The Madness Engine

by Paul B Spence

  "How are you doing, Tonya?" he asked.

  "Still broken," she replied. "How about you?"

  "Still breathing."

  "So what was all the fuss?"

  Tebrey walked over and sat on the floor next to Ana's chair, resting his head against her leg. Ana reached down and ran her hand across his head. It felt so good, he could almost cry. "Jaernalith ship entered the system, with a Theta aboard," he said.

  "Holy shit!" Tonya exclaimed. "You boarded?"

  "I led a team in. They surrendered."

  "The Jaernalith?"

  "Them and the Theta. I took them down to the containment facility. Kainoa was beside himself."

  "I bet," Tonya said. Tebrey could sense her confusion. "Has a Theta ever surrendered?"

  "Not that I know of," Tebrey said tiredly. "This one seemed different. He called himself Ragnar. Said he was one of the victims of the Engine."

  "No fucking way. A Theta with a name?"

  "Yeah, that was my thought. I'll be asking the Aurorans about that."

  "You know Father is back?" asked Ana.

  Tebrey glanced up at her. "I wanted to see you first."

  "You should go see him."

  Tebrey sighed. "I know. I'm just so tired."

  "Go see him, then come back to our quarters. I'll help you relax."

  He laughed and stood up. "How could I turn down an offer like that?" He bent and carefully kissed her. "Tonya," he said with a nod, and left the room.

  Θ

  Geoffrey was shaking as he pushed the button to be admitted into the room. He'd been waiting for months for news. Now he was almost afraid to hear what Drake had to say. He entered when the door opened, and immediately stopped. He felt the tension in the room, and he wasn't even a psion.

  "Geoffrey," Drake said. He was swept up in an embrace that was uncomfortable even though he was wearing armor. Drake looked much the same as always. Geoffrey searched his face for news, but Drake was unreadable.

  "Jason?"

  Drake shook his head. "Yes and no," he replied. "I haven't found him, but I think that is because he isn't on Earth anymore."

  "He went back through the gate?"

  "No, not that. He's the captain of the Roald Amundson. You've heard of it?"

  "Yes, but that's impossible. I remember when it launched. The captain was a tall, blond guy."

  "A stand-in, to obfuscate the truth," said Drake. "I talked to Elena. She told me Jason is the captain of that mission. She wouldn't lie to me. Couldn't."

  "So he's still alive?" Geoffrey said. "On his way to Centauri?"

  "That is where it gets difficult," said Drake. "The ship isn't going to Centauri. I don't know where it's going."

  Geoffrey threw his hands up in frustration. "Can Hephaestus find him?"

  "He's looking. It may not be easy, Geoffrey."

  He fought down his disappointment. "How are things back home?"

  "Better than they had been," Drake answered. "Your friend Alan is doing well. The survivors are pulling together. I helped with a vaccine for the plagues. I've also started a project I'd like to talk to you about later."

  "Okay."

  "In the meantime, we traveled up to the gate, and I locked it down. Jason's world won't have any trouble from yours."

  "We?"

  "I was joined by two Aurorans," Drake said, gesturing.

  Geoffrey was startled to realize he recognized one of the men. "Is that...?"

  "Brennen," Drake answered firmly. "Yes, I thought you might recognize him. Now isn't the time for questions, however."

  "I understand." Geoffrey had never told Drake he'd met... Brennen, back in the old days. He should have figured that Drake had known anyway. Not much got past him.

  Tebrey entered the room behind Geoffrey, making the small space crowded.

  "Father," he said. By the flat tone of his voice, Geoffrey could tell Tebrey was angry. He wished he wasn't between the two of them of them.

  "Maybe we should step outside," said Drake.

  "Sounds like a good idea."

  Geoffrey stood aside; he didn't want any part of this conversation. Drake's face was unreadable as he passed. Geoffrey knew Tebrey was angry and hurt. Mandor's death had touched all of them in different ways, but it had hit Tebrey the hardest. He'd been different since then, less predictable. When they'd first met, Tebrey had seemed so calm and collected, but now... Geoffrey wasn't so sure. A person couldn't endure the kinds of torments he'd been through without being affected.

