Soteria- The Crisis Forge

by Roberto Arcoleo

  Elgert wove his lies without hesitation.

  Mark and Jason sensed they were not being told everything. They dared not communicate their trepidations with each other, but they were both attuned to one other’s apprehensions. Why had they not contacted us sooner, preparing us for what we must do? Why had they been so late with these gifts of additional power? If we had more time, couldn’t we have become accustomed to them, grown deft in these abilities? No, something is not right.

  “You are telling us there is no other solution?”

  “The Prime has determined the solution. We will inform you of any further information,” responded Elgert.

  “The Prime?” responded Mark.

  “Yes,” answered Elgert, “we follow its guidance.”

  “And will we be safe?” asked Jason.

  “If you follow your instructions,” responded Elgert.

  “Please continue,” said Mark.

  Elgert paused. “You, Mark, with your advanced knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, will travel to the proximity of the asteroid. There, you will await the power of the magnetic field from the earth’s core, which will be directed to you by Jason. The asteroid may break into many fragments. In this case, you will have to calculate precisely the power of magnetic energy you will be receiving from Jason in order to send all the fragments into Jupiter.”

  Jason interrupted, “Did you say the earth’s core? Nothing can survive there.”

  “Yes, but for a short time you will be safe,” responded Elgert. “Therefore, Mark’s skill and speed will be integral to your escaping unharmed.”

  “So, it is I who will be in danger, then,” said Jason.

  “Yes, Jason, you will face more peril than Mark will. However, we have given you great strength to meet these obstacles. We will provide you special protections against the zero gravity and the immense heat and pressure of the core. We will implant within you the knowledge and ability you will need for survival. You will vacillate between dimensions so as not to be affected by the normal rules of physics. Within these nano-units of time you have between these states, you will project the exact proportion of the magnetic field needed to divert the asteroid. It must be done for a precise duration and angle so as not to upset the orbit of the earth itself. All has been calculated for you. All you need to do is follow the path which will be given to you,” responded Dronin.

  “Follow the path, huh? I have never been too good at that… I’m more of a figure-it-out-on-the-fly kind of guy.”

  “Yes, we are aware of that, Jason. It is a character we nurtured within you, knowing you might meet unforeseen problems. Please understand, this is your choice, Jason. We will not, and we could not force you, to go forward. But rest assured, if you do not… the earth will perish,” stated Elgert.

  Elgert knew that the twins’ sense of duty would leave them no choice. He was also planning on Jason’s rogue nature, for he knew his spontaneity and impetuousness would seed his end.

  “To save the earthlings, you leave me little choice,” replied Jason.

  Elgert felt that he had played the board well; he could see the end game before him.

  “We are implanting all the details of your quest into your minds now. You will see how we have done our best to secure your success.”

  “Wait,” interjected Jason. “What if something goes wrong? Will I be trapped in the core?”

  “Our calculations have been verified, but we have given you a way to end your own life if something goes awry. But if you follow the plan…”

  “Sure, just trust you,” responded Mark irreverently.

  “You will have received all the data by now, Jason. The choice is yours. We will say farewell for now. The earth’s moon is entering a position that makes direct communication with you impossible.”

  “But wait, what about our mother? When do we meet her?” asked Mark loudly.

  “Your mother is in another location and will be contacting you soon.”

  These last words from Elgert were curt and cryptic; quite unlike the warm and benevolent manner that they portrayed at the onset of the meeting.

  Mark and Jason again faced each other in the apartment. They heard the voice of Elgert: “Your mother will meet with you in two hours, Earth time.”

  Chapter 44: Waiting for Mananken

  On New Tripton, Allaceia awaited Mananken’s return from his meeting with the High Council. Mananken had been in this meeting for more than three hours, which could only mean that there were controversies. She interpreted this as a good sign; if the Triptonians did not have the ability to solve her dilemma, their response would have been quick. The delay hinted at a willingness to help, and maybe the price that would be asked.

