The Hallucigenia Project

by Darren Kasenkow

With a slight jerk the platform clicked into the top rung. The capsule appeared somewhat less jewel like up close and more like an experiment in panel beating, yet it wasn’t with its charms. Structurally it looked like a stretched dome about the size of a small bus and was made up of silica heat shields enforced with aluminium bones, and thick military grade glass allowed three strategic portals to the external environment. A small circular door rested open, inviting him to crawl in like a spider into its trap.

  Once inside he squeezed his way past the first two seats and settled into the third, his shoulder pressing against the interior shell and knees an inch or so away from the main control board. Soft blue light kept vision functional without the need to strain. Currently dormant monitors littered the board and were surrounded with buttons, levers and gauges that Samael had previously known only through simulations but he was a fast learner, and while aerodynamics was a special kind of game the job ahead was a simple one. Control a series of explosions and aim for the moon.

  “And then the fun begins,” he muttered to himself while bringing the pinecone to his lips.

  Back down on the gantry Roman had his eyes fixed up at the covered hole in the top of the mountain, questions swirling in his mind as to what the world would be like now that the solar system had highlighted its vulnerability. His thoughts were cut short though by the sound of footsteps emerging from the flame lit tunnel and so switched his attention back from the unknown. What he saw sent an ice cold chill along the back of his neck, because what he didn’t see were the same men he had sent on their way. Instead, out from the shadows came two men wearing nothing but plain green pants. They were identical twins, both stooped with lead heavy shoulders that seemed to be in charge of all movement and close cropped heads that pointed to the ground but promised nothing would be missed.

  They also shared a covering of fresh blood.

  Even in the shadows Roman could see glistening reds splattered across their chests and arms, with smears running in jagged lines where fingers had scraped across skin. Samael had sent teams scouring the globe to find the twin brothers, sure they were lineages of a particularly special bloodline that only required an awakening to be reminded of the plight of their ancestors. They were found locked away in the bowels of a Serbian prison, and now as they stepped up he could see that Samael had been right.

  Up close the only separating feature between the two could be seen, with the brother on the left having been gifted two bullet scars at the base of his neck. How he had survived those was anybody’s guess.

  “Those men were needed,” Roman said sharply.

  The brothers simply stared back as though they didn’t understand, or didn’t care.

  “Get into your suits,” he continued. “It’s time to strap you in.”

  Silently they stepped past and onto the platform that had just returned, bringing with them the iron stink of sweat, blood and death that heavied the air. A fire hose would be needed to clean them but that was hardly an option.

  With suits donned and helmets held fast in their bruised fists, the brothers surveyed the ship with mild interest. Roman shuffled with heavy feet to join them for the ascent to the capsule, desperate for untainted air as the gantry fell away, and upon arrival quickly ushered them to the open door.

  “Ah, visitors!” Samael smirked.

  “Your pets just cost me a number of good men,” Roman answered.

  “Good?” Samael laughed as he spotted the blood stains on the brother’s faces. “Something tells me that’s an overly generous description.”

  “Well they’re all yours now.”

  “Indeed they are.” Samael leaned across the seats like an excited school boy. “Shem, Bezek, join me for some splendid anticipation.”

  Shem entered first, he with the bullet scars that would kill most men, and once settled in the centre chair was followed silently by Bezek. Together they studied the claustrophobic surroundings with growing wonder. It was a far cry from the cell they had just been pulled from.

  Samael dipped a long nail into the pinecone and slowly transferred remnants of the liquid to each of the brother’s lips. When a few seconds had passed, they leaned back wide eyed as unsettling smiles creased their faces.

  “If we’re to journey together it’s best we share the same clarity of vision,” Samael said softly. “Three wise men I guess you could say.” A thought suddenly surfaced and he leaned forward once again to address Roman. “Did you know the wise men were actually magicians and sorcerers?”

  “Actually,” Roman answered with a sneer, “no, I didn’t.”

  “You surprise me,” Samael smiled as he leaned back into the seat. “Oh Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know the spirit of the gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.” His eyes closed and smile faded. “Fuck the ancient texts. Today we come bearing death wrapped in a bow and a new ledger ready to be filled…”

  Chapter 39

  John skulled the last of his bitter coffee as cold chills took another run along his bones. The chemical shield was no more and now the anxiety was striking back with a vengeance, but his sanity had somewhat of a saviour in the knowledge that being burrowed deep underground as the earth above was torn apart was always going to put a person on edge.

  Wrapped in his arms, Candice cradled Bobbie and studied the expressions of the tightly packed crowd overflowing from doorways and filling the heavily damaged hallway. Having secured their place against the wall it was now a matter of a small wait until Rebecca was ready to address her audience. Luckily, they didn’t have to wait long.

  She squeezed her way through the expectant crowd and stood with her back against the piled debris that had once been the entrance to Hendrix’s office. A large boulder of concrete sufficed as a heightened platform and as she surveyed the area a hushed silence fell. Beneath the still burning red lights she appeared overwhelmed yet viciously determined.

  “Okay everyone,” she began, “the moment of truth has arrived, and that means time to honour what this family is all about.”

