by Dean Kutzler
Grôk caught the silver box and handed it to Saren.
She looked at Daxton who was already reaching over and pressing the button.
EXODUS
THE silver box sprang from Saren’s hand, clacking and clattering into the air, expanding over them as Faelar emerged from the burning building. He charged them ignoring the flames searing his wings, roaring, and spitting balls of fire, one after the other in their direction.
Grôk wrapped his arms around Saren, Daxton, and Ensign Brody, pulling them in tight in a last-ditch effort to protect them as the first ball of fire was about to incinerate their bodies.
A flash of silver appeared just as the last wall of the box finished clacking into place and safely encompassing them inside as it began moving upward.
The interior walls lit up with silver images of peaceful, ancient Egyptian imagery of ankhs, winged people, black cats adorned with jewelry, and hieroglyphics lined in between the images.
The speed and force of the box, rising up and out of the hollow world of Kahari, forced all of them to the floor except for Grôk, who stood, bracing his hands on the ceiling.
The box breached the surface of the planet, and the walls dropped flat to the ground. One by one each shot away, and they were all safely on a stone representation of the floor from the box.
Daxton looked up. “What are they doing?”
The panels of the box’s walls gathered together into one long rectangle hovering in the air while the geometrically shaped rocks littering Kahari’s surface rose, adding one by one to the structure, forming a silver shape. The structure then shifted and morphed, reshaping into a more massive object as rocks kept floating from the planet and joining the whole.
“Aye, whatta ya think it be, Commander?” Ensign Brody said, standing with help from Grôk.
Somehow, it all made sense to Saren like an epiphany forming before her eyes.
The oddly shaped rock were the basic building blocks of life, presented in a form their minds could comprehend.
“It’s a ship, Mr. Brody. Dahl-Rem gave us a ship! We’ve made it! We’re getting out of here!” The surface of the planet started rumbling, and Saren said, “I just hope there’s enough time left.”
Saren, Daxton, Ensign Brody and Grôk, stared up at Kahari’s star-filled sky, watching in awe as the structure quickly formed the shape of a grand ship like none other they’d seen.
One last flat rock lifted from the ground and affixed itself to the top panel over the engines, and the ship began lowering to the planet. The rear-hull twisted into view as the vessel softly landed and the entry stairs to the hatch dropped down.
A word etching itself into the panel right before their eyes completed the final construction of the ship, and Daxton read aloud. “Genesis.”
Saren gave him a warm smile, and said, “Come on! Let’s get outta here guys!”
The ship was sleek and silver, shaped like a deadly horizontal triangle. Emitter rays, along with unidentified technology were integrated throughout the seamless framework, dotting the ship’s surface. Wings extended from each side with engines fitted tightly beneath, snug against the hull.
Two smaller wings jutted up like antennae near the rear engines on top of the ship. One sizable circular propulsion nozzle protruded from the rear, surrounded by six smaller ones.
Daxton was the first to reach the hatch.
“I get to fly this, right?” he asked until he saw Ensign Brody’s face. “Until his leg is fixed up.”
The ground rumbled harder, and Saren said, “Let’s go before there’s a problem.”
Daxton climbed up into the ship.
A second later he came running out, gasping for air, followed by a cloud of smoke.
The smoke swirled into the shape of a man and spoke. “I am Atmos. The last of the Atmospheric race, preserved for this purpose due to my ability to seamlessly integrate with the ship’s systems. Our kind went extinct because of the impurities your kind allow to seep into the atmosphere, of which comprise our bodies. I am the pilot.”
“Atmos, from the Atmospheric race? Original name, much?” Daxton said coughing.
“My name is irrelevant since I am the last of my kind. And your anatomy is incapable of producing the necessary sounds. I do apologize for denying you access, Daxton Stone, but Commander Thorn has not given me the manifest for the crew. Therefore, no life form will be able to enter the ship until that time.”
The shapes on the planet’s surface were now shifting back and forth from the commotion beneath.
