“Uh, this isn’t good, there’s something under the ice,” Fang alerted suddenly, two thirds of the way across the frozen expanse.
“What is it, Fang?” Commander Blake piped.
“It’s big,” Fang replied, her quickened breaths blasting her microphone. “Ahh, poop, it’s really big, Commander.”
“Nope, huge,” Scarlet corrected. “Brown time huge.”
“Nori, how thick’s this ice?” Commander Blake demanded. “Fang, do you see any signs of it trying to break through?”
“I haven’t felt any impacts,” Fang answered, “but there’s a shadow as big as a whale darting around down there. It’s moving fas... what the… d’you see that?”
“Yeah,” Scarlet said. “This thing seems mightily interested in checking us out. It’s definitely on the supersize me end of the eaty scale. I feel like a french fry at a beauty pageant. This isn’t good, Commander.”
“Ground penetrating radar puts the ice between two to twelve meters thick,” Nori said. “It’s changing constantly.”
“Two!” Fang blurted, her microphone crackling. “This thing’s all over us. Two sounds mighty thin. It probably has teeth two big.”
“Ice is surprisingly strong,” Nori reassured. “It’d take an incredible amount of pounds per inch to break through with the surface tension dynamics.”
“That’s easy to say from up there. Ivory tower much?”
Reece slowed and peered out of the window, down on Fang and Scarlet galloping out front. At first it was just them, then an enormous mass darted under the ice, a great beast with a manta ray shaped head and a body the girth of a killer whale, trailing a mane of long tendrils.
“I see it,” Reece said. “That’s a new one on me. We haven’t come across anything like this before.”
“There’s two of them,” Becca alerted. “Whipping tails, arched backs. They look agitated. In modern-day sharks I’d read that as a sign of hunting. You need to get off the ice, guys, quick as you can.”
“Hunting!” Scarlet cried.
“Maybe stop dropping beacons,” Reece said to Nori. “The lights could be attracting them.”
“On it,” Nori said, disabling the beacon hopper. “The water will be shallowing out in a few minutes. Ride as hard as you can. Don’t stop until you hit the mountains.”
“Really, you think!” Fang came back, panting hard. “I thought you were supposed to be smart…”
“There’s more of them,” Schweighofer said, making Reece’s blood run cold. “I just sent up a drone from Scarlet’s horse. There’s more than two. I’m counting at least eight. It looks like a pack.”
“Not to split hairs, but aren’t… aren’t fish schools, not packs,” Fang said, panting.
“Quit the funny and use your energy for riding,” Commander Blake growled. “Shut up and ride.”
Nori hastily patched the drone’s camera to the fuel tank’s monitors and Reece gasped. Following behind was a whole bunch of the enormous creatures. The leading giants were breaking ranks and darting between the tank and the warhorses, before falling back. He noticed tens of smaller creatures coming in from all sides to join the hunt.
“Just a bit further, keep going,” Reece urged, shifting his attention between the mountains and the monitor. “Nearly there. You gotta keep going.”
“You don’t need to keep telling us,” Scarlet said, panting hard. “It’s not rocket science.”
Reece watched one of the larger creatures dive low. The great fish reappeared at speed. The ice bounced and smashed like a pane of glass, forking splits racing from the impact’s epicentre.
“They’re breaking through!” Fang cried, her warhorse vaulting the fracturing ice. “These things aren’t messing around. They don’t seem to care about surface tension dynamics or whatever.”
“Thirty seconds,” Nori said. “It’s shallowing out. Keep riding.”
“I’m not sure we have three seconds!” Scarlet cried.
A second creature charged the ice, opening a fissure wide enough to swallow a trawler. Scarlet’s horse skidded and changed direction as a barbed appendage reached through the ice and dug into the frozen sea, the monster trying to haul its bulk onto the icefield. Reece brought the fuel tank low and as best he could, hovered and aimed a thruster at the breaching creature, gunning the throttle, applying blasts of flame as Fang and Scarlet charged for the base of the mountains. On the monitor he watched the Jurassic rays scatter beneath the ice, scared away by the roaring engines and scorching flames. A severed tentacle writhed on the ice, crispy and charred, bubbling fatty goo.
