by Nick Braker
Magnus didn’t want innocent people dying. They had families, children and a life outside their job. Not all of them were heartless killers.
Let it go, dude. Just like Grep said. Get your head in this. These four are depending on you.
Magnus motioned to his team to keep an eye out as he tapped his EP.
“Call Zara,” he whispered.
“Zara here,” she answered.
“What about inside?” he asked.
“Four guards,” Zara answered. “Looks like, from the infrared scan, they are seated around a table. They are located left of the front door as you enter. No one else was detected. That indicates you could have an entire platoon in the lower level. Infrared is useless that deep.”
“Lower level?” Magnus asked. Magnus motioned four to Ruth, pointing to the exterior windows of the home’s left side.
“There is a basement,” Zara said, “but since I am detecting another stairwell leading down in the basement, I have to conclude there is another subsection below it. Nothing, and I mean nothing, shows up on scans but something must be there. We are being jammed.”
“Clear then to that section?” he asked.
“Yes, but that could change over time-”
“Why didn’t you tell me before we left the ship?” he asked.
“Because I concluded you would contact me again after reaching the home, thereby giving us another few seconds to reach our destination. It was... expedient.”
“Thanks,” Magnus said, disconnecting the link.
Beep.
Magnus grabbed Ruth’s arm. “Let me go in and take-”
“Hell no,” Ruth said.
The other three chimed in, agreeing with Ruth. Was he even in charge? Ruth had their loyalty. Would they follow his orders if he pushed? Magnus made a decision.
“You’re right. We’re a team. Let’s take these four fuckers down and find that alien.”
“You gonna revoke her green card?” Li Xin asked.
Magnus smiled. “Permanently.” He started to move to the right side of the house, motioning Li Xin to stay behind. She started to protest. “Get in position to cover the windows of that room. You’ll know when to act. You got our backs on this one.”
Li grinned, understanding. “Keep them safe for me.”
Magnus caught up with the three as they scaled the porch on the right side. Ruth crouched down, staying below the edge of the window sills. She moved to the left side of the double doors, putting her back to the wall. Giselle repeated the process but moved a bit past Ruth. Joannah motioned Magnus to go next. He repeated Ruth’s motions but put his back to the wall on the right side of the double doors. Joannah joined Magnus on his left.
Li Xin waited at the corner of the home, already in position. He grabbed the doorknob softly, turning it. The door was not locked. He pushed and it swung gently open. Magnus crouched down, gun up in front of him. He stepped in, moving quickly into the main area. An ornate stairwell on the far side of this room split, continuing up either right or left from the first landing. Four doors led out from the large room. One on each wall to his left and right and two more on opposite sides of the stairway in front of him.
If the four guards hadn’t moved from Zara’s scan, they were in the room through the door on the left wall. Ruth tapped the backs of both ears with her index fingers. His brow furrowed and he shrugged his shoulders.
Shit. I remember now. Tom and Grep both mentioned new enhancements.
He touched the backs of both ears. A multitude of sounds came to life. The device amplified everything around him. He turned his head listening. He noticed Ruth doing the same.
“You hear that?” she asked.
“Shit,” Magnus said, “they’re not in the room. They’re ahead of us through that hallway... and they are moving away.
“No,” Giselle added, “they are running.”
“Move now,” Ruth said. “Follow me.”
She dashed forward toward the sound of retreating steps. They reached a stairwell going down to a landing below. The stairwell turned right and continued farther down. By the sound of it, the men were still running.
Kron - Capital City of Citron - Mental Projection room
Tuesday, October 27, 1987 - 09:40am
Katerra
The corner of Katerra’s lip curled slightly. She stood within the Mental Projection room watching the scene unfold on earth. Magnus and the other Earthlings were approximately 106 seconds away from reaching Chitra. Since the bomb would not reach critical mass soon enough, Magnus would arrive before the bomb detonated. That would put five highly trained humans against one equally trained and determined Omarii. As good as Chitra was, she would fail. The plan had been a good one but the humans’ tenacity was once again effective enough to stop her. Of course, that is what Katerra wanted Alestron to believe would happen. The Aliri vermin’s TLA system was incapable of predicting humans accurately as it had been for the people of Kron. Katerra’s plans had changed and Alestron would not see it coming. Unfortunately, none of her people would understand her actions either.
“My queen,” Agneta said, “the humans will stop Chitra before the bomb-”
Katerra held up her hand, motioning Agneta to calm herself. “Be at ease, Agneta. All is in my control. The humans are going to find it very difficult to fight a foe they cannot reach. Get a security team to the teleportation chamber now and dispatch medical personnel throughout the palace facility. Order both groups to standby.”
Agneta hesitated as she struggled to understand the order given her. Katerra ignored her reaction; she knew Agneta would follow her orders.
“Kyla, report,” Katerra ordered.
Kyla monitored the microscopic conduit that opened a hole through space that allowed the neural mapping to occur.
“The connection is stable, my queen.”
“Do what you can to keep it that way,” Katerra said.
Katerra pressed the call button on her console, connecting her to Bree.
“Yes, my queen?” Bree asked.
