Write a Christmassy science fiction story featuring a spunky heroine. Your story must qualify as science fiction for this round and be written in English. It can be as long as you like, but please keep it a short story (normally under 5000 words).
The deadline for Round 4 - 1 is Saturday, December 14th 2024.

Just for fun, this would have been my entry had I moved on. Probably not as much sci-fi as paranormal, but I didn't move on so, I took liberties. Hope to still be around for next year's and seeing you all again. 2598 word count

Round 4 – Part 1

The service ended, and the assembled congregation followed the family out of the chancel to the facility's quadrangle where the vessel stood awaiting launch. Lily sat proudly in her conveyance, her grandddaughter Zarah at attention by her side as they watched the chancel officials complete the final consol entries for launching the remains of David Ortega into what had become an eternal sea.

There were a few personal condolences from attendees, the presentation of a small replica of the vessel holding sample remains, and then it was all over.

The private craft skimmed rapidly across the pod surface, slowing and hovering over the docking zone of where Zarah lived with her grandmother. Once settled, she remotely guided her grandmother's vehicle through the entry hall to the elevator bank, and up to their quarters.

The plasma screen was on with a stream of visual condolences from across the entire Ark population, and Zarah quickly turned it off as Lily began sobbing again.

"Gram, it's okay, let it out. There's nothing wrong with allowing feelings to rule at a time like this."

"I'll miss him so much, Zarah."

"I know." She squeezed her grandmother's shoulder. Her thoughts ranged to her own feelings over the loss of her parents during the uprisings over the advent of the Ark Seabreak. Earth had suffered greatly when the climate deteriorated to a point where oceans rose, overwhelming the land masses, driving millions to seek higher, and safer ground, in turn prompting violent conflicts leading to a long civil war.

In the end, Earth's population was decimated. The millions that didn't die in the wars were destroyed by the ravages of climate change. Those remaining became the fortunate passengers aboard the Arc Seabreak, a massive collection of floating pods connected by air-locked tunnels, constructed over years by different generations, who doggedly anticipated their eventual need.

Lily dried her tears and took her granddaughter's hand. "I should be thankful I still have you, Zarah."

"And I, you, gram. Hard to believe we are all that's left of the 'Pipaluk' era." She said, trying for a little humour.

Lily smiled, squeezing the hand. "And quite a group we all were. I'm just glad you and your mother never had to face him."

"But you and mom, and the women at the school made sure I would know how."

"Better safe than sorry, dear."

"Are you feeling better?"

Lily dabbed her face a final time and took a deep breath, "Yes. Yes, I am. Your grandfather and I discussed the possibility of this day, and we promised one another to savour the time we had together and not be a drain on those around us."

"Drain away, gram. Let it all out and then we'll decide on what we are going to do now about Christmas." She watched carefully to see how her grandmother took her suggestion.

A sad smile grew to one of great pride and affection. "Absolutely, we can celebrate the memory of two lives this Christmas." Her eyes glistened but the smile remained.

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Throughout the Ark, signs of the festive season were appearing in all their varied forms; there was no overriding influence for one belief or another. Families followed their own customs, adding to the amazing decorative spectacle it provided. Although, Santa Claus was accepted as a cult figure for the tradition of gift giving; a tradition that remained strong, and there were eager vendors competing for the attention of those seeking that perfect present.

Zarah moved through the crowds with graceful ease on her hover zip pad, like the old Olympic skiers, carving sharp turns and slaloming through the ambling shoppers. She knew where she was going and what she wanted to do. Her objective was in a section of the Ark devoted solely to its most senior population - New Eden. The idyllic setting was chosen for a section, housing those agreeably passing their brief remaining time, with no concerns or demands.

Festive lights lit the large portal door, and Zarah showed her ID pass to the pleasant receptionist who directed her to the visitor's lounge. She sat comfortably and watched the bucolic scene through the large one way wall of glass. Volunteers maintained the lawns and gardens, and looked after the pets providing comfort.

The Ark creators had planned well with a large section of bio labs that provided all the food and flora for the population. She smiled and sat up as she saw one of the attendants leading the old woman carefully to the lounge entrance. "Zarah! You are so beautiful, and you've come to visit this old woman."

"Old only on a calendar, Charis." She leaned in and kissed the wrinkled cheek. "And this is one visit I always make."

"I know – and bless you, child. How is Lily? She was always my mother's favourite you know."

"You've mentioned that before, yes, "Zarah smiled at the attendant and thanked her.

"You didn't ask about my grandfather."

"I know about him, and may his journey be filled with peace."

"But how--"

"We don't lose our powers, Zarah, I'm surprised Lily didn't teach you that."

"Mon didn't teach me, remember? It was your mom, Cerridwen, who supervised my schooling."

"Oh. Oh, well, mom probably just forgot." Charis looked around for a place to sit.

