by James McEwan
“One last question Doc, who are you?” the tech asked as curiosity got the better of him.
“Oh sorry where are my manners, Doctor Julius Hammer, at your service.”
“Wait, what? Aren’t you supposed to be dead? I swear I remember something about you being murdered on some back water moon.”
“Hmm so I’m told, but as I said before death is a merely an inconvenience for some. Now really, please be quiet so I can work,” Doctor Hammer said as he turned his attention to Thad. He ran his scanner over him and then looked at the data. “Oh my dear boy what have they done to you?” Doctor Hammer reached back into his black bag and pulled out an injector gun and a vile with a green liquid that glowed slightly. He placed the gun to the side of Thad’s neck and pulled the trigger. The liquid in the vile disappeared as it was injected into Thad. Once it was empty, he removed the gun and placed it back into the bag. Then he turned to the tech, “Now if you want to see something truly amazing come over here and watch.”
The tech came over and stood next to Doctor Hammer. At first nothing happened, “I don’t see anything doc,” he said.
“Just wait for it. It will take some time for those little buggers to wake back up and do their jobs,” he replied.
“Little buggers?” the tech asked.
“Yes. You see lad, Thaddeus here has a special protein in his blood that is made from a programmable biological nano bot. They are just like nano bots made from metal, but these are actually organic and there for can repair the body. In addition, because they’re organic and made with strains of his own DNA there’s no rejection or corrosion issue involved, like those who have been plagued with issues using metal nanos. They can also use the food he ingests as material to reproduce themselves,” Doctor Hammer explained.
“So if this nano protein is supposed to heal his body, what happened to him?” The tech asked still wondering what was going on.
“Well lad, whoever did this to him must have known about his nano protein and tried to shut it off, but what they didn’t know was last time I saw him I adjusted the formula. So all they’ve managed to do was put them into crisis mode.”
“Crisis mode?” the tech asked, so totally fascinated by Doctor Hammer that he completely forgot he was supposed to be guarding the body and not be getting a lesson on nanite medicine.
“Yes crisis mode. In the event of a massive system failure, or death as you might call it, all of the nanites rush to the brain and provide oxygen and fuel to keep it alive as long as possible. Now, even though the body is technically dead the brain is not,” Doctor Hammer said as he continued his explanation.
“So theoretically, how long could he stay in this state of ‘almost dead’?” The tech asked flashing quote marks in the air.
“Not really sure to be honest with you, as the blood carries a lot of oxygen and glucose. If the body was cooled and kept from decomposing I would say months or maybe even years. However, I really don’t care to test that theory right now,” Doctor Hammer said as he reached into his bag and pulled out a sandwich. He took a bite and chewed and swallowed. “Good thing the wife packed a lunch. Thad never told me that trans-dimensional travel made you so hungry.”
The tech was watching Doctor Hammer consume what looked like a Ruben sandwich on marbled rye bread when he noticed the cut in Thad’s neck closing on its own. “Holy sh…” his voice tailed off unable to believe what he was seeing.
“Astonishing isn’t it?” Doctor Hammer said, still with a bite of sandwich in his mouth.
“It’s unbelievable,” he replied.
“Believe it,” Doctor Hammer said while he smiled at his own work.
The tech leaned in close to get a better look just as Thad gasped for air. The tech screamed again and this time jumped back running into a gurney. He fell backward over it and cracked his head on the floor. He was out cold. Doctor Hammer shook his head and went over to check on the young man. He could see that he would have a large lump on his head and one hell of a headache when he came to. Doctor Hammer gave him an injection that would prevent a concussion.
Satisfied the young tech was okay he returned to check on Thad. He checked his vitals, which were coming back stronger and stronger. It would just be a matter of a few minutes before Thad would wake. All that was left for him to do was wait and finish his lunch.
In the vehicle St. Claire was pushing the flying car as fast as it would go. At first he was worried about the wind resistance pealing Kára off the side of the car, but she electrified the gauntlet on her hand holding the rack so it couldn’t come open.