“Atmos,” she said, “the crew-manifest consists of Ensign James Brody, Daxton Stone, and Grôk ManGhoura. Allow us access, now, and prepare for immediate flight.”
“Done.” The smoke dissipated and zipped back into the ship.
“Look!” Saren exclaimed. “It’s running on universal power!”
The engines illuminated a blue glow along with a smooth, low humming sound.
“This is gonna be so cool,” Daxton said, starting to climb into the ship when he stopped and waved a hand for Saren to go first. “Sorry, I’m excited. This is your ship.”
“Actually—Grôk help Mr. Brody inside,” she said, looking around the planet. “I don’t think there’s much time.”
Once they were in, Saren let Daxton go ahead of her.
She stood on the last step of the platform, taking one last look at Kahari. “Thank you, Dahl-Rem. I’d like to say see you around sometime, but I really hope not.”
She entered the ship, and the hatch automatically pulled shut, sealing seamlessly into the hull as the ship lifted off the ground.
Saren felt a warm rush come over her body that had nothing to do with the environmental systems. She stood still for a moment, then the sensation passed, leaving her feeling slightly different on the inside.
Must be my nerves.
The inside of the ship was utterly silent. Usually, the silence would unravel her nerve, but after what she’d been through, the quiet peace somehow made her feel secure.
The bridge was more like a casual sitting room than a command station. Daxton, Ensign Brody, and Grôk were sitting around in front of a wall-sized viewscreen, watching Kahari.
Saren stepped up into the room.
“This is amazing, Commander! Look—how real it looks,” Ensign Brody said pointing at the screen, “and Atmos, he runs everything!”
“Umm, that means you’re out of a job there, Mr. Brody,” Daxton said.
“Oh,” he said, slumping into the seat.
Grôk’s remaining eye closed, then opened and closed again. The adrenaline rush was over, and he didn’t look too good. Saren ignored the boys playing with the new toy and knelt near the Kractorian.
“Hey,” she said, gently placing a hand on his knee. “You okay.”
His eye slowly opened and closed, and he said, “So tired.”
“Atmos, can you read vital signs?”
“There are many tasks I can accomplish with Genesis, some you may not be aware of. I’ll be happy to go over a list with you, but Grôk’s vitals are low. His body is failing due to a massive amount of blood loss. If he does not receive medical attention, he will perish in eleven minutes, forty-eight seconds.”
“On my—other ship, Avenger, we have what’s call a Med-Unit. It reads DNA and can repair it on a molecular level. Does Genesis have something similar?”
“Yes, Commander Thorn, I am fully aware of Avenger and its capabilities. Every system aboard Genesis corresponding with Avenger’s far surpasses its outdated capabilities. Would you like me to repair Grôk ManGhoura and the damage done to Ensign Brody’s leg?”
“Immediately, please.”
The words no sooner left her mouth, and both Grôk and Ensign Brody shimmered off the bridge, then immediately shimmered back on, like refreshing an internet page.
Grôk opened both eyes, blinking up at Saren and he served her a full-toothed smile. “Thank you, Saren Thorn. Thank you, Atmos. I feel—new.”
Saren closed her eyes and nodded. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Holy Bejesus! That was incredible! The pain—it’s like it was never there.”
“Your body has been regenerated Ensign Brody,” Atmos said. “It never did happen. The cellular tissue is new, but the electrical impulses in your brain containing your essence are captured within the system and replaced into the new vessel.”
“I’m sorry,” Daxton said. “But that is just creepy.”
“It is perfectly safe, Daxton Stone. Genesis’s systems cannot fail, but in the event that there is a catastrophic event, fail-safes have been built in place to protect the crew members, which is Genesis’s number one directive.”
“Atmos, how is this ship running on universal power.”
“The ship is utilizing what you call universal power because you are present. It will also remain, utilizing universal power, if just Daxton Stone is present, but will only respond to your commands.”