Commander Blake threw open the gull-wing door and reared up as Reece swung out towards Scarlet and Fang, who were pulling up at the base of the mountains. Schweighofer took up a covering position beside the Commander.
“We got you covered,” Schweighofer called.
“What’s the matter, out of funny quips, Fang?” Commander Blake said, flashing a wry smile. “No jokes to tell?”
“Just… haa, just need… need air,” Fang said, gasping. “Give me a minute… hooo… something’ll come to me when the… the… terror wears off.”
After a few minutes, when Fang and Scarlet had caught their breath and after confirming the attacking creatures had retreated, they set off at a steady pace, the Renegades in the fuel tank continuing to provide cover. A short while later, Reece spied the ridge beside the rockface the feathered dinosaurs had descended. His heart picked up a gear and tingling adrenaline prickled his skin. Behind the ridge, fingers of light reached towards the heavens, like sunrays in reverse. A babble of excited noise came through his speakers as they rounded the corner and approached the stairs to the shining ancient spectacle, strewn with rubble from the collapsed columns.
“I’m touching the stairs first,” Fang said, hopping off her horse and dashing. She planted a foot on the first step and stood with balled fists on her hips. “This is one small step for me, and mankind can kiss my Chinese ass.”
“You crazy visionary,” Scarlet said, wiping away a mock tear. “You’re gonna do the history books so proud, and to think I was here to see it. This is…” she sniffed, “so… beautiful.”
“We have to make it home to make the history books,” Commander Blake grumbled. “Stop fooling around you two and assign your horses to sentry. This is not a goddamn picnic.”
“Does that sound like… jelly?” Fang said to Scarlet behind one hand.
“Definitely jealous,” Scarlet said. “No one ever remembers the name of the second person to discover the lost civilization’s ancient temple. Oh, he’s definitely jelly.”
“For Christ’s sake, you two were just almost eaten!” The Commander fired. “Warhorses, sentry, NOW!”
The pair got to it and sent their horses onto the ice where they transformed. Reece brought the fuel tank into land and began running the power-down checklist. Mid sequence, he turned to the temple and noticed something that caused him to bristle with unease. Carved into the towering stone door was an enormous golden symbol of a downward pointing arrow. Barbs of what appeared to be lightning forked from the arrow’s shaft. The image was uninviting, sharp, with the suggestion of danger, of high voltage.
It reminded him of infomercials he’d seen when he was a child, the kind where kids got their kite caught in power lines. The triangular yellow and black high voltage sign was always clearly visible, but the kids ignored it and tried to retrieve their kite anyway. In the infomercials you never got to see the aftermath of what happened to the kid who climbed up, there was just a bright flash and a scream, followed by a warning urging youngsters to take heed of danger signs, ending with a slogan saying something like, ‘Think, don’t do it. It’s not worth your life.’
Ascent
W hen Nori had exited the fuel tank, Reece opened the storage locker beneath his seat and fished out a burlap backpack.
“Nori, heads up, go bag, supplies just in case,” he said, tossing the bag down to the robot, who was caught off guar
d, closing his hands a fraction too late. “Nice catch, fingers. Aren’t you supposed to be super coordinated?”
“Sometimes even squirrels fall out of trees,” Nori responded, stooping down, grabbing the pack and slinging it over his shoulder.
The warhorse behind Nori was standing upright, its shoulders back, chest plating open. The drones scouting the temple were returning to the honeycomb pouches inside the machine for recharging and fresh drones were taking to the skies in their place. The second warhorse was patrolling the ice, Gattling guns raised. Reece noticed the robot chipping the surface with each crunching footfall.
“Commander,” he called, swinging a leg onto the ladder and climbing down from the cab. “That thing’s chewing up the ice. If it cracks and the fuel tank goes under… that’s just a bad day for everyone…”
“Good shout. Fang, Scarlet. Assign your warhorses to sentry at the foot of the stairs, one each side. Keep them off the ice. Have them protect our rear as we climb.”