  Allaceia sat in the outer chambers of the Council room. It was an immense corridor lined with opulent furnishings. These trappings must have been done to impress others. No one goes to such lengths just for themselves. But then again, these beings have great wealth, and they really like to show off, she smiled to herself. They are charming little beings, and not to be underestimated; none matches their technology. But will they help me?

  At last, Mananken appeared. “Cherba, cherba, cherba.” He smiled as he bounced down the hall enthusiastically. “Good news. They have agreed to help you. Werba, werba, werba,” he said as his smile vanished, and his tone turned grave. “But they will ask a high price.”

  Allaceia understood “Werba, werba, werba” quite well. It meant be careful.

  Mananken allowed his words to hang between them for a moment before continuing, “Some are concerned about the ramifications of interfering in the politics of another planet, so you must explain yourself well when you negotiate with them later.”

  “But do you have the ability to save them? And what of the Prime? Can you help there, as well?”

  “The Prime… Hmm. Werba, derba, werba… You have a big problem there. We will need our AI to help you. First you must understand that the plan was flawed and inaccurate from the start. This so-called plan was based on a lie. Not only is there not enough metal in the asteroid to be affected by magnetism, but in fact, the asteroid was never on a collision course with Earth. The Prime was wrong; there must be something seriously amiss with it. I cannot believe such a plan was even considered, but I am sure it was Elgert who seized upon this error. Maybe it was an honest mistake, yet we are certain the Prime grew to fear the effect Mark and Jason are having on your world. We believe it is threatened, and this has engaged its survival algorithm. Very dangerous.”

  “The Prime… It has been the Prime all along…” Allaceia mumbled, sinking into despondency. She fell back into a nearby chair. “Something in me knew this, but I wouldn’t admit it to myself. My staff and I often spoke of this. The Prime has been acting strangely for some time. It fears the end of its dominion, its purpose. So, my dear friend… What now? How can you save my children?”

  “We must deal with both problems: your Prime as well as Elgert. It was he who exploited it for his ambitions. Yes. Fixing both problems is the real trick.”

  “Yes, of course. Both.”

  “Well, the price will be high. Let’s look at the whole picture. Our spies discovered that Elgert’s plan is to attack Mark in outer space with a fleet of probes while he is occupied in his efforts to divert the asteroid. Elgert thinks Mark will be vulnerable there. He expects the earth’s core will destroy Jason. We must devise a plan to get rid of Elgert, but first Mark must survive in order to save Jason.”

  “Is this possible? Can you do this for me?”

  Mananken started to bounce up and down. His ears started to vibrate, almost dancing in place. His hair sparkled brightly and glowed in delight. “Cherba, cherba, cherba. Of course, we can do it. We are Triptonian.”

  “Thank you, Mananken. I will be forever in your debt.”

  “I must explain what will be hard for you, my friend. We must let him initiate the attempt to assassinate Mark and Jason. If we do not, he may be able to explain away everyth
ing, and avoid being exposed.”

  “I must let him try and kill them? But if he succeeds, how could I live with that? They are my children, Mananken. They have the power and the potential to change everything. Is there no other way? Mananken, I could not live if they died.”

  “My dear friend,” Mananken answered, “the Council is firm about this. The ramifications for us are very serious. If he is allowed to remain in power, he could make things difficult for us with the Federation. The law is quite clear about such matters. If the other planets were to learn we had interfered in the development of a primitive world without absolute approval, my head would roll, and so will those of others who follow my lead. No… If you want our help, your offspring will have to take the risk. There is no other choice.”

  “Mananken… If they die, I will never forgive myself.”

  “Do you trust my judgment, Allaceia? Do you have confidence in me?”

  She looked at Mananken. She understood the risk he was about to take for her, but her newborn emotions were tearing at her ability to make clear judgments. Her cool analytic abilities were failing her. She thought about what she should say. Still unsure, she replied, “Yes, my friend. I will put my faith in you.”