Zarah had to grin and when she had them settled, she pushed the button on the table in front of them, and a droid appeared with drinks and snacks, deftly placing everything in proper order on the table, and swishing off just as quickly.

"You didn't answer about, Lily." Shrewd eyes watched as she bit into a biscuit and followed it with a sip from her glass.

"She's fine. Naturally it still hurts and this time of year . . . well, you know."

From the folds of her vast gown, she removed a small metal box and passed it to Zarah.

"What's this?" She hoped it wasn't a present because she had nothing in return.

"It is for Lily. I have no use for it any more and she probably gave hers to your mother."

Zarah opened the box and stared at the transparent silver globe nestled in the satiny material. She gently removed it and held its warmth in her hands. The inside was opaque with a mist and she looked to Charis questioningly.

"But I never saw one at home."

Charis placed a pinched finger on her hand. "Nadia had it, but she never had the opportunity to pass it on. I'm sorry, dear."

"What is it?"

"It's a collection of all the spells used by the school during our times there." Charis smiled at her amazed expression, letting the information sink in before speaking again. "We each received one at graduation to pass down to our families. Ours was the last class to receive one, and the tradition ended when your grandmother needed all we could muster to defeat Pipaluk that last time."

"But this is yours!"

"I also have no family any more, Zarah. I give it to you gladly. Just make sure Lily gets it."

The request had an ominous ring and Zarah looked up questioningly. "Do you know something, Charis?"

"Lily will understand, dear. I'll leave it at that." She raised a hand, "I think I'd like to get back, Zarah. Thank you for coming, and you have a Merry Christmas." The brief kiss and the hand squeeze felt different from previous visits, and as the attendant appeared, they paused long enough for a hug and a whispered reminder to give the globe to Lily, then the attendant assisted Charis from the lounge.

At reception Zarah was told that her friend had requested her name to be removed from the visiting list. The message was delivered with a sympathetic smile. Charis knew her time had come, and Zarah blinked back tears as she watched through the glass wall, the old woman being helped back.

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As she sped back through the Ark heading for her home, Zarah reflected on the contents of the box and cradled it just a little closer. It definitely wasn't a Christmas gift she was bringing home. She raced to the tunnel air lock, squeezing in at the last moment, and having to wait impatiently for everyone to exit at the far end.

Finally back at home, she immediately told her grandmother where she had been, done, and what had transpired. She placed the box on the throw covering her grandmother's legs and stood back.

"Charis said you would understand."

Lily sat staring at the box, her face fixed in concentration. Slowly her eyes lifted, and she spoke in a quiet, shaky voice.

"Charis believes the threat has returned."

"The threat? You mean this Pipaluk?" She crouched down in front of the chair, her hands gripping her grandmother's.

Lily pulled free and opened the box. She lifted the globe and held in front of her, eyes closed. Zarah watched her breathing change and a frown mar her face. The eyes opened and Lily blinked back a tear.

"I can't do it any more. My body is just too old and weak to handle the powers."

"What do you mean?" Zarah stood up, flapping her hands.

"It means you will have to be the one."

"The one? What one? Grandma, what are you talking about?"

Lily bade her sit down beside her and explained everything that had to be done. Zarah listened, partly in awe, excitement, and fear. When Lily was done, she carried out the necessary steps involved in the transition of the globe's powers. She experienced a nagging remorse at what she was doing, but it was tempered with a pride that her granddaughter could, and would, once again see to the protection of the population.

As if the timing was ordained, two days later, the Ark security alarm sounded, and per protocol, everything stopped to hear the announcement from Ark Security Command. When it finished, the plasma screen came on listing the protocols, with instructions to follow as soon as the breach was identified.

"Charis knew, didn't she?" Lily responded with a nod. "And you know too, don't you?"

"It was inevitable. His original goal didn't matter any more. He has more water than he'll ever need. His goal now is revenge, and that has no time limit."

"You think this breach is Pipaluk?" Another silent nod.

"So what do I do?"

"You concentrate on summoning your new powers. He will find us soon enough, and you need to be ready. In the past he has always used a surrogate, but this time I sense he will want to get his revenge personally."

Zarah strode to the window and looked down at the courtyard. The Ark Santa was organizing his elves, a number of droids, in the proscribed costumes. As she watched, she saw him look up and at the same time an orange glow seemed to come from his group of elves.

"Grandma, it's him! Santa Claus!"

"You should be watching for Pipaluk, instead."

"No! I mean it's him! He's here dressed as Santa, and his elves are glowing orange!"

Lily steered her chair to the window and looked down. Santa waved back.

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The plasma screen lit up again, announcing the location of the breach and the threat level. The Atlantis Pod had been isolated with a Condition Four directive after readings from the Ark integrity data. Condition Four meant a lockdown of the pod. Nobody in, nobody out. Threat assessment was being examined and the appropriate response decided - in some past cases that had meant a total purge of the infected area.

