by Mark Lingane
Sebastian:
Origin: Evolution (West-15)
Location: Unknown
Parents: Father (foster) Alex (inert/deceased), Mother Isabelle (5th generation)
Factor: Tesla (M-class) Extremely dangerous (determine alignment before termination).
Questions authority. Unreliable. Could do better in class.
Always with the could-do-better-in-class comment, he thought. When I’m king I’ll ban that statement.
Three pictures of him with the age written beneath were placed between the pages. One, five, and the last taken a few months ago. It was a passing shot, which had him walking away looking back over his shoulder.
His eye was drawn back to the previous line. Extremely dangerous. Cool.
Then his eye was drawn to the top: Father (foster).
His father wasn’t his father. It must be wrong.
He placed the file back on the shelf, and in a half-dream walked out into the main room. The view at this increased height was impressive.
“Good evening, darl. What are you doing up here?”
He was startled by the voice. “Oh, er, I was searching for Nikola. He told me to meet him on the third floor.”
“This is the fourth floor. But it’s a simple mistake, even for a bright lad like you.”
“Who are you?”
“Just cleaning.” She waved an old rag and a bottle of dirty water.
Sebastian gazed out the window, the wreckage from the battle still apparent against the skeleton of the city.
“There’s so much destruction down there,” he said.
“It’s been a difficult number of days for everyone.”
He could see the ravens flying in and picking at the bodies of the fallen soldiers. “The cyborgs are so different from us. It’s hard to fight against an enemy that isn’t afraid to die.”
“Just because they aren’t like us, it doesn’t mean they want to die. The cyborgs are people, like you and me, just trying to survive. They live in different conditions, almost in a different time. And are misguided by things they don’t understand.”
“Sometimes I feel we’re the ones living in the wrong time, being misguided by things we don’t understand,” Sebastian said. “Sometimes we seem so backward compared to them.”
“Maybe you’re the one who’ll sort it out. Often there’s no right way, just a better way, and not every step will be forward. That’s what the Reckoning taught us.”
“You’re very philosophical for a cleaner.”
“You get to see many interesting things up on these floors, cleaning the toilets. It makes you think. Anyway, Sebastian, it’s time you were running along. I’m sure Nikola will be waiting.”
He left, and she smiled, waved, and watched him intently as he walked out the door.
Two steps down was Isaac. He was swiveling his head from side to side, looking suspiciously like he was impersonating an owl.
“Why didn’t you call out? Even make the stupid owl noise?” Sebastian hissed.
“I didn’t need to.”
“But the old lady …”
“What old lady?”
“The one that came in the room. Did she come from the floor above?”
“No one came past. No one went in the door. Maybe she was already in the room.”
Then another memory stabbed Sebastian. How had she known his name? The termination phrase didn’t look too good either. Maybe it was a misprint.
31
BARTON HAD FINALLY got his meeting to discuss the position of mayor.
“Lincoln Trade is dead,” Nikola said. “We remember him at his best.”
The dignitaries fell into a respectful silence.
“So now we have no leader?” De Monet said.
“A replacement must be found urgently,” said Barton. “And I have a suggestion.”
Here we go, Nikola thought. Barton glanced at his watch. After a long pause, the door swung open. In walked a diminutive man.
“You,” Nikola cried.
“Yes, I would like to nominate Prevaricator Oakley for the position.”
Nikola was amazed. The man had been surviving quietly in the city, wisely avoiding the continued cyborg attacks. He’d saved them out near Tinto and now was offering his services just when they needed it. It was an improbable coincidence. He glanced up to Barton. Could he have found a way to manipulate him?
“Certainly. Some of you may not be aware, but Mr. …” Nikola started.
“Oakley.”
“Mr. Oakley came to our aid when we were pinned down by the cyborgs in the ambush. He saved our lives. I, for one, am glad he feels he can rise to this responsibility.”
“Why, thank you, Commander. It is rare that I find those with the grace to recognize me efforts.”
“Please, speak to the people. I see you managed to find some new clothes.”
Prevaricator grabbed the lapels of his new black jacket. “I always like to get meself a new suit for a new year, naturally. It makes the process symbolic. But it don’t matter if our outsides is different, it’s what’s inside that counts. It’s the ones that look the same that you’ve got to keep your eye on.” He placed his finger to his eye then wheeled around pointing at the assembled dignitaries.
“I am a little late, for good measure I can assure, because I was a tad hungry, even though that ain’t the reason. I was down at the mess, feeling a bit peckish, among the men that had given so much. I was ’aving a bit of a joke with them, knowing I was running a bit late, and they were digging into the dessert, and I thought to meself, because normally I don’t get an afters, I thought I’d have a little afters. I’d have a little of that with some mild custard. Lovely. So I got me pudding, got me little tray, and sat with the men, just like I’m sure you would if the—ahem—agenda allowed it, and listened to what they had to say. They spoke of heroic acts, the trouble with command,” he flashed a smile to Nikola, “and the many topics that burden your under-appreciated military savior. Now, I’ve been around, traveled and seen things, spoke to people, and listened to people. The one thing I’ve realized is people are people wherever you go. Even cyborgs, they’re not a whole lot different to us. I have spoken with them, often with a gun pointing at me head. Yes, they have the technology, but they are just people in a difficult situation. Not like them teslas, who actually are freaks.”