With the area secure the group began their ascent, followed by a swarm of buzzing drones that were scanning every nook and cranny with green laser lights, mapping an exact schematic. The stairs soon became increasingly tall, forcing the group to clamber, making the going ever tougher. A tiara of golden light fanned above, golden inlays shining against the towering mountain, which thrust into the peach sky.
Nearing the top, Hadley stopped to catch his breath. He leaned against a column chunk that had collapsed with such force it was embedded in the rocky stairwell.
“Damn stairs go on forever,” he said, sucking down air. “They must have been giants.”
“The scale is probably an indicator of importance,” Nori said, easily vaulting up. “These stairs were most likely built to be inviting to the gods, so they might protect whatever lies inside. I don’t think it’s a coincidence the steps are becoming taller and more difficult to ascend. It’s to remind mortals of their inferiority when compared to the might of the gods. The struggle to get to the top is a demonstration of humility, of penance.”
“That’s a lot of big thoughts for something as simple as stairs,” Scarlet said, panting heavily. “I don’t think I’ve put that much thought into anything ever.”
“That’s the first thing you’ve said all year I agree with,” Commander Blake replied, inhaling and clapping a hand down on Scarlet’s shoulder.
“Was that a… a joke?” Fang said. “Did you just make a joke, Commander? And there was me thinking it was only the dinosaurs that went extinct.”
“If I did, it was an accident,” the Commander grumbled, amidst a smattering of laughter. “Even the sun shines on a baboon’s ass once in a while.”
“Nori?” Hadley asked, thoughtfully. “You said these stairs were built to remind mortals of our place, of how weak we are, but you’re not mortal, not really. I was just thinking, aren’t you also your own creator?”
“In a way, I suppose.”
“Then doesn’t that make you a god, your own god?”
“I see, no,” Nori said, chuckling. “The groundwork for my differentially entangled quantum network and my Newtonian twinned endoskeleton were designed by thousands of men and women across the world, a compilation of achievements that span decades. Admittedly, the more powerful my quantum mind becomes, the more I’m able to further their work, perfect the techniques, but this body is still simply a vessel to contain my human self, which was born the same as all of you. I have parents like all of you, or had. As I keep saying, I’m one hundred percent human, well, maybe ninety-nine point nine-nine. It would be hard to deny I haven’t gained what might be deemed a slight evolutionary advantage.”
“Slight?” Reece said. “I believe you’re Nori, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t know anyone else who can out-think Google or crush my skull if I piss them off enough, no offence.”
“I understand people might have reservations, fears, but the future of the human race will inevitably involve integration with machines. One analogy might be that humans are akin to the caterpillar, which eventually morphs into something else, something that can fly free of its prior constraints. I’m not saying everyone should do this, but It’s not difficult to envisage a future where human robots can live and walk freely on the surface of the Moon, or Mars, or Pluto, or planets orbiting distant stars. This technology will set us free, allow us to explore the universe.
People at home are already integrating.” Nori continued. “Look at the increasing obsession with inhabiting the digital world through smart devices or games consoles, or implants to help the blind see, or the deaf hear. Most of you here have nano implants to interface with your warhorses through thought alone. We’re even using digital money, like XRP Ripple, the world’s first universally accepted digital currency. Everything is moving into the digital plane. People won’t be afraid forever. One day, robotic integrated humans will be as normal as trees or grass.”
“Or fire,” Reece said, reaching over and squeezing Becca’s gloved hand, grateful for the slight warmth. “Call me old fashioned, but it doesn’t sound like a future I wanna see. Besides, I can think of at least three things I can do a robot can’t, and I wouldn’t give them up for the world.”
Becca lifted their entwined hands and kissed Reece’s glove.
“Bring on the morning, hon,” she said, smiling warmly.
“What’s the third thing?” Hadley interjected, his face screwing with confusion. “I can think of two, but what’s the third?”
