The Fall of Ship 21
By Sarah Rivera
Since the start of quarantine, I had to find different ways to stay connected with my friends and family. It’s amazing how video apps and online games became a way for many people to socialize and catch up with each other. For me, I could spend time with my friends online by playing a popular online game called Among Us. This game is like a mafia-style game where there is a team of innocent crew members, all there to complete their tasks on the ship. The catch was that there was an imposter or two on the ship that had to sabotage the mission and be the last one remaining. Once I started playing this game with my friends, I noticed that typically, if the imposter was good enough to blend in with the crew members, it would lead to crew members kicking off their own from the ship. This would lead to the imposter getting closer to winning.
I thought about how this game has some similarities to the behaviors I’ve seen out of quarantine. Among Us involves trying to find who sabotaged the ship. The search for responsibility and who should be held accountable are some things that I’ve seen in this pandemic. Just like in Among Us, many people question who is responsible for all of this. In my short story that follows, I include a lot of dialogue between the characters to look into their thought processes and how they all interact with each other. Through the dialogue, it shows the character’s rationalizations. Their actions are a bit exaggerated to express some folly and comedic relief (hopefully). The characters all come from different parts of Planet Z and use their differences in their appearance to distinguish those differences in upbringings and lifestyles.
Throughout the story, we see that they do not get along with each other, and they let their stigmas of each other impede their mission. As the title suggests, Ship 21 will eventually fail. Their interactions with each other and suspicions ultimately lead to the fall of their ship. Originally, these characters were a group out of many who were tasked to land on another planet and continue living there. Their old planet, Planet Z, had most of their people infected by the Red Plague. They believed that the best thing to do was to leave a planet that had no hope for a better future and continue the human race elsewhere. However, this ship, which started with healthy individuals, managed to fail its mission because there was a lack of teamwork and accountability. I wanted to show that through the fall of Ship 21, it was not the Red Plague that caused the downfall of Planet Z. Through the actions of the characters on Ship 21 and how many of their crew members got kicked off, it shows that the actions of individuals, and whether there is an acceptance of responsibility, is what ultimately determined the fall of their planet.
During this pandemic, I’ve seen a trend of behaviors that include a shift of responsibility onto others, blaming, shaming, and more that have not done much good. This type of behavior has brought a divide between people and dug ourselves deeper in a hole. Through the different theories and beliefs, people have begun to finger point, and it led others to think that they were “off the hook” because the developed description of “the person who caused the pandemic” didn’t match them. I have been caught in this type of thinking when I would rationalize my actions by comparing the actions of those who appear more reckless. All of this chaos during this pandemic has shown me that finding who to blame or who is the bad guy does no good for getting out of this pandemic and brings us farther from getting things back to normal.
It saddened me to hear people blame others as to why we’re still in this quarantine. I understand the frustrations many individuals have during this pandemic. Many of us want to find a quick and easy solution that will end this pandemic. I long for the day that I can catch up with my close friends in person. However, every individual must know their duty and responsibility to keep this virus out of control. It's easy to point fingers at someone who isn’t doing their best to prevent the spread, and for some, they could let out their frustrations by blaming other countries, companies, or people for our situation today. There is a strong need to keep others accountable and safe. There is also a need for all of us to accept that we are accountable as well. Like the characters in the short story, we have a mission to protect each other and create a better future. This mission relies heavily on all of our actions during this time.
The fall of Ship 21 was because of blaming and pointing fingers. It wasn’t because of the Red Plague or who might have had this infection on the ship. I hope to illustrate that our interactions with each other will determine whether we complete our mission. This virus has caused some detrimental effects on many of us. To lessen those horrible effects, I hope to see support and understanding within communities. With that kind of community, I have faith that we’ll head towards breaking out of this pandemic. I hope to see more support and responsible actions of every individual, and I believe that we can come out stronger and complete this quite crazy and challenging mission.
The Fall of Ship 21
Ship 21 leaves Planet Z. All images and text/Sarah Rivera.
Prologue:
Planet Z was near its end.
More than half of the population possessed a bug.
A ticking bomb that would infest the rest.
To prevent further demise and the end of humankind,
The sick were to be left and the rest were put in the hopes of
Preserving the legacy of humankind.
Healthy individuals were plucked out.
Badged as heroes who would continue Planet Z’s legacy.
They were assigned to a ship that would house nine.
Each one responsible for making a safe departure from Planet Z to the new Planet Y.
All of this was in hopes of starting a new generation.
In one of those ships, Ship 21, housed nine distinguished individuals.
Two were friends (Blue and Sky),
And the others came from different lands of Planet Z (Red, Orange, Green, Yellow, Brown, Pink, Purple).
The nine crew members were cautious of each other.
All of them survived the Red Plague on Planet Z from seclusion and other methods.
During this important task of flying to Planet Y, they would have to break out of their method of survival and work together.
Placing crew members from different lands in the ship was believed to be the best option.