Someone gasped. Nikola went rigid. Barton smiled.
“I negotiate with a lot of people, getting the best deal for all. I don’t go in with a heavy sword and make even more enemies. I come as a friend and I walk away a better friend, but with all the profits for you. Not always is might the right answer. You’ve got to think and be open minded in life. You need to ask yourselves, I’d like a raise of hands, how many of you have actually spoken to a cyborg? Don’t be afraid. Who ’ere thinks that maybe the lands would be safe if they were friends rather than enemies?”
Murmurs and agreement rumbled around the room.
“Hang on,” Nikola cried.
“Just one moment, me premature friend.”
A hand raised at the back.
“Ah, yes?” Prevaricator couldn’t see the face of the questioner.
“How was it that you came to be out near Tinto? I mean, there is literally nothing there.”
“I go where I’m needed,” he smiled.
“Who needed you?”
“Sorry? Are you joking?”
“No, really. The place is in the middle of nowhere and no one goes there unless it’s related to the steel works. So what were you doing out there? Were you lost?”
He laughed without humor. “Maybe I was. I’ve got a nose for trouble that leads me to the most outlandish locations.”
“Apparently. And here you are in the heart of us. Are we in trouble?”
“Look, I don’t know what you’re trying to imply, but I’m putting meself out here offering me services when I could be out earning good money as a negotiator. No fee, no service.”
“But you helped us for free.”
His frustration grew as he couldn’t see the man who was asking. “So?”
“Did someone else pay you?”
“Who is asking this?”
The mysterious questioner stood, and waved at Prevaricator.
“You have quite the reputation out in the south,” said Parker. “Found your name hissed in plenty of disreputable places.”
“Hang on, you were out near Tinto. You’re only alive because of me.”
“Yes, possibly. And wouldn’t that be convenient.” Parker held a flat round disk. It had two colored lights flashing. “What is this?”
Prevaricator frantically patted his pockets “Oi, where’d you get that?”
“Someone had left it carelessly unattended in the pockets of their old suit, when they were shopping for a new one.”
“You give that to me. They can’t reach—” He paused realizing the wrong words were coming out. “Fine. You have it that way. But I’ve warned you. I’ve warned you good and proper. You will regret this decision.”
He turned and fled.
“Do we let him go?” Parker said.
“I don’t know how he’ll get out, but he’s certainly someone I’d want on the other side of the walls,” Nikola said. “Can we conclude this? Anyone care to nominate themselves?” He glanced over to Barton, who sat quietly staring at the end of his cane.
“I nominate Nikola for the position,” De Monet said. Agreement chorused through the assembled dignitaries.
“No. Thank you for your vote of confidence, but we should wait. The appropriate person will present themselves when the time is right.”
32
THE GIANT METAL locking mechanism slid out and fell through Prevaricator’s fingers. He slipped his foot underneath the heavy cylinder just before it crashed into the ground. He bit his tongue to stop himself from shouting. The figure with him laughed. The patrolling guard wandered by on the top of the great wall. A second guard joined him, and they stopped for a quiet smoke. Their voices drifted over Prevaricator and his helper.
“Don’t you get so happy. You got plenty to worry about,” Prevaricator whispered. “I wouldn’t hang around. They’re going to be miffed at what happened. None of the plans have gone down right.”
“It’s the boy, Sebastian. He must be interfering somehow.” The guards wandered off on their rounds. Prevaricator and his helper heaved on the door and it slowly opened with the faintest of squeaks. The dark desert lay ahead.
“That little brat. I’ve been hunting him since flipping Talinga, dragging meself through the arse end of the outback.”
“Arse end indeed. What a horrid little place.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
Prevaricator stepped out onto the desert plain. He was instantly surrounded by dozens cyborgs rising up out of the sand.
“We make deal. Understand?”
“Yeah, yeah. Quick come in. We was just opening the gate for you.”
@redFive said, “You betrayed us.”
“No. It weren’t me. Your man messed it up. Then the little brat musta done something to interfere.”
“Where is he?”
Prevaricator glanced around. “He was just ’ere, helping me with the gate, opening it up right proper for you.”
“He smarter than you,” @redFive said. He stepped in and placed his laser against the man’s chest.
Prevaricator quickly raised his hands. “No. Please, no. You need me. I got me feet in here. I’m your way in.”
The cyborg looked around.
“We already in.”
“I was speaking figuratively.”
“I had enough of your lies.”
He fired. Prevaricator’s eyes went wide as he gasped. His insides had gone. Plastered over the city wall. Shouts came from the patrolling guards. @redFive threw the body aside and pushed on in through the gate.
A guard tumbled in through the doorway into the city hall. He was battered and bloodied. “Commander,” he spluttered, looking at Nikola, “they’re inside. The cyborgs are among us.”