  “I know you’re uncertain, but when we succeed, your planet will be in your debt. There is no other way to go forward; if there were, I would take it. Elgert’s threat must be nullified. Your children have changed Eldern. That is what is troubling your AI. That is why this is happening. I cannot help you if he lingers in the background. Later, pacifying the Prime is simply a process of convincing it that it will remain vital, a part of your world’s future. This will be your job when you return. We can help it understand. We have had similar issues in the past. Our AI will help.”

  “Yes, I can communicate with it,” responded Allaceia. “I understand it. It will listen, I am sure. But can your plan fail?”

  “Any plan can fail, but I will go myself to help Mark and Jason. I will not let the plan fail. There will be risks, but I will not fail.”

  * * *

  Back in the apartment in the East Village, Jason and Mark stood in silence. Only the wailing cry of an alley cat broke the somberness in the air. Jason looked into Mark’s eyes. “Two hours… Not much time. We should go have some fun.”

  “Jason, we have to talk. Do you trust those guys? I don’t. I believe that the only honest thing they said is that we are growing stronger, much stronger. They’re not telling us everything, and I think there is a reason why our mother was not there. Something is going on.”

  “You may be right, but if I have to be back in two hours, I’m going to have a good time. God, I’d love to find Angela… I need to see Saya, too. The life I have left may be short, but at least it will be fun. I suggest you find your woman, and maybe Helena too, and do the same.”

  “Wait, Jason. Before you disappear on me, I need to know the plan. So, we meet back here in two hours. Think about what you are going to say to our mother. Maybe we can find out more details and how we can survive this.”

  “Yeah, right. Like, ‘Hi Mom, nice meeting you after all these years. Do you have any ideas how I can avoid getting my ass fried in the earth’s core?’” retorted Jason.

  “Be serious for a minute. I think she may be up to something. Why wasn’t she there? It doesn’t make sense. We have to be aware of any hidden message she might be sending us when we speak.”

  “Yeah, maybe she has some earth-core fire retardant in her purse.” Jason snickered. “Anyway, I’ll see you in two hours.” In a flash, Jason transported himself out of the room.

  Mark stood in shock after he vanished. What a temperament. Well, Jason is Jason, and nothing will ever change that. I’ll have to look out for him as best I can. Maybe I should take his advice and enjoy the time I have. Accessing Gabriela’s mind, Mark saw that she was still in the apartment with Helena. Apparently, she had been forced to spend hours explaining everything about him to her. Helena, completely confused, was hoping the explanation that he was an alien was a drug hallucination.

  I should go back there.

  Mark transported himself back to Helena’s apartment. Gabriela looked up. “You’re back...? You’re back!”

  Helena watched as Mark materialized and gasped. “Are you kidding me.” She again fainted into Gabriela’s arms.

  “See what I mean. I can’t deal with her, Mark. You have to do something.”

  Mark walked over to them and sat on the bed. “Okay, I’m sorry to leave you with such a mess. I’ll take it from here.” He placed his hand on Helena’s head and entered her consciousness; peacefully, he took control of her mind. Silently, he suggested that all of what Gabriela had told her was true and that she should accept her words completely and without qualification that he was an alien.

  Gabriela looked at him poignantly. “So, what are you doing? Are you doing some kind of Dr. Spock mind meld or something? Hell, Mark, you cannot just jump in and out of my life like this. Do you understand what it means when people say, ‘I’m only human?’ It means you have to understand the limits of what we can take. I’m starting to feel like a ping-pong ball. One minute I think I’ll never see you again, and then, BOOM. You’re back. This is not working for me.”

  “I’m sorry, Gabriela, but I have been going through a lot, myself. I just wanted to see you again, hold you again, touch you… Did I do wrong?”

