He touched his headset. "Creed, here. Reporting in." He looked down the road leading into the Factory then to a H.H.C. he held. The screen showed many blips coming their way. "Alpha and the T-3s are moving out. We have backed away from the gate as ordered. Are you sure you don’t want me to engage?" Creed listened. "Yes. Yes. Understood, sir. We won't hinder the T-3s retreat from the Factory." He looked to the long line of cars and trucks making their way to the main gate. He noticed a few of the vehicles showed scorched marks, and a couple hobbled out on a flat tire or two. "Will secure the Factory once they leave."
Creed and his men glared at the T-3s as they left. They lost a lot of good soldiers to them.
"One day, you will pay," Creed vowed, gripping his weapon. "And I'll be there. I'll be there to witness your end."
* * *
Deep inside the Factory...
"I have not run into one single T-3," the Rogue realized as it made its way back to Research Lab Five. "Alpha must have fled with its minions." It passed the long forgotten room of science equipment and entered the chamber filled with statues. With the accent lights still down because of Kat's EFP, the Rogue activated its night vision. "But what about Pandora? Is she dead? Or has she escaped?" It held its wounded shoulder. "And why did she not destroy me? I have to know." The Rogue made a face as if in agony and then looked to the life size statues. "Why have I come back here? I know it is not to look for Pandora. She would not return here."
All the Ginns pointed to a wall in the back of the room. The Rogue made its way to the back and stared at the tiled surface. "Is there something I must see?" It scanned the area and probed the wall with its infrared. "Nothing out of the ordinary temperature wise." The Rogue removed its shades from its suit pocket and put them on. It switched to through-wall radar on the glasses. "There is a hall behind this." It felt along the wall with its good hand, till it found a marble tile slightly sticking out and pressed it. The wall slid up, rumbling as the ceiling swallowed it. "Perhaps I am to find a secret."
Once the dust settled, the Rogue started down the long descending hall. With each few steps it took, a light came on, lighting the way. After about fifteen minutes, the hall ended in a room. It paused at the doorway. "Is this secret about Pandora?"
Several lights blinked on inside and lit up the center where two black stones sat on a raised platform. It made its way to the four foot cubed stones with white writing.
"I came to this hidden room driven by some unknown force. So why are you two so important?" The Rogue smoothed its palm over the right stone's engraved letters. "Will they tell me why Pandora did not destroy me?" It read the one out loud.
"Though the clouds darken the sun,
and the rain becomes tainted,
always know there will be,
a love that will not die.
Though hope seems a distant memory,
and human machines walk the land,
know no one can destroy,
a love that will not die.
The One constant,
the One unchanging,
the One love.
Put your faith in,
the love that will not die."
"This is interesting," the Rogue commented. "I believe this is what you were reciting Pandora, after I choked you into unconsciousness. So... What does this mean?" It examined the stones. "It looks like both of these pieces are part of a larger one. But do both of them belong to the same one?" The Rogue walked around them. "Something to investigate later."
The Rogue read the other block.
"The land has darkened,
hope has fled,
and greed rules.
Finish it!
Call forth the Rushlight.
Open the pathway between.
Bring an end to false gods.
Bring an end to lies.
So, usher in the Rushlight,
creature of the void,
Destroyer of..."
"The rest of the stone has been destroyed. The writing is missing. Hmm... So... Mr. Irynkissgthie, are these about Pandora? Is she the Rushlight? And what is she the destroyer of?" The Rogue put its hand to the stone. "So why did I come here? If my purpose is to destroy Pandora, why come to this place? These stones tell me of no way to destroy her. So why? Unless... Unless, I am not supposed to destroy her. What was it she once said to me? Yes, I remember." It replayed the event in its computer’s eye. "She said she did not want me dead. She just wanted me to stop hunting her. She then told me maybe my creators are afraid of me, not because I have feelings, but have the potential to disobey my programing."
