»What’s that over there?«
Vasina pointed at the Milky Way display in the distance.
»This must be Morgotradon’s command station from which he plans his actions throughout the galaxy.«
»These computer banks grew out of the bio-tech netting and are interwoven with degraded technology, through and through. This is a supercomputer server park,« Herimos remarked.
»We can’t even imagine the power this server park has,« Kuster~Laap remarked.
»In addition,« Voit interjected, »there’s an aura over the entire complex. The network, as well as the bolides, are filled with life! If this is really a supercomputer then it may have a conscience.«
»We need to be extremely cautious,« Vasina remarked. »Remember the gnome who had taken over the Atlantika. The degenerated technology integrates with living organisms and cell structures. If we go down there then there is the danger of infection. That would be our end!«
»Not exactly, Vasina. Neo-Sapiens are immune! If somebody goes down there then it’ll be me,« Herimos rebutted.
» Replications are also immune, including myself,« Klori’Tar declared, causing some surprised faces. »The genetic changes caused by the crystal substance made me incompatible.«
Pi gleamed at the server park with burning eyes. He was excited and it was obvious that he wanted to take a closer look.
Tranos used his equipment and scanned the server park below.
»Each of these techno-bolides is twenty meters high. There is a definite exchange of energy between the bio-tech netting and the degraded technology modules. Nautilus might not be able to detect this energy flow. The center display is the Milky Way, no doubt.«
Arkroid and Pi took a closer look at the galactic display; it turned out to be a three-dimensional map instead of a model. It was subdivided into several sectors. Thousands of colorful lights indicated individual markers. Pi assumed them to be solar systems with which Morgotradon was concerning himself.
»That’s crazy! If Morgotradon is planning an attack on the galaxy, why can we get in here so easily?«
»He’s not planning it, he’s been messing with it for hundreds of thousands of years already,« Klori’Tar corrected Pi. »I bet, one of these markers represents my home system. Maybe there is a marker for your system.«
»You can bet your ass on that. It’s probably the one with the brightest marker!« Maya Ivanova remarked sarcastically.
Arkroid frowned.
»We’re lucky so far, no doubt. Morgotradon is not here because of the overlap effects. He’s probably waiting for the effects to subside.«
»Well, that has happened or am I wrong?« Pi wondered. »The overlapping front has moved on. What’s he waiting for?«
»We need to be careful with these assessments. These phenomena are unpredictable,« Kuster~Laap threw in.
Arkroid consulted Nautilus.
»Can you determine if the overlapping effects have subsided?«
»I cannot make such an evaluation. I don’t have enough data for a correlation. I’ll let you know immediately when the conditions are changing.«
»Do you come from here, Klori’Tar?« Vasina asked. »What does this station represent?«
Klori’Tar hesitated.
»Although, I was replicated inside this station, I never was in this sector. The organization you’re looking for so desperately, does not exist. The Dark Brotherhood established itself in the heads of the people and Morgotradon kept feeding this myth. In reality, there is only one person who is threatening this galaxy.«
Surprised, the team looked at Klori’Tar.
Well, Klori’Tar only has limited knowledge. It’s quite possible that Morgotradon is the Dark Brotherhood, but he is not the initiator of this overwhelming influence over other people. He gets his orders from higher up the ladder; presumably the invaders. The technology we’ve found here cannot be invented by a single person. He had powerful helpers, Arkroid pondered.
»If Klori’Tar is right, then this is the chance to chop off the snake’s head once and for all!« Maya said aloud. »We withdraw and allow Klori’Tar to destroy this station from out of space. One problem less! The galaxy will thank us.«
Arkroid’s thoughts were racing.
»Herimos! If Klori’Tar agrees then you’ll advance toward the center. Gather as much info as possible and come back quickly. We’ll cover you and prepare to leave here on a moment’s notice.
Herimos slapped his chest and checked his weapon. This mission was just up to his liking.
»Klori’Tar, are you ready to do some clean up?«
Klori’Tar wanted to answer, but Nautilus was faster.