  “It’s not that you did wrong. I’m really happy to see you, but it’s hard for me, that’s all. Here, come closer. Hold me. Let me hold you. I know you are going through things and I should not be so selfish. You have big problems, important ones, and my selfish thoughts are just that, all about me, but I’m sitting here in a murk. I know you say the world might end without you saving it, but when I think about not ever being able to see you again, I just wilt. The only thing I feel when you’re gone is that… you’re gone. Sometimes, when I’m with you I feel so alive, as if I’ve been riding on a shooting star, and then when you’re gone, I feel like I am just sitting on a park bench staring at an afterglow.”

  Mark looked intently, but the depth of her feelings was beyond his comprehension. He touched her face, gently moving his fingers over her lips. “I’m trying to find my way. We have such a short time. Let’s only think about what we have. Let’s make the most of it.”

  Their lips touched. “I love you, Mark. I regret nothing.”

  Mark looked for words of consolation but found none; he was searching to understand her feelings, but he had to feel them first. He heard himself saying, “You are the most special person in the world to me.” These were the words she wanted to hear. These words from this strange and elusive being filled her with hope, and that was enough. The room, the apartment, all of New York vanished. She reached for him and pulled him down. After, when she became exhausted, they rested. Gabriela touched his chest with her head and thought she heard his heartbeat, although she knew he didn’t have one.

  Suddenly, Helena woke up and looked around. “Oh, Mark. You’re back.” She had no recollection of seeing him just a few minutes before.

  “Gabriela, he’s back, what is going on?” Helena threw her arms around Gabriela. “Please tell me I’m not hallucinating, that I’m not going crazy.”

  “No, it’s okay Helena. I just had to go do something,” reassured Mark.

  “What? Did you have to go do some outer space stuff or something? This is really hard to take straight. Where is my coke?” She opened her bag, snorted some cocaine, and put her arms around Mark’s neck, pulling them both close. “Well, whatever… You’re back. He’s back, Gabriela.”

  “Helena, please calm down. I really like you but explaining this all to you is becoming a real pain with all this crazy talk. He’s an alien. Drugs won’t change that, so accept it. I have to tell you that this, this whatever he is, he means a lot to me. Now, I know you’re into him, and I really like you, but I need you to understand me. I may never see him again, and I don’t know what is going to come nex
t for him. I am about to cry at the thought of losing him.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, Gabriela. Do you want me to leave? Do you want to be alone with him?”

  “No, no, Helena, don’t leave! I need you now more than ever.”

  Mark overhearing the conversation got up and walked away to the window. He was overwhelmed with the thought of tasks before him, he looked down onto the street.

  Gabriela saw he was uncomfortable. “Come, Helena, we need to talk in private.” She grabbed Helena by the hand and led her into the bathroom. Motioning her to sit on the toilet seat, Gabriela whispered, “No. I don’t want you to leave. I thought about that, but no… Helena. What I want is… Helena, he is talking like he might die. I don’t know what to do. I need something, a gift beyond all gifts. So, my new friend, if these are his last hours, what can we do for him that he will never forget?”

  “What do you mean ‘he’s talking like he might die?’ He seems pretty damn healthy to me.”

  “I don’t really understand it, myself. I think it is about something dangerous he must do. Something has him very concerned, but I’m not clear about it. He is frightened, for sure. We need to make him forget about it all. We have to do something that will have him dreaming about coming back to me. A real memory.”

  “A memory?” Helena smiled. “Hmm… Well I’m good at that. But if I help make it, I get to share in the benefits, right?”

  “Yeah, yeah. But I mean a real memory, something that someone would yearn for, forever and ever. Maybe if he yearns hard enough, he will figure out a way to come back. I want him to think of nothing but that. We need something special. Do you have any ideas? And what do you mean by ‘benefits’?”

  “We have to talk. Gabriela, since we are doing all this sharing and planning, I have to tell you something. I am into Mark, but…” She paused, smiled, and looked into Gabriela’s eyes. “But, you know, I am kinda into you, too.”