by T. R. Harris
Te’moc and J’nae writhed on the floor, not completely overcome by the shower, but not fully functional either. Panur had to complete his defense before they recovered. The mutant removed a remote control device from his pocket and instructed a pair of robots to enter the room with canisters of more liquid nitrogen. They moved unaffected through the cloud and sprayed Te’moc and J’nae point blank, covering their bodies until there was no further movement.
J’nae’s outer skin was frozen solid, trapping her consciousness in a self-contained prison. Te’moc didn’t have the same rapid regenerative properties of the immortal. The cold penetrated deeper. To save him from death would require a major surgical procedure to remove the now-dead skin. Panur would do that, after introducing drugs that would control the creature.
As the deadly liquid quickly evaporated in the warmth of the chamber, Panur hopped down from the counter and approached the pair, who lay in fetal positions on the cold concrete floor. The robots, having fulfilled their duties, stood passively by, the nozzles of their metal canisters still pointed at the targets.
J’nae would be able to hear him; Te’moc wouldn’t. He was unconscious and near death. Still, Panur addressed the pair.
“Your machinations were expected,” he said. “I sensed the desire in you as the experiment progressed. With my assimilation, you expected to gain supreme power and intellect, and together you would rule the Sol-Kor and all the universes they dominate. It was an ambitious goal; however, you, J’nae, should have known I would suspect such an attempt. After all, you are so like me. I worked through the scenarios and made preparations.”
He looked closer into the frozen eyes, held open in a still-frame of … of anger. At the moment of J’nae’s defeat, she wasn’t frightened, but furious. Not at Panur, but at her own shortsightedness.
“Now you are wondering why I have gone through such effort to subdue you at the very moment of your awakening. It is because I still believe in the objective. The Queen is vulnerable, as is the entire Sol-Kor race. Change must happen, and you will be the catalyst of that change. But only when called upon. I will now lock you away, your immortality affording me the luxury of doing so until the time comes for you to fulfill your destiny. I know not how long, but the time will come. I will place hidden recordings in the computers of the Sol-Kor leadership, which will lie dormant until the time comes for them to learn the truth. In that recording, I will reveal your existence and your purpose. I know not where I will be at that time, but I know the Sol-Kor will have no choice but to initiate my plan. Loyalty to the Colony will override any concerns they may have. J’nae, you will become the Queen of the Sol-Kor. Fortunately, you will become the last of that title.”
He looked to the grey form of Te’moc. “And you, my friend,” he said, knowing the creature could not hear him. “After saving your life, I will preserve your body, but in pieces. As the Eternal Queen before me, I cannot find the courage to destroy you. Your existence is so unique that it would be a disservice to science to do so. But you will be retrieved only under my direct supervision—and control.”
He turned to the robots. “Follow your instructions,” he said to them. “Preparations have been made to receive the pair. Execute.”
6
…at the lost Aris base in the AD-14 star system
Te’moc left the TD starship without an environment suit and returned to the base, his regenerative cells allowing him to tolerate for brief periods the minus sixty degree Celsius temperature and thin atmosphere. Entering the underground complex, he passed several agitated Cartel soldiers, their frail bodies dressed in environment suits, racing to their vessels outside.
Word was circulating that this creature—this super-being Adam Cain—was on his way, and it was having an effect on them. Te’moc couldn’t understand their concerns. Cain was a Human, a mortal, nothing more. During his tenure, Te’moc had affiliated with the most powerful beings ever created, including J’nae and Panur, being instrumental in their evolution. He feared no mortal creature.
However, Te’moc was aware Adam Cain was one of the Humans responsible for the death of the Eternal Queen. That spoke of exceptional ability and fortitude. And now this same Human was deeply involved in this current crisis. Te’moc might be wise not to underestimate Adam Cain.
But still, he was just a Human. He could die.
Te’moc considered his current course of action. He had anti-asteroid weapons at the base—powerful energy bolts that could undoubtedly destroy the incoming vessel if the attack came suddenly and without warning. The second TD ship would be lost, but so would the threat posed by Adam Cain. And Te’moc would still have a trans-dimensional starship capable of tracking the Aris—and Panur.
As Te’moc’s rapid mind contemplated the alternatives, it was his innate curiosity that settled the matter. He had to see this super-Human in action. But just in case, he would have an escape plan in place.
J’nae was in the main medical suite, resting. More correctly, it was her Human host doing the resting. Once control had been turned over to J’nae to assist in his restructuring, the body had worked around the clock for two local days. J’nae wasn’t fatigued, but the host was. When J’nae relinquished control back to the Human, the body collapsed from exhaustion. Now Summer Rains was taking advantage of the lull in his regenerative healing to recover.
TeraDon joined him in the medical suite, along with his second-in-command, a green-skinned creature named Zaccs. Each had flash weapons around their waists and worried looks on their faces. They had fourteen Cartel soldiers within the base, along with five warships—two hidden on the planet and three in nearby space. Still, they felt it wouldn’t be enough.