»A transport via tachyon network just occurred. One person has arrived.«
Arkroid stiffened and paled. He looked at Klori’Tar inquiringly.
»It’s not him!« he replied, reading Arkroid’s glance correctly.
»Is that it, Nautilus?« Arkroid asked and addressed Maya Ivanova a second later. »Maya, keep an eye on the corridor junction!«
»I’m detecting a slight increase in the gravitational constant in a close by space sector. It could be an after tremor of the overlapping front that went through this system or a start of a second wave,« Nautilus warned.
Arkroid cursed.
»Our mission is not blessed as it seems. Herimos, are you ready?«
Herimos gnarled and shouldered the scanners. Klori’Tar also signaled his readiness.
»Herimos, only a short reconnaissance and then you come back. I don’t want you to take any unnecessary risks. Protect each other. We’ll keep an eye on the situation and secure the hall. We stay in contact via our comms.«
Herimos nodded and walked down the ramp. Klori’Tar hovered above the ground, following him at a short distance.
»I don’t know, but we shouldn’t trust the Klorian,« Maya said and shrugged. »But, you’re the boss.«
»We are all responsible, Maya. All of us are Protectors!«
It’s getting serious
Communication was cut off as soon as Herimos entered the narrow pathways between the techno-bolides. The black super computers towered to the left and right of him. It was getting very dark. As all Neo-Sapiens, Herimos possessed excellent eyesight and could still see enough. Hair-fine conductors reached out for him, touching his armor, chest hair and face. Lightning fast the wires drilled into his flesh without causing him pain. They tried to find anchoring spots but pulled back after a couple of seconds. Herimos’ DNA was incompatible, the same as Klori’Tar’s. Although, both men were protected by energy fields, the hair-fine probes had no difficulty penetrating the defenses.
»The comm went dead. Seems as if the techno-bolides prevent communication. Let’s not worry about it and go on!« Herimos shouted.
»Trust me, I’m a hunter!« Klori’Tar replied while fighting off hundreds of probes which had formed bundles. »This technology … why is it called: degenerated?«
Herimos grumbled angrily.
»Because it infects intelligent lifeforms on a cellular basis, degenerating the victims and …«
A shadow suddenly jumped from a side path making Herimos swallow his words. Just meters before him a replication appeared from out of the darkness. Maya Ivanova’s copy looked at him with hateful eyes. Her right arm was scorched up to the shoulder. She was holding her weapon in the other hand. Herimos doubted that she had come to negotiate.
Herimos hesitated for a second. He was irritated looking into Maya Ivanova’s replicated face. Then he threw himself on the floor while noticing at the same instance a fine rustling noise as her shot grazed his defense field.
Klori’Tar, hovering behind Herimos, received a direct hit of the plasma charge. Countless probes were atomized in the progress. Hectically, damaged probes pulled back. Klori’Tar looked like a flaming torch. The blast was so intense that it could be seen from the team’s position at the galleria.
While Herimos landed on his belly, pulling his weapon, two plasma charges ca
me from Klori’Tar’s position and engulfed the replication. She had no chance dodging the shots. With a surprised yelp her body disintegrated and flowed away in a cloud of white ashes. Klori’Tar had defended himself successfully without hesitation.
Herimos was panting and remained on the floor for a couple of seconds. He looked up, but everything remained calm. He got up cautiously and looked at Klori’Tar who signaled him that he was okay.
»I should ascend a bit higher and cover you from there,« he suggested.
»No, don’t. You’ll become a target and betray our location!«
Herimos had had enough of this cautious approach and stormed forward. Knife wielding, he ran and cut through the still groping probes. Klori’Tar followed him immediately. Moments later, the cut off probes had grown back.
Anyone who dared to stand in Herimos’ way risked being run over by him. At this moment he was no longer a scientist. He had changed into a raging warrior. Suddenly, there were no more probes in their way. They had arrived at the center of the hall underneath the galactic display.