It was believed that all would unite in their ideas to preserve humankind.
However, that belief was unattainable, as we see the fall of Ship 21 ahead...
Day 1: The crew members meet each other.
Day 1:
Upon entry of the large ship, all crew members saw a decent-sized dining section and five hallways leading to sleeping quarters with sleeping pods, a ship control room, and other parts for the ship’s maintenance. On the first day of their space travel, they gathered to introduce themselves and establish jobs for each member.
“So how did you survive the Red Plague?” Yellow asked everyone.
“The Greenlands grew many medicinal plants that helped with our immunity,” said Green.
All the other colors grew silent. Judgment filled the ship.
Breaking the silence, Purple said, “The people from my land just happen to be immune from our lavish lifestyle.”
“Did you guys not have rules to contain the Red Plague? What savages you guys are, all of you,” Blue said. Sky backed away from the crowd as he realized that other crew member's methods for immunity were not at all efficient.
“How do we know that Red doesn’t have the bug? That’s where the bug originated from, am I right?” Sky said.
“My people did the best we could, we have more sense than all of you,” said Red.
“The land Blue is the most educated, there’s no way we have no sense. Sky and I survived for a reason,” said Blue.
“Quit it guys, we have tasks to do on this ship,” Brown said.
Each went on their way to do their tasks. Red paired up with Pink since they were familiar with each other. Blue and Sky together. And the rest on their own.
No one spoke to each other on the first night.
Day 2: The First Suspicion
Day 2:
All crew members woke up to an alarm by the ship. A message from Planet Z:
“More people from the Land of Orange seem to have temporary immunity to the bug. However, we’ve experienced a sudden outbreak and decline in the lives of many Orange citizens.”
The crew members shifted their attention to Orange. They all were thinking the same thing.
Orange might have the bug.
“I think you should leave the ship,” Sky told Orange.
“I’m certain Orange has the bug, I’ve seen the way you and your people live,” said Purple.
“We’re not taking any risks,” Blue added.
All other crew members stared at Orange, standing far away from him.
“I’m on this ship for a reason, and I’m staying,” Orange says.
None of them said a word. They ate away from Orange and did their tasks for that morning, standing as far away as they could from Orange.
During the afternoon, Purple felt immense heat throughout his body. He started scratching himself, and his skin beneath his suit felt like it was rising. Knowing the symptoms of the Red bug, Purple stayed quiet, not wanting to get kicked out. However, hope did not come in Purple’s favor as he saw flashes of color. Purple’s sight was foggy and then it became black.
They lost one crew member by the end of the second night.
Yellow and Blue watch Orange move away from the ship.
Day 3:
**Emergency meeting! Body found.**
Pink found Purple, cold and breathless. All the crew members gathered around Purple. “I’m convinced that Orange is the cause for this,” said Green. All the others nodded their heads in agreement.
“I was never near Purple or any of you guys. How would I pass something, that of which I do not have?” Orange angrily asked.
All members looked at each other and then back at Orange. Saying nothing, they picked up Orange and headed towards the trash shoot to kick Orange out of the ship.
“Are you guys crazy? Purple was someone who believed that their people had natural immunity because of their ‘lifestyle,’ how could it be my fault?” Orange screamed.
With no mercy, they pushed Orange off the ship. All the members watched as Orange grew smaller from their sight and drifted farther away from the ship.
Brown, a scientist from Planet Z, told the others that she would observe Purple. In protective gear, she took out her equipment and headed towards Purple’s room.
Day 4:
After completing morning tasks, all gathered in the room to hear Brown’s report on Purple’s autopsy.
“Well, it looks like the Red Plague. However, Purple’s condition started well before we departed from Planet Z and there's no way he could have spread it, let alone receive it from someone,” said Brown.
“How would you know that?” asked Sky.
“Their boils looked like they had been growing for quite some time, it was only ‘til the night that Purple passed that he might’ve felt it,” said Brown.
No one could accept Brown’s news. Some might’ve wanted to justify exporting Orange off the ship, while others had their own theories.
“If it wasn’t Orange, we know that Red might have caused it. Almost all Red citizens get it, I say we export Red off the ship to prevent this spread,” said Blue.
Brown tried showing more of her notes, but the others did not listen. All the crew members turned to Red. Pink, who was Red’s friend, stood in front of him. Blue’s claim moved all the other crew members. They gathered together, plotting to remove Red from the ship.
By the end of that night, while Red was sleeping, three crew members gathered around Red, picked him up, and exported him out of the ship.
Only six crew members remained (Pink, Yellow, Brown, Green, Blue, and Sky).
Crew members (Blue and Sky) hover over Red’s night pod
Day 5:
Pink looked for Red for that morning. After finding that Red was nowhere in the ship, she went to the main center of the ship. The crew members admitted to removing Red.