Daxton’s head popped up. “Me? I know I have an electrifying personality, but this?”
“Atmos, why?”
“Genesis offers no further information.”
“Of course, not,” she said, sitting down with the guys. “Atmos, don’t you mean to say the computer offers no further info?”
“Genesis is more efficient than the computer systems you are used to. While it is not a sentient being, it is an artificial intelligence acting with the purpose of serving its crew members. Every component works in tandem, fluidly sharing knowledge at a rate of Planck time by your measure.”
“So, basically it is the computer system,” Daxton said.
“In a sense, that is correct.”
“Oooo, I just thought of something gross. Atmos, since we can’t see you unless you do that little smoky trick, does that mean we’re sitting in you right now?”
“That is also correct.”
“Yeah, that’s gross.”
“I assure you, Daxton. It is preferable to absorbing your—gassy exhalations.”
“Touché—and thanks for calling me out on that, by-the-way.”
Ensign Brody moved to a chair further away from Daxton, scowling at him.
“Atmos, where should we be looking, so we’re not staring at—ah—your genitals?”
“Daxton Stone, my composition is just about everywhere there is a breathable atmosphere on this ship. So, in essence, you are constantly breathing in my genitals.”
“Touché again,” he replied, turning green.
“Commander, your attention is required on the viewscreen,” Atmos said.
The viewscreen split in half, showing the planet’s crumbling surface on one-half of the wall and analysis readings on the other.
Shattered rocks from an explosion flew up past the viewscreen as Faelar broke through the planet’s surface with Dahl-Rem chasing close behind.
“I thought they couldn’t leave Kahari? Atmos, are the shields up?” she asked, knowing some rocks must be hitting the ship.
“Yes, Commander Thorn. The shields are always engaged, like many other safety features unless you advise otherwise.”
“How in the hell are they surviving in space?” Ensign Brody asked.
“They’re Gods.”
“I wonder if turning into dragons had something to do with it,” Daxton offered.
“Maybe, I have a feeling that’s their true form. Atmos, how much damage can they do to Genesis.”
“That is unknown. Any knowledge of these life forms doesn’t exist within Genesis.”
“Hmmm,” Saren said, raising an eyebrow. “That is interesting. I think Dahl-Rem had more in mind than just helping us. Atmos, can Genesis take them out?”
“Since all information is erased from Genesis, it is unknown. A close-range analysis of the DNA is also unknown.”
“Sorry, dumb question. Let’s not stick around here and find out what happens.”
“I’m all for that!”
“Aye, you can say that again.”
“Commander Thorn, your attention is—“
“Now what, Atmos?”
“More dragons are escaping the planet, causing a core destabilization.” The viewscreen switch to another side of Kahari. “Genesis estimates twenty-two minutes until the core of the planet is breached, in which will result in a cataclysmic explosion. If we remain this close to the—“
“Take us to a safe distance, Atmos.”
The view of Kahari quickly shrunk as Genesis ascended to a safe distance. The progress bar on the analysis data was rising and falling at a rapid rate.
“How many dragons have escaped the planet.”
“Twelve total, including the first two witnessed.”
“Commander!” Ensign Brody shouted. “They’re a comin’ for us!”
On the viewscreen, ten dragons headed straight for the Genesis at a surprisingly fast rate.
“Atmos, I want you to engage evasive maneuvers if they get too close. But don’t fire on them—yet.”
Saren knew something wasn’t right.
The dragons heading at them were the innocent Gods that had gone insane from Faelar’s trap. Dahl-Rem and Faelar were fine, well, at least Dahl-Rem seemed sane, thanks to her quick decision. Faelar was pure evil.
Each had confirmed that Gods couldn’t escape the planet.
Were they both lying?
Dahl-Rem seemed honest enough, and, without him, they’d have been stuck in Kahari forever—but something was tingling at the bottom of her spine.
“Not a single rock can be removed,” Saren said aloud, remembering Faelar’s words. “It’s the ship.”