Herimos looked up to the galactic center. The detail and density was breathtaking. Even Klori’Tar seemed mesmerized for a couple of moments.
»Quick!« Herimos reminded him. »Let’s get some information and then head back!«
The galactic display was suspended five meters above their heads. It looked like a gigantic wheel with millions of lights.
Herimos and Klori’Tar swiftly searched the area around the projector. Several bundles of thick conductors, coming from the techno-bolides, culminated inside the projector base and adjacent interfaces.
»Herimos, look!« Klori’Tar had discovered a strange looking bed, shaped like a body shell for humanoid beings.
»This seems to be made for just one person. This could be Morgotradon’s command lounge or a special terminal.« Herimos knit his bushy eyebrows. »At the head end, arm-strong fibers connect with the bio-tech webbing. Each of these bundles must consist of thousands of sensors. I assume that anybody who lies on this bed connects to the techno-bolides behind us.«
»Yes, you’re correct. There’s only one interface like that, Herimos. This is the place from which Morgotradon controls his agitators throughout the galaxy. This is not only his personal galactarium but also serves as a mental interface. Morgotradon impacts countless worlds from here. We must destroy the bed immediately!«
»Wait!« Herimos shouted, but Klori’Tar didn’t listen and fired at the bed. The bed melted into a bubbling pile of molten junk. The fiber bundles were cut off and jerked back into the floor. An explosion ejected hand-size, glowing debris through the air and damaged more parts of the system.
Herimos threw himself on the floor.
»What in the name of the three-headed monsters of Morgosh are you doing!« he yelled at Klori’Tar and ran toward him. Klori’Tar dodged him and fired at the projector which imploded with a loud bang. The three-dimensional galactic display began to flicker and changed to a bright red.
The closest standing techno-bolides suddenly grew some thick extensions which snaked toward the two intruders. This time, the endings had stingers instead of probes!
»It’s getting serious, Klori’Tar! Because of your stupid actions, we now have to shoot our way back!«
Darkness
The replication emerged from the same corridor the team had used. Arkroid and Pi were waiting for her with their weapons drawn. Voit had already tasted her bitter aura and warned the team. The replication was behaving differently than the other ones.
She stepped out from the corridor and didn’t seem to think that there could be intruders waiting for her. She had come through the same portal and probably wasn’t informed about the recent activities.
She froze as she was confronted with Arkroid and Pi. Her eyes widened as she saw Maya Ivanova who had been standing behind Arkroid.
This section didn’t offer many hiding possibilities. If there were a fight, then it had to be over quickly. Because the replication didn’t show aggression, Arkroid waited instead of firing at her.
It was obvious that she was surprised. Moments later, she regained her self-control and showed a curt snort.
»How you found the well hidden station is irrelevant. You’re here. Some of you, I know very well. My master told me about you. You must be this despairing bunch of people who criss-crosses the galaxy with a ship from the Creators, trying to avoid their demise. What ever your intensions are, they will fail!«
Her words were hard and despising. She felt superior and believed to have the situation under control.
»At least, we’re here, sis!« Maya bellowed. »Our chances are a lot better than yours.«
The replication smiled inexplicably, snorting again.
»Uh … you must be the template! Therefore, I’m not your sister rather your daughter. Would you shoot your daughter?«
»I wouldn’t try to find out, if I were you, sister.«
Arkroid noticed that Maya’s hands were trembling slightly.
»You revealed your character with just that one sentence. You’re dominant, uncompromising and full of pride. I now understand why my master wants you so desperately. That’s why he made me his favorite. I’m more like you than all the others.«
»Strange, they all said that.«
Suddenly, the pathways between the techno-bolides were lit up with flashes.
»Herimos and Klori’Tar are in trouble,« Pi said.
The replication also had noticed the flashes. She smiled mockingly.
»Some of you really dared to enter the central section. I’m not sorry for them, they’re as good as dead!«
»We’ll see!« Vasina shouted.