Te’moc brushed off their concerns. At the moment he was debating whether or not to tell J’nae of Cain’s arrival, not sure how her Human host would react. That’s when he realized Summer Rains would view Cain as a threat. She had assisted in the theft of the TD starship in a desperate attempt to rid J’nae from her body. Now Cain was coming to stop her, having surely been briefed by Panur as to the deadly consequences of the extraction process, as well as the dire circumstances of a union between him and J’nae. Fortunately, J’nae had convinced the Human she would survive the procedure, and if she truly believed that, would she let Cain stop her now?
Te’moc shrugged, realizing that in a relative few minutes, his body would be strong enough to exact his will upon the host, with or without her permission. In the end, it mattered not how she would react.
He roused the sleeping Human.
“What … what is it?” The creature had trouble comprehending reality for a few moments, which was another weakness Te’moc did not possess. He never slept. It was a waste of time.
“Another trans-dimensional starship has entered the system and is proceeding in this direction. It is believed to be carrying Adam Cain.”
Te’moc was taken aback by the look of utter shock and pain that came to the Human’s face at the news. Why such strong emotion?
“That’s impossible,” Summer Rains mumbled.
“Why so?”
“Because Adam Cain is dead.”
Te’moc looked over at an equally shocked TeraDon Fief.
“How do you know this?”
“Because I—we—killed him.”
“Explain!”
“J’nae did it when we stole the Arya. I wasn’t in control at the time. I didn’t know what was happening. If the Sansa is here, then Riyad Tarazi is in command, not Adam Cain.”
Te’moc recalled the name. Tarazi was the other Human responsible for the death of the Queen.
“What is the Sansa?”
“It’s the name of the second TD starship Panur built.”
Te’moc tensed from anger. “Why was I not told there was another vessel?”
The Human was tired and dejected, still suffering from her confession to the death of Adam Cain.
“It never came up. But it makes sense that Panur would send them. He thinks
this extraction thing will kill me.”
When Te’moc didn’t respond, the Human tensed, her eyes staring unblinkingly at his towering figure. He could feel the strength growing in his new joints and connections. It was nearly time. It mattered not if she knew the truth.
“Look at the current state of your body, Human. You are a weak species. Your body would never survive the extraction process, no matter what others may have told you.”
You lied to me! Summer cried out in her mind.
J’nae was there; she was always there.
Of course, I did, you naïve child. Why would you believe anything I say? It has always been so. You were merely granted a slight reprieve as Te’moc’s body had to be transformed. Otherwise, the extraction would have happened the moment you entered the base. There is nothing you can do to prevent your fate.
The body slumped to the floor; Summer had difficulty calling it her body anymore. She was possessed by the Devil herself. Still, she fought to keep from passing out; that would allow J’nae to take control. Then she wearily shook her head. What difference would it make? Te’moc was hovering nearby, counting the minutes until he would be strong enough to merge with her and rip J’nae’s essence from her body, leaving a corpse in his wake. J’nae was right. There was nothing she could do to prevent it.
A comm sounded on TeraDon’s utility belt. He answered it.
“Cain—the TD ship—it is here!”
“So soon?” Te’moc questioned. “At last track, it was halfway across the system.”
TeraDon pursed his lips. “It is a TD starship. They must have calculated a short hop. The ship is now within the asteroid shield, and my units are not ready.”
Neither am I, Te’moc thought. He sensed that his body needed more time. To attempt a fusing too early could kill him. He would have to deal with the starship first. But without Adam Cain aboard, perhaps TeraDon’s concerns were overstated.
“Have two of your soldiers guard the Human,” Te’moc said to the Cartel officer. “Then go to the command center and prepare the interphase field.”
“Are you not coming?”
“I have my own agenda. Now, do as I say.”
Te’moc glared into TeraDon’s eyes. He could see the Cartel officer wasn’t anxious to sacrifice his forces against a superior opponent. His loyalty was now in question. Te’moc looked to the other Cartel officer—to Zaccs—searching for any such resistance in his demeanor. There was none. He would follow orders.
“Trust in me, TeraDon,” Te’moc said, hoping to pacify the alien. “I have a plan.”
Reluctantly, TeraDon began to bark commands into this comm unit. A moment later, armed soldiers entered, their weapons drawn, aimed at the drained Human female still huddled on the floor. TeraDon and Zaccs then rushed from the room, on their way to the command center.
Te’moc headed in the opposite direction, toward an auxiliary control room he’d found during his search of the Aris base. From there, he would monitor the coming events. As he said to TeraDon, he did have a plan; however, it had nothing to do with saving the Cartel soldiers and was more about saving himself and the TD starship. Even J’nae’s fate was in question.
“All I see is the Arya,” Riyad said as he scanned the hi-rez monitor. “There are hotspots on the ground nearby, indicating recent liftoffs, but no ships on my scope.”
“They’re out there,” Adam deadpanned, his tone defeated.
With the Arya—as well as Cartel ships—at the base, it meant Te’moc was there. Were they too late to save Summer? Adam chanced a glance at Monty Pitts, seated at the number two weapons station. He was staring straight ahead at the monitor before him, looking but not seeing. Everyone on the bridge knew the implication of Riyad’s statement.
“The activity was recent,” Riyad continued, yet not so enthusiastically. “The quick jump must have caught them off guard. They left only a few minutes ago.”
