Gardens of Destruction

Dawn was breaking, the journey had lasted through the night, and now everyone was in dire need of rest. The professor dozed off in the back seat, while Patterson and the Russian took turns driving. Almost no one had spoken during the trip, all submerged in a silent, unadulterated terror from what they had witnessed. The asteroid’s unfurling like a giant umbrella had shaken everyone to their core. From a distance, what they could glimpse inside had frightened them to death. The object had spread its crust like a canopy, now resembling a colossal mushroom more than a protruding rock. More terrifying, however, was the sight that revealed itself within. Countless levels housed myriad creatures and objects of unknown shape and purpose, their gigantic proportions evident even from miles away.

Andrey slammed the car’s brakes at a roadside gas station.

“I’m exhausted, I can’t go on! Let’s stop and rest,” he proposed.

“Agreed,” the general murmured, his voice heavy with fatigue.

“What’s... what’s happening?” the professor woke up, disoriented.

“We’re stopping for a break!” Andrey announced. “Besides, we need to discuss something crucial - where exactly are we heading?”

“Let’s go inside, shall we? Grab a bite?” Patterson suggested, dodging the question.

But everything seemed deserted. Not even locked. No one was around. There was no movement on the road either. As if everyone had just left for somewhere. Patterson shuddered.

“Could this place be...” his words hung in the air.

Bernstein looked at him with sleepy eyes, and his glance was enough to confirm the general’s suspicions.

“They’ve been here!” he whispered.

“What are you talking about?” the Russian interjected. “Are there more of... those things in the area?”

Patterson remained silent. It was hard for him to believe that any of the aliens could be this far out.

“Let’s go back inside. Clearly, the owners aren’t coming back anytime soon. We’ll eat, fuel up, and get out of here quickly.”

“Shouldn’t we disappear before they come back?” Andrey suggested.

“I don’t think so,” the general reassured him. “In other deserted places, they’ve never returned. Let’s take the risk; we need this break.”

They ventured back inside. The sight of freshly served coffee sent adrenaline levels soaring. Any moment now, they expected one of those terrifying beings to leap from behind the counter. They moved a few steps forward, Andrey boldly peeked behind the counter, and suddenly halted.

“Oh, my God!” he exclaimed.

The others tensed at the Russian’s behavior. He turned around, sporting a massive grin on his face.

“Joke!”

“Damn it, Lipov! You’re going to give someone a heart attack!” the professor gave him an angry look.

They started serving themselves. No one came out to scold them. Yet, they kept looking around apprehensively, as if an inner voice whispered that all couldn’t be this calm. But nothing happened.

“Shall we try the TV?” the professor suggested, hoping to gather more information about the situation.

“Good idea!” Patterson managed a smile.

Channel after channel - blank, blank, and finally, a broadcast appeared. They found a news channel... but everyone froze. There were no anchors, just text scrolling across the screen in huge red letters.

“What’s happening?” Andrey asked, struggling to read English quickly.

For a moment, no one spoke. The professor had gone pale. Finally, the general dared to respond.

“Disaster, Andrey, that’s what’s happening,” he explained, shaking his head in disbelief.

“The news reports that all major cities are under attack. It says enormous wedges, the size of multi-story buildings, are embedding themselves in various city locations, unleashing unimaginable beings.”

“Holy Mother!” Andrey gasped.

“That’s what I’m saying; only God can help us now,” the professor added, his voice tinged with guilt. “How did we let this happen?”

“You’re not to blame, Bernstein!” the general reassured him, though it seemed more like he was comforting himself.

“What do we do now?” Andrey interrupted. “I suppose there are no flights to Russia?”

“I’m afraid even if there were, the crucial sticks would be there!” the professor replied grimly. “There’s no salvation for us mere mortals.”

“Enough, Bernstein!” the general chided. “We’ll find a way out. Don’t give up; that’s all we have left. We’re still alive, and as long as we are, we’ll fight the invaders; we won’t just let everything be. We are soldiers, that’s our fate, right, Andrey?”

“Yes, Sir!” Andrey looked at him admiringly. “We’ll fight to the last drop of blood. Many ugly heads will fly off its body when ‘The Bloodsucker’ sings!” he smiled ominously.

At that moment, another news update appeared on the TV, stating: “... there are no statements from either the president or the state secretary; it seems both are missing. People are furious with the country’s leaders. Everyone thinks they’re hiding somewhere in anti-nuclear bunkers, not caring about what’s happening up here among the living.”

The television was turned off, ushering in another bout of awkward silence.“Where are Superman and Batman when you need them? You create fictional heroes because the real ones are all gone! But there’s no one left to save the world!” the giant remarked with a tinge of irony.