In the back, Colonel Grunt held on to life, even though he had passed out. However, with the help of the med kit and the expert training of the Terrain Marines, Hunter was able to stabilize him.
St. Claire knew that he needed better care or he would die. He knew his only hope was the medical bay on the Eden. There was no more advanced medical facility anywhere than on the Eden. He broke radio silence with the Eden and informed Eve of their situation. “Eve we’re not going to make it to you in time, you need to come to us.” Eve understood and powered up the engines.
On the shore of the lake the two Alyn Rue soldiers were just waking from the sedative Eve had given them. The shorter fatter bear like soldier sat up and stretched his furry arms and yawned. The surface of the lake appeared to begin to boil. He reached over to his companion and tapped him. Then the top of the Eden broke through the water. As it exited the water the Alyn Rue grabbed his friend and shook him awake. The creature sat up and looked down the nose of the Eden.
Eve needed to hover for a few seconds to let the water run off the Eden so it wouldn’t interfere with her control services. The result was a shower of water and mist soaking the two Alyn Rue. The two terrified wet soldiers hugged each other and looked like drowned cats. Once the Eden was ready to fly it rocketed away with enough of a back blast to knock the little Alyn Rue down, and at the same time blow dried their fur. After the Eden was out of sight the two Alyn Rue sat up and looked at each other, their fur sticking straight up. The larger one said to the little one, “Not a word, not a damn word to anyone.” The other one just nodded and grunted in agreement.
“Mr. St. Claire, please step on it, otherwise I don’t believe our friend Colonel Grunt will make it,” Amanda said as she had just gone back to check on him.
“Sorry boss, but this heap of junk is maxed out. Hang in there, Eve is on her way,” he said over his shoulder.
Ruby placed her hand on St. Claire’s arm, “Don’t worry, I’ll help him.” She then went to the back of the vehicle and placed her hands on Colonel Grunt’s wound. She closed her eyes, and what happened next caused everyone to be both amazed and understandably a little frightened of the young girl.
Ruby’s hands seemed to start to glow. It was if she were generating some kind of white light. The light increased, finally becoming so bright that everyone had to shield their eyes. Grunt let out a scream of pain, and then it was all over. The light was gone and Ruby collapsed. Amanda grabbed her granddaughter and checked to see that she was still breathing; she was.
Grunt sat up and pulled off this bandages. He stared in disbelief at where the wound had been, feeling along perfect flesh where he was now completely healed. No scar, no scrape, no bruise remained to prove a wound had ever been there.
Collin looked at Grunt then back at Amanda, “Did you know she could do that?”
“I had no idea. I wonder what else she can do,” Amanda said with fear in her voice.
Doctor Hammer had just popped the last of his potato crisps into his mouth when Thad’s eyes snapped open and he sat up. He looked around and then focused on Doctor Hammer’s smiling face. “Welcome back from the dead my boy,” Doctor Hammer said as he stood up and walked over to Thad.
“That was really unpleasant,” were the first words he uttered, his voice raspy as the nanos were still repairing the damage in his neck. “By the way it’s good to see you doc, but what are you doing here? And w
asn’t I dead? I mean, I remember getting my throat cut and bleeding out and all.”
A muffled voice came from the other side of the room, “You were temporarily dead,” it said.
Thad leaned over to see around Doctor Hammer. A young male med tech was sitting with a bag of ice nursing a large goose egg on his head. Then he leaned back and faced Doctor Hammer who was scanning him. “Temporarily dead?”
“Yes, it’s a condition you’ve been in a couple times before, nothing to get very excited about. Now hold still so I can finish making sure that everything is working properly,” Doctor Hammer chided him.
Thad was going to ask another question, but before he could there was a loud bang on the door. Everyone’s head turned toward the sound. There were two more bangs on the door before it gave way. The door came off its hinges and slammed to the ground. Eve strode in, her hair a mess and her face and hands smeared with a mixture of blood and burnt carbon.