The Ark's mandate was survival at all costs, because there was no other option for the population to survive. Earth had succumbed to the dire climate projections, and with but a few bits of land remaining, the only viable existence was on the oceans that had taken over.

A Con Four directive didn't allow for much time to decide on a response, and Zarah suddenly felt the weight of the fate of Atlantis Pod on her shoulders. The noise in corridor outside the unit drew her attention, and she opened the door cautiously. A beeping from across the hall alerted her, and she hurried over to a droid sitting, back against the wall.

"Report."

"Intruders unaffected by our weapons."

"Communications?"

"Blocked. My central core is disabled. Movement is impossible. It would be wise to extract my chip."

"Are there more?" Zarah knew the protocol for terminally damaged droids, but she needed to know all she could. Con Four wouldn't wait too long before executing a purge.

"Yes. You must remove my chip." She stared with a strange sympathy for a moment, then skillfully, opened the chest panel, and with a last glance at the visor, pulled the chip. The warning light blinked out and all movement ceased.

She dashed back inside the unit, freezing on the spot. Her grandmother was on her chair in the corner of the room, a protective shield valiantly struggling to protect her. Zarah stared at what she had previously only known from stories handed down through the family about how her grandmother had been the first to confront Pipaluk. On the floor lay the discarded Santa suit.

Was this really the Pipaluk of her family's lore? Was she now the only means to end his terror? She inhaled deeply and brought the strength of her powers to the ready.

"You are too late." The voice sounded as if speaking through water, and she watched carefully as the articulated limbs protruding from the head darted about unnervingly.

"Are you Pipaluk?" She managed to ask.

The figure straightened up, performing what she assumed was a laugh. "I am. And I am here to watch your grandmother's last moments."

"I think not."

Pipaluk suddenly stopped and glared fiercely at her, his head tilting, and the eyes glowing with a brighter orange. He turned toward Lily, "Think again."

Zarah recalled all her grandmother had recently told her, and recalled onto the fact that the cubes had been his needed source of power to function in a physical form. The elves; she needed to get the elves. The short cry snapped her attention to her grandmother as the shield buckled and collapsed, vanishing from sight. Pipaluk stepped forward, limbs jiggling in anticipation.

In a flash, Zarah executed one of the easier spells, creating a fresh shield around her grandmother, as she moved to the window. Pipaluk gave out with a horrifying shriek and turned on Zarah.

"Another member of this miserable cult are you? It will be a pleasure to avenge at last my many surrogates your family defeated."

"Your turn to think again." She opened the window and leaned out, inhaling, closing her eyes and sending a powerful bubble of force down on the glowing elves.

The explosion shot a rainbow of sparks into the air, and in an instant all that remained was a circle of burned metal where the Santa throne once sat. The shriek continued, but with a desperation that replaced much of the anger, as Pipaluk felt his physical form weakening. Zarah turned to see Lily's head tilted and her eyes closed, the shield buckling and dissolving into a mist.

Pipaluk lunged forward, tentacles reaching for Lily, his rage driving him in spite of his weakening. With all her effort, Zarah inhaled, squeezed her eyes shut and summoned every shred of her power. A humming began and a visible field of electrical force moved across the room, engulfing Pipaluk while at the same time an invisible barrier blocked him from reaching Lily.

The struggle went on with Zarah straining to maintain the force and her enemy flailing around, trying to escape. It took too much to maintain, and she had to stop. A dizziness overtook her and she collapsed, losing consciousness.

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Squinting in the strange light, the room seemed to swirl slowly, and Zarah urged her eyes open in increments, blinking and fighting to focus.

"Zarah? Are you awake?" The voice was familiar, and after a moment her grandmother's face came into focus and she let out a relieved cry. "It's all over, dear, you won. You finally defeated our old enemy."

"What happened?" She started to sit and fell back down, her head churning.

"You stopped him, took all his ability to keep his physical form. He was just a blob on the floor when the security droids arrived. They placed the remains in a nuclear disposal capsule. Pipaluk is no more."

"How did they know to come?"

Lily smiled. "Your little fireworks display on the courtyard had calls flooding the security office. They cancelled the Con Four and sent a team of droids to investigate. I came to and heard all the shouting outside. Other tenants were ordering the droids all around and I finally managed to get their attention from the window."

Zarah sat up slowly and looked at the tray of food. "How long have I been out?"

"Well let's say you came to just in time to celebrate Christmas. You pretty much burned up all the power you had to use. You won't be using any of your abilities for some time; you'll have to do things as any normal person would do." Lily laughed and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'm just happy you are okay, Grandma." She embraced the fragile body and held on, whispering her love. "Merry Christmas."

"It is, my dear . . . after all."

Conclusion