Silence settled in the room like an unwelcome guest.

“And now what, General?” the Russian prodded once again with the uncomfortable question.

“The base is destroyed, the army is scattered, not knowing who to protect first, people are vanishing, cities are deserted... where do you suggest we go?” Patterson looked at him disapprovingly, even though he too recognized the importance of the question.

“General,” the professor interjected, “I have a suggestion.”

All eyes turned to him in surprise.

“I think we should try to reach one of the bunkers. It’s the only safe place right now.”

Patterson gave him a skeptical look.

“Do you really think they’ll let us in? Maybe me, but probably not you. Plus, the locations of these bunkers are highly classified.”

“Please, don’t make me laugh, I’m too tired!” the professor exclaimed. “Everything’s falling apart, and you’re still talking about state secrets and classified information. Look around, Patterson, do you see a state here? What’s there to protect, some bureaucrats barricaded inside? Let’s try to reach one and assess the situation; they might need us, or rather, you?”

The General sank into deep thought. Never in his long career had he imagined facing such a moment. Even in the event of a nuclear attack, there was a clear plan of action. But now, against this enemy, it was hard to follow any plan. The nation’s leaders had apparently abdicated, leaving everyone to fend for themselves. The professor was right; playing military games no longer made sense. Their survival was at stake. Only by sticking together could they hope to make a difference.

“Alright, we’ll do it. I know how to negotiate our way into one of those bunkers,” he declared resolutely.

“Exactly, General!” the professor rejoiced.

“Listen, you and I, professor, are perhaps the only ones with some information about the aliens. That will be our bargaining chip when we get there.”

“What about Jana and the child? You said they escaped with... what was his name?”

“Davidson. Captain Davidson!”

“Right, I wonder what happened to them. If only the child were with us, we could get so many answers, remember what the late Dr. Chu said – to protect her because she’s our only chance. Are you superstitious, Patterson?”

“I’m ready to become one, truly!” the General bowed his head. “But I failed to protect her, neither from the aliens nor the locals. I hope Davidson is taking good care of them.”

“A good soldier!” the Russian threw in casually.

The General glanced at the thoughtful giant.

“Andrey, are you with us?”

The Russian clenched his fists.

“I don’t know what to do. There’s no chance I can reach my family. On the other hand, I need to know they’re safe; the worry is driving me insane.”

“Why don’t you give them a call?” the professor suggested surprisingly. “The phone is right there, it’s not mobile, it might still work.”

“Damn it!” the Russian cursed, wondering how he hadn’t thought of the obvious.

He went behind the bar and with trembling hands began dialing home. In Russia, it was already afternoon. Someone picked up on the other side, and soon the robust soldier’s face stretched into an unaccustomed smile. They soon engaged in a lively conversation.

The General sighed in relief; at least someone was doing well on this planet. He didn’t want to admit it, but he admired the Russian. Ever since he learned that the man had sneaked into the asteroid alone and had the courage to confront the abominations and save Captain Davidson, his respect had grown. If they had more soldiers like him, perhaps they wouldn’t be in the current predicament. Clearly, the Russian had long realized that the best way to defeat the enemy was with their own weapons. Logic dictated that weapons are created to target a specific enemy. Now, this enemy was quite resistant to the weapons they had spent billions of dollars on.

“Well, Andrey seems pleased!” Professor Bernstein noted, observing the Russian’s contented demeanor before swiftly changing the subject. “So, where to next?”

General Patterson gave him a scrutinizing look. “There’s a bunker in the Rocky Mountains, not too far from here,” he finally revealed, as if letting go of a closely guarded secret.

“Logical choice,” Bernstein mused, nodding in agreement.

“What worries me, Joseph, is who or what we might find there,” Patterson confessed, the stress evident in his voice. Despite the crumbling world around them, the two maintained a formal tone with each other, reserving first-name bases for moments of extreme duress.

“We can only hope they won’t shoot us on sight,” the professor offered tentatively, “Surely, there must be some shred of humanity left somewhere.”

“That’s precisely my fear,” the general countered, “Those people have never been known for their humanity. They’ve always played fast and loose with the fates of others.”

“We have to try,” Bernstein asserted, “If we can’t trust our own, perhaps humanity doesn’t deserve to survive after all.”

The conversation was interrupted by Andrey’s return from a lengthy phone call. The hopeful eyes of his comrades fell upon him.

“Is everything alright back home?”

“Thank God, yes, General! They’re scared for me, but I assured them I’m still holding up. Things are still calm over there, although they’ve heard one of the approaching asteroids you mentioned is set to land in Russia.”

He hesitated before adding, “And there’s more. Your side has launched nuclear missiles at the object.”