She took one look at Doctor Hammer and screamed, “Julius!” She crossed the room in a flash and grabbed the little doctor in a bear hug. She was kissing his face and neck. “Confound it woman! Put me down, I’m not your Julius damn it! I’m married for goodness sake!”
She smiled at him, “I don’t care! It’s just so good to see that little wrinkled face of yours.” He wrinkled up his forehead like he always did when he was irritated. That seemed to make her even happier.
“Eve honey, put the good doctor down before you break him,” Thad said pointing out that she was squeezing him a little too tightly and the poor man was struggling to breath.
“Oh sorry,” she said as she let him go. Then she turned to Thad and wrapped her arms around his neck, “You’re alive! But I watched that man kill you! How?”
“Long story, but you seem different somehow Eve. Did you do something with your hair?” Thad asked.
“Sorry to interrupt your reunion, but my time is just about up. I have to get back to my own dimension now,” Doctor Hammer said looking at his watch.
“You have to go now? We could really use your help Doc,” Thad said.
“Unfortunately we are fighting a war on our side too and I really need to get back and help. I found a way to reduce the distortion in the time streams between dimensions, but it only leaves a small window for me to be here. Otherwise I could end up being gone for years,” he answered.
“I understand. Thanks for the help,” Thad said as he held out his hand.
“You’re welcome, my boy. Just next time you need a house call, please don’t be dead. It’s disconcerting to those around you,” he said as he took Thad’s hand and shook it. Thad pulled him close and gave him a hug.
“I’ll try. By the way, how did you know I needed help?” Thad asked as he let the doctor go.
“Oh, when you had your little phasing problem I had to rewrite the nano programing and I added a feature so that if they ever went into crisis mode it would use your communication implant to send me a trans-dimensional message. Now it has been very good to see you, but I really must get back,” Doctor Hammer said.
“Thanks Doc,” Thad said as the air shimmered around Doctor Hammer and he faded away. He waved as he went.
Thad waved back and then turned to talk with Eve. “It was good to see him.”
“Yes it was,” she agreed.
“So now what do we do with him?” Thad asked, pointing to the tech.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem right to kill him; after all he hasn’t done anything wrong,” Eve replied.
“Hey wait a minute! Don’t kill me. In fact, I have a better idea,” the young tech blurted out.
“Oh what’s that?” Thad asked as he slipped off the gurney.
“Take me with you guys. I’ve seen what they’re doing to people and I don’t want to end up as one of those monsters,” he pleaded.
“What monsters? What are you talking about?” Thad asked confused.
“Don’t you know? When I was in the network looking for you I found information on what the NGE is doing. They’re making Necromorphs,” Eve said as she sent him a flash of images to his mind through the communication implant.
“I see,” Thad said and he meant it. He now understood why the young man wanted out so badly. “What’s your name son?”
“Foster,” he answered, still worried about what was to be his fate.
“Okay Foster you can come with us, but we’re going to be moving fast. Stay behind Eve and she’ll do her best to keep you safe.
“Ahhh okay but she’s what, like a hundred pounds? How’s she going to keep me safe?” he asked.
Eve grabbed him by the lapels of his lab coat and lifted him off the ground. “There is much more to Eve then her shapely curves,” Thad said.
“Yah, I’m getting that,” he said while still dangling in the air. Eve sat him down and smiled. “Remind me never to piss you off lady.”
“Never a wise move,” Eve said.
St. Claire knew better than to think that things were going to go their way, but he was just starting to relax and allow himself to think they just might make it out of this with their skins intact. No sooner had the thoughts crossed his mind when a series of tracer and live rounds passed by the windscreen. “Hold on folks, someone’s shooting at us,” he said as he did his best to keep the car from being shot out of the sky.