It pulled from the memory. "Is that it? Can I now disobey my programing? Have I evolved to the next level?" It thought for a moment. "Pandora does not want me dead. She said as much. So why do I need to hunt her?" The Rogue looked to the stones. "I must know more about this Rushlight and these blocks. I must find the answers to my questions. And now that I have a new purpose, I will stop hunting her. I will see if I have more of a purpose than killing. And I will discover the secrets of Pandora."
Chapter Fifty-three
More Puzzles
12:34 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...
Up on the Nexus Apartments’ rooftop...
A cool wind swept in carrying the odor of petroleum, and Kat zipped up her new athletic jacket. “I feel bad because I'm keeping a secret from Kimberly. It's a small one, but still a secret. I need to be open with my new partner. How can I do that if I keep things from her? Even if I'm afraid to tell her, I still should."
The Tainted Rain had ended a short time before she came up to the roof. Kat gripped the railing and glanced at her shoulder. She let her thoughts drift away as she dreaded the task before her. Kat stared down at the road, watching the Street Sanitizers at work. Several of the robotic cleaners rumbled across the avenue. For a few minutes, they distracted her from her fears. "How many are there here? In Wayfaring Lane, I think there might be four or five. But here..." She counted. "I see more than a dozen just in this area."
More minutes passed, and Kat leaned back as she held on to the railing and let the wind blow over her. She couldn't remember a time when she didn't have to worry about the Un-Men finding her. "Here I'm safe. Safe to worry about other things." She studied the star on her palm. "More and more mysteries pop up with no answers like this thing." She rubbed her fingers over the red scar. The burn no longer hurt. "How did this mark open the door to the Gallery? What kind of microscopic cipher is imprinted on the star? And why is it on the Music Box?" She placed her hand back to the railing and leaned on the metal. "I asked the hologram, but she didn’t know." Kat stared at the sky, feeling as gloomy as it looked.
The door to the rooftop opened, and Kim stepped out. "So this is where you went." She walked over to the railing Kat leaned on. "What are you doing up here?" Kim looked down at her feet. "At least, you remembered shoes."
"There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you." Kat paused, not sure how to explain, then turned her attention back down to the street.
"Well, what is it?"
Kim glanced to her, wondering, "Is she thinking about what the Rogue said? Is she wondering if she's organic-mecha? I am. And I'm wondering if she has known this all along. Could the Guild or this Council she keeps mentioning be testing me for some reason?" Kim stared down at the street also. "What if Katharine is organic-mecha? What if she found me for some other reason than what she claims? Whatever I do, I can’t let her know I’m thinking this way."
"It’s not that thing the Rogue told you?” Kim asked. “Is it? I wouldn’t worry. There’s no way you’re one of those organic-mechas." She lightly smacked Kat on the left arm and laughed. "You’re too weird to be something programed."
"Thanks. I think. But it’s not that." Kat looked at her shoulder. "It’s..." She took a deep breath as if to continue and walked away from the ledge. "Never mind.”
"Don’t do that," Kim snapped. “Don’t start something and
not finish it. Tell me. Remember we’re partners. We’re supposed to trust each other."
"I’m not sure how to say it. The past year I’ve learned that I'm the Pandora Project." Her heart filled with dread. "You told me Pandora was the woman who doomed the world."
"Yes." Kim nodded. "I told you that Pandora let all good escape from existence. She had released it from a box."
Kat questioned, "Is that my destiny? Was I created, programed, or conditioned to destroy?"
"You’ve got to be kidding. This is what you’re worried about? Come on. There are more things to fear than..."
"Are there?" Kat interrupted. "Then why call me Pandora, if not to mean doom?"
"If this is an act, she’s good," Kim thought. "But what if it isn’t? What if she truly believes she’s to doom the world?" Kim scowled. "I can’t have her thinking this way. She would be no use to me. What can I say?"
Kim said, "There's one thing I didn’t tell you. There's more to the story. Pandora managed to keep hope in the box. She managed to keep hope in the world."