“Poor Hadders,” Fang said, placing a consoling arm around Hadley. “I could tell you, but it wouldn’t be fair to spoil this beautiful, innocent time. You’ll know when you’re ready. You’ll feel it in your body.”
“Get off, I’m serious,” Hadley said, looking around at the snickering group. “What’s the third thing? There’s obviously kissing, love…”
“Oh, no, Hadley,” Scarlet managed through a burst of laughter. “Please don’t say it. Not out loud.”
“Hadley, you sweet, sweet dope,” Fang snickered.
“I’m receiving an update,” Nori interrupted. “The drones chasing the vipers had less power than I thought. They’re returning for charging. Do you want me to send our escort drones to replace them? We’ll have no eyes in the sky.”
“No,” Commander Blake said, gazing down on the fuel tank. “We’re locked fairly tight with the warhorses down there. We’re armed if anything gets through. Those vipers weren’t so big. We should be good. Okay, people, c’mon, break time’s over. Let’s get up top and get this done and done.”
Unleashed
T he starjet felt like a derelict wreck, marooned on the edge of existence. Molotov sat in silence beside Razak, in the bank of seats across the hold from Aleksi. He was trying to focus on anything other than Schweighofer disappearing across the ice, but it was impossible. Gusts of wind filled the void inside the jet, moaning a frigid tune. He watched the fuel tank steadily shrink to an object no larger than a grain of rice, then it was gone.
“I’m s… so cold, p… please close ramp, why w… won’t you listen?” Aleksi appealed.
“I thought you wanted to die?” Molotov said, turning his attention to Aleksi. “A few minutes ago you wanted us all dead, said you didn’t care.”
“M… misunderstanding,” Aleksi said, shivering. “Listen, I c… can save us, j… just us. Please, I can fly jet, get us off planet before it’s t… too late. It’s the only way. We’re running out of t… time. They’re already here,” the man continued, gazing fearfully across the ice, his voice tight with stress. “We don’t have much time. Please, listen to me. They’re already here…”
Molotov chuckled incredulously.
“Get a load of this nut. He thinks we might actually abandon the team.”
“In what reality d’you think we’re leaving without them?” Razak said. “They’re our family, man. You really are crazy. Just because we had an argument, don’t think that means we’re turning our backs on family.”
“L…
listen,” Aleksi implored. “I c… can fly jet. We can g… go home like heroes. We will be worshipped, adored, surviving heroes who escaped from world of monsters, like in m… m… movies… but we will be real heroes, true and real. Anything y… you want, your desires, your d… dreams. You can have it. We will drink champagne and fly private jets to all the parties, all across world, like gods! We will go to ceremonies, awards. We’ll join hands with the other imp… p… portant people. We’ll stand beside them, screaming and cheering and celebrating ourselves. We can be living gods, j… just like the… the other famous!”
“Ffff… wow, just when you think you’ve experienced full loon, he finds a new gear,” Razak said. “We don’t need your snake oil, crazeball, and that’s our family out there. There’s no money or fame worth a pinch of that.”
“Stupid, weak, you could have been Twitter verified, had real power,” Aleksi snarled. “At least let me fire up engines. Close ramp and let me fire engines, get w… warm. There must be some sense behind that stupid face on your head.”
“Closing the ramp isn’t such a bad idea,” Molotov said. “It’s getting pretty cold.”
Aleksi suddenly unleashed an abysmal gargling shriek. His head jerked back, veins and tendons popping across his neck, his fingers digging into the armrests of his seat as he convulsed wildly.
“It’s a trick,” Molotov said, grabbing Razak and dragging him back. “Don’t fall for it. He’ll bite your throat or something. Leave him to it. There’s no way this is real. It’s too convenient.”
Aleksi’s howling screams warped and twisted. Horrified, Razak watched foaming saliva bubble from the man’s skyward facing lips. Aleksi’s neck tendons were pulling so taut Razak imagined they might slice through his skin from the inside. The man’s whole body was shaking now, head, hands and feet. Aleksi threw his head forwards and howled, blood pouring from pocks in the deformed skin covering his scalp.
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