--PROLOGUE--



The scream of the sirens blared, the red lights flashed over and over like a strobe. Through the PA system, the dim voice of an automated woman repeated the same words, words which caused terror to everyone around. "All personnel, please evacuate the reactor sector immediately." This was a state of crisis, and everyone was acting as such. Scientists, security, maintenance, all were scrambling to grab whatever important effects they had and escape with their precious lives.



Dr. Parnassus' thin fingers gripped the edge of his desk tightly. Was this all his fault? Of course it was. After all, what else could it be? He was the only person on the ship qualified to even so much as touch the reactor. So what else could it have been? A beep could be heard faintly under the sound of the siren and the PA, and a thin metal door slid open, the small sound entirely shattering Dr. Parnassus' concentration. "George? What in the hell still doing here? We have to get the fuck out of here! Right. Fucking. Now!" More emphasis was put on the final three words as they came. This was a familiar voice, a voice that came from a tall, well built man wearing black security armor, with a helmet and automatic rifle to match.



"Dammit, didn't you hear me?" His expression was frantic, and the urgency in his words showed this even more. His name was Robert Thomas, and he was a nighttime security guard in the reactor sector. Dr. Parnassus had developed something of a friendship with him over the long nights at work, making small talk to pass the time doing paperwork or patrolling the halls, occasionally delving into some deeper topics. Robert was not old by any means, but he was no young man either. His usual expression and demeanor was stern, which could likely be attributed to his many years on the job.



As Dr. Parnassus slipped into deep thought once again, he felt a strong tug on the shoulder of his white lab coat, which nearly lifted him from his seat. "God dammit, I told you we need to move! That means get your ass moving or I'll move it for you!" The toll on his mind weighed heavily enough, he didn't need any more distractions than he already had. His head slowly turned to face his friend, and spoke sullenly. "I'm not going anywhere. All of this is my fault, and I'm sure as hell not going to let all of these people die for it."



Robert's large had released it's grip on Dr. Parnassus' coat. His reply was calmer now than his last outburst. "So what are you going to do?" The man of science drew in a deep breath, his body shaking. "I'm going in there."



At this one sentence, Robert's eyes widened immensely. "Are you a fucking madman?" He was back to his excited attitude. "You'll be a dead before you can get the damn door open!" Robert was nearly screaming into Dr. Parnassus' face by now.



Dr. Parnassus stared back at him blankly. "I know."



" 'I know'? Is that all you have to say for yourself? What about your wife? You've got a kid on the way for chrissakes! What are they supposed to do without you?"



Robert was really starting to push his buttons, he wasn't looking at the big picture. "And what about you then? What about all the people on board this ship? Men, women, children, what about them?"



Robert sighed and shook his head slowly. "What about one of the other reactor specialists? Why can't one of them do it?" Parnassus sighed. "There's no time. You know that." The large security man stared down at his face, still shaking his head. "Get out of here Rob, save yourself while you still can." Robert's gaze rose to meet Parnassus', and he grasped his friend's shoulder. His eyes were glazed over as he gave a single nod and turned to walk away. "One more thing." Robert heard from behind him. He looked back over his shoulder. "Take care of them for me." Clenching his teeth, he nodded his head slowly, and stepped through the door from which he had came. Another quiet beep sounded as it closed behind him.



Parnassus sighed, the frantic shouting and pounding of feet had ceased, and the hallowed halls were silent, save for the sirens and the automated voice which had already become second nature. He placed his palms on the desk before him and pushed himself up. Desperate thoughts raced through his mind, and he began to doubt himself once again. Was this really the only way? Of course it was, this was all that could be done. He stepped around his desk and toward the other door in the room, directly across from that which his friend has just left. The metal door opened as he approached, and he took the final step through. Memories flashed through his mind of old friends, loved ones, the good times from youth and beyond. Some were gone, and the others never to return.



Clamped to the lapel of his long white coat hung a plastic security tag. With a quick tug, it came off instantly. A picture of a balding man with a round face and brown-red hair with rectangular framed glasses stared back at him. Below the photo, the card was read:



DR. GEORGE PARNASSUS, REACTOR SPECIALIST

FULL SECURITY CLEARANCE (SECTOR 7)



After a last quick look, Parnassus threw the tag over his shoulder. It sailed through the open doorway and slid across the smooth ground. The opening behind him shut itself quickly with the absence of the magnetic activation on the card. There was no turning back now. It was time to do what needed to be done. The reactor door stood before him. Several feet higher than his head, a blank slab of foot-thick metal, blemished only by it's large turnwheel and a small circular window. Beyond the dense sheet of glass, the very air was tinted a sickening green-blue, on the other end of the room lay his destination.



Parnassus grasped the large wheel with both hands and began to jerk it clockwise. Each movement gave off a deafening squeal, and with a final turn, the wheel came to rest.



Taking a deep breath into his lungs, he pulled on the wheel, and the hefty metal door began to open with a piercing cry from it's massive hinges. Already he could feel a tingle on his skin. As the door opened wider, the sensation began to burn. With enough room to slip through, Parnassus sprinted toward the other end of the small reactor room. There was no air from which to draw breath, and he struggled to keep his eyes open against the intense sting. A large lever protruded from the wall a mere few feet away. The end of the handle was coated in black rubber, fitted to the grip of one's fingers.



Parnassus reached forward with his weakening figure and grasped the pole. He fell forward, the weight of his body pulled the lever down.



The power was cut, and the reactor whirred to a stop, the lights shut off. Parnassus collapsed heavily onto the floor, gasping for anything that would fill his lungs. A smile of triumph cracked across his lips as he faded into the darkness.