  Cries of support echoed through the room, accompanied with shared looks to ensure they each carried the same level of motivation. Growing more confident on her concrete podium, Rebecca respectfully waited for the returning quiet before continuing.

  “What we know is that Earth has absorbed two major impacts and a yet to be determined number of minor hits. What we don’t know is what’s waiting for us up there, but not for much longer. Every one of us here has a role to play and the show begins now.” She paused to let the words sink in and pointed a stern finger above. “Whether we like it or not, today marks the start of a new war up there. Civilians still alive will be in survival mode, meaning food, shelter and food will be their only concern and it’s only a matter of time before they’ll kill to get it, and kill to protect it. That’s the least of our concerns though. As you all know the military and government heads will be seeking total control, and you can bet your asses they don’t want us screwing up their plans. It’s too bad, because that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

  A round of cheers erupted that quickly gave John goose bumps. There was a readiness in the air that he hadn’t felt in a long time, a readiness that brought back adrenaline filled memories of squad rooms moments before dangerous drug busts or nail biting no knock raids on heavily armed gangs. By all accounts though, he’d landed himself into the middle of the biggest raid of his life and even with his nervous system craving for relief there was excitement beginning to stir.

  “To the moon and back!” someone yelled, followed by a round of applause.

  “The moon is just the beginning,” Rebecca called out to restore a little order. “Our goal is to open up the highway to the stars, but there’s going to be obstacles so let’s get down to business. The satellites we have in orbit are only as good as the network we create and protect back here on Earth, but you can bet your ass whoever
’s calling the shots government wise will be doing everything to stop it. There’s a new currency about to be unleashed and its value lies in the signal pathways, and control of those pathways means the difference between being landlocked or free.”

  John was split in his attention. On one hand he soaked in every word, while on the other he couldn’t hold back the urgent thought that it would all be for nothing if they didn’t get back to Klementina and Talitha. If they were going to do anything they needed to do it now, apocalypse be damned. He sucked in a breath ready to voice his concerns but Rebecca seemed to have read his thoughts.

  “I want soldiers and Abyss Jumpers at the ready and digital squads pulling out every trick in the book.” That’s more like it, John thought as her words quickened. “It’s been said that to take away a reason to live there’s left only a reason to die, but there’s another option and it’s been given to us in the flames of destruction. We have the chance to ascend, and with it a reason to live and die. The Hallucigenia Project will fight for our rightful place in the stars.” She spread her arms and nodded at the now electric red soaked crowd. “It’s time to get down and dirty.”

  A roar of support shook the walls. Still wrapped tight in John’s arms, Candice watched with a confused excitement as people began rushing back to their stations with a battle ready fire burning in their eyes. The world as she knew it had ended and now she’d been reborn into a reality that defied all clinical attempts at analysis. What was the point in struggling to somehow find a mental grip? There was, she determined, no point whatsoever. What was needed now was plain old fashioned action, and to hell with the consequences.

  “I know you’re going to try to break the surface again,” she said to John while breaking free of his embrace, “and this time I’m coming with you.”

  John frowned and began to shake his head slowly. “I don’t think…”

  “It’s not a negotiation.”

  Seeing the resolve in her eyes he knew there was no arguing the point. Besides, the entire game had just changed and there was no telling what was going to happen next. For all he knew they’d be staying right there to help with the intricacies of taking on the government from an underground bunker, whatever the hell that would entail.

  Now that the crowd was almost dispersed Rebecca marched across to join them. John noticed a digital comms unit clipped into her left ear and by the look on her face it was obvious she was receiving updates of some kind, her head cocked to the side as though it would make listening easier. The one way conversation came to an end soon enough though, as she tapped a finger against her ear and straightened her neck.

  “We launched a drone several minutes ago,” she explained with a quick edge in her voice. “The returning signals have confirmed two things. One, it’s a real fucking mess up there, and two, they must have picked up our transmission earlier.”

  “I’m guessing that’s not a good thing,” John remarked.

  “That depends on whether or not you think an army on its way to turn this place into a scorch mark is a good thing or not.” With a quick nod she began to lead them back to the Metal Rebellion den before continuing. “If getting to Klementina was going to be difficult before, now it’s going to be impossible.” They stepped into the chaotic activity of the room. “Down here though, the word impossible means a good fucking challenge.”

  Aaron and Vanessa broke away from the small crowd huddled around one of the desks to join them. Not for the first time John felt the hairs bristle at the back of his neck as he picked up their energy. It was time for business, no doubt about it.

  “A good fucking challenge?” Aaron joined in. “Nah, this is a great fucking challenge!”

  “How are your soldiers looking?” Rebecca asked.

  Aaron waived an arm across the room to draw attention to the now heavily armed and ready to bleed Metal Rebellion team. “Itching to make the impossible possible.”

  “Good, because odds are they’ll be on us in minutes. Jesus, just getting to the surface is going to be hell.”

  “It will be hell up there, but that could work in our favour.”

  “I’m listening,” Rebecca said with cautious curiosity.