  He turned and smiled uncertainly at the Aurorans. He was an outsider there, too. He didn't belong anywhere anymore.

  "So, Geoffrey," Brennen said, "it's been a while."

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Tebrey turned as his father came out of the room, and waited for the door to shut. Medical was quiet, only a few doctors and nurses talking softly in the office. He and his father could talk undisturbed, as long as they didn't get too loud.

  "Well?" he demanded.

  "Well, what?"

  "Where were you? We needed you!"

  "Petulance doesn't suit you, son," Drake snapped. "I come and go as I please."

  "You've heard that Admiral Shadovsky died?"

  "A noble sacrifice," said Drake. "Look, I understand your anger, but don't diminish what your friend did. Don't transfer your own sense of guilt by being angry at me."

  Tebrey swung at him. He knew it was stupid even as his fist started moving, but he was too angry to think about it. To his surprise, he connected with Drake's face. It felt like he'd punched a bulkhead; his father didn't even sway.

  "Feel better?"

  He turned away. He wasn't sure what made him angrier: that his father hadn't even bothered to block him, or the fact that he was right. Tebrey wasn't angry with him – he was angry with himself. To make matters worse, his hand was throbbing painfully now, despite his armor. His father's face wasn't even red.

  "There was nothing you could have done," said Drake.

  "You know that for a fact?" Tebrey asked, turning back and meeting his eyes.

  "I know that you would have tried, but then you'd be dead, and your wife and daughter would be alone."

  "Damnit, I know that!" Tebrey shouted. A doctor stuck his head out of the office, then thought better of it and closed the door.

  "If you want to be angry, direct it at the enemy. They are the ones responsible. Not you, not me, not anyone here. Do what you can, when you can. That's all anyone can do."

  "I'd gotten used to the idea of you not being around," said Tebrey. "Then you came back into my life, and I thought for the first time that we might actually have a chance against the Thetas, but you haven't been around. The last six months have been... tough. Harder than ever before. I thought we had a handle on what was happening, but it keeps changing."

  "You're fighting more than one enemy," Drake replied. "You have the enemy here, the ones who evolved here. You also have the ones from outside."

  "To make matters worse," said Tebrey, "we also have people making them."

  "What?"

  Tebrey wasn't sure if he was glad to have been able to surprise his father on something like that. He'd been hoping Drake had a solution.

  "The Empire has an Engine that seems to be able to turn people into Thetas."

  Drake looked… worried. "That should not be possible."

  Tebrey shrugged. "We've got one of the devices. We also have a Theta who surrendered to me a few hours ago. He said he'd been forced to turn."

  "I'd like to speak to this... Theta. I've fought the Enemy for a long time, but I've never had one surrender. You have him in a secure facility?"

  "You've been to the prison facility on the surface?"

  "The one with the shielding?"

  "Yes."

  "I have. You're protections are inadequate."

  "Then help us."

  Drake sighed. "I'm sorry I was away. I can't promise I won't have to leave again, but I will promise to help you in any way I can until
then. I will also not leave without letting you know. Does that assuage your frustration?"

  "I'm sorry I hit you."

  "It's of no concern. You needed to let it out." Drake stepped forward and gripped Tebrey's shoulder. "I will help you defeat the Enemy, I promise you."

  Tebrey nodded. There was little he could say to that.

  Θ

  Tonya waited anxiously while Doctor Miller examined Ghost.

  I don't know why you're nervous. I'm the one who's pregnant, Ghost thought to her.

  Ana stifled a giggle. Tonya wasn't sure how she felt about the woman being able to hear Ghost's thoughts. That had always been something private they shared.

  She has a strong mind, Ghost thought. It comes in handy, having someone else to talk to. No offense, but you get to talk to anyone you like, so why should I be stuck just talking to you?

  I just liked the intimacy, Tonya replied. You're right, though.

  As always, Ghost added.