Bree led a team of Kron scientists working on the teleportation device. Newly constructed and not yet field tested, the device was at least functional. The Earthlings would make suitable subjects for Kron’s first test of the device.
“Bree,” Katerra ordered. “I need you to move quickly. Work as I tell you. Power up the teleportation device.”
Katerra waited for her to complete the request. She knew it would take Bree only a few seconds.
“Device powered up.”
“Pull the feed from the tracking system in the first mental infusion chamber to your station. The tracking system is currently locked on Chitra’s host.”
“Link established,” Bree said.
“Enter the coordinates into the teleportation device,” Katerra ordered.
“Coordinates received and entered,” Bree responded.
“Shift the teleportation point thirty-two feet toward the stairwell,” Katerra ordered.
“Shifted and locked, my queen.”
“Activate the device on my order. Computer, start a 30 second countdown when I give Bree the order.”
Blip.
Agneta straightened up from her own screen, putting her hands to her sides. She didn’t speak but Katerra knew her thoughts. Agneta had figured out what Katerra was about to do and that Chitra could be caught up, either entirely or partially, within the teleportation device’s radius. While Agneta was willing to let the humans die in Kron’s first attempt at interstellar teleportation, she was deeply concerned for Chitra’s wellbeing. What would happen to an Omarii currently in control of another being that was then teleported back through space? The question was irrelevant, the people of Kron must survive. She dismissed it.
“Bree. Now,” Katerra ordered.
30...
The lights within the facility flickered and the central energy emitter’s hum within the complex increased.
29...
“My queen, I canno
t predict-”
27...
“I know, Bree,” Katerra said. “I know. Our survival may depend on this. Make it work.”
Agneta cocked her head at Katerra, her eyes narrowing.
22...
Katerra left the connection open.
“Agneta,” Katerra said, “once the human threat is removed, the bomb will reach critical mass and detonate. Proceed as planned. Chitra will not fail. She will recognize what is happening and keep clear.”
14...
“My queen,” Kyla interrupted.
13...
Katerra nodded at her to continue.
“Power readings indicate a slight amperage drop across all five systems,” Kyla said. “I-”
10...
“Chitra knew the risks,” Katerra said. “Do what you can.”
8...
“I’ve cut all power to non-essential systems but...” Bree said, interrupting them over the communication link.
6...
“No,” Bree yelled.
A feedback loop pierced through the room from Bree’s connection. Sparks erupted from the systems monitoring Chitra. Electrical arcs of blue energy leapt across to each station. Kyla’s station exploded sending her flying across the room. She hit the wall, crumbling to the floor. The team monitoring Chitra dropped to their knees holding their ears in agony.
5...
Agneta struggled but managed to grab the top of her station.
4...
Katerra remained motionless, keeping herself upright through sheer will. Agneta pulled herself up.
3...
“My queen,” Agneta screamed, “Chitra’s connection is lost.”
1...
The overhead lighting flickered several times, failing. The energy emitter’s normal hum dropped in frequency as they began to fail, too. Darkness surrounded Katerra except for the projection control stations which clung to life. Each monitoring station’s warning lights flashed, urgently trying to get someone’s attention. No one could answer them and finally the systems gave up. Bree’s link emitted one last piercing sound and went dead. The room went black.
Chapter 8
LI XIN
Earth - Managua, Nicaragua
Tuesday, October 27, 1987 - 10:05am
Li Xin
Miguel’s compound reeked of wealth. Oil portraits of semi-naked women lined the hallway and marble statues decorated the rooms in similar fashion. Li Xin’s search had included the first and second floor, ensuring they were both clear. She was alone, as the rest of the team had already descended the stairwell to the basement. Li maintained her position, guarding their flank. She had found a small alcove that offered excellent concealment. She could defend against a small army while guarding the entrance to the basement. It was too quiet and that silence irritated her.
Remember your fucking training, girl. Focus on the now and let them do their job.
Ruth would keep them safe. Li trusted Ruth with her life but Magnus’ reputation had a good and bad side. He had saved all of humanity from the aliens but it seemed as if the people around him always died in the effort. She knew it wasn’t fair to blame him. The aliens were responsible but that didn’t change the fact and she worried for her team.
A low, rumbling sound broke the silence, feint at first but it quickly grew louder. Waves of sound and vibrations flowed through her. It reminded her of a rock concert from her youth where her front row seats came complete with ear splitting speakers a few feet away. The painful rumbling appeared to be emanating from the basement.
What the fuck is going on?
The building started to shake and dread settled in.
Shit. This can’t be an earthquake.
Li glanced around her, making sure nothing was close enough to fall on her. She’d been through earthquakes before and, though this didn’t feel quite like one, the walls shook like it. She shifted her position, bracing herself within the alcove. She’d have to ride it out. She hoped Ruth, Magnus and the rest of her team would be okay.
Li heard screaming from the basement. It was her team. She double tapped the back of her ear activating the EP. Screams from every member of the team filled her ears. Her knees buckled and she fell forward into the open. Li had never heard them like this. They were in agony. If their EP devices didn’t automatically control volume levels, they would have burst her eardrums.
Holy fuck. I’ve got to get to them.