"Hope?"
"Yes, hope. Maybe your destiny isn’t to bring doom, but hope. Now..." Kim started for the door. "If we’re done up here, let’s go inside and order a pizza." She started in. "I’m starved."
"Kimberly..." She still feared exposing her secret because she didn’t know how she would react, but knew she must.
"Katharine, like I said, what could be so..."
"My wound... It’s gone. There’s no trace that I was ever shot."
"What? That’s impossible." Kim walked back out. "Show me."
She unzipped her jacket and pulled the collar of her t-shirt to the side, showing Kim her unbandaged shoulder.
"Hades... It is gone. That’s impossible. When did it happen?"
"I don’t know. It was like this when I awoke at Main One Hospital." Kat waited for her reaction.
"This is what you’re worried about?" Kim chuckled. "Come on." She put her hand on Kat's shoulder. "With all the technology the Corporations have, this isn’t out of the ordinary. So don’t worry." Kim forced a smile. "Come on. Let’s go order that pizza."
Kat nodded, relieved she didn’t freak out. “Can we get a Coke to go with it?”
“Coke? I've never heard of it, but I'll ask. If not, we'll get a Crite.”
Both of them walked back in.
Inside the cab...
Kim pressed button 31, and they made their way down. Kat stood behind her as Kim stared at the cab doors, wondering, "What kind of monstrosity is she?"
Some time later...
They entered Apartment H and Kim headed for her room as Kat sat on the couch and turned on the news. Kim sat on her bed and opened the drawer of her nightstand. Inside lay the marked bullet.
"For now, I need to keep Katharine around. Whether organic-mecha or wayward soul, she still may be of some use." Kim chuckled to herself. "But, if I want to go back to work, I’ll have to get rid of her." She removed the 9 mm round and stared at Pale Horse. "I think I’ll keep you with me from now on." She placed the bullet in the small zipper compartment of her zipped up hoodie. "After all, Katharine did see my face, and I can’t let anyone live who knows I’m the Phoenix."
In the living room...
"What about what the Rogue said?" Kat wondered as she clutched her pillow, paying no attention to the TV. "Am I organic-mecha? Am I some sort of freak?" She stared at the coffee table. "What if I am? What if there's no past for me to find? Then what?" She glanced at the hall. "And what about my partnership with Kimberly? Will she kill me when she no longer needs me? Will I be able to depend on her?" She tightened her grip on the pillow. "What does the future hold?"
Kim entered the kitchen, glanced at the table, and thought, “Nine days ago, I sat there sulking over my pathetic life. I wished that I wasn't alone, that I had more in this life, and that there would be someone there for me. Now, I have more to look forward to like taking my revenge." She went to the cupboard. "As for my wish..." She looked to Kat sitting on the couch. "I guess I need to be more careful what I ask for." She grabbed a cup.
Kat turned with a gloomy expression. She saw the cup and her face brightened. "Fixing tea?"
"Sure, put the kettle on and set the table. Make yourself useful."
Some time later...
Kat lifted her cup. "Here’s to our partnership. May it be successful."
Kim clinked her cup to hers. "I’ll drink to that. To a successful future, wherever it takes us."
Chapter Fifty-four
The Star Binds Them
12:40 P.M...
The Chamber...
Mr. Decuma pulled up new bio-data on his laptop. "The Cerberus Project has gone above our expectations. This experiment has surpassed the old Project."
"I do not know about that," Mr. Morta said. "We were unable to activate Pandora's potential."
Ms. Nona replied, "As I thought. One of us has taken a liking to the wayward project."
Mr. Morta said, "It is not like that."
"What is it like?" Mr. Decuma asked.
"I believe Pandora is the superior design. We are the ones who failed for not providing a sufficient catalyst. We should have done more."
Appalled, Ms. Nona questioned, "Our fault?"
"Yes," Mr. Morta answered. "Maybe we should have told Pandora about its past, then Pandora would not have been so driven to search for the missing pieces."