The replication looked at Vasina.
»You’re like my master. You are the Progonaut woman who injured him with the sword, but you couldn’t kill him, huh! He would never admit to defeat, but I read his diary when he slept. The galaxy is small.«
Why is she so talkative? What does she have in mind? Does she want to intimidate us or make us think that she’s superior or does she want to buy time? Arkroid thought. Where are Herimos and Klori’Tar?
»Never mind the size of the galaxy, it seems small enough to come across Morgotradon’s despicable work,« Pi remarked sarcastically. »It’s high time to bring him to justice!«
»Wow … big words for somebody who belongs to a very young race. My master could wipe out your world with a snap of his finger, but his hands are tied. This will change soon, though.«
Arkroid listened closer.
What is she getting at?
The replication reached out her hand in a demanding gesture.
»You can save your miserable lives and surrender the Jamal-Combs. Maybe I’ll inform him about your successful escape. He’s very interested in these devices, you know. He’s aware that you have a couple of them. You can live and I’ll become immortal! It’s your choice! Else …«
»Toiber!« Nautilus called Arkroid. »A new overlapping front has established and is headed toward you. You must leave Spook immediately! The wave will arrive in ten minutes!«
At the same time, a dull explosion occurred in the central sector. The galactic display began to flicker and turned color. The replication’s mouth trembled nervously. She screamed!
»You destroyed the control station? You just signed your death sentences!«
She threw herself to the floor and rolled into the corridor, she had come from. Maya hesitated a second to long, fired, but missed. The replication returned fire and hit Maya whose defense shield flared up, but stabilized again. The replication yelled and ran deeper into the corridor. Maya and Vasina wanted to follow her, but where hindered by a barrage of fire. They fell back and took position to the left and right of the corridor junction.
»Klori’Tar is ascending and is firing!« Pi shouted, observing the Klorian through his rifle scope. »If he hits Herimos then …«
The situation escalated.
»Klori’Tar’s firing at the tech
no-bolides, not at Herimos!« Arkroid shouted back.
Bright explosions marked Klori’Tar’s path of destruction. It also flashed between the techno-bolides. A wave of fire indicated the Neo-Sapien’s retreat. He made full use of his heavy weapon, not holding back.
Arkroid noticed a movement from the corner of his eyes. Another replication entered the area from a second corridor and opened fire. She had no reason to be cautious. Fires were raging at the techno-bolides. Her shot hit Arkroid’s shoulder. Even though he was protected by his defense shield, he was thrown off his feet. Dazed, he slid across the floor and then down the ramp. He tumbled several times and tried to hold on to something. His fall was halted in front of a techno-bolide. He was now within reach of degenerated technology and in great danger. Immediately, tentacle-like fibers meandered toward him.
Pi returned fire at the second replication while Maya and Vasina secured the other corridor. Tranos released a shock wave from his shield. The replication was hit, slid across the floor and slammed into a wall where she remained, lifeless.
The exchange of fire ceased for a moment.
Pi looked at Arkroid and noticed that he was almost within reach of the tentacles.
Nobody had paid attention to Voit who was leaning over the railing, watching Arkroid. Suddenly, the tentacles stopped moving and turned into a gray mass.
At first, the color changes of the tentacles and bio-tech webbing occurred only at Arkroid’s location, but moments later, a chain reaction occurred that engulfed more and more techno-bolides.
Arkroid stared at the techno-bolides. The tall servers began to sway and popped open on the sides. A green, thick substance oozed into the room. Moments later, the galactic display disappeared. The destruction of the bio-tech webbing continued quickly, reached the ceiling and the star-like corridor junction.
»Watch out, Voit!« Pi yelled after him as Voit ran down the ramp to pick up Arkroid. Arkroid had dislocated a leg and wasn’t able to get up. Voit picked him up, accompanied by Arkroid’s screams. Tranos helped him up the ramp.
NEBULAR Collection 5 - Panic in the Galaxy: Episodes 22 - 26 Page 28