Strange Happenings
Midnight. They always came at midnight. The chimes from the old grandfather clock in the den jolted Daniel out of his restless dreams. It wasn't the chimes that woke him so much as the knowledge that They were coming. It was the same horrifying ritual, every single night.
The room was illuminated by an eerie pale green glow. Three figures in haz-mat suits stood around his bed. One of them held a large briefcase, another held a gun, and the third--the apparent leader, from the way he acted--was making entries into a large handheld computer. Daniel tried to escape, to run, to even move, but some unseen force held him in place, as immobile as the bed itself. The leader looked up from his computer and signaled to the one holding the briefcase, who set the case down and began to open it. Daniel strained to see its contents, but couldn't from his position. If only he could move...
The leader reached forward, grabbed the bedcovers and--
The shrill blast of Daniel's alarm clock filled the room. He'd had that dream again, the same one he'd been having every night for nearly a month. Except that it didn't feel like a normal dream. It felt more like a memory, but one that had been partially forgotten. Anyway, Dan had more important things to worry about, so he pushed whatever it was aside for the moment. Today was the last day of school, finally. All he had to do was survive his last few final exams, and he'd be home free. He wasn't about to let a creepy dream get him down.
***
Dr. DiCaoz glanced over his biology classroom. "Is anybody still working on the final?" he asked tiredly. He paused for a moment, then said, "If everybody is finished, you may talk quietly amongst yourselves for the remainder of the period." As the class erupted in chatter, he went back to nursing his hangover.
Daniel loved his biology class. It wasn't just that he was good at it, or that it was the last class of the day. By some bit of luck or fate, he happened to be in the same class as his four closest friends, Gassan, David, Pammy, and Jake. Gassan, David, and Pammy had become absurdly popular since coming to high school. Gassan was Lebanese and therefore "exotic," David was a star swimmer, and Pammy was a cheerleader. In retrospect, popularity was an inevitability. To the other popular kids, Jake an avid follower of the Furry subculture (he called it a craze, but nobody else did) and Daniel, the introspective writer, were social liabilities. Still, Gassan, David, and Pam never let their newfound "friends" keep them away from Jake and Dan. Privately, Daniel was grateful that he had managed to befriend the four people who appeared to be immune to high school drama.
"So, what'd you guys think?" Pammy whispered.
"I'm pretty sure Dr. Di is a nutcase," Gassan answered quickly. He was met with a chorus of approval from his companions.
"Anyway," Pam continued, "are we having our annual Thank-God-The-Schoolyear's-Over party tonight?"
"I can't go," Jake said, "I've got a convention."
"I can't go either," said David, "My dad's taking me camping. He's on a back-to-nature kick."
"I'm visiting my grandma," Gassan said. Pammy rolled her eyes.
"Alright," she sighed, "when do you guys get back?"
"Sunday"
"Sunday evening"
"Sunday, but it'll be late."
"So," Pammy continued, "is Monday night alright with everyone?"
***
The days passed quickly. By the time Monday arrived, he had gone an entire weekend without his mysterious dreams. He was mostly relieved, but part of him wished the visitors would come back so he could find out what they were up to.
The streets were charged with an eerie calm. A summer storm was coming. As Daniel reached Pam's door, he couldn't help but feel a strange foreboding. Something was decidedly wrong. He rang the bell.
"Come in," called Pammy. Dan opened the door and found friend sitting on the floor in a tidy circle. They were all staring at him, an unsettling hunger in their eyes. "We are playing Truth or Dare," Pammy intoned mechanically. "Please, join us. Truth or Dare?"
"Please choose Dare," Gassan said, in the same unearthly voice.
"The Truth is never any fun," agreed David, still in the same tone. Throughout the exchange, none of the four took their eyes off of Daniel.
"Is everything alright?" he asked. "You all seem...different."
Pammy answered in the same monotone as before: "We are collectively unnerved at a series of recurring dreams we have been having. Perhaps you too are experiencing these visions?"
"Yeah," Dan said, "but I'm not acting that weird about it."
"Perhaps," Pammy said, "All will be made more clear if you answer this simple question: Truth...or Dare?"
Written by Zodiac on 31 May 2008
The Dare
"Dare," Dan said shakily.
"Very well," Pammy responded, "your dare is to go to Area 50. You are familiar with Area 50, I trust?"