“You all are mad. How would you guys know that Red is the root of all of this? Are you guys exempt from the Red Plague? How do you know that you’re not a carrier?” said Pink.
Blue scoffed. “I know for sure that it’s not my fault.”
“I’m not trying to die on this ship before we land,” said Yellow. All other crew members went to complete their tasks.
Towards the end of that night, Sky found it hard to breathe, and in a couple of hours, he passed in his sleep.
Five crew members now remain.
Day 6:
The crew members woke up to the sound of Blue frantically crying. They rushed to Blue and Sky’s part of the ship and saw Blue trying to revive their friend. It was too late, Sky was dead.
Blue turned to Pink, “I’m almost certain that you are responsible for this,” Blue angrily said.
“I’m most certainly not,” said Pink. Brown went to check on Sky and found that Sky’s oxygen tank was empty. “Sky’s night pod has no oxygen. Who was responsible for changing the oxygen for the night pods yesterday?” asked Brown.
“Well it was supposed to be Red’s task but...” said Green.
“It has nothing to do with Sky’s tank, Pink or any of you guys could have passed on the lethal bug. Plus, we would all be dead if no one refilled the tanks,” said Blue.
The crew members start to think about how else Sky would pass. “I think that it was Green’s fault. I believe you have the bug, and your 'medicinal' herbs are doing nothing,” said Yellow.
“I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for my herbs. Yellow, I thought I heard Red telling me before that you don’t believe in hand sanitizer, you definitely have it,” said Green.
“I think I heard that too,” said Pink.
Day 7:
In the dining room, the five crew members sat away from each other. No one said a word. The buzzing from the ship's engine filled the silence.
Brown was sleep-deprived. She was up all night finishing the tasks that were overlooked. She was too exhausted to assign tasks to the other crew members. She had no faith in them anymore.
After breakfast, the crew members went their separate ways, not knowing who was doing what. It seemed to be a quiet day on the ship. No fighting, no bickering. However, that silence was broken when all the crew members felt an impact on the ship and heard a loud bang.
Pink, Yellow, Green, and Blue came rushing to the front where the control room was. They found Brown passed out on the seat with her head laying on the control panel. The screen was flashing a crash alert: “ALERT! IMPACT ON SECTOR C”
Blue took control of the ship while the other three members rushed to where the ship was impacted. The three froze in front of the door labeled “Sector C.” They could hear ruckus behind it.
“Yellow, this looks like the job for you bud,” said Green.
“My tasks do not involve this kind of stuff,” said Yellow.
“Yeah, maybe you should go Green,” said Pink.
“I’m not going first. I don’t want to get swooped away,” said Green. All three wouldn’t nudge. Then, both Yellow and Pink pulled the door open, pushing Green in. Before they could close the door, the huge hole in the ship sucked them out. Pink held onto the door while the Yellow held onto Pink’s ankle. Both started to hyperventilate, using most of the oxygen in their suits. Pink shook off Yellow and tried to pull herself back in. Eventually, her hand slipped, and she was sucked into space. The door remained open and the oxygen in the ship depleted.
At the opposite end of the ship, in the control room, Blue was frantically steering, trying to get ahold of the ship. Brown was still passed out on the other side.
New warning messages popped up warning about the oxygen levels. Both Brown and Blue had some oxygen in their tanks, but it would not be enough to last. “Wake up, Brown!” Blue yelled. No answer. More alerts came on the screen and the ship began to rumble vigorously. Blue tried to call other ships, but there was no answer. Then Brown woke up puzzled. She soon realized what was happening and tried her best to take control of the situation. Unfortunately, the control of both Blue and Brown wasn’t enough once the ship’s power shut off. Both sat there in silence in the dark. They could hear whooshing coming from the back of the ship.
“So, what now?” asked Blue.
“I don’t know,” said Brown. Only two members of Ship 21 remained. Lost in space and only given a minuscule amount of time to remain alive.
“I never thought this is how I would die. I thought escaping the Red Plague would guarantee my survival,” said Blue.
“It’s not the plague that we should be worried about,” said Brown with her head lowered
“The way we bicker and point fingers at each other was the true plague.”
“Don’t go onto saying that kind of nonsense. You just want to feel better about you crashing our ship,” Blue said.
“Don’t you get it? We wouldn’t be in this situation if we had more of our crew members,” Brown paused for a brief moment before continuing, “Being on this ship made me realize that we never should’ve left.”
Both sat there silently and utterly defeated. They reflected on their past, their regrets, and what they could’ve done differently.
Was it right to kick Orange off the ship? Was Blue responsible for Sky's death? What or who started this whole mess? Was Purple’s autopsy correct? Were all the crew members flawed individuals who predestined the fall of Ship 21? These were the questions that weighed over the two remaining crew members as they waited for their last few breaths.
Sarah Rivera was born and raised in Las Vegas and currently attends the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a Biochemistry major. In her spare time, she enjoys journaling, writing poems, hiking, and painting.