  The doctor stood, interrupting her thoughts.

  "Well?" Tonya asked.

  "As far as I can tell, everything is fine."

  "What does that mean?"

  Doctor Miller sat on the edge of the bed. "Ghost is healthy, and so is the baby," she said. "There just aren't any records of a neo-panther giving birth before, so we're on unfamiliar ground. A normal human gestation period is nine months, but humans are a bit unusual in that regard. Homndruu carry for seven months, and Rhyrhan for only six. The archives are a bit patchy on how long un-augmented panthers carried their babies, but tigers, which are about the same size as Ghost, carried theirs for about three and a half months. Based on the information Ghost gave me, that would put her at two months pregnant."

  "Ghost gave you?" asked Tonya.

  Datalink, Ghost thought smugly.

  "Right," Tonya said, shaking her head. You're just talking to everyone, aren't you?

  "The fetus is fully formed," Miller said. "The… Do you want to know the sex of the baby?"

  Ghost?

  Yes, please.

  "We do, thank you."

  "The baby is a she," said Miller. "Her heart is strong. Development is what I would consider normal."

  "Do you know if she'll be… a normal neo-panther?" Tonya asked. "Cognitively?"

  "Well, it's too soon to tell, but the fetus has a large, well-developed brain. I'd say she'll be a normal neo-panther, although without all the usual cybernetic augments, of course."

  I'm going to have a little girl! Ghost thought excitedly.

  Well, not so little, but yeah. Tonya grinned at Ana, who had a large smile on her face. You tell Hunter yet?

  Just did, Ghost replied. He's on his way.

  "So you think Ghost will give birth in a month and a half?" asked Ana.

  Dr. Miller nodded. "That's my best guess."

  "Thank you, Doctor."

  "No problem," Miller said, standing up. "I'll be back in a couple of days to check on you both." She left with a nod to Ana.

  "You know that means you can't take part in the attack on the Empire," Ana said.

  "I know."

  You could still go, Ghost thought to her. I can't, but you could.

  No, I want to be here with you.

  "That won't be so bad, will it?" Ana asked.

  "You know Tebrey and Hunter will to go."

  "I know." Ana couldn't quite keep her concern from her voice. "So I need someone around to help with Amanda."

  Tonya sat back in bed. "What the hell is a baby neo-panther going to be like, anyway?"

  "Cute," said Ana

  Ghost laughed mentally in both their heads.

  "Seriously, what are we going to do?"

  "She'll be fine. We'll get through it. I'm excited about being an aunt."

  "You're crazy."

  "I'm practical."

  Tonya rubbed her legs; the healing wounds itched. "There are a few other things that we need to figure out," Tonya said. "Like implants."

  You think we should augment her like Hunter and me? Ghost asked.

  "I don't know," Tonya said. "Obviously the major implants would have to wait until the baby is full grown, but I don't know about the others."

  "Most citizens of the Concord have datalinks," Ana suggested. "I even got one. Why not start with that, once she's old enough? Then let her decide if she wants the rest once she's grown up."

  That sounds fair, Ghost said. Let her make the choice.

  "Ghost?" Tonya wasn't sure how to ask what she wanted. "Are you planning to have more than one child?"

  Hunter and I haven't thought about it. We were surprised by this one. What do you think?

  "I think you should discuss it," Tonya said. "If you end up pregnant all the time, we aren't going to be seeing much action."

  Is that so bad?

  Tonya didn't have an answer for that.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Tebrey led Drake down through the security checkpoints into the maximum security facility under the capitol. He knew Drake had been there before, but he still felt compelled to tell him about each of the security measures along the way. His father's comment about the facility's protections being inadequate had gotten to him.

  Dr. Kainoa met them as they reached the main floor of the facility.

  "Commander Tebrey," said Kainoa. "Mr. Drake."

  "Hello, Dr. Kainoa," Tebrey responded. "How are our guests?"

  "Quiet and peaceful. They haven't given us any trouble, not even the… whatever he is."