Jake jumped in: "It is a military complex on the outskirts of our town. It has been abandoned for a long time, though, so it will pose no immediate threat to you."
"It is nothing to be afraid of," said Gassan, "consider it to be something of a rite of passage."
"If you are truly afraid," said Pammy, "then we will accompany you."
Daniel stared at his friends incredulously. They had never acted this strangely before, and they had certainly never gone for childish dares before.
David appeared to sense his hesitation, and added, "perhaps Area 50 is somehow related to...Them."
Dan knew what that was about, and David was right. There seemed to be some connection between his nightly visitors and the military base. He couldn't quite place it, but the link was there. "Actually," added David, "all this talk of Area 50 has sparked my curiosity." He didn't sound the least bit like his curiosity has been even remotely sparked."
"I, too, am interested," agreed Pammy disinterestedly.
"As are we," said Gassan and Jake in eerie unison.
"Perhaps," Pammy went on, "we should go to Area 50 ourselves, whether or not Daniel is interested." The four of them stood to leave. Pam stopped for a moment, and asked, "Are you joining us, Daniel?"
Written by Zodiac on 02 June 2008
Area 50 Arrival
Daniel looked at his friends nervously. "Al...alright," Daniel said reluctantly, "I will go..."
"Nice to have you coming David," Pammy exclaimed. All David could do is let out a sheepish smile. "We will meet at Area 50 at 9 P.M. tonight, everyone can run by their houses and grab anything we may need. Flash lights, snacks, etc."
"I am just going to relax at my house until it is time" David said
"We'll I will see everyone then," Gassan said. Everyone soon dispersed and left to their respective houses.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Later at 9 Daniel met his friends at the base.
"Everybody ready to go in?" Pammy inquired.
"Yeah!" Gassan shouted.
"Let's do it!" As did Jake.
"Sure am" David said
"Unfortunately..." Daniel murmured.
David looked around and saw the front entrance directly ahead.
Far down to his left a hole in the fence could be seen.
And to his right a large tunnel could be seen. Though it was pitch black, so somebody better have a flash light.
Written by Shuusuke on 03 June 2008
Split Up
Last week had been the last time ‘they’ had visited Daniel, and ever since then, strange things began to happen. Daniel had been seeing things, and exploring through this kind of place was not helping him handling things any better.
They had decided to split up, in order to cover the grounds better. Pammy went with David, of course, and Gassan was left with Jake. That ultimately left Daniel for himself, and the guy couldn’t be anymore worried.
He wasn’t even into any of this, but why did he have to be the only one who had to go by himself?
Written by Stella Purple on 10 March 2017
Pammy splits up as well
Pammy and David enter the bunker. At the first junction they split up, Pammy takes the left path.
The hallway is straight with a strange glow at the end. Doors are off the hallway but she skips them until she reaches the glow.
The glow is coming from a screen in the middle of an impossible smooth walled room.
She places her hand on what seems to be the control panel.
"Are you the captain? High level of DNA damage detected." a voice booms through the room.
Written by catprog on 05 July 2017
The crew
"Detecting relationship with beings. Scanning for problems"
A wall lights up displaying the others.
"Same DNA damage detected. Solution for damage found. Awaiting confirmation of captain status." the voice says.
Pammy looks over at the screen "I need more information. What is this place? How can you be tracking my friends?"
Written by catprog on 10 July 2017
Answers
"I am a scout ship. My designation I cannot remember." the computer voice add "My status is limited, Most of my capabilities are damaged by the amount of time spent on this planet. I think I can repair the problems but I need the captain to order it. I can bring your crew on board as well. "
"What makes you think I am the captain?" she asks.
"My sensors are damaged, but your scans seem to be the closest in my memory." the computer says.
"All you need is for me is to say I am captain and I get full control?" she asks.
"Yes" the computer says. "I will get your crew on board, jump to the asteroid belt, and then start fixing myself and you as well."
Written by catprog on 14 July 2017
A threat
"DANGER" the computer says in a deep voice as an alarm blares "ENEMY DETECTED"
"Do I have permission for emergency procedures captain?" the original voice returns.
"Sure. Who is this enemy?" She asks.
"They have penetrated the ship and have taken vital components away. Beginning emergency transmit of crew."
A ball of light forms on the ship before revealing Daniel.
"Power levels dropping. Beginning next transmit."
Daniel looks around "What happened? Where am I?"