Tension gripped Patterson and Bernstein as they awaited the rest of the news. Andrey sighed heavily.

“None reached their target. I’m sorry.”

With renewed resolve, they set off towards the secret bunker, a glimmer of hope in the shadow of uncertainty. Andrey, though distant from his family, took solace in their safety. He had advised his wife to take their children and flee to the countryside, away from the major cities likely targeted by the invaders.

As the Rockies loomed large, Andrey couldn’t help but marvel at their beauty, recalling the tales of adventure from his youth that had unfolded in these very mountains. Today, against all odds, felt like a good day. He had heard from his family, and now he found himself in a place of dreams.

“Lost in thought, Andrey? You’re smiling,” Patterson remarked, casting a quick glance at him before focusing back on the road.

“Oh, General, I’m not sure you’d understand. I’m just happy to be in the Rockies. It’s where the heroes of my childhood roamed.”

Bernstein chuckled warmly. “It’s good to see you haven’t lost your childlike wonder, soldier.”

“Do you dislike soldiers, Professor?” Andrey inquired, turning to face him.

“It’s not hard to see why,” Bernstein replied, his voice tinged with irony.

“You’re wrong, Professor,” Andrey responded earnestly, “Being a soldier isn’t just about holding a weapon. It’s about understanding your enemy, outsmarting them, not just outmuscling them. It’s knowing when to fight and when to withdraw, waiting for the right moment to strike. True warriors adapt their strategies and weapons to the situation, not just march to their doom.”

“Well said, Lieutenant!” Patterson exclaimed, visibly impressed. “I wish you were American.”

“I’m glad I’m not!” Andrey retorted with a grin. “You need to realize the world doesn’t revolve around you. There are other nations out there, General.”

The professor’s laughter filled the car. “Someone finally told you, Patterson.”

Patterson, though taken aback, couldn’t help but smile and shake his head without comment, accepting the truth in Andrey’s words.

They delved deep into the mountain, navigating the narrow path amidst the towering rocks. Andrey looked around with the wide-eyed wonder of a child venturing into majestic mountains for the first time, genuinely awestruck by their grandeur.

Suddenly, General Patterson brought the car to an abrupt halt.

“What’s the matter?” inquired Professor Bernstein.

“We should be near a concealed entrance to the shelter,” Patterson scanned the surroundings with a hint of anxiety.

“I’m completely lost here; I can’t be of any help,” shrugged Bernstein, feeling out of his element.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find it. It might be a bit further. It’s been years since I was here last.”

They resumed their journey, the car once again conquering the solitary path. It had been ages since they encountered another vehicle; it was as if everyone had vanished into thin air. Then, Patterson slammed on the brakes, backing up slightly. To their right, a narrow, unpaved but well-trodden forest trail began, veering off through the trees. Patterson ventured down the path on foot, leaving Andrey to ponder whether to follow. Ultimately, he stayed with the professor by the car. In a short while, the general reappeared, a look of satisfaction brightening his face.

“Found it! Thank heavens for my good memory,” he boasted ironically.

“Well done. Now let’s see how they welcome us,” Bernstein replied, his tone laced with skepticism.

They drove on and soon came upon a towering metal fence adorned with a sign: “Government Property. Unauthorized Entry or Passage Prohibited. Shoot on Sight.”

“It seems quite deserted!” Andrey noted.

With ease, Andrey cut through the padlock, and they proceeded along the path that meandered toward a distant rock face. Towering pines, undisturbed for years, formed a natural canopy over the road, rendering their vehicle virtually invisible from above. This arboreal tunnel led them to the base of a hill, where the path ended at the mouth of a large, artificially carved opening in the rock, masquerading as a natural cave from a distance. A few meters inside, a bend revealed the massive bunker door.

They parked and cautiously disembarked, engulfed by an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional forest sound. The trio nervously surveyed their surroundings, half-expecting something to happen. The silence was deafening.

“Something’s not right,” Patterson exclaimed with growing apprehension.

Andrey gripped his weapon tighter, taking cover by the vehicle. Professor Bernstein coughed awkwardly, unsure of his role in this scenario.

Their anxiety peaked when they heard a door creak open. Finally, they were acknowledged. A disheveled, bearded soldier emerged, clutching his rifle nervously. Noticing Patterson’s rank, he approached and saluted respectfully.

“At your command, Sir! Forgive my appearance, but I was supposed to be relieved a week ago. No one came. You’re the first we’ve seen.”

***

They understood, the Other would return. She had to understand. The Sh’ur were wonderful, but different. Dangerous. Everyone sensed, heard, spoke. The Other was the Pain... and the Salvation!

It opened eyes! It knew!