Alien honked again then pulled a rubbery hand-like thing up to its head and started tugging at the side of its face. I squeaked in slow motion like a rusty hinge as it jiggled and pulled before its face came sliding clean off with a sucking noise.

My bladder having fought so bravely against the urge to empty itself gave out and relinquished a couple of drops of terror whiskey into my pants.

Mikey had gone silent and I realised I had my eyes closed. I opened one a tiny bit

The faceless thing was leaning over poor Mikey, obviously to feed.

I pushed backward and ran up the stairs.

So long Mikey, looks like you won't have to worry about Prison bread anymore.

I got out of the building at double speed, settling down in the cafe nearby with a triple-shot. This case was getting too hot. I slammed the java down my neck and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

Rack me up another triple, will ya sweetcheeks?

Tattoo girl with the ratty arm muscles behind the counter nodded and set to it.

You look like you have seen a ghost.

She giggled.

Yeah.

I took the second coffee from her and drank it a little more slowly than the first.

I've seen some things. Poked some holes. It ain't always pretty when you see what comes flying out.

She looked me up and down appreciatively.

I hear you. Hey, listen, I am heading out the back for a smoke. Fancy a puff?

She surreptitiously pulled something cigarette'y looking from her shirt pocket before sliding it back into hiding.

I nodded and tanked back my triple Joe. It looked like she was offering me a sexy party. Or a joint. I knew which one I had my money on. I lamented the fact that I had used the condom in my wallet as a water bottle on one of the hotter days but hell I could always fish a sandwich wrapper out of a bin if it came to it.

I followed her out.

A short while later I returned to the office.

The sexy party had turned out to be a joint after all. Probably for the best. I smelled alluringly of smoke and anchovies. The anchovies I put down to my little terror whiskey accident earlier.

My face was set in a grim line as if I was using it to clean a cat's litter tray.

I pushed past security and headed straight for the stairwell. Time to crack this nut open. I had sneak-thieved a spoon from the cafe and secreted it in my back bin.

I was ready.

I retraced my steps

The door leading to the stairs didn't have the warning tape on it anymore. I progressed into the stairwell.

The lights were on and flicker free.

As I neared the bottom I steeled myself to see Mikey's remains scattered on the steps.

There was nothing.

Nothing at all.

No plastic curtains. No Mikey. No Alien.

Just a faint smell of pine.

This couldn't be? There was definitely some kind of Alien construct here before and this is where the Alien beast had started eating Mikey?

I searched around but there was nothing. Even a lick of the bottom step only revealed a faint taste of salmon.

I headed up the stairs to my office.

As I neared my desk I stopped in my tracks.

Mikey?

There he was, all alive looking and uneaten.

Oh hey Boomdawg.

I moved forward to question him but a vicelike grip latched onto my shoulder. I jerked around to face my attacker. It was El Jefe. He pulled me to the side.

Hey, I was going to move you onto the new project, Fusion... You heard about it?

I nodded, my eyes still fastened to Mikey who was patently not dead. Or at least the thing that appeared to be Mikey.

Fusion got canned. Infra costs, we will just have to put it on the back burner.

At this I turned and gave El Jefe the full Jack Johnson.

Fusion... canned?

Things were happening too fast.

El Jefe laughed.

Yeah but don't worry. I have something good for you to get your teeth into. Something that will keep you more than occupied. On Monday I want you to report to the 5th floor. Project REDSHIFT

REDSHIFT?

Yeah, now beat it.

I left El Jefe and walked tentatively over to Mikey.

Hey Mikey.

And Mikey turned his eyes to me and said 'not now BoomDawg, I'm kinda busy.'

The good lady buttered a fruit scone and offered me it on a plate.

And did you ask him about the stairs?

I frowned.

Yeah, I asked him. He said 'nothing happened' then put his headphones in and ignored me.

Hmmm, that's terrible baby. So are the Aliens gone?

I took a bite of the fruit scone.

All the signs seem to suggest so. It could be a dead end. I am moving onto something else on Monday. Should I let it lie? Should I just give up?

She came round the table and stood beside my chair, her mound pushing urgently against my shoulder.

Never mind all this Alien talk, you smell of danger and anchovies. I think we should go upstairs?

Her voice had a wolven husky tone to it which made my bangstick twitch.

I looked up at her, for a second a queer glint shone in her eyes and I thought I caught a whiff of salmon.

She offered her hand.

I reached out and took it and we went upstairs.