“But the Arya is still there, so that means so is Te’moc. Keep all defenses on high alert,” Adam said unnecessarily. This time, no one questioned his command authority, even in jest. “WEPS, target the Arya.”
This got Monty’s attention. He spun around in his seat. “She might be onboard!”
“Are you willing to bet the fate of the universe on it? I’m sorry, Master Chief, but we can’t let Te’moc keep the Arya. There’s too much riding on it.”
“We should at least check it out,” Sherri said from the second weapons chair. “Since the Arya didn’t leave with the others, it means Te’moc is still in the base and not on the ship. He has to have a reason for not leaving with the others. Summer is probably in the facility.” She left the last statement open to interpretation. “I say we man the topside flash cannon and keep an eye out for any movement from the Arya. If the ship attempts to lift, we blow it to pieces. We owe it to Summer—and Monty—to at least take a look, both in the ship and in the station.”
Adam knew she was grasping, but it made sense. He debated the situation. Denying Te’moc the Arya would keep him from accessing the other universe. However, the fact that he was in the base meant he had unfinished business inside.
“All right, we’ll do it your way,” he announced begrudgingly. “Sherri, Tidus, stay aboard. The rest of us, get into environment suits and gear up. Coop, land us near the Arya, not too close, but someplace with a clear shot.”
Everyone moved, including Monty. Adam didn’t try to keep the big master chief aboard the Sansa. He was going to find his daughter, and no one was going to stop him.
The Sansa landed on a low hill overlooking the entrance to the base; her nose pointed at the Arya, which sat about fifty meters from the concrete platform that served as a shuttle elevator into the facility.
Tidus didn’t complain about staying aboard the Sansa, but Sherri did. Adam laid it back on her. If she wanted the flash cannon aimed at the Arya, then she should stay here and do it. She grumbled but accepted her role.
The rest of the team set out for the Arya. Adam, Riyad and Coop had ATDs, which helped with communications. Monty was ATD-less, so out of courtesy, the men used their throat mics to stay in touch. They each carried trusted M-101s and plenty of magazines. Although they were supposed to believe that only Summer was at the station, they knew better. But how many Cartel soldiers were inside, that would take more analysis. The ATDs picked up several flash batteries moving throughout the complex, but nothing else was detectible related to the Aris base. The electronic controllers used by the ancient aliens were invisible to the mental detectors. All the team could do was affect the Cartel’s bolt launchers.
The hatch to the Arya opened with a thought from Adam. The ship was built entirely from Formilian parts aboard the Behemoth—the new name for Adam’s Klin Colony Ship. Everything within the vessel was accessible to their ATDs.
They spent a couple of minutes inside, verifying that the ship was empty, before moving to the Aris base. The electronic controls to the entrance airlock had long since been ripped away during previous visits to the facility, giving them unfettered access to the chamber.
From ATD scans, they knew the corridor on the other side was clear of any Cartel soldiers. Adam knew what that meant: Te’moc intended to use Aris technology against them, including interphase fields. Fortunately, Panur was fully aware of the technology, having installed a version of the field in the arsenals of both the Sansa and the Arya. As a consequence, he’d constructed countering devices which the team now carried on their utility belts and was sure to come as a big surprise to Te’moc and his Cartel allies. The team set about deactivating the firing circuits of the MK weapons they could sense. Now with their weapons dead and the interphase field ineffective, the Cartel didn’t have much to send against the four Humans, who were now parading confidently down the center of the wide central corridor, daring anyone to challenge them.
Adam smiled. This was going to be fun.
However, the problem for the team was that the base was huge. Adam spent time here a few mo
nths ago, but he didn’t get a chance to explore. It could take a while to search all the various wings and compartments for Summer and Te’moc. Fortunately, they could use their ATDs to locate the largest concentration of inert flash weapons. This would eventually lead them to the Cartel bosses—and Te’moc.
About two hundred meters into the station, Adam felt the first effects of the interphase field. Although the unit on his belt kept the field from completely forming around them, its effects were still felt. They turned dizzy and slightly disoriented. The field was struggling to close, scattering the trans-dimensional signals in all directions in the process, penetrating their bodies. If the bubble were allowed to close, they wouldn’t be feeling any discomfort, although they’d be separated from this reality. As it was, they were able to operate, but the microscopic interference with normal space/time was annoying. Monty vomited.
Through his ATD, Adam sensed a number of the Cartel members leaving a central gathering area and running to intercept the team, their indicators showing the interphase field failing to stop the Humans. Reinforcements were coming, ready to blast them with their flash weapons. That would be the soldiers’ second rude awakening.
The heads of a variety of aliens poked their way around corners, the barrels of flash weapons aimed in the team’s direction. Confusion erupted when the launchers failed to launch. Voices rose up in a panic.
Adam turned to his men. “Save some of them for interrogation. We need to find Summer.”
A moment later, the sharp staccato of suppressed M-101 fire echoed off the metal walls of the corridor. Any exposed body parts of the Cartel soldiers were ripped to shreds, spilling more bodies onto the floor, writhing in pain. The Humans did the courtesy of putting the wounded out of their misery.