Airlock 10

The tannoy, right on time, announces: “Breakfast time, make your way to Bay 7.” 

I never really fancied breakfast. I’ve gone off of powdered eggs & dodgy “bacon” slices. 

I gave it a miss. 

As I stepped into Airlock 10, I could see him through the reinforced window. Jumping around, full of excitement. He could smell me, he had a magnificent sense of smell. I suited up, and went through the obligatory checks. Everything was in order. I pressed the button, and the door slowly closed behind me. The chamber synched with the outer world, and I could feel the sense of gravity leaving me. “Airlock 10 opening, remember to keep your helmet on at all times and monitor your oxygen levels” … the Airlock opened, and I floated out. 

Rover, as I called him, was jumping around like a raver on ecstasy. He was an unusual creature, much like a dog, but with 8 legs. He instantly ran toward me, flew through the air & into my arms. “Careful boy” I said. “Calm down, buddy.” 

We played our usual games and I loved it. It would appear that he did, also. We were companions. I was out for about 2 hours, when the “Oxygen levels low, return to Base Camp 7” warning sounded in my helmet. I made a fuss of my friend, then returned to base. 

Whilst back onboard, I was summoned to Main Deck. I wondered what on earth it could be for, but I complied. Commander Jones was there to greet me, and he didn’t look too pleased. I greeted him with a smile, hoping he would reciprocate, but it never came. 

“Ortega, I hear you’ve been getting over friendly with one of those beasts out there?” “But, sir … “ “Don’t but sir me, Ortega. You know the rules. We don’t know what kinds of diseases those things could be carrying. You have to think about everyone in this colony. A foreign disease could wipe out the entire base.” “But sir, I … “ “Ortega, you have two choices, leave that animal be or you’ll be shipped back to earth. Those are your only choices, and I hope you’ll make the right one, for everyone’s sake.”

With that, the meeting was over. 

How could I abandon my new friend? We had become so close … we were buddies. And if he carried any “diseases” we’d have known about it by now. I don’t know what all the fuss is about. But I won’t abandon him. I simply won’t. 

I gave it a few days before returning outside, just to let the air clear between myself and Commander Jones. He was too busy to be keeping an eye on me, anyway. He was in charge of the entire colony. He had bigger fish to fry. 

I returned to Airlock 10, and once again suited up. Rover was there, as per usual. He was super hyper on this occasion … he’d missed me. And I’d missed him. This time, I made the conscious decision to play with my friend further away from Base Camp 7. I floated behind one of the lunar rocks, to ensure I was out of sight. Then we fooled around, some. Even though Rover couldn’t speak, he understood every word I said. He was extremely intelligent, and very loyal. Once again, the 2 hour oxygen warning announcement sounded in my helmet, so I had to say goodbye to my friend. I told him not to follow me back to Base, for fear of him being seen with me. 

He complied. 

As weeks went on, we became closer and closer. He was the most loyal “pet” I’d ever had. I think he must be an orphan, as I’d never seen him with any other of his kind. Maybe that was why he was so close to me? Whatever the case, we were there for each other, and no one was going to take that away from us. 

No one.

A few days later, the High Alert siren sounded its gloomy drone: “Eeeeooooo, Eeeeeeoooo” and warning lights flashed around the base. A team of scientists had been ambushed by a Vochur. This was one of the not-so-friendly beasts on the moon. Now these, I would keep my distance from. 

A backup squad was deployed instantly, to save the team. The Vocher had wounded two of the scientists, but they lived to tell the tale. They were pretty damn shaken up, though. 

Vochurs were horrible creatures. They displayed an unrelenting hate for humans, and had no good ways about them. If you see one, run in the opposite direction! They’d rip you to pieces, given half a chance. 

I spent a few days reading up on all of the creatures we had encountered on this strange planet. There were quite a few, and the documentation made for an interesting read. If only the Commander could get to know Rover: I’m sure he’d get to love him, just as I have. He really does pose no harm. He radiates love, and companionship. 

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I woke up to an illuminated sky, lit up by the most beautiful stars. They were glowing, and so much larger and brighter than the ones you see from earth. 

I was excited, as I was planning on popping out to see Rover. 

Once again, I suited up in Airlock 10, and could see my friend grinning back at me. The love between us was almost tangible; it was like nothing I’d experienced before. Once the outer door was open, we made ourselves scarce, by hiding behind another shard of lunar rock. With such a beautiful sky, and my best friend at my side, what could possibly go wrong? 

It happened almost in an instant: The Vochur was on me, ripping at my suit and attempting to bite through my helmet. I was in big trouble, as I was out of site from Base Camp 7, and my radio had been destroyed. I truly thought this was going to be the end of me. 

I began shouting, hoping someone would hear me, but no one came. 

Then, Rover attacked. He clung onto the back of the Vocher, and sunk his teeth into its flesh. I could hear the two of them growling at each other, rolling around and tearing bits out of one another. It seemed like it went on for ages, but in reality it must have lasted about a minute at most. The Vochur was no match for the love that Rover held for me, and it collapsed into a dead pile. 

Rover had saved my life, and I immediately scooped him up in my arms. 

But my friend was bleeding badly. Green blood, but blood none the less. I noticed his breathing becoming laboured, and his eyes beginning to close. “No, don’t you dare leave me … NO!” He held on, and fought with each breath that he took. He looked me in the eyes, and gave me one last smile.

Then, he was gone.