The next ball of light forms to reveal Jake.
Pammy starts to speak "I think this is an alien spaceship, It thinks I am the captain and to protect you from it's enemy it is bring you aboard."
Written by catprog on 24 July 2017
Jump and Darkness
"Power levels dropping. Enemy very close. Attempt final two now" the computer says before cutting off.
The light overhead flicker and start going out.
Two weak lights form in the middle. A ghostly version of Gassan and David are both shown inside the ball of light.
"Computer what is going on?" asks Pammy.
The computer does not respond.
More lights go out.
Finally the light balls fade leaving both Gassan and David their but they both collapse immediately.
A shudder goes through the room and all bar one light go off. The last remaining light is only just providing enough light to see by.
Written by catprog on 28 July 2017
Search for answers
"Ok, we need to find some light? Do any of you have your torches?" asks Pammy.
Their is a shuffling sound and the room lights up. Both of the others have their torches on.
"Ok, I think we only need one" says Pammy.
"Just because the ship thinks you are captain, does not mean you are one" says Jake.
"It is a good idea though." says Daniel turning his torch off.
She heads over and checks on the two unconscious members of the group. "Ok they are stable, so how do we get out of here?"
They spend the next half an hour going around the room but all the doors are sealed.
"rebooting" is soon heard over the speakers.
Written by catprog on 31 July 2017
In Space
The light comes back on , followed shortly by the computer trying to diagnose the problems .
"Scanning, ship. Major genetic damage detected in all crew. "
"Priority get crew to medical bay"
"Hallways vacuum. Medical bay offline. Repair bots offline"
"Emergency rebuild beginning."
"Resources low. Mining nearby asteroid for metals" the computer finally finishes with it's plan.
"Asteroid? Are we in space?" asks Daniel.
"Yes." the computer says "We are in the local asteroid belt. Estimated time to being medical bay online is 24 hours."
Written by catprog on 03 August 2017
Spacesuits
"If you want to look outside their are spacesuits in the airlock. Only the captain's suit would fit your current forms." the computer says.
"Current forms?" Pammy asks.
"The DNA of all five of you are different from the files. Do not worry, this will be fixed in time."
"Can you give us directions to the airlock?" Daniel asks.
The floor lights up in a line to a door.
"Thank you" said Daniel.
Through the door they find a room with a number of cabinets, only one set open.
"The captain suits are in this cabinet." says the computer.
The suits in the cabinet are normal except for the tail of the suit.
"What is this? Why do they have tails?" Pammy asks.
Written by catprog on 07 August 2017
Some Answers
"It is simple." the computer says "scanning"
"Ah, I see your memories are damaged along with the genetics. Your race is what the inhabitants of the planet would call feline"
"My race is human." Pammy says.
"Yes, once we have fixed the ship I will be able to restore the memories. Things should be much clearer then."
"What is different about the other suits. You said they would not fit us?" ask Daniel.
"Well for one thing they are quadruped." the computer answers. "Don't worry, when you are fixed up , all will be clear to you as well. "
Written by catprog on 11 August 2017
Order a Return
"As captain I order you to return us to Earth and let us go, without changing us." Pammy says.
"Order is noted. Priority repairs to ship, crew are required before the jump engine can be repaired" the computer says in response.
"And if I order you to skip the crew repairs and fix the jump engine first?" she asks.
"Then the crew will be dead. Genetic damage from the in-atmosphere jump is severe enough. Unknown reason for such a reaction."
"We don't have damage. We are humans not the alien race who were in this ship before" says Jake.
"Information noted for when time is not so critical. Please excuse me if I am distracted by fixing the ship." the computer says.
Written by catprog on 15 August 2017
Stabilzing
"Crew members are in critical condition. Stabilization effects for them are priority." the computer says.
The three of them move out from the airlock back into the main room to see smoke moving into the other two.
Two lion tails form on David, while a scorpion tail grows on Gassan.
"Emergency repairs to crew has begun. Cost to complete full repairs 40 -48 hours."
Written by catprog on 18 August 2017
Changes for the others
While the three of them watch the changes, the smoke moves onto them as well.
A single lion tail on the three of them. While wings start to form on Daniel and Jake.
"Stabilization process complete" the computer says.
The three of them look around before spotting the changes. "No, stop doing this, we are human not what you are turning us into."
Written by catprog on 20 August 2017