“How did they breach?” Barton said.
“There’s no way they could have,” replied Nikola. His face was dark. “Someone must have let them in. Prevaricator!”
“Why are they here? Why have they returned?” cried one of the dignitaries.
Nikola wrenched his sword from his back and charged out into the city center. The square was alive.
Sebastian appeared.
“What are you doing here?”
“The cyborgs smashed into our quarters. I had to run.”
“Stay behind me.”
Sebastian felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. He wheeled around, managing to duck out of the clasping reach of a cyborg.
Nikola spun and caught the cyborg across his throat. A combination of blood and green fluid sprayed out. He clutched at a white button with a red cross on his arm and his neck exploded with tiny black, square creatures. In the dim light, his wound flared and stopped bleeding. Nikola shoved Sebastian behind him. Again, Sebastian felt a prickling sensation. A heavy mechanical hand landed on his shoulder and dragged him away. He screamed for help. Nikola turned and was blocked by another cyborg.
@redFive clutched at Sebastian’s throat, catching him. He picked him up off the ground. Sebastian grabbed onto the cyborg’s hand, trying to pull free. He kicked out, but with no effect.
“I finally got you.”
Sebastian closed his eyes and struggled. The cyborg’s hand started to glow. The intensity of the heat increased until his pain receptors kicked in and he was forced to release the boy. Sebastian landed awkwardly.
Before the dust had settled, Sebastian was running toward the Potenza tower.
Cyborgs were everywhere. He had to dodge the slow-moving enemy to keep out of their reach. Sebastian’s head thumped as he ran through the crowd, with no direction offering any relief. His eyes stung with the pain, but he refused to give up. And wherever they were, he wasn’t, evading, escaping, and always being out of reach.
Iris flickered on @redFive’s tinyIris. “Report.”
“We no catch him.”
“Then get something that would bring him here. Wait.” The live feed streamed the images. “Her. It’s her. Get her.”
Isabelle was charging at @redFive.
Sebastian arrived in the square with the city center surrounded. He saw his mother, swinging two swords. She was covered in blood. He hoped it wasn’t hers.
Nikola appeared behind them almost dancing, his movements were so graceful. He swung his sword with ease and deadly precision.
But pushing its way through the advancing cyborgs was the biggest specimen he had ever seen. It stood two feet above everything surrounding it. It pushed everything out of its way. It was marching straight for his mother.
Sebastian cried out. He felt the pain and anger rising. He summoned the power from the cyborgs surrounding him and screamed. The wave rolled out from him, knocking them down. They stumbled and fell as systems were scrambled and instructions were confused or lost. But still the huge creature walked on. Its hideous pale face showed no signs of being affected by the wave.
Nikola leaped forward and struck two lightning-fast slashes into its body. The creature swiped at him and knocked him to the ground. It reached forward and clasped its claw-like hand around the struggling body of Sebastian’s mother. Its other hand smacked across her head. Her body went limp.
Nikola jumped up and unleashed an unrelenting barrage of deadly attacks, driving the beast back, but it did not let Isabelle go. Then a mighty hand came around, catching Nikola by surprise, knocking him clean across the street. He crashed into the wall on the other side, smashing his head.
The huge creature turned and slowly walked away with Sebastian’s mother in its claws, dragging her helpless body behind it.
“No!” Sebastian screamed.
He felt intensity inside his head build. His body felt like
it was about to explode. He held his hands in front of him and released the tension forward. He saw the wave roll down the street after the creature. He dropped to his knees.
The creature stopped, looked back over its shoulder directly at Sebastian, shook its head, and continued dragging the unconscious Isabelle behind its large, grotesque body.
For Sebastian, the world went sideways. He collapsed to the floor and darkness took him.
He woke with a start and called out for his mother.
Melanie stroked his head with a wet cloth in her hand. She looked exhausted. “You need to rest,” she croaked.
Sebastian pushed against her and tried to stand up. He took a pace and collapsed to the ground.
“Lie down. You have severe concussion. You’re lucky to be alive. Think of Isaac for one minute.”
“Is he dead?” Shock shot through his body.
“No … but his owl will never be the same.”
“I don’t have time for this.” He pushed Melanie aside and charged off.
She lunged after him, but her exhausted body couldn’t move fast enough. She called out for him to stop, but it was futile.
He ran to the place he knew he could find Nikola. He staggered up the stairs and into the library. Nikola was heavily bandaged. Blood was weeping from the strapping around his head and arm.
“They have her,” Sebastian cried.
“Don’t you think I know that? I want her back just as much as you, but we don’t have anything to fight with. We have nothing left.”
“So you won’t do anything?”
“We can’t do anything.”
“What was that thing that took her?”
“I’d guess the cyborgs have been experimenting again,” Nikola said. “I’ve never seen anything like it, some horrific crossbred creature.”
“There must be something we can do.”
“We have no weapons. We have no soldiers. We have no plan. If we march on them in numbers they’ll kill every single one of us. I wish, for all the stars in the sky, that there was another way.”