Grôk nodded his head.
“What about it?” Daxton asked, suddenly nervous.
“The ship was built from the planet. Remember right before I had my meltdown?”
“Umm, the meltdown, yes. Before? Not so much.”
“Faelar explained that even though we didn’t belong on Kahari, no one can leave for any reason. Not a single rock can be removed.”
“You gotta a great memory, but I still don’t get it.”
“Dahl-Rem knew what would happen when he gave up this ship. Faelar was lying about leaving here. He controlled everything until Dahl-Rem got loose and I used the magic Faelar put in my wristcom to return him to sanity.
“Faelar imprisoned the other Gods knowing they’d go insane. He built the Rings as a way of keeping the insanity at bay, while he and whoever he chose, lived in the Outer Ring.”
“I do remember walking through the people and thinking it didn’t look like such a bad place,” Daxton said.
“Faelar could always get off Kahari. Maybe not at first, but he figured out a way later on. I don’t know. I don’t think he had a choice who stayed or who left, it was either all or none. Which is why he kept stressing no one can leave Kahari.”
“Better to rule in hell than serve in heaven,” Grôk said.
“Yes,” Saren agreed. Grôk never ceased to amaze her. “Faelar liked being the ruler of hell. If he left, they’d all be free, and he wouldn’t be so special. He’d have to go back to being second-rate. Now, that the rest of them have gone insane, it doesn’t matter.”
“Great,” Daxton said. “Nothing like having insane Dragon Gods chasing after you.”
“Commander, if they be Gods, who could trap them on Kahari?”
“I think the Scarab did. He got pretty pissed off when I asked.”
“I wonder how.”
“I don’t know,” she said looking at the viewscreen and growing concerned. “Atmos, what are they doing? It looks like they’ve formed a circle.”
While they had been talking, Atmos had been busy maneuvering out of the dragons reach. It had proven more difficult than he first thought. At first, they were slow and clumsy. The fireballs they were spitting at Genesis easily missed by hundreds of feet.
Rather quickly they became more agile and difficult to evade like they needed time to warm up. The dragon’s shots started hitting the mark, harmlessly
bouncing off the ship’s shielding.
“The dragons appear to be learning, and rather quickly,” Atmos said. “A large energy reading is emanating from the center of their circle and building.”
“Is it enough to damage Genesis?”
A blinding flash of white light erupted from the center of the dragon's and formed into a giant ball of energy which burst from the circle and headed straight for them.
It hit the ship, sending Genesis tumbling backward for a mile before the navigational systems kicked in, righting the hull.
“What in the holy Bejesus was that?”
“That was the Gods, remembering their capabilities. Atmos, damage report.”
“All systems repaired and functioning one-hundred percent. My suggestion is that we leave—“
Another ball of light, more abundant and with more intensity hit Genesis, knocking it dangerously close to the planet’s surface.
Red lights flashed all over the viewscreen, each one disappearing as Genesis repaired the damaged system.
“I felt that one this time,” Daxton said. “They’re trying to ground us on the planet.”
“Atmos, how much time until Kahari’s core destabilizes.”
“Genesis estimates—“
“Just give me the time!” she shouted, annoyed with his over-precision.
“Three minutes, thirty-seconds.”
“Atmos, are you purposely trying to sabotage us?” she asked.
“No Commander Thorn. I am here to serve under your command. I have as much to lose as everyone else on board Genesis.”
“Then I need you to be more responsive and direct to the point. I want to be warned way ahead of time about any possible dangers. I know this ship has the capabilities. I don’t want to have to ask three minutes before a planet is going to go nova,” she commanded, stepping toward the screen, not knowing where else to address him. “Am I clear?”
“Yes, Commander, it has been a long time since I have had interaction with others. But I must inform you. Only stars go nova, not planets—“
“Stow it! Remind me to have a private discussion with you once we’re out—” Another flash of light cut her short.