A male supervisor handed Ms. Nona a report. "There seems to be a problem with our acquisition of the Factory’s assets. There is one Research Outpost in Antarctica, Vulcan Station, that the T-3s did not attack. If the Sphinx Corporation Main Office finds out part of the Factory has survived, we will have to turn over everything we acquired from the Factory to Vulcan Station."
Mr. Morta stated, "This could be a test for Cerberus. The new project can close the outpost for us. See how Cerberus reacts with the human element."
"A fine idea." Ms. Nona curled up her thin cherry-red lips in a grin.
"I agree," Mr. Decuma replied.
"It is settled," Mr. Morta said. "We will send Cerberus to Antarctica."
* * *
7:01 P.M...
No setting sun declared the approach of night. All was black. Darkness lingered, but a glimmer of hope existed. Zax turned his van down an alley beside Dad’s Donuts. He activated a garage door and pulled into the Maydag Auto Garage. Within, the place was quiet. All the mechanics had gone home for the day. Zax parked, went to the second storage room, unlocked the door with a key, and went in. Broken equipment and tools, along with used oil and other discards, filled the cobwebbed shelves.
The place smelled of dust and gas. Zax went to the back wall and looked up at a light. He half unscrewed the bulb from the socket and pulled the chain. The back wall flipped around a hundred and eighty degrees. On the other side, Zax walked along a gray stone passage to a metal door with no knob. Beside the door was a camera and an intercom.
"Identify yourself," a man’s voice commanded.
Zax looked up into the lens. "Delivery Man." He waited a few seconds and added, "R.G. wanted to see me."
The door slid open, and Zax proceeded halfway down a white tiled hall to a glass enclosed security desk. There, three men and a woman monitored security screens. All four were armed. One of the men waved him up to a bio-detector. Zax went and stood in the device as the man scanned him for life signs.
"Oh, what’s this?" The security officer raised an eyebrow. "Do I detect a bio-mecha?"
Zax started to answer. "I’m not..."
The security officer interrupted, "Nope, all human. Delivery Man isn’t an Un-Man today. You may proceed."
Zax mockingly laughed at the snide remark and continued down the hall. The passage ended at a door. He opened it and entered a dark room. Its center was lit by one single light, and he went and stood in it. Zax waited a few minutes in silence.
A mechanically altered voice of R.G. spoke over an intercom. "Delivery Man, were you able to retr
ieve the scans I requested?"
"Yes." Zax cleared his throat. "The two conveniently ordered a pizza. I was able to intercept the delivery boy and exchange the pizza box with one of mine. Ms. Griffin took the box from the delivery boy and the hidden scanner picked up her Star Cipher."
"Yes, I know of that one. What of the other?"
He answered, "There was none on her left hand, but there is a Star Cipher on Kat's left."
"That's most interesting. What does it mean to have two bear the Stars instead of one?" R.G. paused. "They don’t know it yet, but the Stars bind them to a destiny. One I will make sure they fulfill."
"What kind of destiny?" Zax asked.
"One I'll tell you in due time. Good work. Continue to monitor the two. I'm most interested in how they will work together, and what they will accomplish. There's so much for them to do." R.G. paused and asked, "Did you discover anything else?"
"Yes. Before they threw the box away I was able to over hear some of their conversation. Kimberly's looking for who killed her mom."
"That's most interesting. Did someone tell her or did she remember the fiery incident?" R.G. wondered.
R.G. then asked, "Anything else?"
"One other thing. Katharine has lost her memory. She doesn’t remember anything past a year ago."
"I was afraid of that." R.G. ordered, "Set up a surveillance of their residence. I must know more."
"Understood. I'll get on it right away."
Zax left, wondering, "So the Stars bind them to a destiny. Is this a destiny that will help Noir? Destroy the Dry Clouds? Or is there something R.G. is hiding from me?"
Chapter Fifty-five
Arrival at Vulcan Station
Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness Page 27