Li took a deep breath and descended the stairs.
“Hold on guys. I’m on my way,” she yelled.
She was close enough for them to hear her directly or through her EP. Their screams continued. Why wouldn’t they respond?
They’re in deep shit. Hold on... shit, hold on.
Li traversed the stairs, stumbling several times as the building continued to shake. She held on to the railing with her right hand and her assault rifle with her left, every step a chore. A strong wave of sound and shaking sent her feet down two steps while she frantically held on to the rail for balance. It didn’t help, she landed on her ass. The steps continued to shake beneath her. Her heart sunk further at the thought of her team in danger. She had to hurry. They needed her.
Li let go of the rail and let the stairs’ shaking take her down to the next landing. She hit hard, crawling to the railing. She grabbed it again, using it for balance. She could see the basement floor below her now. Her team lay writhing, hands held to their ears with their mouths open, screaming. She could see them, but it was as if she was looking through a cloud. A translucent wall encircled them. Paper and other debris swirled around inside it. She set her jaw, steeling herself, focusing on their screams. They needed her, now. She struggled to stand and managed to get her feet under her again.
Li braced herself on the hallway’s left wall. She moved as fast as caution allowed her. Li approached the mysterious, translucent barrier that had her team trapped, stopping inches in front of it. Was it an energy barrier? If so, it was getting stronger as it was harder to see them through it. She poked it with her rifle. There was resistance and her gun wouldn’t pierce it. She pushed harder. The tip penetrated the barrier. Half of the gun’s barrel protruded through it now.
Pop.
The barrier disappeared and the screams stopped. Li fell forward and for a split second she felt like she was floating. A rush of air from behind shoved her deeper into the room ahead. Everything within the barrier - the paper, the debris and her entire team were gone.
What the fuck?
Disoriented, Li looked around trying to make sense of what she saw. She lay, face first, at the bottom of a perfect concave indention in the floor. She managed to roll over on her back, looking straight up. Whatever had happened, it didn’t reach the ceiling.
Damn it. Ruth, Giselle, Joannah. Were they dead?
Li double tapped her EP again, trying to reestablish her lost connection.
“Guys, are you there?” Li waited for a response. “Guys, fucking answer me.” Again, there was no reply.
“Get her and bring her to me,” a male voice said.
Li cast about, looking around her. She saw her rifle and grabbed it. She triple tapped her EP.
“Activate emergency signal,” she whispered.
Her device would send an open signal to her team and WSO, along with her location using GPS.
Li laid down on her back and pushed herself up to the rim of the concave indentation. She peeked over the edge of the floor. She saw Miguel’s back, walking down a hallway about 25 feet long with a door at the end. Four of the Omarii’s goons remained in the room, one of them heading toward her. She brought her gun up to fire at them before she realized that most of the barrel was missing.
“How the fuck?” she whispered, staring at the tip.
Li hefted the rifle back and slung it at the first man. He was heavy-set with a black shirt and black jeans. His facial hair was matted and twisted. The rifle hit the man on his forehead. His head snapped back and his legs buckled. He cru
mbled to the ground, probably unconscious. Li would have to deal with him later. She bolted toward the second goon. His black hair was neatly combed and his blue jeans and white shirt were clean. Li smiled knowing they were about to get dirty.
The white shirted man had a knife in his right hand. He lunged it toward her ribcage. She dodged left, grabbed his wrist, planted a foot on the wall and pushed back towards the man. She kicked her foot into his right knee, shattering it. He dropped hard to both knees, one of which bent awkwardly to the side. A flash of movement from the third goon caught her eye. She grabbed the neatly dressed man, pulling him in front of her. Three bullets hit him, splattering his chest with his own blood.
“Miguel said capture her. Don’t kill her,” the fourth man said, shoving the gun of the shooter to the side.
The fourth man spoke Spanish and was the tallest of them. Li understood his words. She dropped the guy she was holding. His head slammed into the floor with a loud smack. The fourth man rushed her. His cowboy boots clattered over the floor. He was as beefy as he was tall.
Dumb ass, bad move.
Li grabbed his shirt, sidestepped around him and kicked him from behind. Her move increased his momentum, sending him behind her. His boots slipped and he hit the wall, smashing his face into it. He managed to stay standing, shaking off the pain. He turned around to face her again. He approached quickly but with more caution. The man held both hands out toward her. It looked like he wanted to grab her. Li took a step back, getting into a stance to protect herself. She glanced back at the shooter. He hadn’t moved but he had his orders. She only hoped he would follow them.
Damn it, this could go bad.
Li circled around the fourth man, putting him in between her and the shooter. She noticed her current opponent carried a pistol on his hip. The guy lunged for her. She repeated the same move, this time grabbing his right wrist with her right hand, pulling him forward while side stepping.
What a dumb ass.
This time though she slammed her left arm into his right arm below the elbow. In the same motion, she bent her knees and continued to pull him. The guy fell, landing face first. She twisted around, stepped on his upper arm and then sat down on his back, continuing to hold his wrist. He yelled in pain. Li applied more pressure, pulling the arm farther back. His arm snapped with an audible pop.