The NGE forces had located them and sent several Ralnai attack sleds to bring them down. These were the newer more powerful, and much more maneuverable, sleds where the pilot laid down behind an armored windscreen. They had a lower profile so they were much harder to hit. However, that was the least of their problems.
They were in an unarmed light-skinned civilian flying car. The only reason they were not already a flaming pile of wreckage was that Archie and Kára where on the outside of the vehicle returning fire. Archie was carrying a heavy cone rifle while Kára was throwing lightning bolts left and right. Every time she threw one the power levels inside the vehicle would dip.
There was a lot of shooting going on and not a whole lot of hitting. St. Claire was doing a fair job of keeping them from getting shredded, while Kára and Archie were doing their best to keep the Ralnai from getting a good shot. It wouldn’t last forever. Archie’s gun ran dry and Kára’s armor was reaching its max and had to cool down. Kára’s last bolt of energy landed and melted a large hole in one of the sleds windscreen showering the pilot in molten metal. The Ralnai pilot screamed and clawed at its burned face. The attack sled pitched over and crashed into a building.
It was not enough to diminish the threat as there were too many attackers, and it was only a matter of time before one of them landed a kill shot. St. Claire’s coolness started to crack, “Eve you better hurry or there won’t be anything left to pick up.”
“I need you to pull up and clear the city skyline,” Eve answered in a cool and calm tone.
“Are you nuts? There’s no cover up there!” St. Claire screamed into the com.
Amanda stuck her head over his shoulder, “Do it!”
“I don’t know who’s more crazy, you for telling me to do or me for doing it?” St. Claire said as he pulled up on the controls. Within seconds, they cleared the skyline and were out in the open. The three remaining attack sleds followed. The Ralnai pulled into formation, each one gaining a missile lock.
Three missiles left their rails and screamed forward on their mission of death. St. Claire saw the flash from the missiles as their engines ignited. He chose not to warn the others knowing there was no point, in a few more seconds they would all be dead. He relaxed, closed his eyes, and waited for the end. It didn’t come. The missiles were right on top of them when all three vaporized in a flash of white light.
Not being dead St. Claire opened one eye, squinting as he looked around then opened up his other eye. He looked in the mirror just in time to see the Eden drop down behind the three Ralnai attack sleds. They tried to break formation and flee, but the Eden was too fast for them. Eve sent all three Ralnai warriors
to meet their great chieftain in a hail of fire.
“Cut your throttle when I tell you,” Eve’s voice came over the comm.
“Cutting it a bit close don’t you think,” St. Claire replied.
“Cut it in three, two, one, cut now,” Eve said as the Eden’s cargo bay doors opened and she increased speed. The Eden looked like a whale feeding as it swallowed up the flying vehicle. St. Claire did as instructed and cut his engine. The car slammed down on the deck hard and skidded to a stop in a hail of sparks.
St. Claire powered everything down then turned to the passengers, “Not one of my better landings.”
Amanda stuck her head back over his shoulder, “We’re all alive so it was good enough for me.”
St. Claire opened the doors and Carl stuck his sweaty bald head through the door, “Where’s the wounded, I got supplies.”
“Everyone’s okay,” Amanda said.
“Well, not everyone,” Kára stated.
St. Claire jumped out worried about Kára, but he had nothing to worry about as she was pointing to Archie. The rack he had been holding onto had broken leaving him nothing to hold when they landed. He had been thrown free and the car had landed on top of him. St. Claire walked to the back of the vehicle and bent down to see Archie half smashed into the deck.
“You okay there buddy?”
“I think so sir, but I can’t seem to get any leverage. I seem to be stuck sir,” Archie said as he wiggled in the wreckage.
“Hang in there buddy. I’ll get the cargo crane,” St. Claire said.
“Not to worry my friend. I’ve got this,” Mortlock said as he gripped the back of the vehicle with both hands and lifted. Once the weight was off of Archie he was able to extract himself from beneath it. The backside of the robot was completely worn down to the metal.