  "He's not like normal Thetas, is he?" asked Tebrey.

  "No, he is quite different. I don't know what that means, though."

  "Perhaps we should start there," Drake interjected. "I find myself curious."

  "Where are you holding him?" Tebrey asked.

  "I can take you there."

  "I'd rather it be just the two of us, for now. We don't know what this thing is capable of."

  "Our psionic shielding is in place," Kainoa said defensively. "It has always worked fine."

  "Didn't work too well against me," Drake said. "To be honest, I barely even noticed that it was there. If you ever had one of the Ancients in here, they would laugh at such pitiful efforts."

  "Just tell us where it is, and we'll go from there," Tebrey said, forestalling an argument.

  "Holding Cell A-19-1."

  "Thank you, Doctor."

  Tebrey led Drake away before he said anything else to antagonize Kainoa. The pressure of the psionic dampening field was steady, but Tebrey thought he could understand what Drake meant. The field only dampened a single bandwidth. He could dimly sense an undercurrent of thoughts from the cells around him, and he shouldn't have been able to.

  Cell A-19-1 was one of the most heavily fortified. Tebrey activated the air screen linked to the video feed from the room. A dark, man-like shape sat at a table. His eyes glowed a dull red. It was everything Tebrey could do to keep from drawing his pistol and destroying the Theta. This thing had caused him so much pain. This was the enemy.

  Drake suddenly growled deep in his throat and wrenched the armored door open. The containment protocols activated, bathing him in reality destroying force, but he ignored it. Ragnar stood up and backed away, bringing up his hands in a useless gesture to ward off an attack.

  "Father!" Tebrey cried. "We need him alive!"

  That stopped Drake. He turned, and his eyes blazed with a bright green fire that died down a little as he met Tebrey's own.

  "I wasn't going to attack him," Drake said quietly, "but I need to know how he came into being." He turned back to Ragnar. "Well? Do you know me?"

  "I don't even know what you are," Ragnar managed, "much less who."

  "He's my father," Tebrey said. "I know you probably sense something off about him. So does everyone. He isn't the enemy, if that's what you're afraid of."

  Ragnar nodded.

  "Answer the question," Drake snapped.

  "I was a scientist on a team developing a device for quantum teleportat
ion," Ragnar said. "More specifically, it was a device that would allow a short-range hop through the first layer of hyperspace, even on the surface of a planet. It would have allowed troops to move through solid walls. The tests all looked good, so we moved to human trials. I volunteered. Something went wrong. Events are a little blurry for a while after that, but essentially it somehow turned me into a monster."

  Drake waved his hand dismissively. "That doesn't concern me right now. I want to know how it is that you exist."

  Ragnar shrugged helplessly and looked to Tebrey, but Tebrey was at a loss, too.

  "Drake, we know Thetas form naturally. Why is it so difficult to think that that they might form artificially?" Tebrey asked.

  "I'm not talking about that," said Drake, his frustration evident in his voice. "I'm talking about before his accident. Before this happened to him." To Ragnar, he said, "I want to know how you came into being."

  "I was born?" Ragnar suggested. "I want to be cooperative, I really do, but you aren't making any sense."

  "What do you know about your father?" Drake asked.

  Tebrey had a suspicion he knew where this was going, and he didn't like it.

  Ragnar shrugged. "I don't know. My mother didn't talk much about him. I know she did something to me in utero. Some kind of gene therapy. She said my father had a congenital disease of some kind that couldn't be cured any other way. Why is this so important to you?"

  "Because you are my son," said Drake.

  "Wait a minute," Tebrey interjected over Ragnar's protests. "You told me you didn't have any other children in this universe."

  "I shouldn't," Drake said. "It isn't possible, and yet he is my son – I can sense it." He held Ragnar's gaze with his own. "Tell me about your mother."

  "She's a brilliant scientist," said Ragnar. Tebrey could tell he was having trouble accepting that Drake was his father. Tebrey was having trouble dealing with that, too.

  "She's still alive?" Drake asked.

  "She was when last I saw her."