  “The winds are gonna be all over the place,” Aaron explained. “They’ll have some muscle in the air no doubt, but we won’t have to worry about a swarm just yet. Once the winds die down and their satellites are back online they’ll want to take over the sky but hopefully by then it’s already too late. Whether they like it or not right now the fight’s gonna be one on one style, and that’s what we do best.”

  John considered what was being said but couldn’t quite raise the same level of confidence. “We’ll have to take out whatever they put in the air otherwise our vehicles are going to be easy targets, especially when speed isn’t going to be an option.”

  “You’re dead right,” Aaron agreed. “But it’s not going to be easy taking them out from the ground that’s for sure, which means we’re gonna have to hit the air was well.”

  Rebecca’s eyes widened as she realized what Aaron was suggesting. “You want to make a run for the bird’s nest!”

  “Bird’s nest?” John repeated.

  “It’s a bunker about twenty miles from here,” Aaron said. “You know, eggs in one basket and all that.”

  “I’m still trying to catch up here,” Candice said.

  “We built other bases outside the city area,” Rebecca explained. “One of them happens to hold a couple of choppers, a small fleet of jet skis and a stack of barrels filled with fuel. It’s supposed to be for strategic defence purposes, but now it looks like it’s a sliver of hope to get to where we need to be.” She paused for a moment of reflection, different scenarios playing out in the back of her mind. “For all we know they’re already in launch position but we have to be sure.”

  “So let’s go find out,” Aaron said with a sneer.

  Several of the soldiers bellowed a loud grunt of approval, but they soon fell quiet when the leader of the Abyss Jumpers stepped through the door.

  “Sofia!” Rebecca called out before embracing her with a strength born of swirling new emotions.

  “I always love the sound of your voice.” Sofia pushed the silver grey hair from her eyes and looked around the room like an overly concerned mother. “It holds a note of hope no matter how dire the circumstances.”

  “Believe me,” Rebecca said softly, “that note you hear is more fear than anything.”

  “Perhaps, but then fear has been known to inspire the bravest of symphonies.”

  “I take it you’ve been briefed by Abner?” Rebecca asked.

  “Indeed,” Sofia answered with a sigh. “But then we knew this was coming didn’t we? And now here it is.” An unexpected smile softened her face. “Where even angels fear to tread, now that is where we’ll make our peace. I can confirm that all video testimonial recordings are complete and affairs are in order. The Abyss Jumpers are in position and ready to breach at your command.”

  “Just a second,” John said with a raise of his hand. “How many Jumpers are we talking about here?”

  “About to breach?” Sofia’s eyebrows lifted with surprise. “Thirty seven to be exact, and each and every one of them afraid of nothing but being forgotten.”

  “There’s more out there though, I mean in other locations right?”

  “Of course. Where death will be abundant who better than those who have made death their lover? Believe me, my Abyss Jumpers are absolutely ready to blow shit up.”

  John’s eyes widened at the sudden change in prose and couldn’t help but smile himself. Like a single leaf that can push its way up through concrete, he knew humour could surface even in the darkest of circumstances, and he couldn’t really imagine anything darker than this.

  “Who knows if it’s still there?” he said with a shrug of his shoulders at the sudden thought reaching up from the dark. “It’s outside the city so if any of your Jumper’s are in the neighbourhood well… death
might have a reason to smile.”

  He handed Sofia the photo of the Russian gangster and juxtaposed smiling children with the orphanage address scrawled on the back. She studied the picture and then with a look of knowing placed it into her pocket.

  “If the opportunity arises we’ll take a look, but no promises.”

  “None expected,” John replied.

  Aaron slammed his hands together with a sharp crack and pointed to the ceiling.

  “From this point on every second counts,” he declared loud enough for all of the room to hear, “so let’s do this.”

  “Standing by for your signal,” Sofia stated as she made a hasty exit.

  “Please Aaron,” Rebecca said suddenly, “I know it’s stating the obvious but if Talitha doesn’t leave Earth all of this is for nothing.”

  “No pressure or anything right?” he asked with a smirk.

  The time for conversation was over. Aaron grabbed two handguns sitting on the desk behind him, jammed them into the front of his pants and made a dash for the ladder at the end of the small hallway. Vanessa watched his sudden animation as a stream of thoughts raced through her head.

  “Are we doing this?” she asked John over her shoulder.

  “Absolutely,” he replied.

  Vanessa led the charge and was first down the ladder. John, Candice and Bobbie quickly followed, and in a matter of seconds were once again standing beneath cracked concrete and glowing red lights. This time, however, the ambience wasn’t that of thunder and alarms but the sound of idling engines that hissed and rumbled as Metal Rebellion soldiers repositioned the monstrous vehicles.

  They found Aaron standing beside a large, four door beast with a back tray that was equipped with the type of bracket mounted machine gun that looked as though it could tear down a building. With hands on hips and muscles taught he pursed his lips and looked each of them in the eye.

  “We had to abort before but make no mistake, this time we’re breaking out and it’s not gonna be a sneak run in the dark. This is gonna be real fucking heavy so if you want to stay and help out here I’ll understand, believe me.”