by JN Chaney
Ysa, Ludo, Hux, John, and Terry attacked at once and in tandem from all angles, but in a single, wide sweep, the Guardian cast them all aside, pushing them away like dolls.
Terry got to his feet, wiping mud and snow from his face.
John lifted his rifle and shot wildly into the Guardian’s chest, but the ammunition had no effect. “It’s useless!” he cried.
But in that moment, a sound came from the mountain. A horn that blew through the valley and echoed in the hills. The sound of soldiers running. The anthem of a nation.
Barniby appeared with two dozen men at his back, each clad in armor, with orinchalium swords in hand.
“Barniby!” yelled Hux, from amid the chaos. “What kept you?”
“Apologies, cousin!” returned the prince, and he readied his blade, raising it high into the air.
The Guardian slammed a tendril on the ground, shaking the earth.
“It seems the gods would like a word,” said Barniby to his fellow countrymen. “What say we show them how we scream in Tharosa?”
The soldiers beat their armored chests, bellowing loud taunts. The Guardian took notice, soon turning its attention to them.
Barniby pointed his sword toward the monster. “Attack!” he yelled, a mad grin upon his weathered face. “Attack and kill the god!”
The men ran with weapons high, charging into chaos. Charging into doom.
Against such a monster, what good could they achieve? But none gave any sign of fear, for these were men of Tharosa, and they would not be so easily moved.
The soldiers attacked the lower tendrils first. The monster reacted fast, casting several aside, but not killing them. They rolled and righted themselves, doubling their efforts and attacking once again.
Terry joined them soon, taking position near Ysa and Ludo on the the Guardian’s left side.
Another tentacle came down on them, but before it could hit, Ysa raised her arms to block. She made her skin like stone, holding the tendril back. At the same time, Ludo dug a knife into the metal and slid the blade to create a massive wound.
Terry leapt over them, his sword outstretched, and made his way along the tendril towards the head.
He passed over John as he fired his rifle into the beast’s underbelly.
He passed over Barniby and the two dozen Tharosian soldiers as they cut away at the monster’s base.
He passed over the pirate Hux, who stood with his spear, piercing the center of monster’s chest, digging the blade as deep as his hulking arms would allow.
Terry reached the top of the morphing blog of metal, stopping at the highest point of its mass. He raised his sword with both hands, then pierced the monster in what could be called the forehead, and held on for all his life.
The Guardian flailed, attempting to knock them all away.
Terry fell forward, still holding on to the hilt of his sword, and he dragged the blade down the monster’s front, splitting it apart.
A massive slit formed like parting waters as Terry slid down the rippling metal of the Guardian’s body.
The beast’s skin rippled and morphed, attempting to repair itself, but it was no good. Too much of its body had fallen away. Instead, it collapsed onto the ground, stumbling over itself, rolling in the bloodied snow.
It stopped attacking, but Terry and his allies did not relent. They pressed it, piercing and stabbing the corpse without pause, without hesitation.
“The beast is felled!” cried Barniby. “Do not give it time to breathe!”
Like ants upon a dying animal, the soldiers of Tharosa climbed and covered the Guardian’s body. They dug their many blades into the monster’s flesh…and then ripped the god to pieces.
******
With the Guardian incapacitated, the remaining soldiers secured the field and surrounding area. Barniby had them take stations along Ashby’s streets to assist civilians in whatever way they could.
“I’m sorry you lost so many men,” said Terry.
“More will come,” said Barniby. “Most of our forces are fighting the islanders, but they’ll return when we send word.”
“What about the war?”
Barniby fanned his hand. “Unimportant compared to the lives of our people. That thing destroyed two dozen buildings near the harbor, along with half the docks. We’ll need every available soldier to return and help rebuild.”
“We found them!” yelled John from the edge of the field. He emerged from the woods with Jinel Din’s arm around his neck, and Lena Sol beside them.
Terry smacked Barniby’s shoulder, then ran to help his friends. “Are you guys okay?”
“I am, but Jinel needs to lie down,” remarked Lena.
“I’m fine,” said the soldier. “Mind your own business, analyst.”
Lena smiled. “I was mistaken, it seems.”
“We had no idea where you both went,” said Terry.
“I found Jinel buried under some snow. Lena here was trying to dig her out,” explained John.
“Glad you’re both okay,” said Terry, and he was truly relieved.
Jinel coughed. “It’ll take more than that to stop me. I still have a mission to accomplish.”
“Not in your state, you don’t,” remarked Lena.
“Don’t tell me what to—”
“Hey, hey, let’s just get you both to a doctor. You can argue later,” said John.
Terry watched them limp off towards the city. It was good to see everyone coming together, especially John and Jinel. Hard to believe only a few hours ago, they were ready to kill each other. There was nothing like almost dying to bring people together.
Hux found him after a bit, having gone to check on his boat with Ysa and Ludo. “Our crew is alive!” he boasted, heartily.
“Any casualties in the town?” asked Terry.
“A few, but it could have been worse,” said Ludo.
Terry knew he was right. Multiple buildings had collapsed. It was a wonder more people hadn’t been killed in the chaos. Despite everything, they’d been lucky today.
