Found

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. This is common knowledge among all of mankind, and yet, they still found us.

Arriving at the construction site at 4 am that morning she was stuck at security for an hour. Jen Marshall had forgotten her work id and a regular auto driver's license was not enough for the marine on duty that morning.

“ I’m sorry unless you have a laminated security badge I cannot let you through.

“ Please, there has got to be someone who can vouch for me!”

“I’m sorry but…”

“ Officer maybe I could be of help.”

Rick Smalls was behind her in line. The director of foreign operations for Astro engineering was personally supervising this project for the U.S. space force.

“ I have manifests containing information on everyone in our company, if I show you Jens’ name and information would that do the trick?”

The marine and Mr. Smalls spoke for several minutes as they looked for her name under the electricians on the trip.

Finally, the officer spoke to her again. “ I'll let you in I just need to see your identification again.”

The sigh of relief came out of her instantly.

“Oh, that’s great, thank you.

She expressed to Mr. Smalls her gratitude for helping her through security.

“Oh no problem Jen, we need everyone to make this project a success.

“Yes sir”

He smiled briefly, “Well I’ll see you later.”

Rounding the corner she continued to the area designated for crew shuttles to be taken to the individual work sites.

Jen was pumped to be on this trip Mars Colony Estro 1 was the first settlement that would be established for the average citizen. She was part of a crew of fifty other electricians, engineers, flight, and kitchen crew who were sent from earth to the newest development under construction. A lot of the structures were already built. Astro engineering's job was to establish a power grid so that settlers could begin living in quarters. Now anyone who was sick of life on earth can pack and move to mars. It was an exciting time.

Work was inside the largest biodome ever built at that point in history. It contained a temporary living quarter which included a kitchen, lounge, and dining hall. The biodome also contained a housing site under construction to install electrical services. The engineers were to plan out the streets in the development and they would connect to future colonies on the planet.

Later that morning, there was an accident in sector G. A fault in the framework of one of the housing units. An entire building collapsed on a group of electricians wiring the building for power. Looking on in shock, we witnessed one lone survivor stumbled away from the rubble. Blood dripping from the seams of his overalls, staring straight ahead. Everyone on site rushed to see if they could provide help, hoping others were still alive. I stood at a distance and watched the survivor as he stood by himself staring into space, then let out a scream that could be heard throughout infinity.

Dinner that night was somber for everyone. Many left early to visit the injured in the infirmary. Others were left with the grim task of getting the bodies of those who did not ready for transport home. The rest, including Jen, were left in the dining area listening to management's thoughts on the horrible event.

Rick Smalls was next to speak. As he walked over to the podium a loud humming could be heard. The large windows in the dining area revealed what was making the noise. A large group of lighted bug-looking creatures. Each individual creature together made an enormous mass. They appeared to have wings that fluttered at an extraordinarily high rate of speed, similar to a hummingbird. As they came closer the mass turned into a huge white light, then it proceed through the biodome walls. Awestruck, it took a moment every one to realize what was happening. As the mass of light entered the dining area it absorbed Mr. Smalls, he disappeared into the mass, never to be seen again.

Days went by and Jen could no longer locate other crew members. The silence is all that could be heard from one end of the dome to the other area. It seemed that no one was left. Despair started to set in as Jen went over the situation in her head. She decided to make a recording journaling what happened. At least others would know what took place here. Looking through her quarters for the laptop

she heard the smallest of noises, like a humming. Jen ran to the lounge area and sealed the door shut, The door began to shake. Unsure of what to do, and not completely sure everyone was left. A loud bang was heard like someone was trying to knock the door down. Then a vibration shook the room as if the whole area was about to come apart.

Looking around for somewhere to hide, there wasn't much to choose from Finally, she found a loose vent which lead to the air duct system. Jen crawled inside and placed the vent over the opening. There she waited to see what would force its way through the door.

Thanks for reading my story. I like to think I improve a little each time I write. Please take a look at my other stories and I will return the favor. Thank You!