“The Waveguard is safe, too,” said Hux. “As well as the cargo.”
“We’ll need to leave before long. My guess is that if we don’t, we’ll have to deal with more of whatever that was,” said Terry, motioning to the giant pile of dead Guardian behind them.
“Whatever the gods send, we’ll smite them down,” said Hux with a chuckle.
“Maybe so, but I’d rather get to them first, if we can.”
“Did you have something in mind?” asked Ysa.
Terry looked at the airship, which still sat near the back of the field, untouched. “I might have an idea or two, but let’s go meet up with John and the others first. It could get complicated.”
******
“Let me see if I follow,” said Emile Res. “You want to pilot the Red Door back to Everlasting, seize control of the Citadel, and take Master Gel prisoner. Is that right?”
“When you say it like that, I guess it does sound a bit out there,” said Terry.
“It’s insane,” she said.
“Maybe not,” interjected Lena. “The ship is coded to enter the domeguard. We could slip through without notice.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t account for the hundreds of enemy soldiers ready to kill you on sight,” said Emile.
“Simple work,” said Jinel, fanning her hand.
“She’s right. I’ve seen those guys in action. They’re a joke,” said John.
“Perhaps so, but the toxin in their weapons can subdue you, nonetheless,” said Lena.
“I can avoid them,” said Terry.
“You’re not fast enough to dodge several hundred of them.”
“We may not have to,” said Jinel.
“Got an idea?” asked John.
“If we can get a signal to Garden, I might,” she said.
John cocked a brow. “What for?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked, looking at each of them.
“Oh!” ex
claimed Lena, who had apparently figured out the riddle. “You’re talking about a distraction.”
She nodded. “Right you are, analyst. Draw the would-be king’s attention to the streets.”
“Meanwhile, we assault the castle,” said Terry.
“And we’ll get Mei back,” added John, letting out his hand.
Terry took it. “Whatever it takes.”
CHAPTER 17
S.O.F.T. Mission Report
Play Audio File 335
Recorded: April 3, 2351
FINN: Brooks, do you read me? Anyone at Bravo Point picking this up?
BROOKS: I have you, sir! What’s going on?
FINN: Listen up! I need you to prep the team. Have them ready to go on my signal.
BROOKS: For an assault, sir?
FINN: No, I’m talking about going home. I need you to get ready to blow the bridge.
BROOKS: Are you talking about the Exodus Protocol, sir?
FINN: If that’s the one where we evacuate and blow up the portal, then yes. Sorry, but you know I suck with mission names.
BROOKS: Yes, sir. That’s the one. Are you sure?
FINN: Positive, but wait for my signal. I’m not sure what’ll happen, so if you don’t hear from me in an hour, you go ahead and do it.
BROOKS: But, boss—
FINN: Don’t argue, Brooks! Just do what I told you and get our boys home. That’s your only concern.
BROOKS: Right, but what about you? What are you doing?
FINN: I’ve got business to deal with, but I’m right behind you. Terry and I gotta see a man about a girl.
BROOKS: Sir? Did you just say Terry?
FINN: That I did, Brooks, and we aim to bring a reckoning, but it could get messy. You know what they say about vengeance, don’t you?
BROOKS: That it’s a dish best served cold?
FINN: Hell no, Brooks! They say it’s better than mourning, and I’ll be damned if I’m giving up on Mei. You hear me? I’ll rip this godforsaken planet in half before I quit.
End Audio File
Everlasting
April 3, 2351
Mei hid behind a wall as several scientists passed by, pushing carts and talking amongst themselves. She’d made it down several corridors without being spotted, but she couldn’t keep this up forever. She had to get out of here soon before somebody spotted her.
She listened from her hiding spot as the scientists continued along the corridor, entering a distant room. She waited for the door to close before allowing herself to move or relax. She waited a moment and, staying low, ran quickly through the hall to the nearest corner.
She could feel her adrenaline as it coursed through her, heightening her senses. Having rarely used her abilities, she had little experience to draw from, but here in this moment, surrounded by the possibility of death, her body knew what to do. She could hear everything happening around her, in nearly every room, and she moved like a ghost, quickly and quietly.
John must have known this feeling all too well.
No time to dwell on that, she thought. John’s not here, and you are. Get with it, Mei.
She sped through the next hall, listening to whatever commotion lay ahead. Several men were talking in a side corridor, discussing a recent attack.
“Master Kai is dead, I heard,” said one of them.
“Troubling news for all of us,” said another.
“Master Gel is all that remains. Do you think they’ll come for him, too?”
“Not if we do our jobs. We must protect him.”
“For the good of Everlasting,” said the soldier.
“Yes, for the good of Everlasting,” repeated the other.
They didn’t appear to be moving anywhere, these idiot soldiers. She might have to take them on and risk exposure. Mei might be a hybrid, but she wasn’t John. She didn’t know if she could take on a group of armed—
“We should report,” said one of the men.
“Now? I wanted to get some food before the changeover.”
“There’s no time for that today. With everything that’s happening, we have to do a good job.”
“Yes, of course. The city needs us to be vigilant.”
Mei watched as the two guards started to leave in the opposite direction. Now was her chance. She just had to—
A gasp came from behind her. “You…you’re…”
She turned to see a scientist standing with the lab door open, staring at her, his mouth agape. Great, just what she needed. “Don’t move!” she told him, lifting the gun.
“You’re not supposed to—”
“Shut up!” she demanded, aiming the pistol at him. “You want me to shoot you?”
The scientist looked terrified, almost shaking where he stood. “Th-This is unacceptable! Master Gel will—”
She shot him and he fell to the floor, completely immobilized, but still breathing. Still awake, too. “I told you to shut it,” she said.
He blinked, but was otherwise motionless.
At that exact moment, two more appeared from the same room. Seeing Mei, one of them panicked, screaming. “Someone help!”
Mei shot them both, but it was too late. She could hear several heavy footsteps running through the halls to her location.
Soldiers, for sure, with weapons clanging against their sides. There was no getting around it. If they caught her, she’d be put to sleep or killed…and she was going back to that cell.
She clenched the pistol grip. No, she wouldn’t go back. She couldn’t. Not today or ever again.
She’d to have to fight them, make her stand in this stupid hallway with nothing but her bare feet and this little gun. One way or the other, it was going to end today.
The only question was how.
******
Two soldiers came running down the corridor from each side, trapping her between them. Standing between the four of them, she had nowhere to go.
“Don’t move!” ordered one.
This again, she thought. The last time she was in the position, they had shot her. She couldn’t let that happen again. If she was going to escape this awful place, it was now or never.
She ran toward one nearest pair, shooting at them with her pistol. A blast hit one in the shoulder, while the other returned fire.
The shot barely missed her ear, hitting the floor behind her, near the other two guards. Mei leapt to the side, jumping off the wall with her bare feet and hitting the man in the chest with her knee, digging the barrel of the pistol into his neck. She fired immediately, instantly immobilizing him, making him go limp.
The other two guards came from the rear, but she fired her weapon before they could fully engage, and they dove to the floor to avoid the shots. She took the opportunity to run, but continued to fire behind her as she did. She slid into the corner, moving too quickly to stop, and slammed her knee into the wall, leaving a large dent, but then kept going.
She slipped into a nearby room, waiting for them to round the corner. As they did, she shoved the door with her shoulder into one and sent him careening into the wall. He let out a yelp as his head smashed into the metal.
The other soldier turned to see her, but it was too late. She fired her weapon into the side of his cheek, and he dropped to the floor.
Mei went for the other one who was struggling to reach his gun. She kicked him in the nose, feeling the cartilage as it broke under the heel of her foot.
He screamed as blood poured from his face.
She grabbed his own weapon and fired it into his leg, point-blank. The toxin took hold of him instantaneously, the same as it had the others, and he stopped moving.
Need to go, thought Mei, looking around. Need to go, need to go!
She fled through the halls as people started coming out of their labs and offices, quickly shutting the doors once they saw what was going on.
Finally, she came to an area she recognized. She’d been here before, hadn’t she? Wait a second, she thought. This is the central acce
ss hall near one of the analytics departments.
Yes, she’d come here a few times before. First, with Lena Sol, and then with Gel. If this was right, she wasn’t underground or in the city. She was inside the Tower of the Cartographers.
A swell of fear washed over her as she realized what this meant. The Tower floated high above the city, inaccessible by foot. The only way out was on an aircraft. Without that, there was simply no way she could get to the ground. Not unless she decided to go skydiving.
The only solution was to steal a ship, but that was impossible unless she had an implant. Too bad she never took Lena’s offer to get one. What am I supposed to do?
Several of the analysts had noticed her by now, and they gathered near the window to gawk. She must look ridiculous standing here, half-clothed and covered in Fentin’s blood.
Someone yelled from the other side of the area. “Call security! Help! She has a weapon!”
She fired, instinctively, hitting the analyst in the chest and knocking him out. He moaned as he hit the floor. Mei glanced at the pistol in her hand. “Oops.”
More screams from inside the analytics room. She couldn’t stun them all, and even if she could, what would the point be? The only solution was to run, to keep going until she found a way out.
She bolted through the halls, trying to find the exit. The docking area wasn’t far, but she’d have to pass through several areas before—
An explosion echoed in the distance, somewhere beyond the walls of this place. Her heightened senses told her it came from the city beneath this floating tower. She listened intently, picking up the sound of breaking metal and crumbling stone.
“What do we do?!” screamed someone from beyond the hall.
“Calm yourselves!” ordered another. “Master Gel is sending reinforcements. The city will be secured soon enough.”
“What about us?”
“Those terrorists can’t reach us here. Don’t worry.”
With the city under attack, the remaining soldiers in the tower would be scattered and distracted. Better to be quick and move while she could.
She’d need to force someone to fly her out of here, but who? Gel would never allow a ship to leave the hangar with her on board, even at the cost of someone else’s life. He’d either seize them or shoot the aircraft down. Master Gel would never allow his precious genetic specimen to leave the tower. Not unless—